Winchester

Abbey Gardens

Located off the Broadway between King Alfred's statue and the rear of Winchester Cathedral. These are formal gardens through which the Itchen flows, and include a children's play area.

Ask Pizza and Pasta

This restaurant serves pizzas and pasta dishes in a relaxing, family friendly atmosphere. It is part of a nationwide chain; quality and price are set accordingly. It is in one of the oldest and most historic domestic buildings in the city.

Daily noon-11PM·£20

Bishop on the Bridge

A modern-style pub set in an old building, reasonable selection of drink and moderately-priced food. Very pleasant (especially in the summer, although it can get very busy) patio area by the river.

Mon-Thu: 11AM-11PM, Fri-Sat: 11AM-midnight, Sun: 11AM-10:30PM

Cafe Monde

A popular, friendly and reasonably priced contemporary cafe serving breakfasts, Fairtrade coffee and light lunches.

Mon-Sat 8AM-6PM, Sun 10AM-5PM·£5-10

Cathedral Shop

Housed in an old Coach House 25 m from the West Front of the Cathedral, this shop offers a range of gifts, many of them unique to the cathedral.

Mar-Oct: daily 9:30AM–5:30PM; Nov-Feb: daily 9:30AM–5:00PM

Church of St. Swithun upon Kingsgate

This was once a not uncommon position for a place of worship in England, but St. Swithun's is the only one remaining today. The interior of this tiny church is very plain, with whitewashed walls and an unadorned wooden ceiling. Sit for a moment in the simple wooden pews and it is hard not to feel a sense of peace.

Open during daylight hours except for occasional services.·Free (but donations gratefully accepted)

Farmer's Market

Have a pleasant stroll around what is reputedly the country's largest farmer's market, taking advantage of free samples of local produce on offer at many stalls.

Second and last Sun of the month 9AM-2PM

Harestock Lodge Hotel

Harestock Losge Hotel

Harestock Lodge Hotel in Winchester exudes charm offering friendly and relaxed accommodation in Hampshire, critically acclaimed dining and 17 en-suite rooms.

Hospital of St Cross

The Hospital of St Cross was founded in the 1130s by Bishop Henry of Blois to accommodate thirteen poor men and is still home to 25 Brothers, whose apartments form one side of the historic quadrangle. The chapel is an unspoiled example of the period during which Norman architecture transitions into Gothic. The Hospital has a long tradition of hospitality and now offers refreshment to visitors in the restored Hundred Men's Hall. The traditional Wayfarer's Dole is still given at the Porter's Gate to all travellers who request it. Accessible by road, by a half-hour walk along the River Itchen (from City Mill; signposted), or by Solent Blue Line bus 47 (buses run twice per hour M-Sa and once per hour on Su; see Get around above for bus company details; alight at the Bell Inn). Open any reasonable hour. Free.

The Black Boy

Tucked away on Wharf Hill, off Chesil Street, the pub is still faithful to its origins. Although recognised in most of the well known beer and pub guides, it is still a traditional back-street boozer.

Open Mon-Sat 11AM-11PM; Sun noon-10:30PM.

The Chesil Rectory

This Grade II listed building was built in 1450, given to the city by Mary Tudor, and now holds the Chesil Rectory, which received a Michelin star in the early 2000s. The restaurant is a member of the Hampshire Fare group, who strive to use local producers for their supplies.

Open daily; separate lunch and dinner hours·Dinner mains from £13; set course specials for lunch and early dinners

The Eclipse Inn

Opposite Winchester Museum, a small cozy pub with colourful characters and a spooky history of hangings and gibbets. Very good value pub food and good quality real ales always available.

The Old Gaol House

J.D. Wetherspoon's

Well stocked ales in the citys original prisons governors building, masses of local history adorn the walls - worth a wander with a well earned refresher, pub grub all day.

Food daily 7AM-10PM. Drink Mon-Thu 9AM-midnight, Fri Sat 9AM-1AM, Sun 9AM-11PM

The Old Vine

On the Square near to the cathedral entrance, this pub offers a surprisingly good selection of real ales although seating can be at a premium and it gives the impression that it would rather be a bistro than a pub.

The Refectory

In the walled garden opposite the cathedral's west front. An excellent volunteer run restaurant opposite the main entrance to the cathedral, offering a good selection of homely English dishes at reasonable prices.

Mar-Oct 9:30AM-5PM; Nov-Feb 9:30AM-4:30PM·£5-10

Twyford Waterworks

A preserved Edwardian water pumping station open on selected dates throughout the year where visitors can see how water was pumped by steam, diesel and electrically powered engines. There is also a set of lime kilns, water softening works, industrial railway and an extensive nature trail.

