ALTON POCKET GUIDE 2019 2020 - Alton Town Council
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PLACES TO VISIT • SHOPPING GUIDE • EATING OUT • OPEN SPACES & WALKS
ALTON
POCKET GUIDE
2019 – 2020
www.alton.gov.uk
The Curtis Museum
The Curtis Museum houses one of the finest
local history collections in Hampshire,
exploring 100 million years of history.
Displays include prehistoric tools, Saxon
burials, the Battle of Alton 1643, the
notorious tale of Sweet Fanny Adams plus
hop picking and brewing. Why not come
and explore local history or take part in our
frequent activities and events for adults and
children alike. Admission – FREE. Closed
Sunday & Mondays.
High Street, Alton GU34 2BW
t: 01420 82802 • w: www.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk
The Allen Gallery
The Allen Gallery is an intimate setting for
one of the South’s most outstanding ceramics
collections from 1250 to the present day.
Regular special exhibitions of art, crafts,
photography, local and natural history, local
artists and the delightful watercolours and
oil paintings of W H Allen. There is also the
comfortable coffee lounge and charming
walled garden which provide a peaceful retreat
in the middle of Alton. Admission – FREE.
Closed Sunday & Mondays.
10-12 Church Street, Alton GU34 2BW
t: 01420 82802 • w: www.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk
The Real Italian Coffee Shop
Freshly prepared
Italian dishes and cakes.
Open:
Tuesday-Saturday 8am-5.30pm
8 High Street, Alton, Hants GU34 1BN • T: 01420 88988
E: tesolinbottega@yahoo.co.uk • W: www.bottegadeisapori.co.uk
Café &
Gift Shop...
A lton T own C ouncil @ alton _ council CONTENTS
4–6
A HISTORY
OF ALTON
7
MUSEUMS
WELCOME...
to Alton 8–9
SHOPPING
Alton is a warm and welcoming vibrant north
Hampshire town which truly has a
community spirit at its heart. Situated at the
source of the River Wey and enjoying a rural
10 - 13
DAYS OUT
backdrop at the gateway to the South Downs
National Park, Alton is known by many as
“Jane Austen Country” with its close ties to its
charming neighbouring parish of Chawton – 14 - 15
WALKS AND
home to Jane Austen’s House Museum and
TRAILS
Chawton House. The largest settlement in
East Hampshire, the town also has its own
heritage attraction – the Mid Hants Railway 16 – 18
Watercress Line – as well as being well known PARKS AND OPEN
for the civil war Battle of Alton in 1643, the SPACES
murder of Fanny Adams in 1867 and also
home to the Allen Gallery and Curtis Museum. 19 – 20
USEFUL
Staying within the town, visitors will find a INFORMATION
variety of shops from national chain stores to
local independent retailers. When it comes to
dining out and socialising, Alton offers a wide 21
choice of cafes, restaurants, bars and FOOD AND
DRINK
quintessentially English pubs to choose from,
all located within easy walking distance of the
town centre. 22
ACCOMMODATION
With plenty to see and do in and around
Alton, the town serves as a convenient base to
explore the local area. With so many villages
within a few miles of Alton, visitors can take in
23
TWINNING
the breathtaking views and the rich heritage
of the region, and also sample the diverse
range of locally produced food and drink –
All photographs used
which can also be experienced at the with the kind permission
Hampshire Farmers’ Market every second of Stephen Lewis and
Saturday of the month in the High
Media Street.
& Marketing Alton Town Council.
NEWSPAPERS | MAGAZINES | WEBSITES
Editorial compiled
Alton was shortlisted as a finalist for the and Edited by
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Town Hall, Market
Square, Alton GU34 4PD
Design, production and sales
Tel: 01420 83986
KM Media & Marketing,
info@alton.gov.uk
County House,
9 Checkpoint Court,
The Town Council would
Sadler Road, Lincoln LN6 3PW
like to thank all those who
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www . alton . gov . uk A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 3
PLACES OF INTEREST
THE HISTORY
OF ALTON
Situated at the entrance to the
South Downs National Park, Alton
is an historic Hampshire town.
Alton is steeped with a From the 13th to the 15th
fascinating history, from the century Alton was a very
bloody Battle of Alton in the prosperous community, mainly
English Civil War to the literary from weaving and the production
genius of Jane Austen. of garments. There were a
number of textile merchants
With its rich heritage dating from situated in the town centre.
Roman times to its association
with Fanny Adams, Alton is an From the 18th century onward
intriguing place to visit. the town was well known for its
Cairn War
Memorial
4 • A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 www . alton . gov . uk
Assembly Rooms
manufacturing, being famous Other principal buildings include
for paper making – and since the Victorian Assembly Rooms in
1763 for brewing (the main the High Street, which is the
production site in the centre of town’s oldest live entertainment
town closing in 2015). venue. Adjacent is the Curtis
Museum, which houses displays
One of the most notable buildings about the Roman pottery
is St Lawrence Church dating from industry and also the spectacular
the Norman Tower built in 1070, Saxon buckle.
and where the main Battle of
Alton took place in December Inwood Court is in the same
1643 between the Parliamentary area and was one of seven
and Royalist Forces. Colonel Bolle, Alton hospitals. The roof spaces
the Commander of the Royalist of all three buildings were
Forces, is understood to have designed by the architect
been killed in the church pulpit. Charles Barry in 1870.
