New Alresford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids New Alresford |
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| Market town | |
 Broad Street, New Alresford |
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Coat of arms of New Alresford Town Council |
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 New Alresford
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| Population | 5,431 (2011 Census) |
| OS grid reference | SU 58 32 |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ALRESFORD |
| Postcode district | SO24 |
| Dialling code | 01962 |
| Police | Hampshire |
| Fire | Hampshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
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New Alresford (pronounced OLZ-furd or AWLZ-furd) is a lovely market town in Hampshire, England. It's about 12.9 kilometers (8 miles) northeast of Winchester. It's also about 20 kilometers (12 miles) southwest of Alton.
New Alresford sits near the River Alre. Its main street is very old, with buildings from the 1600s and 1700s. You can find many shops, tea rooms, and pubs there. The town also has a special heritage railway station. This is where the famous Watercress Line starts.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Alresford comes from old English words. Alor means Alder tree, and ford means a shallow place to cross a river. So, Alresford means "the ford at the Alder tree."
The older village of Old Alresford was mentioned first. New Alresford was started later, around 1189. It was first called Nova Villa de Alresford, which is Latin for "new settlement of Alresford." Later, it was called Chepyng Alresford, meaning "market town of Alresford."
A Look Back in Time
People have lived in the Alresford area for a very long time. We've found signs of people from the Neolithic (New Stone Age), Bronze Age, and Iron Age. There are also signs of Roman settlements nearby.
Old Alresford was mentioned in the Domesday Book. This book was a big survey of England from 1086. Old Alresford was also on the Pilgrims' Way. This was an old path between Winchester and Canterbury.
How New Alresford Began
New Alresford was founded in the 1100s or 1200s. Henri de Blois, the Bishop of Winchester, had the idea. His successor, Godfrey de Lucy, helped design the town. Alresford was one of six new towns built by the Bishop. It became his most successful one.
Part of this plan was building the Great Weir. This was an earth dam across the river. It created Alresford Pond on the north side of New Alresford. Today, Alresford Pond is a special place for nature. It's a 30.2-hectare (75-acre) Site of Special Scientific Interest.
A medieval stone bridge, built around 1190, is still here. It's on the north side of New Alresford. Water from Alresford Pond flows under this old bridge.
Growth and Challenges
New Alresford grew into a busy market town. It was on the main road from Alton to Winchester. People traded things made from sheep and cattle, like wool and leather. In the 1300s, Alresford's sheep markets were very important. They had some of the highest sales in England.
The town faced tough times. The Black Death in 1348 reduced the population. In the 1600s and 1700s, several big fires destroyed many buildings. A fire in 1689/90 burned down 117 houses, the church, and the Market House. Because of these fires, much of the town was rebuilt in the 1700s. That's why you see many beautiful Georgian buildings today.
In 1644, the Battle of Cheriton happened nearby. The fighting reached the edge of Alresford.
A toll road was built in 1753. This road connected London to Southampton. It passed right through Alresford. Today, this road is part of the A31.
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The Alresford Cricket Club was one of England's best in the late 1700s. The Alresford Community Centre was finished in 1865.
During World War II, American soldiers stayed in Alresford. This was from 1943 to 1944, before the D-Day landings. There's a memorial to their mascot, Hambone Jr., by the river path. A plaque is also on their old headquarters building.
A plaque near the railway station tells a secret story. In the early 1960s, secret military documents were sometimes left here for collection.
Things to See and Do
New Alresford is a popular place for art, trains, and tourism. Its main streets are full of charming Georgian buildings. You can find hotels, shops, art galleries, and tea rooms. There are also several pubs.
Alresford Railway Station
Alresford railway station is the start of the Watercress Line. This is a special heritage railway line. It runs old steam and diesel trains. It got its name because it used to carry locally grown watercress to London. You can take a train from here to Alton.
St John's Church
St John's Church was built in the 1200s. It was rebuilt in 1898. The church tower is from the 1300s. The top part of the tower was added in the 1500s.
Brandy Mount House
Brandy Mount House is an old, important building. It has beautiful gardens. In 2012, it had a special collection of snowdrops. You could visit the gardens when the snowdrops were blooming.
Water Cascade
Water from New Alresford Pond flows down a stepped waterfall. This is called the Alresford cascade. Then it flows into the River Itchen.
