85-602: The Curtis Museum in Alton is a local history museum in Hampshire , England . The museum was founded in 1865 by Dr William Curtis (1803–1881). In 2014, ownership of the museum was transferred to the Hampshire Cultural Trust as part of a larger transfer of museums from Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council . It contains a wide range of artefacts and displays including: In 2010, both
170-637: A Parliamentary army of around 5,000 men. The Royalist cavalry fled, leaving Sir Richard Bolle (or Boles) and his infantry to fight. Outnumbered, the Royalists were forced into the Church of St Lawrence , 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. In 1665, Alton suffered an outbreak of bubonic plague , but soon recovered. On Saturday, 24 August 1867, an eight-year-old girl, Fanny Adams ,
255-611: A Hampshire building or structure is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article related to the history of England is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about an organisation in England is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article relating to a museum in the United Kingdom is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Alton, Hampshire Alton ( / ˈ ɔː l t ən / AWL -tən )
340-522: A danger to pedestrians, with only a small portion of the original Roman wall itself surviving. Of the six gates (North, South, East, West, Durn, and King's Gates), only the Kingsgate and Westgate survive, with sections of the walls remaining around the two gates and near the ruins of Wolvesey Castle . Three notable bronze sculptures can be seen in or from the High Street by major sculptors of
425-609: A gradual change through increased trade links rather than migration. To the Celtic Britons, the settlement was probably known as Wentā or Venta (from a common Celtic word meaning "tribal town" or "meeting place"). An etymology connected with the Celtic word for "white" ( Modern Welsh gwyn ) has been suggested, due to Winchester's situation upon chalk. It was the Latinised versions of this name, together with that of
510-602: A large, permanent ceramics collection as well as temporary exhibitions. Holybourne Theatre is on the site of a former Nissen hut that was converted into a theatre by German prisoners-of-war during World War II . Plays have been performed there since 1950, but the official opening was not until 1971. Alton Morris was formed in 1979, and have been Morris dancing both in the United Kingdom and abroad. They often perform at Alton street events. Local choirs include Alton Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, established in 1921, who perform two musical shows and one play each year in
595-503: A population of 127,439 in 2021. Winchester is the county town of Hampshire and contains the head offices of Hampshire County Council . Winchester developed from the Roman town of Venta Belgarum , which in turn developed from an Iron Age oppidum . Winchester was one of the most important cities in England until the Norman conquest in the eleventh century. It has since become one of
680-546: A service to London Waterloo . Alton railway station is the terminus for the Watercress Line , formerly the Mid Hants Railway, a restored steam railway running between Alton and New Alresford , so called because it used to be used to transport fresh watercress to London. The Watercress Line is now a charity largely operated by volunteers, and best known for its events such as Steam Illuminations, War on
765-534: A wide variety of musical and dramatic styles. Alton Community Choir sings unaccompanied Hampshire folk songs as well as some African, gospel , blues and calypso music . A new Alton Arts Festival is due to take place over 10 days in July 2024. The Alton Independent Cinema Project was formed in May ;2011 to help secure the future of independent cinema in the town. Alton Maltings was renovated in 2004–2005 and
850-471: Is St Peter's Catholic Church . It was built in 1924 and designed by Frederick Walters . Next to it is Milner Hall, built in the 1780s, which was the first Catholic church to be consecrated since 1558. The old Victorian Corn Exchange is now used as a cultural hub. A series of 24 bollards on the corner of Great Minster Street and The Square were painted in the style of famous artists, or with topical scenes, by The Colour Factory between 2005 and 2012 at
935-804: Is a market town and civil parish in East Hampshire , England, near the source of the northern branch of the River Wey . It had a population of 19,425 at the 2021 census. Alton was recorded in the Domesday Survey of 1086 as Aoltone . During the Saxon period Alton was known as Aweltun . The Battle of Alton occurred in the town during the English Civil War . It also has connections with Sweet Fanny Adams and Jane Austen . The Alton Hoard of Iron Age coins and jewellery found in