Bullet holes in the main church
doors and stone pillars can be The war memorial known as The
seen. The church also has a Cairn was erected in 1920 and
Norman font hewn from one contains 30 tonnes of Cornish
piece of stone. granite. A few yards away into
Church Street is the Allen
St Lawrence Church has other Gallery. It houses a fine display
interesting features; its peal of of Hampshire County Council’s
bells is one of the best in the collection of English pottery and
south of England. Close by the porcelain from the 16th century.
church is the site of the Norman
ecclesiastical headquarters. The The main road into Alton from the
Quakers have been instrumental west passes The Butts, an area of
in developing Alton over the common land which was formerly
years and near the Church there used for archery practice.
is ‘The Friends Meeting House’
built in 1672, which is the second Alton was the scene of one of
oldest meeting house in use in the most notable Victorian
the world. tragedies – the murder of Fanny
Adams in 1867. She was brutally
Also nearby is the historic St killed by a solicitor’s clerk,
Lawrence School which has Frederick Baker, in Flood
shoe marks below each window Meadows. From this event, the
where people over time have expression “Sweet FA” came
listened in on the classes being about. The 150th anniversary of
taught, as education in the past her murder was in 2017 and her
was not for all. grave is in the old cemetery.
www . alton . gov . uk A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 5
PLACES OF INTEREST The Swan Hotel in the High Street was first mentioned in the archives in 1499 and was the stopping place for stagecoaches travelling daily from London to Winchester and Southampton. A number of famous people have lived in Alton and the surrounding area including Cardinal Newman, Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, children’s authors Peter and Iona Opie, William Curtis and Gilbert White. If you would like to find out more about the town, the buildings, the streets, Alton’s history and its notable people from the past, why not join one of the Guided Tours of the town? The tours last a little over an hour and start from the Curtis Museum in the High Street. Please telephone Alton Community Centre on 01420 85057 for further information and to book a tour. 6 • A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 www . alton . gov . uk
WHERE TO VISIT
MUSEUMS
Take a step back into Alton’s history
at the Museum or visit the art &
craft exhibitions at the Gallery
The Curtis Museum, situated at
the top of the High Street houses
one of the finest local history
collections in Hampshire,
exploring 100 million years of
history. Displays include
prehistoric tools, Roman pottery Allen Gallery
reconstruction, Saxon burials, the
Battle of Alton in 1643 and
Alton’s hop picking and brewing There are regular special
heritage. It is also home to the exhibitions of art, crafts,
internationally renowned Alton photography, local and natural
Buckle and Selborne Cup. history, local artists and the
delightful watercolours and oil
The local studies area contains a paintings of W H Allen. It also has
wealth of information about the a comfortable café serving locally
local area, its buildings and made cakes and a charming
people. The gift shop sells many walled garden providing a
local books and publications peaceful retreat in the middle of
alongside gifts and postcards. Alton. The Alley Gallery also has
a delightful gift shop which
The nearby Allen Gallery is an stocks a range of greetings cards
intimate setting for one of the and gifts produced by local
South’s most outstanding artists and craftspeople.
ceramics collections, with English,
continental and oriental pottery, For more information and
porcelain and tiles from 1250 to event listings, please visit www.
the present day. hampshireculturaltrust.co.uk
WHERE TO SHOP
SHOPPING
IN ALTON
Alton offers a delightful mix of
High Street branded stores
and quirky independent shops
Alton is an historic north coffee, browse for quirky gifts or
Hampshire town, situated at buy your day-to-day essentials,
the entrance to the South Alton has shops to cater for all
Downs National Park. There is your requirements.
short stay free parking on the
High Street spaces and longer Historically the town was well
stay pay and display in a known for its markets and still
number of well positioned car holds the regular Tuesday market
parks with good accessibility to each week in the main High
the shops. Street. In addition, the second
Saturday of the month offers
Whether you want to watch the local produce from Hampshire
world go by over a cup of Farmers’ Markets alongside the
local Lions Craft Market held in
the Market Square.
Many shops are in historic
buildings, and if you look a bit
harder, you can sneak a look
behind the brick façades to see
the old-world timber-framed
buildings or if you visit Bottega
dei Sapori, the Italian coffee
shop in the High Street, you
can sit in their hidden garden
8 • A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 www . alton . gov . uk
and admire the timber Alton also boasts a wide range of
buildings lining the back of supermarkets including
Crown Hill. Sainsbury’s, Marks and Spencer,
Waitrose, Iceland, Tesco Express,
There are many other hidden Co-op and Aldi - or for those who
gems around the town if you prefer a more traditional
have the time to explore, or approach to shopping there is a
you could join the Town Guides butcher, traditional hardware
who meet on the third shop, florist, sweet shop,
Saturday of the month outside newsagents and post office.
