About Alresford

Alresford (pronounced Allsford) is a handsome Georgian town near Winchester in Hampshire full of colour-washed houses, riverside walks, boutique shops and the UK's capital of watercress farming.

Despite the abundance of water in the area, the town’s history is punctuated with fires. The colour-washed Georgian houses that are here today rose from the ashes of the great fires in the 17th Century but many retain their original 13th century cellars.

Even though it is a relatively small town, you can choose from a fine selection of old-fashioned pubs, smart bistros and traditional tea rooms to fulfil your appetite. The Mid Hants Railway, known locally as the Watercress Line, can be found here too. Hop on board one of the powerful steam locomotives for the 10 mile trip to Alton, or simply take in the sights, sounds and smells of the superbly restored station. The town hosts the annual Watercress Festival in May attracting thousands of visitors each year and was voted Country Life's 'Favourite Market Town' in the south-east for its specialist shops selling antiques, gifts, food, clothes, antiquarian books, pictures, china and crafts.