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Eight Bells, Alton

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Open
Operator: Independent
33 Church Street, Alton, GU34 2DA (View on Google Map)
(01420) 82417
No website available

This Grade II listed building dates from the 1640s and has been a pub since at least the 1840s when it was known as the Sawyers Arms. Guest beers tend to be on the dark side. The main bar is a haven for good beer and conversation with a welcoming open fire in the winter months. The rear drinking area has a television for major sporting events. At the back there is a pleasant paved patio with wooden seating, borders with colourful shrubs in summer and a covered smoking refuge with an old well. Local CAMRA Pub of the Year 2023 and 2024.

Historic Interest

Building dates from around 1640. Relics from the 1643 Battle of Alton have been found here.

Information for this venue is provided by the East Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Sawyers Arms
Local Authority
East Hampshire District
Last updated
03/03/2025
Last surveyed
08/01/2025
Leasehold owner
individual
Freehold owner
individual
Pub ID
EHA/1
Asset of Community Value
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Friday
Noon - 2:00pm & 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Saturday
Noon - 2:00pm & 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 2:00pm & 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Monday
Noon - 2:00pm & 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Tuesday
Noon - 2:00pm & 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Wednesday
Noon - 2:00pm & 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 2:00pm & 5:00pm - 11:00pm

Current beers

This Pub serves 1 changing beer and 3 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen
Black Sheep - Best Bitter
Black Sheep - Best Bitter Session Bitter • 3.8% Spotted 16 times
Black Sheep - Best Bitter
Black Sheep - Best Bitter

Session Bitter

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 3.8%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 16 times
Pots Bitter
Flower Pots - Pots Bitter Session Bitter • 3.8% Spotted 112 times
Pots Bitter
Flower Pots - Pots Bitter

Session Bitter

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 3.8%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 112 times recently. Last spotted 6 days ago
Perridge Pale
Flower Pots - Perridge Pale Session Golden Ale • 3.4% Spotted 114 times
Perridge Pale
Flower Pots - Perridge Pale

Session Golden Ale

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 3.4%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 114 times recently. Last spotted 6 days ago
Summer Lightning Pump Clip
Hop Back - Summer Lightning Premium Blond Ale • 5% Spotted 8 times
Summer Lightning Pump Clip
Hop Back - Summer Lightning

Premium Blond Ale

ABV: 5%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
Spotted 8 times recently. Last spotted 4 days ago
Flower Pots - Four Candles
Flower Pots - Four Candles Session Bitter • 3.5% Spotted once
Flower Pots - Four Candles
Flower Pots - Four Candles

Session Bitter

ABV: 3.5%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
Spotted once recently. Last spotted 1 week ago
Changing

Changing beers typically include: Flower Pots - Stottidge Stout , Longdog - Lamplight Porter , Vale - Black Beauty

The venue's range of changing beers regularly includes the following rare beer styles: Porter , Stout

Source: National

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Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
Occasionally for major events in back room.
Garden Garden
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Games Games
Darts, cribbage, dominoes
Newspapers Newspapers
Real Fire Real Fire
Smoking Smoking
Rear garden with shelter and well
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
LocAle LocAle
Flower Pots
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes (100m)
Stagecoach: 13
Nearby Station (600m)
Alton
Ordnance Survey Reference
SU716397
Directions
opp St. Lawrence Church

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