Regency-inspired spot funded in part by Grow Up! Rural Grants
Alton’s tourism will soon blossom thanks to a Regency-style garden in memory of world-renowned author Jane Austen.
The beautiful garden, created outside the Assembly Rooms on the High Street, was paid for in part by EHDC’s Rural Grants scheme, part of our ambitious Grow Up! Programme.
Alton Town Council ran the garden project, designing a Regency-inspired planting scheme including flowers mentioned in her books and charity rose varieties that are named after her and her home in Chawton.
Two innovative ‘carriage benches’, designed to recall the wheels of a horse-drawn carriage, have also been installed to provide a dry and comfortable space for friends to meet and relax.
The garden received £46,705.36 from our Rural Grants fund last year. This year's window to apply for Rural Grant funding is open now and is due to close on Thursday 12 September.
Cllr Robert Mocatta, EHDC’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Prosperity, said: “Our Rural Grants scheme is aimed at helping businesses and community groups make the area more attractive to visitors and improve the lives of local residents.
“This beautiful Regency garden is a perfect example of that. You can really imagine Jane Austen enjoying the flowers and plants and it’s situated on a High Street in Alton which she would have visited many times.
“It’s sure to bring in Austen fans from around the world as well as being a charming and relaxing spot for local people to visit.”
Local member for East Hampshire District Council, Cllr Emily Young, and Alton Mayor, Cllr Annette Eyre met with members of the appropriately-attired Jane Austen Regency Week Committee to look around the garden.
Cllr Annette Eyre, Mayor of Alton, said: “We were delighted to be awarded the Rural Grant funding from EHDC which has made this new community garden project possible. It has turned a little-used piece of empty lawn into a real feature for the town centre, making it the new go-to place for picnicking and enjoying a takeaway coffee with friends. The garden is often used by the Dementia Friends Group from the Assembly Rooms next door to enable their member to get outside and partake in gentle exercise like boules and croquet.
"The jewel in the crown of the new garden design will be the Jane Austen bronze sculpture that is currently being created by world-renowned artist Mark Coreth and will be made at the local Morris Singer Foundry in Lasham. The artwork will be the perfect present to the town to celebrate the 250th birthday of the world-famous 18th century novelist and we are really looking forward to its unveiling at Alton’s Regency Day on 21 June 2025.”
Cllr Emily Young, EHDC councillor for the area, said: "This is already a very attractive part of Alton and the creation of the Regency-style garden makes a wonderful addition.
"It makes for a very relaxing environment and the perfect place for people to get together for a lunchbreak or to sit in peace and enjoy the flowers. I am sure Jane would have approved!"
Rural Grants
The Regency Garden was funded by the Rural Grants which seeks to improve local tourism and make stronger communities.
Applications are now being submitted for this year's Rural Grants but will close on Thursday 12 September.
The fund will be ideal for businesses and local groups with projects that offer attractions for visitors and tourists alongside tangible benefits to local residents.
This project is funded by the UK Government through the UKSPF
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.