About Andover

Andover alongside the River Anton in north west Hampshire is today a modern shopping and business centre but in fact dates back to 950 AD when Hampshire was the centre of the Saxon Kingdom of Wessex and King Edred had a hunting lodge built here. Andover’s past industries have included milling flour in the six watermills in the town, wool processing and iron works. In the eighteenth century it became a stop on the Exeter to London stagecoach route. The town has been providing accommodation to travellers ever since. To find out more about the town’s history you can follow the Heritage Trail either as a self guided walk or on a guided walk. The picturesque market town of Andover, in the Test Valley, with its attractive high street and narrow walk ways, dates back to Saxon times. Most of the town’s buildings are from the 18th century when it was an important stop over destination for coaches on their way to London, Southampton and Oxford.The Town Mills, next to the River Anton, heralds the start of the town trails. The Andover Time Ring features key historical events from the town’s past along the high street, marked by 10 mosaic panels. There are also two poetry trails one along the high street and one meandering along the River Anton, where you will find poems set in stone, metal plaques and etched glass.Andover is one of the main shopping centres in this part of Hampshire and has a good choice of pubs, clubs, parks, lakes, woods and nature reserves. Street markets take place on the High Street every Thursday and Saturday. Around the town is a wealth of countryside to explore. The North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and its chalk downlands are to the north, and flowing down the west of the county is the River Test – world renowned for its trout fishing in the clear waters of the chalk river. Just 4 miles west of Andover you’ll find The Hawk Conservancy Trust who run daily birds of prey flying demonstrations in three different flying arenas.