Landscapes & gardens in the novels of Jane Austen

This online talk is part of the Jane Austen Festival.

Timothy Mowl’s lavishly-illustrated talk will consider designed landscapes and gardens in Jane Austen’s novels, not only as representative of current horticultural fads, but as important elements in the plots, providing the background to moments of high emotional drama. Her life spans the demise of Capability Brown’s minimalist landscaping (died 1783), the growth of Picturesque theory in the late 1780s and 1790s, which she satirizes in Northanger Abbey, and the coming of Humphry Repton, who appears in Mansfield Park, with his promotion of Ornamental Gardening. At the heart of the novels and of this talk are the shrubberies, sweet-scented, shadowy places for exercise, contemplation and romantic assignations.

Please note that the ticket you are purchasing allows you to watch this talk live & online via the BRLSI website at the time stated only (all times are UK times). The talk will not be recorded or available to watch at a future time.

In-person tickets for the talk are on sale via the Jane Austen Festival website. 

Instructions on how to watch online will be detailed on your ticket confirmation email; please read them carefully as you will need to log in to the BRLSI website again at the time of the talk (we do not send out Zoom codes). If you have any queries about watching online, contact BRLSI on reception@brlsi.org.

All other queries can be directed to the Jane Austen Festival.

PostScript Books are returning as sponsors of the Jane Austen Festival for 2026, as well as being the official Festival bookseller for the first time! Postscript have curated lists of suggested books… perfect for all those who just can’t wait for September to start learning about the topics we’ll be covering throughout the Jane Austen Festival.

Follow this link to be taken to the PostScript Books website, where you can find the themed book collections they have put together for each talk.