town in Hampshire, England
(Redirected from Chawton)
Europe > Britain and Ireland > United Kingdom > England > South East England > Hampshire > Alton (Hampshire)

Not to be confused with Alton, a village in Staffordshire near the Alton Towers theme park.

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.

Jane Austen's house in nearby Chawton

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It is just off the A31 between Farnham and Winchester.

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Watercress Line, a preserved railway, runs from Alresford to Alton.

The station provides service from London Waterloo, direct or with a change in Guildford or Woking.

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Map of Alton (Hampshire)

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  • 1 Jane Austen's House, Winchester Rd, Chawton, GU34 1SD, +44 1420 83262, . Th-Su 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.    
  • 2 Gilbert White's House and the Oates Collections, Selborne, Alton, GU34 3JH, +44 1420 511275. Late Mar–Oct: Tu–Su 10:30AM–5PM; Nov–Dec: Tu–Su 10:30AM–4:30PM; Jan–mid Feb: F–Su 10:30AM–4:30PM; mid Feb–late Mar: Tu–Su 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.  
  • 3 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: M–F noon-4:30PM (last entry 4PM); Su 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.    

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  • 1 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.

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  • 1 The George, Butts Rd, +44 1420 82331.
  • 2 The Greyfriar, Winchester Road, Chawton, GU34 1SB. Pub with meals, bookings recommended. mains from £12.

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Routes through Alton
WinchesterAlresford  SW   NE  FarnhamLondon
END  N   S  → Meon Valley → Fareham


This city travel guide to Alton is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.