SECTION 10
#17327902451431020-546: Is a state funded special school for pupils aged 4 to 11, located just outside of the city in the boundaries of Compton . The University of Winchester (formerly King Alfred's College) is a public university based in Winchester and the surrounding area. It is ranked 10th for teaching excellence in The Times and The Sunday Times 2016 Good University Guide, with a 92% rating, and fourth for student satisfaction in England in
1105-459: Is approximately 9 °C (48.2 °F ) and shows a seasonal and a diurnal variation. January is the coldest month with mean minimum temperatures between 0.5 and 2 °C (32.9 and 35.6 °F). June and July are the warmest months in the area with average daily maximum around 21 °C (69.8 °F). There have been a number of breweries in Alton since 1763. Coors Brewing Company (among
1190-437: Is between Farnham 9 miles (14 km) to the northeast and Winchester 16 miles (26 km) to the southwest. London is 52 miles (84 km). Nearby Brockham Hill, situated 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometres) northeast of Alton, rises to 225 metres (738 feet) above sea level . Along with the rest of South East England , Alton has a temperate climate which is generally warmer than the rest of the country. The annual mean temperature
1275-547: Is buried in the cathedral. While staying in Winchester from mid-August to October 1819, the Romantic poet John Keats wrote "Isabella", "St. Agnes' Eve", " To Autumn ", "Lamia" and parts of " Hyperion " and the five-act poetic tragedy "Otho The Great". In 2013, businesses involved in the housing market were reported by a local newspaper as saying that the city's architectural and historical interest, and its fast links to other towns and cities, had led Winchester to become one of
1360-737: Is commonly identified as the city of Cair Guinntguic listed among the 28 cities of Britain in the History of the Britons (commonly attributed to Nennius ). The city is known as Caerwynt in Modern Welsh . Between 476 and 517 AD, the town and surrounding areas seems to have been fortified by several Jutish settlements and to have operated as part of a larger polity. The city became known as Wintanceaster ("Fort Venta") in Old English . In 648, King Cenwalh of Wessex erected
1445-477: Is featured on Kitchin's map of Hampshire (1751) which marks the town as Alton Mt. Sat. 1307 was, in fact, the first year of Edward II's reign but Edmund of Woodstock was not lord of the manor then. According to the Victoria County History (written after Curtis' book):- In 1273 Edward I granted the manor [of Alton Westbrook] to his mother, Queen Eleanor, who died in 1291, when it reverted to
1530-579: Is in Martyr Worthy , just outside the city. From 1835 to 1974, Winchester was governed as a municipal borough of Hampshire. Until 1902 the city's affairs were also administered partly by its parishes: St Lawrence, St Mary Kalendar, St Maurice, St Michael, St Peter Colebrook, St Swithin, St Thomas, St John, St Bartholomew Hyde, Milland, St Faith, and St Peter Cheesehill, and its extra-parochial areas: Cathedral Precincts, St Mary's College Precincts, St Cross Hospital Precinct, and Wolvesey. Historically,
1615-555: Is now the home of Harvest Church and is used by community groups, charities, private users and other organisations throughout the week. The Alton Maltings claims to be the widest wooden spanned building in Hampshire. Alton Library was rebuilt in 2005 to a design by the County Council Architects . The new library contains a lending library, reference library, computer facilities and a cafe. Alton Sports Centre
1700-718: Is on the B3006 Alton to Selborne road, and is occupied by Inter Group Insurance Services (IGIS), a subsidiary of the Royal Bank of Scotland . Inter Group employs over 170 people on this site, and specialises in travel insurance . The company has operated in Alton since 1999. It was acquired by Churchill Insurance in 2001, becoming part of RBS Insurance division in 2003 as part of an RBS takeover. However, on 11 November 2008, Inter Group announced its proposal to close its office in Alton in August ;2009 due to "changes in
1785-417: Is open to the public and includes a swimming pool, gym, indoor and outdoor courts. The Curtis Museum was founded in 1856 by Dr William Curtis and houses one of the finest local history collections in Hampshire. The Town Gardens contains a bandstand (built in 1935 for the silver jubilee of King George V ), a children's playground, flower beds, trees and shrubs (4.5 acres (18,000 m )). The bandstand
