A small market town in Hampshire, England
Alton is one of those English towns that it's easy to miss. Motorways and major roads sweep past, and it's at the end of the line from London Waterloo. The town is dwarfed by the nearby urban centres of Guildford, Winchester and Basingstoke, and far enough away not to risk being engulfed by them.
The village of Chawton, a short walk from Alton, was the home of regency novelist Jane Austen. Another famous novelist, Elizabeth Gaskell, moved to the local village of Holybourne and died there in 1865.
The town's other claim to fame (in a manner of speaking) was the murder of Fanny Adams in 1867.
The railway line between Alton and Alresford has been restored as the Watercress Line, and is operated with steam engines and other historic locomotives.
The village of Chawton, a short walk from Alton, was the home of regency novelist Jane Austen. Another famous novelist, Elizabeth Gaskell, moved to the local village of Holybourne and died there in 1865.
The town's other claim to fame (in a manner of speaking) was the murder of Fanny Adams in 1867.
The railway line between Alton and Alresford has been restored as the Watercress Line, and is operated with steam engines and other historic locomotives.
Guides to Alton and Hampshire
Photos of Alton
From Flickr
Places to eat in Alton
Don't forget to mention Squidoo when you book!
There are plenty of places to grab a coffee, a sandwich or a meal in Alton. Here's a selection you might find useful, in no particular order:
Prezzo in Market Square - a friendly Italian restaurant offering good food for a reasonable price in a central location. Part of a regional restaurant chain. 1-2 Market Square, Alton, Hants GU34 1HD Tel: 01420 85580.
Cafe Rafters - independent coffee house in the Alton Maltings Centre, which re-opened in June 2009. It's now the cheapest place in town to grab a coffee and a snack, and it has free parking. Maltings Close, Alton, Hants GU34 1DT 01420 81950. Other reviews of Cafe Rafters
Curry Palace - a very popular restaurant offering great value. 78e High Street, Alton, Hants, GU34 1EN Tel: 01420 82233. Also does takeaways. Review of Curry Palace
River Kwai - great little Thai restaurant; hidden away but worth seeking out. Cross & Pillory House, Cross & Pillory Lane, Alton, Hants, GU34 1HL Tel: 01420 87796. Also does takeaways. Other reviews of River Kwai
Pizza Express in Market Square - offering a range of meals at good prices. Part of a national chain. 5 Market Square, Alton, Hants GU34 1HD Tel: 01420 89839.
The French Horn on Butts Green - quiet pub offering a range of good meals at reasonable prices. Has a beer garden and you can watch the passing steam trains in the summer. The Butts, Alton, Hants GU34 1RT Tel: 01420 83269.
Alton House Hotel Have heard that some people enjoy a meal there, but personal experience has not been good. Normandy Street, Alton, Hants GU34 1DW Tel: 01420 80033.
Prezzo in Market Square - a friendly Italian restaurant offering good food for a reasonable price in a central location. Part of a regional restaurant chain. 1-2 Market Square, Alton, Hants GU34 1HD Tel: 01420 85580.
Cafe Rafters - independent coffee house in the Alton Maltings Centre, which re-opened in June 2009. It's now the cheapest place in town to grab a coffee and a snack, and it has free parking. Maltings Close, Alton, Hants GU34 1DT 01420 81950. Other reviews of Cafe Rafters
Curry Palace - a very popular restaurant offering great value. 78e High Street, Alton, Hants, GU34 1EN Tel: 01420 82233. Also does takeaways. Review of Curry Palace
River Kwai - great little Thai restaurant; hidden away but worth seeking out. Cross & Pillory House, Cross & Pillory Lane, Alton, Hants, GU34 1HL Tel: 01420 87796. Also does takeaways. Other reviews of River Kwai
Pizza Express in Market Square - offering a range of meals at good prices. Part of a national chain. 5 Market Square, Alton, Hants GU34 1HD Tel: 01420 89839.
The French Horn on Butts Green - quiet pub offering a range of good meals at reasonable prices. Has a beer garden and you can watch the passing steam trains in the summer. The Butts, Alton, Hants GU34 1RT Tel: 01420 83269.
Alton House Hotel Have heard that some people enjoy a meal there, but personal experience has not been good. Normandy Street, Alton, Hants GU34 1DW Tel: 01420 80033.
Jane Austen on eBay
Alton and the South Downs National Park
Will Alton be a gateway to the new National Park?
The South Downs National Park is going to become a reality. Originally proposed way back in 1947, the decision was finally announced in March 2009. The park will probably open in 2011.Alton is just outside the park, on the northern border. As such it will become a gateway town, not bound by the stricter regulations that apply inside the park boundary but close enough to benefit from the increased tourist business.
The impact on Alton of the National Park will not be known for years. Some believe it will have detrimental effect, others are more positive.
For more information about the National Park visit South Downs Online
Jane Austen from Amazon
Useful Links to Services and Attractions in Alton
- Alton Maltings Centre
- Meeting place and popular local venue, with Cafe Rafters.
- Alton Events
- See what's going on in Alton.
- Alton Beer Festival
- Popular event that takes place in early February and June each year. All proceeds to go local charities.
- Alton Today - homepage of the Alton Herald
- The Herald is the most significant local paper published in Alton.
- The Watercress Line
- Otherwise known as the Mid Hants Railway. A popular local tourist attraction that runs for most of the year.
- Ramblers - programme of local walks
- If you want to know about walking in the Alton area, the Ramblers can help.
Alton on YouTube
Links to Other Guides to Alton
More information about this Hampshire town
- Enjoy England
- A short description, with links to accommodation and other useful information.
- Pubs U Like
- Guide to the 31 pubs and bars in and around Alton.
- Flickr - Alton
- Lots of photos of Alton.
- Alton on Wikipedia
- See what this world-famous open-source encyclopedia has to say about Alton.
Author of this Lens
This lens is written and maintained by Andrew Knowles, a freelance writer and photographer based in the UK.
by orangeduvet
orangeduvet
I've lived in Alton for over ten years. It's a great town - perhaps a little too quiet for some but that's part of its charm.
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