The Watercress Line
The Watercress Line
A beautiful 10-mile heritage line that runs between Alresford and Alton in Hampshire. It follows the path of the original railway that was vital for transporting fresh watercress from the local beds to London's Covent Garden market. It is famous for its steep "Alps" climb and its role as a premier steam attraction in the South of England.
Railway History
The Watercress Hub
The Mid Hants Railway earned its famous nickname, "The Watercress Line," from the massive quantities of locally grown watercress it transported to the London markets until the 1960s. The line is renowned for its steep gradients, particularly the "Alps" section between Alton and Alresford, which requires immense power from its historic Southern Railway steam engines. Today, it preserves the authentic 1940s-1950s atmosphere of the Southern Region.
