Alton (Hampshire)

Alton is a town in Hampshire, surrounded by attractive countryside and villages that were once home to novelist Jane Austen, naturalist Gilbert White, and Antarctic explorer Lawrence Oates.

Alton is easiest accessed by car.

• It is just off the A31 between Farnham and Winchester.

• Alton can be accessed from the north by leaving the M3 at Junction 5, heading towards Odiham on the A287 for about 600 metres and thence to Alton on the B3349.

• Alton can be accessed from the south on the A32.

• 51.152-0.9671 Alton railway station for South Western Railway services from London (Waterloo, Clapham Junction), Woking, Aldershot and Farnham (Harbour). During off-peak hours, passengers often have to change at Woking.

• 51.1331-0.9891 Jane Austen's House, Winchester Rd, Chawton, GU34 1SD, ☏ +44 1420 83262, enquiries@janeaustens.house. Thu-Sun 10:00AM-4:00PM. The 17th-century house in which novelist Jane Austen spent the last eight years of her life, writing and revising six of her novels. Highlights of the museum include Austen's writing table, family heirlooms, and painstakingly recreated wallpaper. The museum opened in 1949. Adults £10, children £5, young people 17–26 £7.50.  (updated Oct 2021)
• 51.09751-0.943362 Gilbert White's House and the Oates Collections, Selborne, Alton, GU34 3JH, ☏ +44 1420 511275. Late Mar–Oct: Tue–Sun 10:30AM–5PM; Nov–Dec: Tue–Sun 10:30AM–4:30PM; Jan–mid Feb: Fri–Sun 10:30AM–4:30PM; mid Feb–late Mar: Tue–Sun 10:30AM–4:30PM. Closed Christmas Day–New Year's Eve. Home of 18th-century naturalist Gilbert White, and a museum dedicated to Captain Lawrence 'Titus' Oates, the Antarctic explorer of the polar expedition with Captain Scott. Adult £9.50, concession £8.50, child (5-16 years) £4.  (updated Sep 2017)
• 51.1282-0.98853 Chawton House Library (The Centre for the Study of Early Women's Writing), Chawton (The # 64 Stagecoach service runs daily between Alton train station and Winchester, stopping at the A31/32 junction roundabout near Chawton. The # 38 service from Petersfield to Alton is less frequent, stopping in Chawton.). Late March to end of Oct only: Mon–Fri noon-4:30PM (last entry 4PM); Sun 11AM-5PM (last entry 4PM). A listed Elizabethan manor house (and garden) built around 1590, containing a library. The ‘Great House’ referred to in Jane Austen’s letters, it belonged to Jane Austen's brother. Adult £8, under 16 £4, under 6 free, family ticket (2 adults & up to 3 children) £20, seniors over 65 & full time students £6.50, disabled (free entry for accompanying carer) £3.  (updated Sep 2017)

• 51.1519-0.96731 Watercress Line (Mid Hants Railway). Steam locomotives and vintage diesel trains links Alton's National Rail station to Alresford. A fantastic way to travel through the Hampshire countryside  

The theme park Alton Towers is not anywhere near Alton in Hampshire. It is in the village of Alton in Staffordshire, about 185 miles north west.

• 51.146164-0.9788191 The George, Butts Rd, ☏ +44 1420 82331.  
• 51.13313-0.988522 The Greyfriar, Winchester Road, Chawton, GU34 1SB. Pub with meals, bookings recommended. mains from £12.  (updated May 2017)

• 51.151684-0.9701231 Alton House Hotel, 57 Normandy St, ☏ +44 1420 80033, reservations@altonhousehotel.com. Check-in: 4pm, check-out: 11am. Country house hotel with free parking, 43 bedrooms, a restaurant and bar area as well as the Jane Austen Suite, a popular function venue with a private entrance and access to the garden. From £60.  (updated May 2025)
• 51.148654-0.9753942 Swan Hotel, High St, ☏ +44 1420 83777.  
• 51.1631-0.94853 The White Hart, 139 London Road, ☏ +44 1420 876-54.  (updated Apr 2021)

• Alresford
• Basingstoke
• Farnham
• Winchester

Winchester ← Alresford ←	SW  NE	→ Farnham → London
END ←	N  S	→ Meon Valley → Fareham