the Curtis Museum at 11am
offering an escorted walking The main High Street offers a
tour around Alton. number of well-known household
brand names which sit alongside
You’ll find the Curtis Museum a number of unique boutique
and Allen Gallery both have local shops selling objets d’art,
gifts to buy, along with a number jewellery, rare books, vintage
of other lifestyle shops in the and designer clothes, decorative
town centre. pieces, crafts and paintings.
www . alton . gov . uk A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 9
WHERE TO VISIT
DAYS OUT
There is plenty to see and do
with many local attractions in
and around Alton
Alton is well placed for people to stations with period charm and
visit from the surrounding towns explore these historic towns.
and cities, offering a taste of the Watch the world go by at the
countryside with some old-world peaceful country station of
charm. Above all, we are a Medstead & Four Marks and enjoy
community – a place where a stroll at Ropley station with its
people come together to live, work elevated picnic area, orchard and
and relax. famous topiary. Here you can also
investigate the impressive
The gateway to the South Downs engineering sheds and see
National Park, the town is home preservation in action.
to The Watercress Line offering
stunning day trips through the Opened in 1865, the Mid Hants
local countryside. The Railway is well known for its role
neighbouring villages offer an in transporting locally grown
eclectic variety of excursions to watercress to the markets at
entertain, from the historical Covent Garden in London and
figures of Jane Austen at Chawton beyond; from which it takes its
and Gilbert White at Selborne, to name today. The railway is also
the outdoor pursuits at Lasham famed as one of the most steeply
Gliding Club and Alice Holt Forest. graded lines in the country with a
THE MID HANTS RAILWAY
Known as “The Watercress Line”,
this former British Railway
cross-country line is now operated
by volunteers dedicated to
preserving part of our rail
transport heritage. Sit back, relax
and travel by lovingly restored
steam train through 10 miles of
beautiful Hampshire countryside.
It’s the perfect way to unwind and
experience the nostalgic sights,
sounds and smells of steam travel
from a bygone age.
Operating from Platform 3 at
Alton Station you can journey to
the picturesque Georgian town of
Alresford, just 7 miles from
Winchester. Fares give you all day
The Watercress Line
travel, so you can visit all four
10 • A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 www . alton . gov . ukruling gradient of 1 in 60. Such is can bring your own bikes or hire
the effort required by man and them on site.
machine to crest the summit at
Medstead & Four Marks, that it The Forestry Commission’s
became known as ‘Going over the education staff lead a wide range
Alps’. This gradient means the of activities during school
railway needs a fleet of large, holidays in addition to their very
powerful steam locomotives popular school visit service.
capable of working heavy trains Activities include den building,
over the line; a spectacular sight craft sessions, wildlife games and
and sound at any time of year! team activities. There are regular
activities for pre-school children
The Watercress Line is a living with their carers, Nordic Walking
history attraction, saved after courses and other fitness
closure in the 1970s and now run activities for adults. For more
by a dedicated team of over 450 information about Alice Holt
volunteers and a core paid staff, Forest, visit www.forestry.gov.
whose objective is to preserve part uk/aliceholt
of the country’s railway heritage
for generations to come. CHAWTON
A mile to the south-west of
Special events throughout the Alton lies the pretty village of
year include the ever popular War Chawton, which lies within the
on the Line, a Day Out with South Downs National Park and
Thomas, Peppa Pig, Santa Specials whose recorded history begins
and Christmas Leave, along with in the Domesday survey of
spectacular Steam Galas and 1086. Chawton is famous as
much, much more! being the home of Jane Austen
for the last eight years of her
On selected Saturday evenings the life where she lived in a brick
railway runs Real Ale Trains from house at the crossroads in the
Alton station and its five course centre of the village.
fine dining service, the ‘Watercress
Belle’ from Alresford. ‘The The house has been both a village
Countryman Pullman’ offers a inn and a residence for the
traditional Sunday lunch and steward for the Chawton Estate.
special Christmas Dining trains run In 1809 Edward Austen, third
in December. All dining and Real brother of Jane and adopted son
Ale Trains are immensely popular of Thomas Knight of Chawton
and require pre-booking. Manor, offered this dwelling to his
mother and sisters. After
For opening times and more improvements and alterations to
information www.watercressline. ensure their further comfort, the
co.uk or call our Talking Timetable three ladies took up residence on
on 01962 734866. 9th July, 1809.
ALICE HOLT FOREST It was here that Jane likely
Situated off the A325 south of revised Sense and Sensibility,
Farnham, this Forestry Pride and Prejudice and
Commission site offers Northanger Abbey and where she
something for everyone. Things wrote Mansfield Park, Emma and
to do include walking, cycling, Persuasion. Jane remained at
play areas for children and the Chawton until May 1817, six
woods themselves, relaxing in weeks before her death. Her
the cafe or with a picnic and for mother who died in 1827 and her
the more adventurous, the ‘Go sister Cassandra in 1845, are both
Ape’ high ropes adventure. You buried in Chawton churchyard.
www . alton . gov . uk A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 11WHERE TO VISIT
The cottage was put up for sale in
1947 and after an appeal in The
Times by the Jane Austen Society,
it was purchased by Mr. T.E.
