THE ROOF at Jane Austen’s House in Hampshire – Austen’s home for the last eight years of her life and where she lived and wrote her novels – is to be restored after the museum was granted £85,597 by Historic England and Historic Houses Foundation from the second round of the Heritage Stimulus Fund, part of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

The grant, coupled with an £85,000 grant from Hampshire County Council and generous donations from more than 3,000 people around the world, has enabled Jane Austen’s House to begin the critical job of restoring and protecting Jane Austen’s precious home.

The roof was last refurbished in 1948 before the House opened to the public. More than 70 years on and more than a million visitors later, major repairs are required to ensure the watertightness of the building and preserve the museum collection.

Jane Austen’s House is among 142 historic sites across England to receive grants worth £35 million through the government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

Jane Austen’s House Director Lizzie Dunford said: “It is truly excellent news that Jane Austen’s House has been awarded this grant. Thanks to this support, alongside that of Hampshire County Council and the thousands of people across the globe who have donated to our fundraising campaign, we can now restore the roof which sheltered Austen as she created some of the greatest masterpieces of English Literature and protect her treasured belongings and inspirational home for future generations.”

Restoring the roof is a big project for the small team at Jane Austen’s House, requiring more than 300,000 reclaimed, handmade clay roof tiles installed by specialist contractors.

The house has appointed Pritchard Architecture and Clarke Roofing (Southern) Ltd to carry out the restoration, which has recently begun.

While work to the roof is taking place, Jane Austen’s House will be closed to visitors during the week but will remain open on weekends and during the festive season, on December 29 to 31.

The gift shop at Jane Austen’s House, a popular destination for unique Jane Austen gifts, will also be open on weekends and between December 29 and 31 but fans can shop anytime at the online gift shop.

Shoppers can browse unique gifts including the exclusive replica of Jane Austen’s gold and turquoise ring (the original of which is on display in the house), an exclusive range of Austen teas produced by Twinings, a stunning range of nightdresses, Austen inspired Christmas decorations, exclusive stationery, crockery and more.