New Alresford, situated with the River Alre to its north, has a remarkably well preserved 17th and 18th Century high street which offers several shops, a tourist information centre, a central conservation area, and several tea rooms and pubs.
An Early Medieval Anglo-Saxon cemetery was discovered during pre-construction excavations near Sun Lane to the southeast of Alresford.
Of the total 120 graves, many contained prestige objects like swords or in some cases even golden disc pendant.
Its presence as one of the largest cemeteries of its date in Hampshire suggests significant occupation in the surrounding area prior to the founding of New Alresford.
[6] New Alresford was founded in the 12th/13th century, the idea originally being that of Henri de Blois, the Bishop of Winchester and brother of King Stephen of England.
[8] New Alresford became established as a prosperous market town on the main road from Alton to Winchester south of the river.
[13] During the Second World War US Soldiers from the 47th Infantry Regiment were stationed in and around Alresford from 1943 to 1944 prior to the D-Day Landings.
[citation needed] A Cold War commemorative plaque on the wall of public toilets, close to the railway station, commemorates that occasionally secret military documents obtained by members of the Portland Soviet spy ring in the early 1960s were left here for collection.
[23] Brandy Mount House is a Grade II listed building and is a short distance east of the church.
[24][25] The overflow from New Alresford Pond flows down a stepped cascade at Mill Hill, then travels downstream to the river Itchen.
Dating from the period when the wool trade was the dominant local industry, it ceased operating early in the 19th century and has been used as a domestic dwelling ever since.
The Watercress Line was closed in 1973, although the section between New Alresford and Alton is now operated as a heritage railway under the same name.
A fee for street usage is usually payable by organisers, which helps in the Trust's other works, including running the local minibus which serves the elderly and disabled.
[34] Once a year New Alresford holds a festival on the third Sunday in May which attracts an enormous crowd; there is a street market with locally made food on sale and usually cookery demonstrations.
[citation needed] The agricultural show, founded in 1908 and held at Tichborne Park since 1960, takes place on the first Saturday in September.
The traditional English funfair, arrives on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning and sets up in Broad Street.
He has arrived in World War 2 NAAFI van driven by Wallace and Gromit and in a Thunderbirds, helicopter, fire engine, Open-top bus, Tardis, and a BMW 5 Series.
It has been held for many years on the lawn at the Weir House, which has space for traditional fete activities such as Tea and Cake, Beer Tent, Tombola, as well as Scalextric Racing, Face Painting, Bouncy Castle, and Jazz Band.
After the borough council was abolished under the Municipal Corporations Act 1883,[35] its assets were transferred to the New Alresford Town Trust, which was constituted in 1890.