SECTION 20
#17327902451431870-480: Is predominantly composed of Abbotts Barton , Hyde , and Winnall ; St Luke is predominantly composed of Stanmore and Winchester Village; St Michael is predominanlty composed of Bar End , Highcliffe, Saint Giles Hill, St Cross , and much of the city centre including the Cathedral Close; St Pauls is predominantly composed of Fulflood, Sleepers Hill, and West Hill. Winchester is currently represented in
1955-480: Is that the court was mobile in this period and there was no fixed capital. Martin Biddle has suggested that Winchester was a centre for royal administration in the 7th and 8th centuries, but this is questioned by Barbara Yorke , who sees it as significant that the shire was named after Hamtun, the forerunner of Southampton . However, Winchester is described by the historian Catherine Cubitt as "the premier city of
2040-427: Is via Alton, it also includes Odiham and Hook if going towards Basingstoke ) and 38 to Petersfield (via Chawton , Selborne , Greatham and Liss ). Alton is twinned with: [REDACTED] Media related to Alton, Hampshire at Wikimedia Commons Winchester Winchester ( / ˈ w ɪ n tʃ ɪ s t ər / , /- tʃ ɛ s -/ ) is a cathedral city in Hampshire , England. The city lies at
2125-579: The Alton Buckle which is on display in the Curtis Museum and considered to be the finest piece of Anglo-Saxon craftsmanship found in Hampshire. The buckle, found in the grave of a warrior, has a silver-gilt body set with garnets and glass. The River Wey has a source in the town, and the name Alton comes from an Anglo-Saxon word "aewielltun" meaning "farmstead at the source of the river" . In 1001 Danish forces invaded England and during
2210-597: The First Battle of Alton the forces of Wessex came together and fought against them. About 81 Englishmen were killed, including Ethelwerd the King's high-steward, Leofric of Whitchurch, Leofwin the King's high-steward, Wulfhere a bishop's thane, and Godwin of Worthy, Bishop Elfsy's son. The Danes were the victors although Danish casualties were higher and fleeing Englishmen took refuge in Winchester . Aoltone , in
2295-810: The Gothic revival style, the Royal Hampshire County Hospital , designed by William Butterfield , and Winchester City Mill , one of the city's several water mills driven by the River Itchen that runs through the city centre. The mill has recently been restored, and is again milling corn by water power. It is owned by the National Trust . Castle Hill is the location of the Council Chamber for Hampshire County Council . Between Jewry Street and St Peter's Street
2380-532: The Grammar School ), and Amery Hill School . There is an independent Catholic day school, Alton School (formerly Alton Convent School), which educates boys and girls from 6 months to 18 years old. Sixth-form education is provided by Alton College , which has gained outstanding inspection reports from Ofsted . Alton station is on the National Rail network at the end of the Alton line with
2465-612: The Henry Beaufort School , Kings' School Winchester , and The Westgate School are all situated in the city. A fourth state school, the Osborne School , a community special school is also located in Winchester. Independent junior/preparatory schools are The Pilgrims' School Winchester , the Prince's Mead School and Twyford School , which is just outside the city and claims to be the oldest preparatory school in
2550-610: The House of Commons by Danny Chambers , of the Liberal Democrats, who in the 2024 General Election beat Flick Drummond , the Conservative candidate, by 13,821 votes (a margin of 24.2%). The office of Mayor of Winchester currently exists as a ceremonial role, but dates back at least as far as the late 12th century. The mayoral term length is currently one year, and is the chair of Winchester City Council , covering
2635-723: The Late Iron Age , a more urban settlement type developed, known as an oppidum , although the archaeology of this phase remains obscure. The settlement became an important centre for the British Belgae tribe; however, it remains unclear how the Belgae came to control the initial settlement. Caesar recorded the tribe had crossed the channel as raiders (probably in the 1st century BCE), only to later establish themselves. The Roman account of continental invaders has been challenged in recent years with scientific studies favouring
Curtis Museum - Misplaced Pages Continue
2720-798: The Local Government Act 1972 , Alton had fallen under the aegis of the (now defunct) Alton Urban District Council. The Act resulted in the dissolution of this body, and the establishment (on 1 April 1974) of the current Alton Town Council. The responsibilities of the Alton Urban District Council were divided between the new Alton Town Council, the Hampshire County Council and the newly formed East Hampshire District Council . The Council meets at Alton Town Hall , in Market Square. Alton