Carpenter who turned it into a
Museum dedicated to the life and
works of Jane Austen. Mr.
Carpenter presented the house to
the nation in 1949.
Jane Austen’s home is now open
to the public and contains a
unique collection of her
belongings, first editions of her
works, her letters, their family
dinner service, family baking
oven and Jane’s donkey cart. The
museum owns the only three
pieces of jewellery known to
have been owned by Austen, a Jane Austen House Museum
turquoise beaded bracelet, a
topaz cross, and a turquoise and
gold ring. charity housing many treasures
including Austen heirlooms, such
The beautiful cared for “country” as the dining table at which Jane
garden and the old well and wash would have enjoyed family
house may be seen. In the latter is meals as well as an extensive
the family baking oven and Jane’s collection of early women’s
donkey cart. Visitors may picnic in writing. There is a varied events
the garden. programme running throughout
the year. Please visit www.
Regular events are held at the chawton.org or call 01420
museum, both to further 541010 for more information
appreciation of Jane Austen, and and opening times.
to encourage new writers. There
are also recitals using the The parish church, which replaced
Clementi pianoforte and an earlier one destroyed by fire in
performances based on her works. the last century was designed by
For further information and Sir Arthur Blomfield. The present
opening times please visit www. building contains a fine screen
jane-austens-house-museum.org. crowned by rood figures, a painted
uk or call 01420 83262. reredos, nine exquisite candelabra
and the 15th century bell rescued
Down the road from Jane from the old church.
Austen’s house is Chawton
House built in the 16th and 17th The village itself has many old
centuries. Down the road from houses and thatched cottages
Jane Austen’s house is Chawton with some dating back some 500
House, built in the 16th and 17th years, accompanied by a charming
centuries. The house was known pub restaurant, The Greyfriar,
to Jane Austen as the ‘Great Cassandra’s Cup tea room and
House’, as it was owned by her children’s play area.
brother Edward. Jane would
stroll up to ‘dawdle away’ many SELBORNE
an hour in the grand Elizabethan About four miles south of Alton lies
manor and its extensive the interesting village of Selborne,
picturesque gardens. Today it is a made famous as the home of
12 • A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 www . alton . gov . ukpioneering naturalist the Reverend Hanger are five acres of
Gilbert White. As White wrote, cultivated gardens plus 25 acres
Selborne has a long straggling of ancient parkland. Great care
village street at the foot of a hill has been taken to reintroduce
known as Selborne Hanger. The both plants and features
countryside is varied with vantage described by White in his
points for long distance views, deep writings. These include the
valleys with streams, hollow lanes luxuriant borders of the ‘Six
and a range of woodlands, fields Quarters’, the kitchen garden
and farmland. It is excellent and the ha-ha. Other highlights
walking country and still has much include the ‘Wine Pipe’ seat,
to offer the natural historian. designed by Gilbert White to
afford a 360-degree view of his
White’s parents bought a house modest landscape garden, and a
in Selborne called The Wakes, delightful replica of his statue of
where Gilbert lived for the rest Hercules. There is also a good
of his life. The house was sold by selection of unusual plants and
the White family in the 1840s seeds for sale, many as grown by
and was a private home until Gilbert White.
1954, during which time it was
extended by its different owners Refreshments can be purchased
into a rambling property twice from the award-winning Tea
the size of that which White Parlour which includes a gift
knew. On the death of the last shop stocked with a good range
owner, it was bought by The of unusual and inexpensive
Oates Memorial Trust and opened books and gifts. Admission is
in 1955. Today, you can discover free to both the Tea Parlour and
three fascinating stories about shop. Gilbert White’s House and
explorers of the natural world, as Garden and The Oates Collection
well as seeing Gilbert White’s is open throughout the year. See
original manuscript and enjoying the website for opening times,
the atmosphere of his home. information, special events,
conferences and weddings, at
Set against the backdrop of the www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk
magnificent beech clad Selborne or telephone 01420 511275.
www . alton . gov . uk A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 13WHERE TO VISIT
WALKS AND
TRAILS IN ALTON
As the Gateway to the South
Downs National Park, Alton offers
superb walks across the North
Hampshire countryside.
In 2017 and new to the itinerary The first of these is the walk across
of walks on offer is The Six Hills Windmill Hill, which offers a
of Alton, a circular walk of the delightful and stimulating walk
town, taking in all six of the most across undulating paths with fine
breathtaking views from the best views to the south, before
vantage points on offer. Circa 11 dropping down to the
miles; however the walk has been southwestern side of the town to
designed so that it can be the High Street, towards Kings
completed in two smaller circuits; Pond and back up to Windmill Hill.
a west loop of 6 miles and an Parts of the route have long grass
east loop of 8 miles. The vision of but the route is passable all year
an Altonian, the late Robert Athis. and is rarely muddy.
