My Stay at Jane Austen’s brother’s house: Henry’s Townhouse in London

Friends! I’ve been so excited to tell you about The Enchanted Book Club’s England trip so far! I arrived in London on Friday afternoon and have been on the go ever since. The book club got to Bath this evening and we just enjoyed the most delightful dinner. With a moment to finally spare, I’m sitting in bed in my hotel room to write to you.

I plan to write a series of blog posts, each celebrating a chapter of this unforgettable trip. The first chapter takes us to the charming Henry’s Townhouse in London. I planned my arrival a couple of days prior to The Enchanted Book Club’s tour, allowing time experience the city. When I came upon Henry’s Townhouse (once the residence of Jane Austen’s favorite brother, Henry)—and found out you can stay there, I knew I had to go! With a sitting room where Jane Austen penned parts of Sense and Sensibility, a second-edition Austen collection, and each room dedicated to an Austen family member, it is a true celebration of Jane’s classic stories and where they came from.

I’ll start with my favorite part—the sitting room! Right off the stunning entry way, you’ll find a room adorned with Jane Austen’s portrait, a writing desk, and velvet lavender touches. I wrote my first journal entry of the trip in this room which couldn’t have been any more fitting. If you’ve ever been to a place Jane once was, I am sure you know what I mean when I say that you can feel her presence.

Up the first set of stairs, you’ll find the “snug” (why does everything in England have a cuter name?). This cozy nook is ideal for reading, especially because it displays a second-edition collection of Jane’s novels. I excitedly put on gloves and leafed through one of the earliest editions of Pride and Prejudice.

I stayed in the Phylly bedroom at the very top of the Townhouse. As I mentioned, each room is dedicated to a member of the Austen family. My room was inspired by Jane Austen’s cousin Philadelphia who wrote of her stay with cousin Henry at 24 Upper Berkeley Street, “They live quite in style”.

Each of the Townhouse rooms includes a complimentary British mini bar, Dyson hairdryers, Frette slippers, bathrobes and La Bruket Organic bathroom amenities. Because it was so intimate and thoughtfully done, staying at Henry’s Townhouse truly made me feel at home even though I’m over 5,000 miles aways from my real home. One of the experiences that made it feel most homey was the beautiful breakfast.

On Saturday morning, I woke up to scents of the most wonderful homemade breakfast. I walked down to the lowest level of the Townhouse to find a darling kitchen, floral tablescape, and several delectable menu items. From a traditional English breakfast to Eggs with Soldiers (I definitely had to look that up!), there are plenty of breakfast options all made right there in the kitchen with as many organic ingredients as possible. I chose the pancakes…I might be biased due to the impression England has made on me, but they were certainly better than any pancakes I’ve ever had in America!

If you’re looking for a place to stay in London, I can’t say enough wonderful things about Henry’s Townhouse (especially if you are a Jane Austen fan). Additionally, if you are overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the city, Henry’s Townhouse is located in the quaint Marylebone where nearly every storefront displays enchanting flower boxes. It was my favorite part of London, providing the perfect balance of city excitement and charm.

Henry’s Townhouse is offering a lovely gift to our community. If you book a room for two nights or more by December 1st, 2023, mention my name to receive a complimentary Henry’s Townhouse boxed candle!

I’m off to bed…tomorrow The Enchanted Book Club is exploring the city of Bath. Lots more to come! Thank you for following along ❤️ And if you ever want to come along in real-life to experience a literary tour with a group of kindred spirits, be sure to join The Enchanted Book Club. We host 1-2 literary tours each year. Our next trip announcement will be Prince Edward Island…