Steventon, which Jane attended regularly with the rest of the family to listen to her father preach, is actually outside the village centre. It is a small, simple building, dating from the 12th century and retaining some fragments of medieval wall painting. A spire has been added since Austen’s lifetime, bearing a wind vane in the shape of a pen in her honour .
Services are currently held fortnightly, though the church is open daily to visitors. There are three bells, restored by the Jane Austen Society of North America. Outside is a yew tree, thought to be more than 900 years old, and measuring more
than 20 feet round, which would have been impressive enough in Jane Austen’s time.