Alton

Address
43 High Street
Alton
GU34 1AW
Opening Times
Monday to Friday08.30 - 17.30
Saturday09.00 - 16.00
We are closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays

Welcome to Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care in Alton

Conveniently located on the High Street in the heart of Alton – a historic Hampshire market town with roots dating back to the Domesday Book.

Offering expert eye care and hearing services

We’ve proudly served the local community for over 60 years, with a reputation for personalised service and clinical excellence. In 2023, we moved to our beautiful new premises, which are modern, comfortable, and fully accessible for wheelchair users.

Eye examinations using the latest technology

At Rawlings Alton, we offer a comprehensive eye examination. Our experienced optometrists provide thorough assessments, tailored advice, and ongoing support for your eye health. Whether you’re due for a routine check-up or have specific vision concerns, we’re here to help.

Our dispensing team

Kayt, Bridget, and Urszula are true eyewear experts. They’ll guide you through our carefully curated range of designer and boutique glasses and sunglasses – including styles you won’t find anywhere else in Alton. Whether you’re after something timeless, bold, colourful, or uniquely you, we’ll help you find the perfect frames and lenses to suit your lifestyle.

Hearing Care in Alton

As well as our eyecare services, Rawlings Alton also provides professional hearing care. We offer:

Our friendly audiology team is here to support your hearing health every step of the way.

What our Alton customers say about us

  • The optician did a thorough check of my eyesight, nothing had changed over the last year. Plus the check carried out by the receptionist also went well. No complaints, worth having a yearly checkup. John Horner.

    John Horner Avatar John Horner
    10 June 2025

    I've been coming to Alton Rawlings for more than 30 years now and I'm a happy customer. I am reassured that they are monitoring my eye health in case anything comes up that might need further investigation. The optometrists and dispensing opticians do a great job to advise me on what they think would be best and I don't feel pushed into buying anything I might not need. MP 17/4/25

    Matt Patey Avatar Matt Patey
    10 May 2025

    Fantastic Service As Always. Eye Test Went Smoothly and the outcome was fantastic. Price Is Brilliant For The Service. Always On Time And Questions Are Answered For My Queries.

    CJ Matthews Avatar CJ Matthews
    10 May 2025
  • Appointment was thorough and not rushed.

    Tina Seaton Avatar Tina Seaton
    10 April 2025

    I take my 90 year old mother to Rawlings in Alton. All the staff are very friendly and make the visits enjoyable. Very happy with the service.

    Marie-Hélène Beauchamp Avatar Marie-Hélène Beauchamp
    10 March 2025

    As always , excellent service. The ophthalmologist conducted a very thoughtful check up and explained everything very clearly. Recommended. Visiting 20/02/2025

    Mandarino Sette Avatar Mandarino Sette
    24 February 2025
  • I have been using Rawlings Opticians since moving to the area over 20 years ago and cannot fault them. Appointments are always on time, staff are superb, very helpful and knowledgeable, eye tests wonderful and their glasses are excellent, having a great selection to suit everyone's taste, style and pocket. I certainly wouldn't go anywhere else. Many thanks to all the staff I have met over the last 20+years.

    Chris Budd Avatar Chris Budd
    26 January 2025

    A professional, caring and attentive Practice where courtesy, attention to detail and the needs of clients are clearly of foremost importance. A thorough examination with appropriate explanation and no pressure to spend money!

    Jerry Janes Avatar Jerry Janes
    26 December 2024

    A wonderful thorough eye test by caring professionals who didn’t try to sell replacement glasses when not really needed. Thank you

    Andy Carter Avatar Andy Carter
    26 December 2024
  • Rawlings have been my number one preferred Optician for about 25 years and in that time they have provided me with superb service. I can't praise them highly enough. The new premises in the High Street is very nice indeed. Well done Team Rawlings 👏👏👏

    Nicholas Redgrave-Plumb Avatar Nicholas Redgrave-Plumb
    26 December 2024

    I was given first class attention from all the staff at the branch in Alton. And given really useful advice and guidance when choosing my new frames.

    Angela Cross Avatar Angela Cross
    26 November 2024

    Have been with Rawlings Alton since 1981 and have always found them to be exceptionally efficient, thorough and friendly

    Susannah Adlington Avatar Susannah Adlington
    26 November 2024
  • I was quite nervous due to not having had a eye check for some years, I was made to feel reassured from beginning to end with all my questions answered and ending up with the most perfect pair of glasses.

    Nicole Crawford Avatar Nicole Crawford
    26 November 2024

    The staff were extremely helpful, knowledgeable and friendly and helped from choosing new frames to 'tweaking' the lenses as an after adjustment. I felt fully supported throughout. Five stars.

    mimusbird Avatar mimusbird
    26 October 2024

    Needed an eye test for work and they tried there best for me to be able to reach the required level to pass. Staff was very friendly and the service was fast and efficient

    Robert Littlewood Avatar Robert Littlewood
    26 September 2024
  • Always a very helpful staff and a knowing and intelligent optometrist. Have been going there for contact lenses for many years and have never had a cross experience.

    Luke Tobias Avatar Luke Tobias
    26 September 2024

    Another seamless visit! I was able to make an appointment to suit, and on my latest visit I was, as usual, greeted in a very friendly professional way, and throughout the appointment! Although I had to wait for a while, I was kept informed as to how long the wait would be! Well done again, Rawlings! 😁👍 RL 29/06/23 No issues at all! All went very smoothly considering the current virus challenges! Well done & thank you. R L 06/10/21 A fantastic service and such a quick response to my issue! Emma the receptionist was excellent as was her supporting colleague on the front desk too. Well done! 👍😁 Also the optician I saw was very very good. 👍👍 (Sorry! I’ve forgotten the lady’s name.) Very professional, informative & calming! A first class experience all around! Well done Rawlings. 👍👍 RL 12/07/2022

    ROBERT LIVINGSTON Avatar ROBERT LIVINGSTON
    26 August 2024

    Friendly helpful staff and appointments readily available with the audiologist

    Peta Partner Avatar Peta Partner
    26 August 2024
  • Efficient and professional service as usual. I learnt a lot too . It's fascinating stuff.

