The Allen Gallery, Alton

Discovered this hidden gem today. It's very underrated museum (god knows why they call it a gallery), containing an excellent collection of floor and fire tiles down the Centuries, in easy to pull out drawers; cabinets of early English slipware, Delftware, Leedsware, and similar, and a whole roomful of tea cups and saucers, from 18th Century New Hall tea bowls to 20th Century Shelley cups & saucers.
There is also an interesting selection of 19th-20th Century ceramics from Wedgwood to Pilkington to Martin Brothers, etc, and a wall full of modern ceramics, including John Maltby, Aldermaston Pottery, David Davis, Colin Pearson, Lucie Rie, etc.
And there's tea and cakes.

bistoboy wrote:is that along the main high street naomi?

No, it's off the high street, down Church Street -

http://www3.hants.gov.uk/allen-gallery.htm

I've never thought to go down there before. It should be advertised better.

And every second Friday of the month they hold a bring & buy brica-brac sale.

http://www3.hants.gov.uk/allen-gallery/allen-map.htm

yes

Just to add, it's closed Sunday & Monday, otherwise open 10am-4.30pm

Oh, and if you like steam trains, Alton is on the Watercress Line:

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/Your-Visit/Guide

Celtic_Fan wrote:That sounds a good one to know about.
I usually pop over to Alton about once a year. Guess I'll have to stop and find this place next time.

Thanks.

Also check out The Tiny Shop, 13B Lenten Street (off the market square), Alton. Selling antiques and collectables at very reasonable rates.
Found it today, and it's brilliant. Only room for one and a half customers at a time.

http://www.192.com/atoz/business/alton-gu34/antique-dealers/the-tiny-shop/453e53c303af3b8446490717242edee7b8ce10f6/ml/

brin mcardle wrote:Naomi....whats the bring and buy sale like at the Gallery....many stalls ??

I don't know, I haven't been to one yet. Just spotted a flyer on the Gallery door last week and asked about it. Unfortunately can't go to the next one, this Friday, as a friend and I are off to London, Christmas shopping.
I'll let you know if I make it to the one in January.

WELL worth the visit - i had to leave earlier than i wanted because of parking, but i felt i'd only just scratched the surface. It's a very academic collection, so you'll come away feeling like you've learnt a lot. AND, they have a couple of pieces of Powell & Bishop, so it must be a good collection!

They have a talk about the collection this Thursday evening (£4) that i hope i can get to.

I heard they have a small display of Farnham pottery there , would like to see some pics if poss , Ed

http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hampshire-museums/allen-gallery

big ed wrote:I heard they have a small display of Farnham pottery there , would like to see some pics if poss , Ed

Took a few pictures on my iphone when I visited last year. I think these were Farnham pottery.

some pics

A couple more.

off to the Gallery on Friday 12th...and there is a bring and buy !!!!!

Any other tips...antique,charity,tea shops

there's a nice bookshop just off the other end of the highstreet and rather handy is that it's near Pizza Express for lunch. If you're coming by car, i'd strongly recommend the antiques centres at Farnham which is only 15 mins away, or if you don't fancy that, you could visit Jane Austen's house which is near Alton.

There is an excellent tea shop called Bottega Dei Sapori, with homemade cakes, half way down the hill on the main street.

http://www.bottegadeisapori.co.uk/

Robert Goldsmith's Selborne pottery is in Sherborne village a few miles out of Alton, and there's Gilbert White's house on the hill above the village. http://www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/

you can also get on the Watercress steam train from Alton to Alresford, and places in between - if that floats your boat!?!?

Ooh, definitely try the Watercress line.

and people told me i'd hate being retired How wrong they were

Off to Allen Gallery tomorra...a train journey..a good book..a tea shop..piles of ceramics..a bring and buy sale...and 3 things selling on ebay...life is grand !!

You were right Naomi...Bisto Boy...a gem of a place...and lovely people running it...Wonderful collection and informative...had my tea there...couldnt get in The Italian Place..Jam packed

Mind you the gallery did some lovely cake

But damn i forget the Antiques Shop...still another day...and i'll do the Watercress Line etc

But in a Charity shop...i bought a pencil sketch Of Conrad Veidt

What about the bricabrac sale? Was it on?

yes....but not worth it

brin mcardle wrote:yes....but not worth it

Useful to know