This walk was launched at the
2018 Walking Festival. The Flood Meadows walk starts at
either the Bank Car Park by the
Alton also has a number of other Community Centre and the Library
much shorter circular walks which or Lady Place Car Park near market
take you around its natural open Square and the historic Town Hall.
spaces both within the town itself The walk takes you through
and out towards the stunning views Tanhouse Lane out across Flood
along the parish boundary. Meadows and out to Greenfields to
the north west of the town and
South Downs National Park
beyond to the Old Odiham Road.
The route then leads back down
Brick Kiln Lane to the source of the
River Wey and back through Flood
Meadows, owned and managed by
the Town Council.
The final walk takes you through
the quaint and picturesque village
of Holybourne on the eastern edge
of Alton. Starting by the Finnimore
Pavilion at Anstey Park, where there
is ample free parking, the walk
takes you through the park and
along the footpath on St Swithun’s
Way out to Holybourne, past the
medieval Church of the Holy Rood
and out into the open countryside,
climbing up Holybourne Down to
view the spectacular panoramas
before dropping back down to the
14 • A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 www . alton . gov . uksouth of the village and along the For those who wish to concentrate
River Wey as you head back to on fitness, perimeter walks of 1km
Anstey Park. at Jubilee Fields (tarmac) and
Anstey Park and 3km around
All these walks vary between 3 Anstey Park and Digger’s (grass)
and 4 miles in length and full provide an opportunity for walking
details, with maps, can be or running a measured distance on
obtained from the Town Hall or flat ground. Anstey Park can also
via www.alton.gov.uk offer a new trim trail for anyone
wanting to include stretches, jumps
For those with more limited and strengthening work into their
mobility we would recommend a walking routine.
scenic meander around the
centrally located Kings Pond,
which is a haven for local ducks
and geese as well as our resident
swans. The paths around the pond
are tarmac and accessible for
those with walking aids or with a
wheelchair. There are also a
number of benches located near
the water’s edge to sit and watch
the local wildlife or feed the birds.
www . alton . gov . uk A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 15WHERE TO GO
PARKS &
OPEN SPACES
Alton has a wide variety of informal
natural open spaces alongside
formal gardens and modern
sporting facilities with pitches.
ANSTEY PARK
Anstey Park spans some 32 acres of
open space and is used for a variety
of functions, including provision of
rugby and football pitches and also
hosts a number of sporting and
non-sporting events throughout
the year. Newly opened in 2018
are the recently refurbished floodlit
community courts catering for a Scouts, St John Ambulance Brigade
variety of other sports including and the Army and Air Cadets.
netball, tennis, 5-a-side football
and basketball. Anstey Park is also The Finnimore Pavilion, partially
the home of Alton FC which funded by Sport England, opened in
features a full size 3G facility. 2012 and provides modern
changing and shower facilities. The
Anstey Park regularly hosts first floor club room is the home of
attractions such as fetes, fun runs, the Alton Taekwondo.
the annual Bus Rally and a
number of dog and flyball events THE BUTTS
Other facilities include a children’s At the western end of the town,
play area (which includes special forming a triangle, can be found
needs play equipment), a skate the open space known as The Butts.
park and Trim Trail. This pleasant stretch of grass is an
ideal space for relaxing in and is
A variety of clubs and associations home to visits from the travelling
have leased ground from the town fairs in the spring and autumn of
council for their buildings within the each year and one circus visit in the
park: Alton Rugby Club, Alton summer. It also hosts the annual
Football Club, Energique Health Club Victoria Cricket event which raises
and Spa, the Royal British Legion, the money for local charities and
Anstey Park 3G Fields
16 • A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 www . alton . gov . ukwhere locals adorn themselves
with attire from the Victoria era
playing by the rules of that time as
they compete for the title of
Overall Winners of the Tournament
receiving 500 Guineas. Offering
seating below shading chestnuts it
is also the home of the Lions Club
of Alton’s 100 year Anniversary
Bench which was gifted to the
town in 2017. The Butts was leased often the venue for small children’s
to Alton for 99 years by the Lord of birthday parties.
the Manor of Westbrook, but in
1981 he gave The Butts to the THE JUBILEE PLAYING FIELDS
Town Council. This generous The Jubilee Playing Fields are
gesture was very much appreciated located at the western end of the
and is commemorated by a stone town. This area is used primarily for
plinth, sponsored by The Alton football in the autumn and winter
Herald newspaper. months and then with goals being
removed at the end of the season,
FLOOD MEADOWS Jubilee is transformed for cricket
Fifteen acres of relaxing open space during the spring and summer
yet only 100 yards from the town months. An extensive layout of
centre, Flood Meadows is located at skateboard ramps and other skate
the source of the River Wey and is equipment attracts users from not
maintained as a semi-wild area only Alton but from a wide area.
with river walks, open green areas
and tree lined footpaths and the There are two sports pavilions: The
now disused watercress beds - Harry Baker Pavilion, which has a
Alton’s little piece of countryside in clubroom and licensed bar, is home
the town centre. to Alton Cricket Club in the
summer months. The Charles Read
GREENFIELDS Pavilion provides changing room
This is an expansive area of hillside, and shower facilities.
north of a housing development at
Northanger Close which was KINGS POND
transferred to the town council in Kings Pond is a conservation area
February 1998 by the developer. close to the town centre. The pond
The land is maintained by the Town has been allowed to remain in its
Council as an open space for public natural state with simply the
recreational purposes and is grazed provision of a small car park and
for six months of the year by a local seats and wooden sculptures
farmer. The site includes a fenced around the perimeter. Wildlife is
off kick-about area and earth BMX encouraged and there are many
track together with an enclosed species of birds and waterfowl. A
play area for children which was nature trail has been published for
opened in June 2009. this area. Fishing is not permitted.
