Visit Winchester > Discover Alresford

Discover Alresford

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A Georgian town of colour-washed houses, riverside walks and specialist shops.

Make a full day out with a ride on the Watercress Line and a walk around the picturesque Georgian town, with its delightful tea rooms and independent shops, or visit nearby National Trust property Hinton Ampner.

Alresford is the hub of UK watercress industry.

The town’s history is punctuated with fires, despite the abundance of water in the area, and the buildings that you see today rose from the ashes of the great fires of the 17th century.

Alresford is the perfect place for strolling and there is plenty to please the eye including St John’s parish church and Old Alresford Pond created by Bishop de Lucy in the 12th century.

According to John Arlott, the cricket broadcaster and commentator who lived in Alresford between 1961 and 1981, Alresford Cricket Club was one of the strongest teams in England between 1700 and 1795. You can find out more about Alresford’s excellent cricketing reputation by following our Cricket trail which will help you trace it’s evolution across Winchester and Hampshire’s countryside.

Less than 20 minutes drive from Winchester’s city.

By bus: on bus routes 64 & 67. For more information visit our local travel page.

By car: leave Winchester on the B3404 signed for Alresford, Alton and Petersfield.  At Morn Hill roundabout take the A31 for Alton then a few miles further on turn left into Alresford.

Alresford hosts a year round programme of events for all the family.

Look out for the Alresford Music Festival in June and the nationally acclaimed annual Watercress Festival in May which attracts thousands of visitors to celebrate the town’s local leaf.

The Alresford Show in September offers a great countryside day out with animals, local food and drink and children’s entertainment.