Alresford (pronounced Allsford) is a beautiful Georgian Town which for many centuries was a prosperous wool town. Old Alresford is mentioned in the Domesday Book but the present town of New Alresford did not come into existence much before 1200 at the time when the Great Weir was being built to create Old Alresford Pond as a fish pond for the Bishop's Palace at Bishop's Sutton and a reservoir for the mills along the Itchen.

The colour-washed Georgian houses you see today rose from the ashes of great fires in the 17th Century but many retain their original 13th century cellars.

Now the home of the Watercress Line steam railway, so called because of its association with watercress farming, in what is now known as the UK's capital of watercress. The town hosts the annual Watercress Festival in May attracting thousands of visitors each year.

Selected as the No 1 Best Place to live in the Countryside by The Sunday Times and Voted Country Life's 'Favourite Market Town' in the south-east its specialist shops selling antiques, gifts, food, clothes for all ages, antiquarian books, pictures, china and crafts are a year round attraction.

Alresford is the perfect place for strolling and there is plenty to please the eye - The Fulling Mill and Eel House along the riverside walk, St. John's Parish Church, the Millennium Trail and Old Alresford Pond, created by Bishop de Lucy, Bishop of Winchester, in the 12th century. Close by is Hinton Ampner House & Garden.

With pubs, hotels, restaurants, tea rooms and a Golf Course, your every need will be satisfied. And don't forget to visit the Watercress Line steam railway that runs from Alresford to Alton through 10 miles of beautiful Hampshire countryside.

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Watercress Festival pictures
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