Alresford

The small town of Alresford in the county of Hampshire has revealed evidence of Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age settlement and clearly developed through the Roman Ages. Mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, the earlier settlement of Alresford is now known as Old Alresford and is north of the river. New Alresford was founded at a time of huge change in the 12^th century with the building of a stone bridge that is still in use and the construction of one of the oldest canal systems in England, based on the River Itchen. The town prospered as a market town, trading wool, leather and the other products until by the 14^th century, Alresford was one of the top sheep market towns in the country, Much of the town was sadly destroyed in a great fire of 1689 leading to the rebuilding in the 18^th century that leaves its mark today with many fine Georgian buildings.

Arlesford is a pretty town with colour-washed Georgian houses and a thriving trade in watercress; Alresford is known as the country’s capital of watercress. Each year the town celebrates with the Watercress Festival in May, attracting thousands of visitors and Alresford is also home to the lovely Watercress Line steam railway. Visitors will find much to enjoy in the area and the town, with specialist shops selling everything from the essentials to rare antiques and antiquarian books, a great choice of eateries, traditional pubs and attractions and the wonderful riverside walks, places of interest and historic sites.

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