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Hampshire, the central county of Southern England, is known for its rivers and for its pleasant “homely” countryside of fields and farms, woods and hedgerows. Nowhere is this character more apparent than in the north-east of the county towards the Surrey border for here wooded stretches, open downs and pastoral vales mingle to form a pleasant and rich agricultural county. Set amid this scenery in the valley of the Northern River Wey is the town of Alton.

Besides being a market, shopping and business centre, Alton is an historic and interesting place. It has been allied to the various industries that have, at one period or another, lent themselves to the town. The weaving and paper trades have gone but the brewing industry remains, to which have been added new 20th century industries.

Reached by bus from Winchester and by train or bus from Guildford, Aldershot or London, Alton is readily accessible to travellers. To them it has much to show including the beautiful parish church of St. Lawrence, the Curtis Museum, and the Allen Gallery. Old houses abound in the narrow side streets whilst the main highway is one of the most pleasant High Streets in all England, with Georgian buildings mingling harmoniously with later architectural styles. Villages around are also of interest, especially Chawton where Jane Austen lived and Selborne, long the home of Gilbert White the naturalist.

The motorist approaches Alton from the A31 bypass and if travelling from the south-west, enters Alton by way of The Butts. This is one of the most pleasant entries to any small town. The visitor is greeted by the smooth grass and encircling shading trees of The Butts which act as an ideal “pointer” to the architecturally delightful main street that follows.

Alton, however, lives in the present. It has grown as a residential town over the years and both commuters and shoppers appreciate the excellent train service to Waterloo. Good thoroughfares of pleasant houses abound, many being quite close to the town centre yet away from bustle and noise.

Shops are of a high standard and most classes of business are catered for whilst hotel and other accommodation is readily available. For the sportsman, good facilities are provided for most outdoor games.
Indoor sports are provided at the Sports Centre and Physicals Fitness Club. The Palace Cinema is used for the showing of films and has regular sessions of bingo.

Education is provided by several state and private schools, including two comprehensive schools, one of which is the former Eggar’s Grammar School that dates from the 17th century. Alton College, a tertiary college, has over 1,000 students.

All the large banks have branches in the High Street, three of them being sited in handsome premises in the same block.

In all, Alton is a delightfully pleasant and restful town set in charming countryside and blessed with a good climate. That the climatic conditions are above average is shown by the fact that the former Lord Mayor Treloar Hospital was established in Alton for the treatment of children with tuberculous disease of the bones or joints.

For residents, Alton is quite the ideal and the knowledge that it is within a planning area where the policy is one of restraint is comforting. Small is indeed beautiful and there is a pleasing pattern to life.

Alton has an interesting selection of shops, many privately owned. The pedestrianisation of the Market Square and the development known as Westbrook Walk offer a greater variety in a very attractive setting. Tuesday is Market Day when the town centre comes “alive” with the variety of stalls. A Sainsbury’s Superstore was opened in 1992 in Drayman’s Way and a pedestrian walkway has been provided through the Turk Street Car Park to enable easy access into the town centre.

The Normandy Street end of Alton has also seen an increase in the number of specialised shops opening in recent years extending the shopping centre to great advantage.

Each year the town enters the regional ‘In Bloom’ competition in a bid for recognition for the stunning floral displays that adorn the town centre during the summer months.

Alton is within the Mid Hampshire Structure Plan area and the East Hampshire Local Plan as far as planning is concerned. The aims of these plans are conservation and restraint to ensure that Alton remains a nicely balanced town - small but self-sufficient; with ready access to London and other major cities in the South.

Alton is a town with plenty going on and once residents establish themselves here, they find there are many interests to follow as illustrated by the clubs and organisations listed at the end of this Guide. See Map Sheet.

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. Credit for photos: Ian Parker, Mid Hants Railway, Alton Town Council, Alton Camera Club (Anstey Mill).