Top Things to do in Alton
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What to do and see in Alton, England: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
Discover the best top things to do in Alton, United Kingdom including The Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line, Jane Austen's House, Allen Gallery, The Railway Arms, Chawton House, Curtis Museum, Gilbert White & The Oates Collections, The Palace Cinema, The Gliding Heritage Centre.
Restaurants in Alton
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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).
4. The Railway Arms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
5. 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.
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. Gilbert White & The Oates Collections
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 279 reviews
Gilbert White & The Oates Collections celebrates the lives of three explorers of the natural world. The historic house was the home of the eighteenth century pioneering naturalist Gilbert White; whose major work The Natural History of Selborne has never been out of print since its publication in 1789. The House is surrounded by 25 acres of majestic restored garden and parkland, which specialises in eighteenth century plants and gardening methods inspired by Gilbert White. The Museum is also home to the Oates Collections where visitors can discover the stories of the nineteenth century explorer Frank Oates, who travelled extensively around Africa and Central America and the heroic Captain Lawrence Oates. The Collection commemorates the life of Lawrence Oates, who travelled with Scott to the South Pole on the epic yet ill fated Terra Nova Expedition of 1912. This unique and diverse, interactive Museum also boasts a fantastic café which serves food throughout the day.
Reviewed By SuzonB64 - Chichester, United Kingdom
Ignoring the unhelpful reviews, having passed this so many times - we finally managed a visit. As another said, we missed the car park - we saw the sign opposite the pub but the museum sign made me doubt myself and we drove past! Behind the pub was a large free car park and the museum is a short walk away. The entrance fee gives a whole year of visits, which is a bonus as the gardens would definitely be worth seeing through the seasons - let alone an excuse to visit the fabulous cafe! Fully Covid restriction compliant, patience is needed for the museum rooms but So worth it, very well laid out and so much information! The grounds are well kept and the 3 walks very easy with lots to see, the shop has the most beautifully decorated pack of seeds from the gardens for sale and there was a small range of plants too. Really enjoyable visit and we will definitely go again.
8. 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.
9. The Gliding Heritage Centre
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 17 reviews
Based at Lasham Airfield, home to Lasham Gliding Society; the largest gliding club in the world, The Gliding Heritage Centre exists to preserve the history of British Gliding and make it accessible to the public. Visitors are welcome at the centre any day of the week, though we run organsised tours at 2pm every Sunday. On the first Sunday of each month we fly our gliders (weather permitting). When you come to visit us, park your car in the Lssham Gliding public car park as shown on the map and come into the Lasham clubhouse. At the enquiries desk inside tell the staff that you'd like to visit us and they will call a guide who will escort you to the centre.
Reviewed By Annie40404 - London, United Kingdom
The GHC is a treasure trove of vintage gliders in great condition many of which are still flown The tours hosted by members of the GHC are easy to organise and will give you all the details of the wonderful aircraft they have there It is based on the airfield so you can get to see the main stream gliding activity as well