2805-580: The Middle Ages , the city was an important centre of the wool trade, before going into a slow decline. The curfew bell in the bell tower (near the clock in the picture), still sounds at 8:00 pm each evening. Jews lived in Winchester from at least 1148, and in the 13th century the Jewish community in the city was one of the most important in England. There was an archa in the city, and the Jewish quarter
2890-525: The Roman withdrawal from Britain , urban life continued much as it had done into the mid fifth century. The settlement reduced in size, but work was carried out to improve the city's defences. The city may have functioned as a centre for a religious community or a royal palace, as they continued to use the Christian cemeteries established in the Roman period. Winchester appears in early Welsh literature and
2975-581: The Sir John Moore Barracks , 2 miles (3 km) outside the city). The almshouses and vast Norman chapel of the Hospital of St Cross were founded just outside the city centre by Henry de Blois in the 1130s. Since at least the 14th century, and still available today, a 'wayfarer's dole' of ale and bread has been handed out there. It was supposedly instigated to aid pilgrims on their way to Canterbury . The City Museum, located on
3060-641: The 'Odingeton Hundred — Hantescire' is recorded as having the most valuable market in the Domesday Book . The Treaty of Alton was signed in 1101 between William the Conqueror 's eldest son Robert II of Normandy and his brother Henry I of England . Henry had seized the throne while his elder brother was away on the first crusade . Robert returned to claim the throne, landing in Portsmouth . The brothers met in Alton and agreed terms which formed
3145-643: The 19th and 20th centuries, the earliest a monumental statue of Queen Victoria , now in the Great hall , by Sir Alfred Gilbert (also known as the sculptor of ' Eros ' in London's Piccadilly Circus), King Alfred , facing the city with raised sword from the centre of The Broadway, by Hamo Thornycroft and the modern striking Horse and Rider by Dame Elizabeth Frink at the entrance to the Law Courts. The novelist Jane Austen died in Winchester on 18 July 1817 and
3230-508: The Charter Rolls, 14 Edward II, no.15). The grant was for a 9-day fair – the vigil [eve] and feast of Whitsuntide and seven days after. The two main manors in Alton – Alton Eastbrook and Alton Westbrook – had a fair each. That of Alton Eastbrook has no extant charter, and may never have had one. It was originally held on St Lawrence's Day and so its origin was, presumably, the patronal festival. The religious aspect would have ceased when
3315-747: The Church of St Peter and St Paul, later known as the Old Minster . This became a cathedral in the 660s when the West Saxon bishop's see was transferred from Dorchester on Thames . The present form of the city dates from reconstruction in the late 9th century, when King Alfred the Great obliterated the Roman street plan in favour of a new grid in order to provide better defence against the Vikings . The city's first mint appears to date from this period. In
3400-529: The Conservatives from 2011 until 2019 , since when the Liberal Democrats have again been in control. The wards are: St Barnabas predominantly covers Harestock , Weeke and Teg Down. Harestock is part of Littleton and Harestock Parish whilst the remainder is part of the unparished area, but the entire ward is part of the Town Forum. The remaining wards are all completely unparished; St Bartholomew
3485-636: The Creative Arts in Farnham. It is home to Treloar's, an independent educational establishment founded in 1907 by Sir William Purdie Treloar, Lord Mayor of London , to provide education for young people with physical disabilities. Treloar's now runs Treloar School and College, a provision of education for pupils aged from 2–25 with physical and learning difficulties in Holybourne . The state secondary schools in Alton are Eggar's School (formerly
Curtis Museum - Misplaced Pages Continue
3570-497: The Crown and was granted in 1299 as dower to his second wife, Margaret of France. On the death of Queen Margaret in 1317, it again came to the Crown, and Edward II gave it in 1319 to his brother Edmund of Woodstock, Earl of Kent. As can be seen, Queen Margaret held the manor until 1317 and so the fair could not have been granted to Edmund of Woodstock in 1307. The correct date for the grant seems to be 22 November 1320 (according to
