It is easy to overlook Alton. This small town, with a population of less than 20,000 people, lies in a fold of the rolling countryside on the border of Surrey and Hampshire. Major roads sweep past to the north and the south - the M3 motorway, and the busy A3 and A31. These highways ensure that most traffic bypasses the town, leaving it largely undisturbed.
History of Alton
Alton's largely uneventful history has been punctuated by occasional significant happenings which have left a permanent legacy.
In 1643, during the English Civil War, a small group of Royalist soldiers were attacked in the town by a larger Parliamentary army. The Royalists were forced to take shelter in the church of St Lawrence, but were pursued inside. The Royalist commander, Sir Richard Bolle, fought and died inside the church. The building bears the scars of that battle to this day.
Jane Austen, the famous author of works such as Pride and Prejudice, lived in Chawton from 1809 until 1817, when she died in Winchester. Her home, which is now a museum, is a short walk from Alton and she would have been familiar with the town.
Another dark episode in Alton's history was the brutal slaying of eight-year old Fanny Adams, in a crime that shocked the nation in 1867. Her name has been immortalised in the phrase 'sweet Fanny Adams' which means 'sweet nothing'. Her remains lie in Alton cemetery and the grave attracts frequent visitors.
Alton Landmarks
In addition to the landmarks associated with the historical events above, there are other places of interest in Alton.
One is the huge brewery complex near the centre of town. Beer has been brewed in Alton for hundreds of years because of the quality of the water. Today the brewery is owned by Coors and tours of the site are available.
The Curtis Museum contains a rich array of articles relating to Alton's past. The most spectacular is probably the Alton Buckle, the finest piece of Anglo-Saxon craftsmanship that has been discovered in Hampshire.
Alton is the terminus of the Watercress Line, a steam railway that runs for several miles to Alresford, and a popular tourist attraction.
Visitors who stray from the highways and find themselves in Alton can be sure of a warm welcome. There are plenty of hotels in Alton, and as befits a brewing town, there are no shortage of pubs and bars. While it might not feature on every visitors' itinerary, Alton, Hampshire gives an insight into the quiet, but historically rich, English landscape.
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