A guide to Alton

Did you know?

  • 1.
    The 11th Century St Lawrence Church was part of the Battle of Alton, a skirmish in the civil war. Royalists were surprised by a Parliamentary force and were beaten back to the church where they set up defences.
  • 2.
    The village of Chawton, famously the home of Jane Austen, is nearby and you can follow a circular walk from Chawton to Upper Faringdon past places of interest that Jane Austen knew.
  • 3.
    There was a hoard of Iron Age coins found locally in 1996 that are now stored at the British Museum.

Alton Area

Alton is a market town at the centre of Jane Austen country. The surrounding landscape is picturesque and tranquil. Alton was once most famous for the brutal murder of Sweet Fanny Adams in 1887.

Surrounding Villages

  • Chawton
    Chawton lies within the South Downs National Park. The village situated just to the South West of Alton is famous for being the home of Jane Austen for the last eight years of her life.
  • Selborne
    The village of Selborne in East Hampshire is just to the South of Alton. It is famous for its association with the 18th Century literary naturalist Gilbert White.
  • Holybourne
    Holybourne is on the eastern edge of the market town of Alton. It has one local pub and post office.
  • Upper/Lower Froyle
    Froyle is situated on the edge of The Downs. It is located to the North East of Alton. The market towns of Farnham and Alton are easily accessed by the A31.

Lifestyle

  • Shopping

    Alton, a thriving market town has a mix of local shops, boutiques and arcades.

  • Eating

    The Hen and Chicken Inn

    18th-century roadside coaching inn with fireplace featuring a carvery and pub classics, plus garden.

    French Horn

    Country gastro pub with eclectic fare.

    The Greyfriar

    16th-century village inn serving classic pub fare amid rustic, exposed beam and brickwork interiors.

    The Sun Inn

    Traditional rural pub with a garden, wood beams and log fires, serving real ales and seasonal game.

  • Drinking

    The Rose and Crown

    Beautifully refurbished, The Rose & Crown is rumoured to have been built by Jane Austen's brother, Edward Knight in 1810. They offer traditional style home cooking and a drinks menu that includes an excellent selection of craft lagers and ales.

    The Royal Oak

    This friendly country pub is perfect for all the family, boasting beautiful gardens and an excellent menu that includes bar snacks, classic pub food and seasonal dishes.

    The George Alton

    Homey, rustic locale with retro accents featuring globally inspired bites, live music & quiz nights.

    The Eight Bells

    Beautiful historic pub located within a Grade II listed building. Originally constructed in the 16th century, there has been a pub on this site since 1840.

Travel

  • Trains

    Alton to London Waterloo in 1 hour 7 minutes

  • Other transport

    Other transport in the area includes many buses to the surrounding areas, as well as good access to the A31 to both Winchester and Farham.