HOLYBOURNE PLAY AREA MISS BELL’S FOUNTAIN
Situated at the northern end of the Situated close to The Butts and a
village can be found one of the “sister” to the one that originally
natural play areas for children, stood on Crown Hill (and can now
featuring a zip wire and large be found in the Public Gardens)
kick-about area and permanent Miss Bell’s fountain was donated to
junior goal posts in situ. Popular for the town in the late 19th century
residents and villagers alike, the area by local philanthropist Miss Eliza
has picnic tables and seating and is Bell - who wanted a light on the
www . alton . gov . uk A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 17WHERE TO GO
main road opposite the drive to her The Queen replaced the original
house (now Borovere Lane). wooden bandstand which had been
Restoration works, including a new built in 1935 (to commemorate the
light, were completed as Alton Silver Jubilee of His Majesty King
Town Council’s Golden Jubilee George V – which itself had been
project in 2002. rebuilt in 1989/90 after a fire). The
design retains the original base,
THE PUBLIC GARDENS which now supports the new red,
A delightfully pleasant oasis away white and blue ornate steel
from the main High Street bustle, structure sporting bosses of the
with lawns, sheltering trees, shrubs, Hampshire Rose, the Alton shield
beautiful flower beds and children’s and diamond shaped latticework.
play area (which includes special
needs play equipment), the gardens WINDMILL HILL
are located in the centre of town. The area offers the most stunning
The “sister” Miss Bell’s Fountain can panoramic views towards the
be found at the Parterre Garden Selborne Hanger and comprises
and now has been refurbished as a approximately 25 acres. With mown
public drinking fountain. The footpaths across the site that are
creation of the Parterre Garden in popular with dog walkers and local
2018 is planted with 32 families alike, it is a peaceful space
commemorative roses sponsored where many local residents go to
by friends and residents of Alton. enjoy nature with strategic resting
The Public Gardens is home to points to be able to take in the best
Alton Bowls Club and features an of the views on the natural carved
outdoor bowling green and wooden seat and logs. There is a
clubhouse which has been leased to small copse of trees in the centre
the Alton Bowling Club since 1954. with a fenced off area housing a TV
The Gardens are open daily mast on top of the hill alongside an
throughout the year. underground reservoir.
The central bandstand BARLEY FIELDS
commissioned by Alton Town The newest open space of Alton
Council to commemorate The Town Council’s portfolio can be
Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty found at the northern entrance to
Alton just off the A31 and the
junction with Holybourne Village.
Featuring a brand new children’s
play area it also offers a large
expanse of land for walkers and
provides a children’s kick about
area. It is served by a small car park
for users of the open space.
18 • A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 www . alton . gov . ukWHERE YOU LIVE
USEFUL
INFORMATION
Please find below a list of
useful contact details for
local services and facilities.
TRANSPORT GENERAL INFORMATION A-Z
Alton is at the centre of a modern BANKS
commuter network, which Barclays, Halifax, TSB, HSBC,
provides rapid access to the NatWest and Santander are all
capital and major cities and located in the High Street.
facilities in South East England.
CAREERS OFFICE
BY ROAD Alton College, Old Odiham Road,
The M3 / M25 / A3(M) / A31 / Alton. Tel: 01420 83966
A32 road system enables
London, Southampton, CITIZENS’ ADVICE BUREAU
Portsmouth, Guildford, Market Square
Winchester and the Solent to be For telephone advice tel: 0344
reached within an hour. London 4111306. For appointments tel:
Heathrow and London Gatwick 01420 544807
airports are nearby.
COMMUNITY CENTRE, Amery
BY RAIL Street & ALTON ASSEMBLY
Alton’s Train Station is the ROOMS, High Street
starting point of a direct line Tel: 01420 85057
providing a fast and frequent
service to London’s Waterloo DEFIBRILLATORS
Station which is operated by Full details of all locations for
South West Trains www. registered defibrillators in Alton is
southwesttrains.co.uk. Customer available on the Save a Life app; a
Services 0345 600 0650 download for smart phones.
BY BUS DOCTORS’ SURGERIES
Stagecoach is the main provider • The Wilson Practice, Anstey
of bus services in the area. Road, Alton. Tel: 01420 84676
www.stagecoachbus.com with • Chawton Park Surgery,
timetable information available Chawton Park Road, Alton. Tel:
0871 200 2233. 01420 542542
BY TAXI OUT OF SURGERY HOURS
Alton is served by a number of Hants Doc, dial 111 in the first
taxi companies including: instance.
