Museums & Galleries · Berkshire
The Allen Gallery
📍 GU34 2BL
Photo: Des Blenkinsopp (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons
- Outstanding collection of ceramics, pottery, porcelain and tiles from 1250
- Children's activity area with dressing-up clothes and workshops
- Tranquil garden with sundial from Old London Bridge
- Works by Lucie Rie and a Jacob Epstein bronze sculpture
- Regular exhibitions of WH Allen's watercolours and oils
The Allen Gallery in Alton is an intimate museum built around one of the south's most outstanding ceramics collections, with pottery, porcelain and tiles spanning from 1250 to today, alongside sculptures and watercolours by the gallery's namesake, WH Allen. Families can enjoy activity bags, dressing-up clothes and workshops, while everyone can relax in the tranquil garden with its historic sundial. It suits ceramics enthusiasts, families and anyone curious about local history, though note the gallery is currently closed for major redevelopment until early 2027. When it reopens, ground floor access is level, and assistance dogs are welcome. The gallery sits close to Alton station, just 0.3 miles away, with 15 bookable places to stay within 5 miles, making it easy to combine with a nearby stay once it reopens.
Practical details
- Open
- Currently closed for major redevelopment until early 2027
- Accessibility
- Level access to the ground floor only
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs welcome if clearly identifiable
- Booking
- Call ahead to arrange group or school visits
- Parking
- Public pay and display parking nearby
From the attraction's own website on 28 Sep 2026 — check before you travel.
Facilities
- ✓ Toilets
- ✓ Disabled Access
- ✓ Baby Changing
- ✓ Gift Shop
- ✓ Picnic Area
- ✓ Parking
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Make a proper break of it — these stays are all within 25 miles.
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🎪 What's on near The Allen Gallery
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Fri 13 Nov · 21:00
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Sat 14 Nov · 19:00
Curry Night 14/11 - Buzz Bingo Basingstoke
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🗓️ Make a break of it
Turn a visit to The Allen Gallery into a proper getaway — ready-made plans, and the drive worked out with fuel, EV charging and the best stops.
🚆 Or come by train
- Alton 0.3 miles
- Bentley (Hampshire) 5.1 miles
- Liss 8.1 miles
Straight-line distances · live departures on each station page