Alton
Built-up area in East Hampshire, Hampshire, England
| Coordinates: | 51.155, -0.976 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | SU 71 40 |
| Population: | 16,584 |
| Dialling code: | 01420 |
Alton is a market town in the district of East Hampshire, in Hampshire, England, situated on the north‑western edge of the South Downs. It has a compact town centre with independent shops and markets, a mix of light industry and services, and many residents who commute to nearby centres such as Basingstoke and Winchester.
The town is well known for its literary and rural connections: Chawton, where Jane Austen lived and wrote, is a short drive away and attracts visitors, and the preserved Mid‑Hants "Watercress Line" heritage railway runs from Alton to Alresford, echoing the area’s history of watercress growing. With medieval market origins and notable Georgian and Victorian buildings, Alton combines a strong community life, local festivals and easy access to walking routes and countryside attractions.
Postcode districts covering Alton
Most populated places nearby
- Reading 20.2 miles
- Southampton 24.5 miles
- Portsmouth 23.7 miles
- Basingstoke 9.1 miles
- Woking 20.1 miles
- Bracknell 20.1 miles
- Guildford 18.6 miles
- Waterlooville 19.6 miles
- Aldershot 11.3 miles
- Farnborough 13 miles
- Fareham 22.9 miles
- Eastleigh 19.8 miles
Neighbouring places
- Alton Eastbrooke Ward 0.2 miles
- Alton Amery Ward 0.4 miles
- Alton Wooteys Ward 0.4 miles
- Alton Westbrooke Ward 0.6 miles
- Alton Ashdell Ward 0.7 miles
- Alton Whitedown Ward 1 mile
- Alton Holybourne Ward 1.2 miles
- Holybourne Built-up area 1.3 miles
- Shalden Parish 1.6 miles
- Bentworth & Froyle Ward 1.6 miles
- Beech Built-up area 1.9 miles
- Chawton Parish 2.3 miles
Example postcodes in Alton
GU34 1GF, GU34 2RT, GU34 1ET, GU34 2EF, GU34 1JQ, GU34 2FP, GU34 2FB, GU34 1SP, GU34 1XH … See all
Transport links
- Southampton Airport 21.8 miles
- London Heathrow Airport 31.3 miles
- Alton Railway Station 0.5 miles
- Medstead and Four Marks Station 4.2 miles
Hotels in Alton Ad
Schools in Alton
- Alton Infant School Primary
- Amery Hill School Secondary
- Anstey Junior School Primary
- Eggar's School Secondary
- Saint Lawrence C of E Primary School Primary
- The Butts Primary School Primary
- Wootey Infant School Primary
- Wootey Junior School Primary
Local points of interest
- Dogmersfield House Estate 7.3 miles
- The Farnum Museum Museum 8.4 miles
- Waverley Abbey Archaeological site 9.6 miles
- Milestones Museum 9.7 miles
- The Grange Country house 9.9 miles
- Jamia Ahmadiyya UK College 11.2 miles
- The Vyne Historic site 11.5 miles
- Recreation Ground Stadium 11.5 miles
- Borden Wood Forest 11.6 miles
- Cairn Wood Forest 11.6 miles
- Oakley Hall Estate 11.7 miles
- Jungle Wood Forest 11.8 miles