THE home of a world-famous Hampshire author has been named one of the top places in England after hundreds of nominations from the public.

Jane Austen’s house in Chawton is among ten places chosen in Historic England’s campaign, A History of England in 100 Places, in the music and literature category.

The novelist’s house features alongside such landmark buildings as Abbey Road Studios, The Brontë Parsonage and Shakespeare’s birthplace.

Author Monica Ali, who judged the music and literature category, is one of a panel of judges including Professor Lord Robert Winston, George Clarke, Mary Beard and Tristram Hunt, who were tasked with choosing their top ten places in a range of different categories.

Jane’s house in Chawton was where she lived for the last eight years of her life and her novels, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey were refined and finished there.

She then wrote Mansfield Park, Emma and Persuasion while living under this roof.

Last year celebrations took place across Hampshire to mark 200 year’s since the author’s death.

Monica Ali said: “I was intrigued by the idea of telling the history of England in 100 places, and I was delighted to be asked to judge the music and literature category.

“The judging process proved to be a reminder of just how rich the nation’s history of creativity is, and it was tough to select only ten.

“Why is it important to celebrate such places? First of all, it is an acknowledgement of how the arts have shaped our society, especially at a time when arts are becoming more and more marginalised.

“Secondly, and no less importantly, these are not only places in which to learn about the past, they also invite contemplation, reflection and – just maybe – inspiration, thus passing the creative baton to future generations.”

All ten places picked by Monica will be explored in new episodes of a recently launched podcast series, hosted by Emma Barnett.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “From Austen and Orwell to Brontë and The Beatles, these ten fascinating choices from Monica Ali hint at the sheer range of music and literature hotspots England has to offer.”

Mr Wilson added: “All these places have helped to shape our country’s culture and many have witnessed creativity which will continue to inspire generations of people.”