Alton 8’s 01420 88888
Alton Taxis 01420 210004 EDUCATION
Chawton Cabs 01420 564448 www.hants.gov.uk/schooldetails
H Cabs 01420 89047
T for Taxi 01420 544544 ELECTRICITY
Wilson Taxis 01420 87777 Scottish & Southern Energy supply
www . alton . gov . uk A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 19WHERE YOU LIVE
the area. Tel: 0800 072 7282. Power POLICE STATION
Distribution Ltd deal with power Tel: 101 or emergencies 999.
cuts. (Other providers are available).
Details of outages are available via POST OFFICES
the app “powertrack” – download • Alton Post Office. Inside W H
available for smart phones . Call 105 Smith, Westbrooke Walk,
Alton. Tel: 0845 722 3344
ALTON FIRE STATION • Holybourne Shop. London
In cases of emergency dial 999 Road, Holybourne. Tel:
01420 83323
ALTON FOODBANK
Market Square, Alton. 07773 ALTON REGISTRY OFFICE
034447 www.altonfoodbank.org.uk 4 Queens Road, Alton. Tel: 0330
555 1392 www.hants.gov.uk/
GAS registration
National Grid. 24 hour emergency
line tel: 0800 111 999. RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS
Alton and District Residents
HOSPITALS Association. For details of your
• A & E (24 hours casualty local residents association go to
services) and North Hampshire www.adra.community
Hospital, Aldermaston Road,
Basingstoke. Tel: 01256 473202 SHOPMOBILITY
• Alton Community Hospital, Alton Community Centre,
Chawton Park Road, Alton. Amery Street. Mon to Fri
Tel: 01420 82811 9am-5pm.
Tel: 01420 85057
JOB CENTRE
Alton Job Centre Plus, 1-3 Butts SOCIAL SERVICES
Road, Alton. Tel: 01420 602525 DEPARTMENT
• Adult Services 0300 555 1386
LIBRARY • Children’s Services
Alton Library, Vicarage Hill, 0300 555 1384
Alton. Tel: 0330 5551387.
www.hants.gov.uk/library ALTON SOCIETY
www.altonsociety.org.uk
LOCAL GOVERNMENT Contact: info@altonsociety.org.uk
• Alton Town Council, Town Hall,
Market Square, Alton. Tel: 01420 SPORTS CENTRE
83986 www.alton.gov.uk. Alton Sports Centre, Chawton
• East Hants District Council Park Road, Alton.Tel: 01420 540040
Offices, Petersfield Tel: 01730
266551 www.easthants.gov.uk TOURIST INFORMATION
• East Hants District Council Alton SERVICES
Information Office, 7 Cross and Alton Visitor Information Point, 7
Pillory Lane, Alton. Tel: 01420 Cross and Pillory Lane, Alton.
85870 Tel: 01730 268829
• Hampshire County Council,
Winchester. General enquiries WATER SUPPLY
tel: 0300 555 1375, website: • South East Water 0333 000
www.hants.gov.uk. Email: info@ 0002. 24 hour leak line Tel:
hants.gov.uk 0333 000 3330
• Thames Water (sewerage/
NEWSPAPERS blocked drains) 0800 316 9800
• Alton Herald – Tel: 01420 82819 • Water outages in your area:
• Alton Post Gazette – https://inyourarea.digdat.co.
Tel: 01420 477272 uk/southeastwater
20 • A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 www . alton . gov . ukWHERE TO EAT
FOOD & DRINK
Whether for drinks with friends, coffee
with colleagues or dining with family,
Alton is well known for its varied
choice of restaurants, cafes and pubs.
You will find something for all Royal Kebabs, Man’s Chinese,
tastes from family friendly Chef’s Kitchen, Kingfisher Fish &
restaurants offering a great Chips, Alton Gourmet Original,
selection of local food, traditional Domino Pizza, Subway, Greggs and
English tea rooms to authentic Pizza Time.
foreign cuisine and take-aways.
The town is also very well served for
In and around the High Street you public houses; whether for
can find Café + Plus, Cholily, traditional ales, locally produced
Austens, Stones, Costa Coffee, beer and wines or family friendly
Caffè Nero, All You Can Eat cafe, venues, serving good quality, well
Station Café, The Regency Tea priced meals there is a pub to suit
Room and Bottega Dei Sapori and your requirements, including:
Coffee Cherry – all serving tea,
coffee as well as hot and cold The Hop Poles, The Bakers Arms,
meals and snacks. The Crown, The Eight Bells, The
French Horn, The Ivy House, The
For those who prefer formal dining King’s Head, The Queens Head,
for an evening out, there are several The Railway Arms, The Swan, The
restaurants offering both modern White Hart at Holybourne and
and traditional cuisine, including The White Horse.
River Kwai, Thai Boutique,
Frango’s, Bengal Tandoori, The In the evenings Market Square
Curry Palace, The George, Oceans becomes a bustling social area
11 and Balti Tandoori. with Pizza Express, The Market
Hotel, Cellar Vie and the
For those preferring take away-you Wheatsheaf all offering the option
can choose from a wide selection of outside seating for relaxed
on offer including Murat’s Kebabs, summer drinks and dining.
