Top Things to do in Alton
What to do and see in Alton, England: The Best Things to do Good for Kids
Discover the best top things to do in Alton, United Kingdom including Alton Climbing Centre, The Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line, Allen Gallery, Curtis Museum, Alton Station, The Palace Cinema.
Restaurants in Alton
1. Alton Climbing Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
this wall is no longer managed by High Sports - contact Alton Leisure Centre directly for information.
2. The Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,282 reviews
The Mid Hants Railway, also known as the Watercress Line, operates steam and heritage diesel trains between the picturesque market towns of Alton and Alresford in Hampshire, south west of London. As well as standard travel this preserved railway runs popular special events throughout the year along with Countryman and Watercress Belle dining trains and the Real Ale Train.
3. Allen Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By ellispritchard - Alton, United Kingdom
This is a lovely museum/gallery with a permanent collection of ceramics from the 13th century to the present day, an exhibition space featuring local artists and photographers, a small in-gallery tea-room, and a beautiful little garden with many unusual plants, where you can sit with your tea on a nice day. There is also a wonderful little gift-shop which features local arts-and-crafts and produce, and which is always a great place to seek out birthday cards and presents for special people. On my first visit, I went with out-of-town friends who were very 'into' ceramics, and didn't expect to be particularly interested myself, however, I ended up spending a long time in the permanent exhibition, absorbing some very interesting information about the development of pottery techniques over the ages, which appealed to my science and engineering brain. My fiends also bought a picture from the gallery, so I think we were all pretty happy with our visit! The gallery also hosts a series of varied evening talks through the year, which are well worth attending (pre-booking advised), as well as special events, such as the local archeology event they held this year, and an annual charity fayre. Note that the exhibition, gallery and shop etc. are all free to visit, which is just amazing, thanks to the Hampshire Cultural Trust, who also support the nearby Curtis Museum, which is also worth a visit (you must see the Saxon "Alton Buckle" if nothing else).
4. Curtis Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By 26sarah1980 - Andover, United Kingdom
The Curtis museum is to be recommended. It has extensive displays of natural history and specific galleries devoted to childhood toys (with several dolls houses), the Roman site at Neatham (which was a pleasant surprise), countryside pursuits, and the more recent development of the town. Star artefacts are the Alton buckle, an Anglo Saxon decorated belt bucke, and the Selbourne Cup, an enamelled copper cup dating to the 2nd century AD. I was impressed by the number of famous authors with Alton connections- including Jane Austen of course! I skipped over much of the modern history, as the museum’s heating was broken and by then I was rather cold. Still, it’s an excuse for a return visit.
5. Alton Station
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By bhgoodwin - Fareham, United Kingdom
.. Running 2 Steam Trains daily .. Join at Alton Station where there is a large car park .. pay for car parking at the station ticket office .. Take lift or walk the stairs to platform 3 for the Watercress Line .. Steam train tickets can be bought at the Watercress Line station shop .. They run 2 steam trains daily and the line consists of a total of 4 stations a trip of 10 miles .. You can alight at any station and rejoin the next train later (check the time table for next train) .. If you just want to show your children the steam trains you can see them from platforms 1 & 2 at Alton station ...
6. The Palace Cinema
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By annebZ745LP - Alton, United Kingdom
We have our granddaughter (now 10) to stay during school holidays and she loves this cinema. We have asked her if she would prefer to go to a bigger cinema but she always chooses The Palace. Her reason; it is small and not too noisy. During half term we took her and her Daddy to see the Adams Family. He was, surprisingly, quite taken with our little cinema. Yes, it is old and musty but we love ???? it.
