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Welcome to Alton Hampshire

An independent Alton website that promotes organisations, clubs and businesses in Alton, Hampshire. It also supports the charities The Lullaby Trust (safer sleep for babies) and Alzheimer's Society.
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Other Regional News


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BBC News

Spinnaker Tower marks 20 year milestone
The tower in Portsmouth is marking two decades since it opened its doors for the first time.
More than 100 abandoned boats cleared from harbour
Some of the vessels were pollution risks while others were inhabited by rough sleepers.
'Shine the light on your phone' at unlit bus stops
Passengers are being urged to use torches on their phones so drivers can spot them at dark and unlit bus stops on the Isle of Wight.

UK News

BBC News

Prince Andrew gives up his title as Duke of York
The prince said he had made the decision because "continued accusations about me distract from the work" of the Royal Family.
Government 'doing everything' to overturn Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban
It is working with police and exploring what additional resources are required to allow all fans to attend.
Government loses bid to block appeal against Palestine Action ban
Palestine Action's co-founder said the government's attempt to avoid judicial scrutiny had 'backfired spectacularly'.

Alton Weather

BBC Weather - Forecast for Alton, GB

Today: Light Cloud, Minimum Temperature: 10°C (51°F) Maximum Temperature: 14°C (57°F)
Maximum Temperature: 14°C (57°F), Minimum Temperature: 10°C (51°F), Wind Direction: South Easterly, Wind Speed: 14mph, Visibility: Good, Pressure: 1023mb, Humidity: 81%, UV Risk: 2, Pollution: Low, Sunrise: 07:32 BST, Sunset: 18:06 BST
Sunday: Heavy Rain, Minimum Temperature: 11°C (51°F) Maximum Temperature: 15°C (58°F)
Maximum Temperature: 15°C (58°F), Minimum Temperature: 11°C (51°F), Wind Direction: Southerly, Wind Speed: 18mph, Visibility: Poor, Pressure: 1003mb, Humidity: 97%, UV Risk: 1, Pollution: Low, Sunrise: 07:33 BST, Sunset: 18:04 BST

A History of Alton Hampshire


By Jane Hurst


If you come to the Curtis Museum on Crown Hill, you can take a walk through the history of Alton - starting with the local geology. Local flint was made into tools by early man who roamed the area while the Bronze and Iron Age people settled here leaving behind pottery and metal work. The Romans established a posting station in nearby Holybourne and other evidence of them has been found in Alton with a villa near Alton’s Public Gardens.

Early Anglo-Saxons buried their dead above the town over a long period and part of their cemetery has been excavated. Grave goods included swords, shields, beads and the magnificent Alton Buckle - which can be seen in the Museum.

With the coming of the Normans in 1066, Alton grew as an important market and administrative centre for the surrounding area. The town had a thriving cloth industry in the medieval period with several clothiers and a fulling mill and, being on a main route between Southampton and London, it had four inns - the White Hart, George, Swan and the Pelican (which changed its name to the Crown at the Dissolution).

The mid-1600s was the time of the English Civil War and, being between Royalist Winchester and Parliamentary Farnham, Alton was the site of two battles in 1643. The second, on 13th December, was the more serious and ended with the Royalists seeking refuge in Alton’s Church of St Lawrence.

The 1700s were a time of regeneration for the town with a paper mill and breweries being established. Local hop growing expanded and travel improved with the formation of Turnpike Trusts. Upstairs, the Museum has displays of items that would have been familiar to Jane Austen when she lived in nearby Chawton in the early 1800s.

The railway from London came to Alton in 1852 and was later extended to Winchester, Basingstoke and Fareham. At the same time, Alton grew along the valley and a second parish church, All Saints’, was built at the western end of the town.

1880 saw the opening of the Alton’s Assembly Rooms, Cottage Hospital and Mechanics’ Institute on Crown Close with the Curtis Museum now filling the latter.

Alton continues to change and grow but its history can still be found if one knows where to look. If you have any queries do contact [email protected].

High Street Alton Hampshire Market Square Alton Hampshire Assembly RoomsAlton Hampshire The Watercress Line Alton Hampshire Alton artwork kindly supplied by Pellart

About AltonHampshire.co.uk


AltonHampshire.co.uk is an independent Alton website that promotes organisations, clubs and businesses in Alton, Hampshire. It also supports the charities The Lullaby Trust (safer sleep for babies) and Alzheimer's Society.

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