3655-801: The Curtis Museum and the Allen Gallery were under threat of closure, following their receipt of an email to that effect from the Museum & Arts Service. The Museum and Gallery were taken over by the Hampshire Museums and Galleries Trust, which ran both buildings with the help of volunteers, on behalf of Hampshire County Council. As of May 2014, management was transferred back to Hampshire County Council. 51°09′00″N 0°58′27″W / 51.149926°N 0.974079°W / 51.149926; -0.974079 This article about
3740-403: The High Street. It is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument . The city walls were originally built in the Roman period covering an area of around 138 acres (56 ha), and were rebuilt and expanded in sections over time. A large portion of the city walls, built on Roman foundations, were demolished in the 18th and 19th centuries as they fell into ruin and the gates became a barrier to traffic and
3825-595: The Line and Day Out With Thomas featuring Thomas the Tank Engine . The origins of the Watercress Line date back to 1861, the year in which Parliament granted consent for what was then known as the 'Alton, Alresford and Winchester Railway'. Four years later the Mid Hants Railway opened, and the train service continued until the line was closed in 1973. Then in 1977 the line was partially re-opened, in 1983 it
3910-508: The National Student Survey 2015. The university origins go back as far as 1840, originally as a Diocesan teacher training centre. King Alfred's, the main campus, is located on a purpose-built campus near the city centre. The West Downs campus is a short walk away, and houses student facilities and accommodation and the business school. The Winchester School of Art was founded in the 1860s as an independent institution and
3995-639: The North garth of the cathedral is via the Norman arches of Saint Maurice's tower, in the High Street. Wolvesey Castle was the Norman bishop's palace, dating from 1110, but standing on the site of an earlier Saxon structure. It was enhanced by Henry de Blois during the Anarchy of his brother King Stephen 's reign. He was besieged there for some days. In the 16th century, Queen Mary Tudor and King Philip II of Spain were guests just before their wedding in
4080-414: The Porter's Lodge for the Priory Gate. It was the Bishop's court house. The earliest hammer-beamed building still standing in England is situated in the Cathedral Close, next to the Dean's garden. It is known as the Pilgrims' Hall , as it was part of the hostelry used to accommodate the many pilgrims to Saint Swithun's shrine. Left-overs from the lavish banquets of the Priors (the monastic predecessors of
4165-425: The Treaty of Alton. Part of the main street through Alton is called Normandy Street, probably reflecting this event. The first recorded market in Alton was in 1232, although the market at Neatham first recorded in the Domesday Book may also have been in the town. Blome wrote in 1673 of a 'market on Saturdays, which is very great for provisions, where also are sold good store of living cattle'. The Saturday market
4250-434: The United Kingdom. There are two major independent senior schools in Winchester, St Swithun's (a day and boarding school for girls from nursery to sixth form) and Winchester College , a boys' public school . Both schools often top the examination result tables for the city and county. Osborne School is a state-funded special school for pupils aged 11 to 19 which is located in Winchester. Shepherds Down Special School
4335-443: The West Saxon kingdom" and Janet Nelson describes London and Winchester as Alfred the Great's "proto-capitals". There was a fire in the city in 1141 during the Rout of Winchester . In the 14th century, William of Wykeham played a role in the city's restoration. As Bishop of Winchester he was responsible for much of the current structure of the cathedral, and he founded the still extant public school Winchester College . During
SECTION 50
#17327902451434420-422: The Westgate Museum (which showcases various items of weaponry ), and the Historic Resources Centre, which holds many records related to the history of the city. In 2014 ownership of the City museum was transferred to the Hampshire Cultural Trust as part of a larger transfer of museums from Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council . Other historic buildings include the Guildhall dating from 1871 in
4505-474: The behest of Winchester City Council.( 51°03′43″N 1°18′55″W / 51.062°N 1.31525°W / 51.062; -1.31525 ( The Square ) ) Winchester has a variety of Church of England primary schools, including both state and private provision schools. St Peters Catholic Primary School had the highest SATS results, after achieving a perfect score of 300 in 2011. There are four state comprehensive secondary schools in Winchester;
