Alton (Hampshire)
- Not to be confused with Alton, a village in Staffordshire near the Alton Towers theme park.
Alton is a town in Hampshire, surrounded by attractive countryside and villages that were once home to novelist Jane Austen, naturalist Gilbert White, and Antarctic explorer Lawrence Oates.
Understand
Get in
By car
It is just off the A31 between Farnham and Winchester.
By train
Watercress Line, a preserved railway, runs from Alresford to Alton.
The station provides service from London Waterloo, direct or with a change in Guildford or Woking.
Get around
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Map of Alton (Hampshire)See
- 1 Jane Austen's HouseCategory:Has map markers, Winchester Rd, Chawton, GU34 1SD, ☏ +44 1420 83262, enquiries@janeaustens.house. Th-Su 10:00AM-4:00PM. The 17th-century house in which novelist Jane Austen spent the last eight years of her life, writing and revising six of her novels. Highlights of the museum include Austen's writing table, family heirlooms, and painstakingly recreated wallpaper. The museum opened in 1949. Adults £10, children £5, young people 17–26 £7.50.
- 2 Gilbert White's House and the Oates CollectionsCategory:Has map markers, Selborne, Alton, GU34 3JH, ☏ +44 1420 511275. Late Mar–Oct: Tu–Su 10:30AM–5PM; Nov–Dec: Tu–Su 10:30AM–4:30PM; Jan–mid Feb: F–Su 10:30AM–4:30PM; mid Feb–late Mar: Tu–Su 10:30AM–4:30PM. Closed Christmas Day–New Year's Eve. Home of 18th-century naturalist Gilbert White, and a museum dedicated to Captain Lawrence 'Titus' Oates, the Antarctic explorer of the polar expedition with Captain Scott. Adult £9.50, concession £8.50, child (5-16 years) £4.
- 3 Chawton House LibraryCategory:Has map markers (The Centre for the Study of Early Women's Writing), Chawton (The # 64 Stagecoach service runs daily between Alton train station and Winchester, stopping at the A31/32 junction roundabout near Chawton. The # 38 service from Petersfield to Alton is less frequent, stopping in Chawton.). Late March to end of Oct only: M–F noon-4:30PM (last entry 4PM); Su 11AM-5PM (last entry 4PM). A listed Elizabethan manor house (and garden) built around 1590, containing a library. The ‘Great House’ referred to in Jane Austen’s letters, it belonged to Jane Austen's brother. Adult £8, under 16 £4, under 6 free, family ticket (2 adults & up to 3 children) £20, seniors over 65 & full time students £6.50, disabled (free entry for accompanying carer) £3.
Do
- 1 Watercress LineCategory:Has map markers (Mid Hants Railway). Steam locomotives and vintage diesel trains links Alton's National Rail station to Alresford. A fantastic way to travel through the Hampshire countryside
The theme park Alton Towers is not anywhere near Alton in Hampshire. It is in the village of Alton in Staffordshire, about 185 miles north west.
Buy
Eat
- 1 The GeorgeCategory:Has map markers, Butts Rd, ☏ +44 1420 82331.
- 2 The GreyfriarCategory:Has map markers, Winchester Road, Chawton, GU34 1SB. Pub with meals, bookings recommended. mains from £12.
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Alton House HotelCategory:Has map markers, 57 Normandy St, ☏ +44 1420 80033, reservations@altonhousehotel.com. Check-in: 4pm, check-out: 11am. Country house hotel with free parking, 43 bedrooms, a restaurant and bar area as well as the Jane Austen Suite, a popular function venue with a private entrance and access to the garden. From £60.
- 2 Swan HotelCategory:Has map markers, High St, ☏ +44 1420 83777.
- 3 The White HartCategory:Has map markers, 139 London Road, ☏ +44 1420 876-54.
Connect
Go next
| Routes through Alton |
| Winchester ← Alresford ← | SW  NE |
→ Farnham → London |
| END ← | N  S |
→ Meon Valley → Fareham |
Category:HampshireCategory:All destination articles