Alton is a country market town with several historic buildings in the High Street.
The author Jane Austen lived nearby in the village of Chawton and there is a
Jane Austen Trail to follow.
www.janeaustentrail.org.uk
OS Explorer Map for Alton, Chawton and Selborne: Haslemere & Petersfield
A ten-mile standard gauge preserved railway from Alton to the picturesque town of New Alresford.
Engineering workshop with viewing gallery at Ropley station. Picnic areas and children's playground. Events programme.
Open see website for train times and events.
www.watercressline.co.uk
A local history museum with displays of prehistoric tools, Roman pottery, hop picking and brewing,
plus a gallery with children's books, toys and dolls. Local celebrities are covered too, including Jane Austen, Flora Thompson,
Gilbert White (also see below) and Lord Baden Powell. Admission free.
Open TThFSSu 1000-1700.
www.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk
A large collection of ceramics dating from 1250 to the present day. Watercolours and oil paintings by
local artist William Herbert Allen. Walled garden. Coffee lounge. Admission free.
Open TThFSSu 1030-1530.
www.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk
This was Jane Austen's last home where she lived with her mother and sister Cassandra from 1809 to 1817
in the village of Chawton. The furnished rooms contain objects owned by Jane Austen and her family. Garden. Events programme.
Open please see website to book visit.
www.janeaustens.house
Bus 38 from station to Chawton, 15 minutes journey.
M-F only, infrequent. Operated by Stagecoach.
The 'Great House' home of Jane Austen's brother, now a Library with a large collection of women's writing.
The House and Gardens are open to the public. Arrangements can be made to use the Library Reading Room. Tearoom. Events programme.
Open WThFSSu 1000-1530.
www.chawtonhouse.org
Bus as Jane Austen's House, then ½ mile walk.
The family home of the naturalist Reverend Gilbert White who observed and recorded what he saw around him,
including in the village and nearby Selborne Hanger, beech woodland on a steep slope overlooking the village.
Later extensions to the house contain the Oates Collections telling the stories of two explorers: Lawrence Oates who
accompanied Captain Scott to the South Pole in 1911-12, and the 19th century Frank Oates who acquired collections of birds,
animals and African weapons. Garden and parkland. Tea Parlour.
Open Mar-mid Dec, TWThFSSu 1030-1630 (1700 Apr-Oct).
www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk
Bus 38 from station (also Chawton) to Selborne, 23 minutes journey.
M-F only, infrequent. Operated by Stagecoach.
Buses also operate from Liss and Petersfield.
Short Walks Made Easy: South Downs
features a circular walk from Selborne.