4590-441: The cathedral . The building is now a ruin (maintained by English Heritage ), but the chapel was incorporated into the new palace built in the 1680s, only one wing of which survives. Winchester is well known for the Great Hall of its castle , which was built in the 12th century. The Great Hall was rebuilt sometime between 1222 and 1235, and still exists in this form. It is famous for King Arthur 's Round Table , which has hung in
4675-400: The cathedral. Winchester Cathedral Close contains a number of historic buildings from the time when the cathedral was also a priory . Of particular note is the Deanery , which dates back to the 13th century. It was originally the Prior's House, and was the birthplace of Arthur, Prince of Wales in 1486. Not far away is Cheyney Court , a mid 15th-century timber-framed house incorporating
4760-454: The corner of Great Minster Street and The Square, contains much information on the history of Winchester. Early examples of Winchester measures of standard capacity are on display. The museum was one of the first purpose-built museums to be constructed outside London. Local items featured include the Roman Venta Belgarum gallery, and some genuine period shop interiors taken from the nearby High Street. Other places of cultural interest include
4845-422: The country was no longer Roman Catholic. This fair seems to have been held on Crown Close (which is in the manor of Alton Eastbrook) in the early 19th century. When this land was built upon, the fair moved and was held where ever the Westbrook fair was – the Market Place, various meadows and the Butts. The date of the Eastbrook fair was changed to Michaelmas in the mid-18th century as it came during harvest time and
4930-417: The cross, they were prevented from doing so by the people of the city, who "organised a small riot", and they were forced to abandon their task. The agreement with the city was cancelled and Dummer erected a lath and plaster facsimile, which stood in the park for about sixty years before it was destroyed by the weather. The Buttercross itself was restored by George Gilbert Scott in 1865, and still stands in
5015-421: The early 10th century there were two new ecclesiastical establishments: the convent of Nunnaminster , founded by Alfred's widow Ealhswith , and the New Minster . Bishop Æthelwold of Winchester was a leading figure in the monastic reform movement of the later 10th century. He expelled the secular canons of both minsters and replaced them with monks. He created the drainage system, the "Lockburn", which served as
5100-475: The farmers were not satisfied. Some accounts for this fair in the early 18th century do survive and show that there was a cheese fair as well the usual mix of travelling and local people with stalls and stands – people selling lace, gloves, books, gingerbread, bodices, sugar plums, toys, soap and knives, to name but a few. By the late 19th century, this fair was said to be mainly for horses, sheep and, occasionally, hops. Alton still has an annual fair, but it now takes
5185-444: The five city wards constitutes an unparished area . As a result, they now make up Winchester Town Forum, which matches the former Winchester Urban District. Legally an area committee, it oversees the Town account and acts as a council committee to steer some decisions affecting the town. Unlike parishes, members are not directly-elected, but instead are the city councillors who were elected to the respective wards, who sit ex officio on
SECTION 60
#17327902451435270-430: The form of a carnival . 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
5355-414: The former Urban District itself: St Barnabas, St Paul, St Luke, St Bartholomew, and St Michael; they have three councillors each apart from St Luke, which is a two-member ward. For Hampshire County Council elections, the City of Winchester district is made up of 7 divisions , with Winchester Westgate and Winchester Eastgate covering the town area. Whilst the remainder of the district is parished, most of
5440-446: The grounds of the Great Hall is a recreation of a medieval garden. Apart from the hall, only a few excavated remains of the stronghold survive among the modern Law Courts. The buildings were supplanted by the adjacent King's House , now incorporated into the Peninsula Barracks where there are five military museums. (The training that used to be carried out at the barracks is now done by the Army Training Regiment Winchester, based at
