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Major city · United Kingdom

AltonAlton, Hampshire

Base in Alton for one night, or use it as a half-day rail stop: Jane Austen's House is 3 km (1.9 mi) away in Chawton and needs a car or the #64 bus.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Alton is a small Hampshire market town, not a sight in itself. Its value is as a base for the Jane Austen and Gilbert White houses in the surrounding villages, and as the northern end of the Watercress Line steam railway. Most travellers see it as a day trip from Winchester or Farnham, or sleep one night to catch an early steam train.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
GBP
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Jan–Feb (many attractions closed or weekend-only)
Airports
LHR · SOU · LGW
Nights
1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Alton999 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance999112
  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Alton, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • Sit-down mealPub main course£12–20 (≈ US$16–30)
  • BeerPint of draught beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
  • Metro or bus rideBus fare, single in town£2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
  • Budget bedHostel or pub bunk bed, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
  • Mid-range bedPub or country-house double room, a night, per room£110 (≈ US$150)
  • High-end bedPub or country-house double room, a night, per room£190 (≈ US$300)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget £55 (≈ US$75) · Mid £95 (≈ US$130) · High £160 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Jane Austen's House, ChawtonGilbert White's House and the Oates Collections, SelborneWatercress Line steam railwayChawton House
Airports
LHR London Heathrow (About 1 h 15 min by car via the M3; rail via Woking and change.) · SOU Southampton (About 45 min by car; rail via Winchester or Eastleigh with a change.) · LGW London Gatwick (About 1 h 30 min by car; rail via Clapham Junction or Woking.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    11°C (52°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    14°C (57°F)

  5. May

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    11°C (52°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    8°C (46°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (8). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Alton: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

8°C (46°F)

2°C (36°F)

12 rd

Feb

8°C (46°F)

2°C (36°F)

10 rd

Mar

11°C (52°F)

3°C (37°F)

10 rd

Apr

14°C (57°F)

5°C (41°F)

9 rd

May

18°C (64°F)

8°C (46°F)

9 rd

Jun

21°C (70°F)

11°C (52°F)

8 rd

Jul

23°C (73°F)

13°C (55°F)

8 rd

Aug

23°C (73°F)

13°C (55°F)

9 rd

Sep

20°C (68°F)

11°C (52°F)

9 rd

Oct

15°C (59°F)

8°C (46°F)

11 rd

Nov

11°C (52°F)

5°C (41°F)

11 rd

Dec

8°C (46°F)

3°C (37°F)

12 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The town centre is walkable in 15 minutes end to end. The two headline sights, Jane Austen's House in Chawton and Gilbert White's House in Selborne, are 3 km and 7 km out of town with no useful rail link: use the #64 Stagecoach bus towards Winchester for Chawton, a taxi, or a car. South Western Railway runs to London Waterloo via Woking (change off-peak), and the Watercress Line heritage railway runs from Alton station to Alresford on running days.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Winchestergo

Door to door: About 40 min by car, 1 h 15 min by bus

South Western Railway from Alton, change at Woking or take the #64 bus direct

Cathedral, Great Hall and the Watercress Line's southern end at Alresford on the way.

Farnham

go

Door to door: About 30 min

South Western Railway from Alton, about 25 min

Castle, Georgian streets and a good half-day pairing with Alton.

Alresford

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Watercress Line steam train from Alton station, about 20 min

Running days only; check the timetable before you build a day around it.

Portsmouth

caution

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min by car, 1 h 45 min by rail

Rail via Woking or Winchester, or drive the A32 south

Doable as a long day; better as an overnight.

Southampton

caution

Door to door: About 1 h by car, 1 h 30 min by rail

Rail via Winchester or Eastleigh, or drive the M3 and M27

SeaCity and the old walls; a full day out.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Alton town centre (High Street and Normandy Street)

Walkable to the station, pubs and shops; the Swan Hotel and Alton House Hotel are here.

Chawton and Selborne villages

Quiet, close to the Austen and White houses, but very few beds and no evening options without a car.

Alresford

10 min up the Watercress Line; a prettier base with more pubs and river walks.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
£55–85 (≈ US$75–120) excl. bed
Mid
£85–140 (≈ US$120–190) excl. bed
High
£140 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Pub or country-house double room1 × 1 night × £110£110
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £95£190
Return rail London Waterloo → Alton, off-peak2 × £40£80
Watercress Line day return Alton → Alresford2 × £22£44
Taxi Alton station → Chawton, one way1 × £12£12
eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10£20
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge£46
Trip total≈ £251 per person per day, bed included£502≈ US$700

2026 estimate in pounds; flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Pub main course£12–20 (≈ US$16–30)
Pint of draught beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
Jane Austen's House adult ticket£10 (≈ US$14)
Gilbert White's House adult ticket£9.50 (≈ US$13)
Chawton House adult ticket£8 (≈ US$11)
Bus fare, single in town£2–3 (≈ US$3–4)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Alton is a low-crime market town and safe to walk at night. The real risks are rural lanes with no pavement, unlit footpaths between villages, and the last train or bus back from Winchester if you stay out late.
  • Alton Towers theme park is in Staffordshire, about 300 km (186 mi) away: do not book Alton, Hampshire expecting it.
  • Jane Austen's House and Chawton House are seasonal and not open every day: check opening days before you travel.
  • The #64 bus to Chawton is infrequent and stops on the A31/A32 roundabout, not at the door.
  • Rural lanes around Chawton and Selborne have no pavement in places; walk facing traffic.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
999 or 112
NHS non-urgent
111
Police non-urgent
101

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

AltonAlton, Hampshire

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance999 or 112
  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Embassy

No embassies in Alton; the US Embassy is in London and most consulates-general are in London or Edinburgh.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Alton → London Waterloo, off-peak return: about £40 (≈ US$55), 1 h 20 min with a change at Woking
  • Alton → Winchester, bus #64: about £3 (≈ US$4) single, 1 h 15 min
  • Taxi Alton station → Chawton: £10–15 (≈ US$14–20)

Say or show

  • Where is the bus stop for Chawton? — Where is the bus stop for Chawton?
  • A return ticket, please — A return ticket, please
  • Is the house open today? — Is the house open today?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • The bill, please — The bill, please

Tipping: 10–12.5% in restaurants if no service charge is added; not expected in pubs.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Alton. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (many attractions closed or weekend-only) · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contracts for LHR, SOU and LGW: last-train cutoffs, taxi fallback and an overnight rung.
  2. Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Alton station and High Street, Chawton, Selborne, Alresford.
  3. Place pages with verified opening days for Jane Austen's House, Chawton House and Gilbert White's House, plus Watercress Line running days.
  4. Eat pages with last orders for the George, the Greyfriar and the Swan.

Meanwhile

Back to United Kingdom

Sources

Ask about Alton

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