Alton is a small market town in Hampshire, England, to the southwest of Farnham. It had a population of 16,584 at the 1991 census, and is administered by East Hampshire district council. It also is home to Treloar College, the National Specialist college for Young Disabled People. Jane Austen lived at the nearby village of Chawton. Eggar's School was founded in 1640 by John Eggar of Moungomeries as the Free Grammar School. It later became known as Eggar's Grammar School.
It occupied a site in Anstey Road until it moved to a new site in Holybourne in 1969. A battle was fought in Alton during the English Civil War. A small Royalist force was quartered in the town when on 13 December 1643 they were surprised by a Parliamentary army of around 5,000 men.
The Royalist cavalry fled, leaving Sir Richard Bolle and his infantry to fight. Outnumbered, the Royalists were forced into St Lawrence Church, where Bolle was killed along with many of his men. Over 700 Royalist soldiers were captured and bullet holes from the battle are still visible in the church today. Source : www.wikipedia.org.uk
Local Attractions :
Gilbert White's House & The Oates Museum
Jane Austen's House
Mouth and Foot Gallery
Other Popular Attractions in Hampshire