Top Things to do in Alton
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9 Budget-friendly Things to do in Alton That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Alton, United Kingdom including Harley Riders UK, The Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line, Jane Austen's House, Chawton House, Allen Gallery, Curtis Museum, St Nicholas Church, Alton Station, The Palace Cinema.
Restaurants in Alton
1. Harley Riders UK
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 86 reviews
Feel the rumble of a genuine Harley Davidson beneath your pillion seat, and head out on a countryside adventure from Hampshire with this Harley Davidson Tour. Take in every moment of the view and ride while a ROSPA Advanced qualified rider takes care of all the driving. The ride will take in the best of the South Downs and surrounding countryside.
2. The Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,282 reviews
The Mid Hants Railway, also known as the Watercress Line, operates steam and heritage diesel trains between the picturesque market towns of Alton and Alresford in Hampshire, south west of London. As well as standard travel this preserved railway runs popular special events throughout the year along with Countryman and Watercress Belle dining trains and the Real Ale Train.
3. Jane Austen's House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 881 reviews
Step back in time to 1816 and follow in Jane Austen's footsteps. Jane Austen's House in Chawton is the beautiful Hampshire cottage where Jane Austen lived and wrote. It is the most treasured Austen site in the world. It was in this house that Jane's genius flourished and where she wrote, revised and had published all six of her beloved novels, including the timeless Pride and Prejudice.
Reviewed By Coastal193289
Visited as part of Hidden Britain Tours organised by Phil Howe. The full experience included all the places with links to Jane Austen's life in the vicinity, with Phil as our tour guide. Phil is as knowledgeable as he is entertaining, happily sharing the little insights and lesser-known background and connections that fans of Jane Austen welcome ad enjoy. We spent about 7 hours together on this tour, totally enjoyable from start to finish.
4. Chawton House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 273 reviews
**Please check website for updated opening days/times** Chawton House, referred to by Jane Austen as the ‘Great House’, as it was owned by her brother Edward. See the dining table where she enjoyed meals with her family and stroll through the walled garden. Discover the inspiring stories of early women writers, from novelists and travel writers to philosophers and activists. Visitors can enjoy light lunches and refreshments in the Old Kitchen Tearoom and browse a range of gifts related to the Library, House and Gardens in the Gift Shop without paying for admission. There is a rolling programme of exhibitions, which are included in the price of admission, along with a variety of events from evening talks and conferences to children’s workshops and garden tours.
Reviewed By kiddy198
Chawton House is great if you are after a relaxing experience. The house is set in beautiful grounds which are worth exploring and is also pet friendly.There is a new Parkland Pantry just at the entrance to the church and house , serving gorgeous coffee , tea and scrumptious home made cakes. Staff are super friendly and welcoming.This is a new addition to the old kitchen tea room take away service as the sit down service in the tea room is not currently available due to Covid 19. The pantry is set to become a permanent feature and will undoubtedly extend its menu once established. It has stunning views across the south field if you want to enjoy views of Hampshire whilst having a quick stop or some lunch. Very reasonable prices as well compared to other facilities in the village so well worth the walk up to the church. I watched the virtual tour of the grounds before visiting and the real thing is much better. Looking forward to going back for the plant fair in a few weeks.
5. Allen Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By ellispritchard - Alton, United Kingdom
This is a lovely museum/gallery with a permanent collection of ceramics from the 13th century to the present day, an exhibition space featuring local artists and photographers, a small in-gallery tea-room, and a beautiful little garden with many unusual plants, where you can sit with your tea on a nice day. There is also a wonderful little gift-shop which features local arts-and-crafts and produce, and which is always a great place to seek out birthday cards and presents for special people. On my first visit, I went with out-of-town friends who were very 'into' ceramics, and didn't expect to be particularly interested myself, however, I ended up spending a long time in the permanent exhibition, absorbing some very interesting information about the development of pottery techniques over the ages, which appealed to my science and engineering brain. My fiends also bought a picture from the gallery, so I think we were all pretty happy with our visit! The gallery also hosts a series of varied evening talks through the year, which are well worth attending (pre-booking advised), as well as special events, such as the local archeology event they held this year, and an annual charity fayre. Note that the exhibition, gallery and shop etc. are all free to visit, which is just amazing, thanks to the Hampshire Cultural Trust, who also support the nearby Curtis Museum, which is also worth a visit (you must see the Saxon "Alton Buckle" if nothing else).
6. Curtis Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By 26sarah1980 - Andover, United Kingdom
The Curtis museum is to be recommended. It has extensive displays of natural history and specific galleries devoted to childhood toys (with several dolls houses), the Roman site at Neatham (which was a pleasant surprise), countryside pursuits, and the more recent development of the town. Star artefacts are the Alton buckle, an Anglo Saxon decorated belt bucke, and the Selbourne Cup, an enamelled copper cup dating to the 2nd century AD. I was impressed by the number of famous authors with Alton connections- including Jane Austen of course! I skipped over much of the modern history, as the museum’s heating was broken and by then I was rather cold. Still, it’s an excuse for a return visit.
7. St Nicholas Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By travelgirl29440
The church is a lovely spot to stop and enjoy a bit of peaceful reflection. The inside is really lovely and it was nice to just enjoy the architecture that has been so well preserved. The graves of Jane Austen's mother and sister are outside, so it was nice to pay a visit to them on the way to their home in Chawton.
8. Alton Station
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By bhgoodwin - Fareham, United Kingdom
.. Running 2 Steam Trains daily .. Join at Alton Station where there is a large car park .. pay for car parking at the station ticket office .. Take lift or walk the stairs to platform 3 for the Watercress Line .. Steam train tickets can be bought at the Watercress Line station shop .. They run 2 steam trains daily and the line consists of a total of 4 stations a trip of 10 miles .. You can alight at any station and rejoin the next train later (check the time table for next train) .. If you just want to show your children the steam trains you can see them from platforms 1 & 2 at Alton station ...
9. The Palace Cinema
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By annebZ745LP - Alton, United Kingdom
We have our granddaughter (now 10) to stay during school holidays and she loves this cinema. We have asked her if she would prefer to go to a bigger cinema but she always chooses The Palace. Her reason; it is small and not too noisy. During half term we took her and her Daddy to see the Adams Family. He was, surprisingly, quite taken with our little cinema. Yes, it is old and musty but we love ???? it.
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