5525-436: The hall from at least 1463. The table actually dates from the 13th century, this it is still of considerable historical interest and attracts many tourists. The table was originally unpainted, but was painted for Henry VIII in 1522. The names of the legendary Knights of the Round Table are written around the edge of the table surmounted by King Arthur on his throne. Opposite the table are Prince Charles 's 'Wedding Gates'. In
5610-452: The heart of the wider City of Winchester , a local government district , at the western end of the South Downs National Park, on the River Itchen . It is 60 miles (97 km) south-west of London and 14 miles (23 km) from Southampton , its nearest city. At the 2021 census, the built-up area of Winchester had a population of 48,478. The wider City of Winchester district includes towns such as Alresford and Bishop's Waltham and had
5695-424: The later Deans) would be given to the pilgrims, who were welcome to spend the night in the hall. It is thought by Winchester City Council to have been built in 1308. Now part of The Pilgrims' School , the hall is used by the school for assemblies in the morning, drama lessons, plays, orchestral practices, Cathedral Waynflete rehearsals, the school's Senior Commoners' Choir rehearsals etc. Entrance for pedestrians to
5780-465: The most expensive and affluent areas in the United Kingdom. The city's major landmark is Winchester Cathedral . The city is also home to the University of Winchester and Winchester College , the oldest public school in the United Kingdom still using its original buildings. The area around Winchester has been inhabited since prehistoric times , with three Iron Age hillforts , Oram's Arbour , St. Catherine's Hill , and Worthy Down all nearby. In
5865-423: The most expensive and desirable areas of the country and ranked Winchester as one of the least deprived areas in England and Wales. Winchester is situated on a bed of Cretaceous lower chalk with small areas of clay and loam soil, inset with combined clay and rich sources of fuller's earth . As with the rest of the UK, Winchester experiences an oceanic climate ( Köppen Cfb ). The nearest Met Office station
5950-478: The retail and service sectors in the centre of the town, and over a hundred businesses in the four industrial areas of Mill Lane, Newman Lane, Caker Stream and Omega Park, ranging from light industrial to computer software production. Clarcor , TNT N.V. and Poseidon Diving Systems all have businesses in Alton's Industrial Site, Mill Lane. One of Alton's largest commercial employers is the financial services sector. Lumbry Park, which used to be known as Lumbry Farm,
6035-408: The second century. At the beginning of the third century, Winchester was given protective stone walls . At around this time the city covered an area of 144 acres (58 ha), making it among the largest towns in Roman Britain by surface area. There was a limited suburban area outside the walls. Like many other Roman towns however, Winchester began to decline in the later fourth century. Despite
6120-466: The south of the city had come under the " Liberty of the Soke ", and was thereby self-governing to a large extent. In 1889, the city came under the new Hampshire County Council , and the city was later administered by Winchester Urban District . Since 1974 the area has been governed as part of the wider City of Winchester district of Hampshire . The district has 16 electoral wards, five of these cover
6205-413: The ten largest brewers in the world) had a brewery in Alton for fifty years, which produced Carling , Grolsch and Worthington . It closed in 2015 because it lost work from Heineken . Alton was significant in the 18th century for the manufacture of paper and of dress materials including ribbed druggets , shallons, silks and serges , bombazine and figured barragons . Alton has businesses in
6290-527: The town drain until 1875, and still survives. Also in the late 10th century, the Old Minster was enlarged as a centre of the cult of the 9th century Bishop of Winchester , Saint Swithun . The three minsters were the home of what architectural historian John Crook describes as "the supreme artistic achievements" of the Winchester School . The consensus among historians of Anglo-Saxon England
6375-514: The town forum. The current ward boundaries were adopted in 2016 , when all seats were up for election. Since then, Winchester City Council elections take place in three out of every four years, with one third of the councillors elected in each election. From the 2006 election until the 2010 election the council was led by Conservatives . In 2010 it was controlled for a year by the Liberal Democrats , before being led again by
