Alton
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Alton is a lively market town right in the heart of Jane Austen country. The surrounding landscape is picturesque and tranquil – which makes it all the more surprising that Alton was once most famous for the brutal murder of Sweet Fanny Adams in 1887.
Today, many visitors use Alton as a base for reaching nearby attractions, or to head off on long country walks and cycle rides. However, this historic Saxon settlement is a friendly, fascinating place to see in its own right.
If you're keen on British literary and cultural heritage, Alton is ideal for a short visit as Jane Austen worked on six of her most famous novels in the nearby village of Chawton.
Alton itself was the site of the 1642 Battle of Alton during the English Civil War. You can still see bullet holes in St. Lawrence Church today.
With plenty of good hotels and comfortable bed & breakfasts, Alton is one of Hampshire's most enchanting locations for a relaxed country break.
Things to see and do in Alton...
- Wander around the lovingly-preserved rooms at Jane Austen's House Museum in nearby Chawton.
- Visit the Allen Gallery – one of South East England’s most marvellous ceramics collections with regular exhibitions, a coffee shop and garden.
- Pop into the Curtis Museum to see some local relics (including the famous Saxon artefact, the Alton Buckle) and to get some insight into Alton's fascinating history.
More Alton Information
For more information, visit the official tourism website for Alton.
