She helped to shape the literary sphere we know today and, through the generations, we have never lost the love affair with her writing. Her novels cover the lives of the English gentry – which often explored women’s social standings, marriage and economic security - and she made us fall in love with the country houses that provided such charming backdrops.

 Austen never included detailed descriptions of the properties she included – rather using them to demonstrate symbols of status and allow the readers imagination to build their walls. Because of this, we are not always fortunate to see the homes that gave her inspiration. At least not until Charlton Park came to the market via our Canterbury office. In the 1700s, Austen was a frequent visitor to the property and it is said that here she got the idea for one of her most famous books, Pride and Prejudice.

The first-born of the iconic Mitford sisters, Nancy wrote eight novels in her lifetime – including her most famous read, The Pursuit of Love. The book, published in 1945, is a tale of interwar aristocratic life that we still just can’t get enough of – in fact, we’ve just witnessed its third television adaptation.

If the book alone – which is based on her life – doesn’t give you a big enough insight, you can now buy the place she called home during the Second World War in Mayfair. 45 Curzon Street, which belonged to one of her close friends and was where Mitford resided during her time as part of the Auxiliary Fire Service. The Georgian townhouse has since been extensively rebuilt and renovated and now carefully blends modern finishes and period features.

Some of the famous courtships in history are attributed to Henry VIII and his six wives, but perhaps the one we remember most is Anne Bolelyn. She is undoubtedly the wife that has held the most attention – both then and now. Their courtship lasted several years while Henry was still married to Catherine of Aragon, with Anne’s sights set firmly on becoming Queen.

Yaldham Manor in Kent, which neighboured the Bolelyn’s estate, provided the settings for one of their early encounters. When the house was under the ownership of Reynold Pekcham, Elder of Yaldham, the pair danced in the Medieval Great Hall. Today, the Manor House, which was sold in 2017, is still set around that very hall – and her signature can still be seen on one of the windows underneath the Peckham’s family crest.

But this wasn’t always the case. During the 19^th century, the three sisters were navigating gender bias so initially published works under male pseudonyms. This meant they were not largely recognised for their novels during their time.

Emily, the middle sister, is now widely celebrated for her only novel, Wuthering Heights. This meant that when Ponden Hall came to the market back in 2020, it came as no surprise that its connections to this book attracted the attention of so many. It was here in the 19^th century that Emily Bronte was a frequent visitor thanks to the property’s extensive library – and where she found inspiration for Thrushcross Grange.

A journalist, editor and biographer across art and fashion covers a great proportion of her career. But, arguably, she is best known for her successful charity-fundraising sales at Christie’s, auctioning clothes owned by Diana, Princess of Wales, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor.

Meredith married Jeremy Pilcher, a merchant banker, in 1981 and they lived together Seymour Walk in Chelsea, throwing parties with an eclectic mix of journalists, artists and writers. In 2010, the house was too big for ‘Minky’ and ‘Pilch’ as they were affectionately known to each other, and they downsized to a three bedroom maisonette, which was recently sold through our Chelsea office. The couple kept entertaining at Finborough Road – swapping evening soirées to sophisticated lunches.