the thriving market town of alton offers a delightful mix of historic buildings and modern shops and arcades. it is well known for its regular tuesday market day as well as other markets and fairs. guided walks explore the town's history. details can be obtained from the tourist information centre. the curtis museum has one of the finest local history collections in hampshire. it houses a wonderful array of objects including the celebrated roman cup found near selborne, and an impressive anglo saxon buckle. its gallery of childhood is packed with toys, children's books and dolls dating back to the 18th century. the 11th century st lawrence church was part of the battle of alton, a skirmish in the civil war. look carefully and you can still see some bullet holes in the west doors. the village of chawton, famously the home of jane austen, is nearby and the watercress line steam railway goes from alton, trundling through pleasant countryside through the village of ropley and on to alresford.

located just a few minutes walk from the town centre, but with the style of a country retreat, this is the ideal location for business and leisure visitors. the hotel is set in spacious grounds with an outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts, good parking, comfortable bar, restaurant and lounge areas, with wi-fi internet access throughout. the alton house hotel caters for business or pleasure interests perfectly with 39 en suite bedrooms, a fine restaurant and bar that serves from a snack menu or an extensive a la carte menu. the hotel provides superb conference and meeting facilities with large function rooms, these rooms combined with a civil marriage licence means the hotel also provide a beautifully suited wedding venue. alton house hotel is located in jane austen country with many places of special interest such as the renowned watercress steam railway located close by.

a lot of our guests are real jane austen buffs on their way to austen’s cottage in chawton, where she used to live. it is in this cottage that pride and prejudice and sense and sensibility were written. nowadays it is a popular museum displaying aspects of jane austen’s life and writings. even if you are not a fan of jane austen, then there is a still lot to see and do in chawton and the surrounding area including visiting the watercress line and having a ride on thomas the tank engine.