View from Market Square
www . alton . gov . uk A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 21WHERE TO STAY
ACCOMMODATION
Whether you are planning a
weekend break, business trip or a
longer visit, Alton has a great
choice of places to stay.
Our wide range of hotels, pubs T: 01420 590350
and B&Bs cater for a diverse range www.crownhotelalton.com
of requirements; whether you
prefer to be centrally located in THE MARKET HOTEL
town or nestled in the surrounding Market Square, Alton GU34 1HD
rural backdrop. T: 01420 82350
Whilst Alton Town Council cannot THE SWAN HOTEL
recommend places to stay, we High Street, Alton GU34 1AT
suggest you visit www.tripadvisor. T: 01420 83777
co.uk for reviews on all the www.oldenglishinns.co.uk
accommodation listed below.
THE THREE HORSESHOES
ALTON GRANGE B&B Cakers Lane, East Worldham, Alton
19 London Road, Alton GU34 4EG GU34 3AE, T: 01420 832111
T: 01420 86565 www.threehorseshoesalton.co.uk
info@threehorseshoesalton.co.uk
ALTON HOUSE HOTEL
Normandy Street, Alton
THE WAGON IN THE WOODS
GU34 1DN, T: 01420 80033
Medstead, Alton, GU34 5NQ
www.altonhousehotel.com
T: 07974 595488
FROYLE PARK www.littleplaceinthecountry.com
Ryebridge Lane, Upper Froyle,
Alton GU34 4LA, T: 0844 8910680 THE WHITE HART
www.harbourhotels.co.uk 139 London Road, Holybourne,
Alton GU34 4EY, T: 01420 87654
SHEPHERDS COURT B&B www.whitehartholybourne.com
Whitehouse Farmhouse, Selborne
Road, Chawton, Alton GU34 3HL TRAVEL LODGE
T: 01420 83847 156 Winchester Road, Four Marks
GU34 5HZ, T: 0871984 6002
ST MARY’S HALL B&B www.travelodge.co.uk
18 Albert Road, Butts Road, Alton
GU34 1LP, T: 01420 88269 UPPER NEATHAM MILL FARM
www.altonbedndbreakfast.co.uk GUEST HOUSE
Holybourne, Alton GU34 4EP
THE ANCHOR INN T: 01420 542908
Lower Froyle, Alton GU34 4NA www.upperneatham.co.uk
T: 01420 23261
www.anchorinnatlowerfroyle.co.uk WYARDS FARM B&B
Basingstoke Road, Alton GU34 4AA
THE CROWN HOTEL T: 01420 83838/07703 260746
High Street, Alton GU34 1BN www.wyardsfarm.uk
22 • A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 www . alton . gov . ukWHERE YOU LIVE
ALTON & EUROPE
TWINNING
Alton is twinned with
Montecchio Maggiore in
Italy and Pertuis in France.
In 1995 the Mayor of Alton, market town and is situated in rural
Councillor Peter Whitmarsh, Provence a few miles north of
convened a meeting of Aix-en-Provence. It is the most
representatives of organisations southerly town in the Luberon
interested in twinning Alton with region. Like Montecchio Maggiore it
another European town. Details of is a light industrial town and a
various towns of the same size and producer of wine.
background as Alton were examined
and Montecchio Maggiore in the Reciprocal bi-annual visits to Pertuis
Italian province of Veneto was and Montecchio are organised
chosen. The population and history annually by the Alton Town Twinning
are similar to Alton’s except that Association (ATTA) and paid for by
Alton was much concerned with participants. As well as these official
brewing and Montecchio with wine. visits, ATTA continually promotes
Both are now light industrial rather and assists other interested
than agricultural. organisations to visit the twin towns.
In 2018 the 20th Anniversary of the Many local organisations and groups
signing of the 1998 the Twinning have already taken advantage of
Agreement was celebrated in these opportunities and include
Montecchio – the original Alton Morris, Eggar’s School, the
agreement having been signed by Alton Wine Association, Alton
the then Alton Mayor, Councillor College and many individuals.
Pam Bradford, and Montecchio’s
Mayor, Senator Giuseppe Ceccato. The aim of ATTA is to initiate,
In 2004 a mosaic made in promote, advise and assist visits and
Montecchio was unveiled in Alton’s exchanges in all fields where interest
new library, to commemorate the is expressed. Please contact ATTA via
link between the two towns. the website www.atta.org.uk for
more information.
In 2004 an approach was made to
Alton from the town of Pertuis in
France with a view to twinning. An
initial visit by chairman David
Willoughby was followed by
successful discussions and reciprocal
visits involving delegates from both
towns. A formal Twinning
Agreement was signed in Pertuis on
21st October 2006 by the Town
Mayor of Alton, Councillor Dave
Crocker and the Mayor of Pertuis, M.
Andre Borel. Pertuis, like Alton, is a
www . alton . gov . uk A lton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 2398061
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