Itchen Valley Brewery
The Itchen Valley brewery started in New Alresford in 1997. They make different kinds of cask ales and bottled beers.
The Fulling Mill
The Fulling Mill is a very old building. It's about 200 meters (220 yards) west along the river path. It's a 17th-century half-timbered house with a mill underneath. It was used for processing wool. It stopped working in the early 1800s and became a home.
Schools in Alresford
Alresford has three schools: one for infants, one for juniors, and one secondary school. Perins School is the secondary school, with about 1,200 students. It became an Academy in 2011. In 2017, it joined with Sun Hill Junior School. Perins School was known for its sports programs. It even opened a new gym that the public could use.
Sports and Fun
Alresford has a Non-League football club called Alresford Town F.C.. They play at Arlebury Park. There's also a rugby club, Alresford RFC, which also plays at Arlebury Park.
Getting Around
New Alresford used to be on the main A31 road. This road went between Guildford and Winchester. But now, the A31 goes around the town. The old road through town is now the B3047.
The Watercress Line railway used to be a main line. It connected Alton and Winchester. It closed in 1973. But now, the part between New Alresford and Alton is a special heritage railway.
Buses also serve the town. The number 64 bus runs between Winchester and Alton. The number 67 bus offers a more limited service between Winchester and Petersfield.
Fun Events in Alresford
Alresford has many community events all year. Many are organized by the New Alresford Town Council. Some events, especially those in the main streets, need permission from the New Alresford Town Trust. This Trust helps keep the town's traditions alive. They also run a minibus for older and disabled people.
The Watercress Festival
The town is famous for growing watercress. It's even called "The Capital of Watercress"! Once a year, on the third Sunday in May, New Alresford holds a big festival. It draws a huge crowd. There's a street market with local food. You can also watch cooking demonstrations.
Alresford Show
The Alresford Show is an agricultural show. It started in 1908. It takes place on the first Saturday in September at Tichborne Park. You can see animals, judged flowers and vegetables, and horse jumping.
Alresford Fair
A one-day street fair happens on October 11th (or the first Thursday after). It's a traditional English funfair. Rides and games set up in Broad Street. The fair runs from 3 PM to 11 PM. Broad Street is closed to traffic for the fair.
Bonfire Night
The local Rotary Club organizes Bonfire Night, usually on November 5th. A torchlit parade starts in Broad Street. It goes to Arlebury Park for a big firework display. Money raised goes to local and international causes. Local schoolchildren make a "Guy" (a dummy) which is burned on the bonfire.
Father Christmas Arrives!
The arrival of Father Christmas is a special event. It happens in Broad Street near a large Christmas Tree. A carol service with music happens before he arrives. The Alresford Pigs group creates a secret way for Father Christmas to appear! He has arrived in many fun ways, like a World War 2 van, a helicopter, a fire engine, and even a Tardis! After he arrives, Father Christmas gives presents to children in his grotto.
The Duck Race
The Duck Race is organized by the Alresford Pigs every two years. People watch several races with decoy ducks. Local families or businesses sponsor the ducks and races. It's held at the Weir House. There are also fete activities like tea and cake, a beer tent, and face painting. It's the biggest fundraising event for The Alresford Pigs.
Town Governance
New Alresford has a Town Council with eleven Councillors. These are people elected to help run the town.
Alresford is also part of the Itchen Valley Ward for Hampshire County Council. This council covers a wider area. It helps with things like roads and schools.
For the City of Winchester District Council, Alresford elects three representatives. These councillors help make decisions for the district.
Famous People from Alresford
Many interesting people have connections to Alresford:
- Artist Graham Ovenden was born here.
- Novelist Mary Russell Mitford (1787–1855) lived here as a child.
- Footballer and lawyer John Frederick Peel Rawlinson (1860–1926) was born here.
- Cricketer Owen Robert Dunell (1856–1929) lived here later in life.
- Cricket commentator John Arlott lived in Alresford for 20 years.
- Model and presenter Alexa Chung went to Perins Secondary School.
- Comedian Russell Howard also attended Perins Secondary School.
- Formula One racing driver Derek Warwick is from a local family.
- TV presenter Kate Walsh lives in Alresford.
- Award-winning actor Colin Firth lived here as a young boy.
- In 1835, politician Henry 'Orator' Hunt passed away in Alresford.
Twin Town
New Alresford is twinned with:
- Bricquebec, France
See also
In Spanish: New Alresford para niños