6460-516: The travel insurance market", leading to the loss of 104 full-time staff and around 16 part-time. Alton has a range of chain stores and independent shops including greengrocers, butchers and a hardware shop. There are five main supermarkets that serve the town. Jane Austen Regency Week is a celebration of the time the author Jane Austen spent in Alton and Chawton and is held in June each year. The Allen Gallery serves as Alton's art gallery. It houses
6545-408: The tribe that gave the town its Roman name of Venta Belgarum . After the Roman conquest of Britain , the settlement served as the capital ( Latin : civitas ) of the Belgae and was distinguished as Venta Belgarum , "Venta of the Belgae". Although in the early years of the Roman province it was of subsidiary importance to Silchester and Chichester , Venta eclipsed them both by the latter half of
6630-496: The vicinity of the town in 1996 is now in the British Museum . There is evidence of a Roman posting station at Neatham near Alton, probably called Vindomis, and a ford across the River Wey on the line of a Roman road that ran from Chichester to Silchester . An Anglo-Saxon settlement was established in the area and a 7th-century cemetery was discovered during building excavations. It contained grave goods including
6715-480: The wider district since 1974. Winchester Cathedral was originally built in 1079 and remains the longest Gothic cathedral in Europe. It contains much fine architecture spanning the 11th to the 16th centuries and is the place of interment of numerous Bishops of Winchester (such as William of Wykeham ), Anglo-Saxon monarchs (such as Egbert of Wessex ) and later monarchs such as King Canute and William Rufus . It
6800-962: Was extended further, and in 1985 it was re-opened as far as Alton to connect with the mainline London service. Alton was previously the site of a railway junction at Butts Junction . As well as the Mid-Hants Railway, from 1903 to 1955 the Meon Valley Railway ran from Alton down the Meon Valley to join the Eastleigh to Fareham line at Fareham . The Basingstoke & Alton Light Railway ran north to Basingstoke . Buses in Alton are operated by Stagecoach South . These buses include, 64 to Winchester (via Four Marks , Ropley , Bishop’s Sutton , New Alresford and Science Centre ), 65 to Guildford (via Bentley and Farnham ), 13 to Basingstoke or Whitehill (this route
6885-598: Was located in the city's heart (present day Jewry street). There were a series of blood libel claims against the Jewish community in the 1220s and 1230s, which was probably the cause of the hanging of the community's leader, Abraham Pinch, in front of the synagogue of which he was the head. Simon de Montfort ransacked the Jewish quarter in 1264, and in 1290 all Jews were expelled from England. A statue of Licoricia of Winchester , described as "the most important Jewish woman in medieval England", located in Jewry Street,
6970-577: Was murdered in Alton. Her assailant, Frederick Baker, a local solicitor's clerk, was one of the last criminals to be executed in Winchester. Fanny Adams' grave can still be seen in Alton cemetery. The brutal murder, so the story goes, coincided with the introduction of tinned meat in the Royal Navy , and the sailors who did not like the new food said the tins contained the remains of "Sweet Fanny Adams" or "Sweet F.A." The expression "sweet fanny adams" has an old-fashioned slang meaning of nothing. Prior to
7055-477: Was once an important pilgrimage centre and housed the shrine of Saint Swithun . The ancient Pilgrims' Way to Canterbury begins at Winchester. The plan of the earlier Old Minster is laid out in the grass adjoining the cathedral. The New Minster (the original burial place of Alfred the Great and Edward the Elder ) once stood beside it. The cathedral has a girls choir and a boys choir, who sing regularly in
7140-465: Was replaced in 2013 to commemorate Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. Anstey Park, is a large open space with playing fields and a small children's playground (32 acres (130,000 m )); the park is home to the town's rugby club. Alton lies approximately midway between the University of Winchester and the University of Surrey at Guildford but its nearest University campus is the University for
7225-754: Was unveiled by the then Prince of Wales on 10 February 2022. The City Cross (also known as the Buttercross ) has been dated to the 15th century, and features 12 statues of the Virgin Mary , other saints and various historical figures. Several statues appear to have been added throughout the structure's history. In 1770, Thomas Dummer purchased the Buttercross from the Corporation of Winchester, intending to have it re-erected at Cranbury Park , near Otterbourne . When his workmen arrived to dismantle
#142857