    Nicole Jokiel Avatar Nicole Jokiel
    26 August 2024

    Really lovely staff, really friendly, been with rawlings in alton for years, alongside my sister and late brother. From beginning appointment to the end is nice and relaxing and get everything explained to you from the eye photos to obtaining the glasses. Recently had a appointment, the bloke who tested my eyes was really nice and the lady on the desk friendly and helpful, gave advice but not rushed into anything. Very happy with service. Pauline Butler.

    Pauline Butler Avatar Pauline Butler
    10 August 2024

    Really lovely staff, really friendly, been with rawlings in alton for years, alongside my sister and late brother. From beginning appointment to the end is nice and relaxing and get everything explained to you from the eye photos to obtaining the glasses. Recently had a appointment, the bloke who tested my eyes was really nice and the lady on the desk friendly and helpful, gave advice but not rushed into anything. Very happy with service. Pauline Butler.

    Pauline Butler Avatar Pauline Butler
    26 July 2024

Our Alton branch staff

Kayt_Lennon

Manager

Kayt Lennon

FBDO

My journey into optics began with my own eyesight. I got my first pair of glasses just before starting secondary school, which sparked a curiosity about how the eyes work. As a long-time spectacle wearer, I know how hard it can be to find the perfect pair. But I believe there’s a frame out there for everyone.

I first worked in optics in my twenties, then explored various other roles. I returned to the profession in 2010, joining a high street multiple. Achieving a qualification as a Dispensing Optician with them in 2017.

In 2024, I moved to Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care for a new challenge. The independent setting appealed to me, with its emphasis on personalised service and high-quality eyewear. I enjoy having time to connect with patients. Many have been coming here since childhood, which speaks volumes about the care we provide.

After a year at the Winchester branch, I was given the chance to manage our Alton branch in May 2025. It’s a pleasure to work alongside such a passionate, knowledgeable team. We’re always learning from each other and sharing ideas.

I’m especially interested in myopia management and wish it had been available when I was younger. I also enjoy helping people discover whether contact lenses are a good fit for them.

Outside of work, I live near a nature reserve and love walking my two Jack Russell terriers. I’m also a big movie fan—whether at the cinema or rewatching favourite sci-fi and Marvel films at home.

Optometrists / Contact Lens Opticians / Audiologists

Ryan Blake

Ryan Blake

MSHAA, RHAD

My audiology career started in 2014 at a large chain of opticians where I was initially employed in the optical side of the business, however I quickly realised I was more interested in ears than eyes. I embarked on the hearing care assistant course, and was soon trained to program hearing aids, complete hearing assessments, and manage the aftercare of hearing aids.

I decided I wanted to gain more knowledge and expertise – by this time I knew that audiology was where my future lay so I started my foundation degree in Hearing Aid Audiology at De Montfort University and graduated in 2021.

During the course my interest in hearing aid technology grew tremendously and my understanding and passing on the benefits that private hearing aids offer over NHS aids for my patients is my top priority. By working at Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care I can give patients more choice due to Rawlings being independent, so I am not restricted in my recommendations by being tied to a single manufacturer. This really allows me to offer the best advice and was the main reason for me choosing Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care to progress my audiology career.

I currently live in the town of Andover with my young family. I have a toddler who always keeps me busy so any hobbies I once had are now on hold.

Helen_Robertson

Helen Robertson

BSc MCOptom Prof Cert Med Ret

I have worn glasses since the age of four and the first memory I have is at Oxford eye hospital getting my first pair of glasses. Having had a very high prescription and eye muscle issues all my life visiting an optometrist has always been so important to me and allowed me to appreciate how small changes and picking things up early can impact your life.
My first Job was at a high street optician aged 16 following my year 11 work experience and have worked in optics ever since.
I studied at the University of Manchester and graduated with a first and highest practical grade in my year in 2021.
I worked at a multiple for 8 years and completed my Professional certificate in medical retina. I’m a big geek and want to learn as much as possible! I intend on doing more higher qualifications and keeping up with the constant advances in the optical field.
I started at Rawlings in July 2025 and was drawn to the independent setting as I want to be able to give every patient I see the highest standard of clinical care whilst also getting to know them.

Outside of work I’m very rarely inside (windowless rooms do that to you). I love hiking, camping, kayaking and skiing, unless I’ve got my head in a book with my three legged cat on my lap.

Our dispensing team

Kayt Lennon FBDO (Manager)
Urszula Sontowska
Bridget Harding FBDO

Travel information

Turk Street car park – long and short stay
Lady Place car park – long and short stay
205 From East Tisted/Farringdon
64/X64 Ropley & Four Marks
Alton
Curtis Museum, High Street, Alton, GU34 1BA, unlimited access
Entire practice on one level

Out of hours eyecare for customers of the Alton practice

There are occasions when emergency treatment is needed for the eyes. If you are concerned and it is outside of our opening hours there is an eye casualty department based at Southampton General Hospital which is open Monday to Friday. The phone number for advice to see if you require an urgent appointment at the hospital  is 02381 206592. For more information click on this link.

Outside of Eye Casualty opening hours call Casualty on 02380 777222, where an eye doctor is on-call for emergencies. Alternatively  you can contact your GP to access their out of hours service or call 111 for further advice.

If you are not sure whether you need emergency attention click this link for further information. Click here for directions to the hospital.