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Home , A32 road, Chawton, East Worldham, Selborne, Worldham

PLACES TO VISIT • SHOPPING GUIDE • EATING OUT • OPEN SPACES & WALKS

A LTON POCKET GUIDE 2019 – 2020

www.alton.gov.uk The The Curtis Museum houses one of the finest local history collections in , 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: [email protected] • W: www.bottegadeisapori.co.uk

Café & Gift Shop... Alton Town Council @alton_council CONTENTS

4 – 6 A HISTORY OF ALTON 7 MUSEUMS WELCOME... 8 – 9 to Alton SHOPPING Alton is a warm and welcoming vibrant north Hampshire town which truly has a community spirit at its heart. Situated at the 10 - 13 source of the and enjoying a rural DAYS OUT backdrop at the gateway to the National Park, Alton is known by many as “Jane Austen Country” with its close ties to its charming neighbouring parish of – 14 - 15 home to Jane Austen’s House Museum and WALKS AND TRAILS . The largest settlement in , 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 23 within a few miles of Alton, visitors can take in TWINNING the breathtaking views and the rich heritage of the region, and also sample the diverse range of locally produced food and drink – which can also be experienced at the All photographs used with the kind permission Hampshire Farmers’ Market every second of Stephen Lewis and Saturday of the month in theMedia High & MarketingStreet. Alton Town Council. NEWSPAPERS | MAGAZINES | WEBSITES Editorial compiled Alton was shortlisted as a finalist for the and Edited by Great British High Street Awards. Alton Town Council, Town Hall, Market Square, Alton GU34 4PD Design, production and sales Tel: 01420 83986 KM Media & Marketing, [email protected] County House, 9 Checkpoint Court, The Town Council would Sadler Road, Lincoln LN6 3PW like to thank all those who Website: km-media.co.uk MediaKM Media & Marketing & Marketing assisted and submitted Telephone: 01522 513515 Your partner in publishing NEWSPAPERS | MAGAZINES | WEBSITES editorial contributions to Email: [email protected] ONLINE | IN PRINT | IN DIGITAL this publication. www.alton.gov.uk Alton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 3

Media & Marketing NEWSPAPERS | MAGAZINES | WEBSITES 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 • Alton 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 ’s bells is one of the best in the collection of English pottery and south of . 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 Alton 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 .

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 .

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 • Alton 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 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 • Alton 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 Alton 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 & and enjoy community – a place where a stroll at 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 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 • Alton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 www.alton.gov.uk ruling 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, 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 Alton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 11 WHERE 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 • Alton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 www.alton.gov.uk pioneering 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 Alton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 13 WHERE 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 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 • Alton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 www.alton.gov.uk south 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 Alton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 15 WHERE 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 • Alton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 www.alton.gov.uk where 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 Alton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 17 WHERE 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 • Alton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 www.alton.gov.uk WHERE 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 . CAREERS OFFICE BY ROAD Alton College, Old Odiham Road, The M3 / M25 / A3(M) / A31 / Alton. Tel: 01420 83966 system enables London, Southampton, CITIZENS’ ADVICE BUREAU , 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 Alton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 19 WHERE 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: [email protected] • 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, 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 • Alton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 www.alton.gov.uk WHERE 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 Alton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 21 WHERE 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 , Alton 19 London Road, Alton GU34 4EG GU34 3AE, T: 01420 832111 T: 01420 86565 www.threehorseshoesalton.co.uk [email protected] 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 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 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 • Alton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 www.alton.gov.uk WHERE 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 Alton official pocket guide 2019 – 2020 • 23 98061