Adults £4.00, children free

Westgate Museum

The other of the two surviving medieval gateways. Interesting graffiti carved into the walls and floor from its use as a debtor's prison from the 16th–18th centuries. Contains unique collection of the city's weights and measures, including the Winchester bushel and the standard yard of Henry VII's reign. Displays also include a fine ceiling from Winchester College painted to celebrate Queen Mary I and Phillip of Spain's marriage in 1554. Also armour, gibbet, leg-irons. A rooftop viewing platform gives great views down the High Street. Brass rubbing. Children's quiz.

Late Feb–Mar: Sat 10AM–4PM, Sun noon–4PM; Apr–Oct: Sat–Sun 10AM–5PM; Nov–Late Feb closed·Adult: £7.75, concessions: £7.75, child (5-16 years): £6.00, under 5s: free, family (up to 5 people, maximum 2 adults): £28.00. This ticket also includes admission to the Great Hall

Winchester Cathedral

A Norman cathedral begun in 1079, containing the Winchester Bible and featuring the longest Gothic nave in the world. The cathedral was built on rafts floating on a peat marsh! For 800 years the raft was able to carry the weight but, by the 19th century, the cathedral was in danger of collapse and the foundations were rebuilt by a diver working underwater; look out for the statue and story of this "Winchester Diver" if you visit. The cathedral is the venue for regular recitals and concerts, and hosts Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's Summer Series. The famous English novelist Jane Austen died in Winchester in 1817 and is buried in the cathedral. A statue by British artist Anthony Gormley is to be found, somewhat unexpectedly, in the crypt of the cathedral. Hidden away in cathedral Close is the Dean Garnier Garden, which offers splendid views of the cathedral. Pay special attention to the stonework, and how the medieval builders suffered from problems with subsidence.

Mon–Sat 9:30AM–6PM; Sun 12:30PM–3PM (restricted access during services)·Adults £7.50; concessions £5.50; students £4; under 16s free. The Tower Tour and Audio Tour cost an additional £6 and £3 respectively

Winchester City Mill

Owned by the National Trust, this old water mill has been fully restored. You can visit the working areas and a rather exciting walkway under the mill almost at river level.

Opening hours are typical of the National Trust - that is to say, very complicated - but in brief, the mill is open Mar–Oct: Sat Sun 11AM–4PM and much more often in summer·Adults £2; Children £1; National Trust members free

Winchester City Museum

A family-friendly council-run museum which tells the story of Winchester from the Iron Age to the present day. Multilingual audioguides and hands-on children's activities are available.

Apr–Oct: Mon–Sat 10AM–5PM, Sun noon–5PM; Nov–Mar: Tue–Sat 10AM–4PM, Sun noon–4PM·Adult: £7.75, concessions: £7.00, child (5-16 years): £5.50, under 5s: free, family (up to 5 people, maximum 2 adults): £25.50. Multi-attraction tickets are also available

Winchester College

One of England's independent (fee-paying) schools, founded in 1382 and believed to be the oldest continuously running school in the country. Guided tours are available, lasting approximately 1 hour and include Chamber Court; the Gothic Chapel with its 14th-century vaulted roof; College Hall; the 17th-century red brick schoolroom built in the style of Christopher Wren; the original cloister.

Visit by guided tour only, which run several times most days of the year·Adults £7; Concessions £6; Under 12s free

Winchester Great Hall and King Arthur's Round Table

The Castle

The only remaining part of Winchester Castle is the Great Hall, built in the 13th century by Henry III. This is the home of King Arthur's Round Table, now thought to be a fake commissioned by Henry VIII.

Daily 10AM–5PM, closed Dec 25–26·Adult: £7.75, concessions: £7.75, child (5-16 years): £6.00, under 5s: free, family (up to 5 people, maximum 2 adults): £28.00. This ticket also includes admission to the Westgate Museum

Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium

formerly INTECH Science and Technology Centre

An interactive family museum with regular activities and events. Planetarium shows are an extra charge.

Daily 10AM-4PM·Adult: £10.91, concessions: £8.73, child (3-15 years): £7.64

Wolvesey Castle

This palace was the chief residence of the Bishops of Winchester and its extensive ruins still reflect their importance and wealth.

Open Apr–Sep 10AM–5PM·Free

Art and Mind

Festivals and symposia began in 2004, bringing some of the world's most eminent thinkers and artists to Winchester for events examining the way we experience music, myth, dance, film and visual art.

BikeAbout

Hire a bicycle in Winchester at BikeAbout at the Gladstone Car Park near the Railway Station. Members of the scheme can borrow a bike as many times as they like. Terms and conditions on the Winchester Miracles website or by telephone.

Cathedral Grounds

The green space around the Cathedral, a popular meeting place, contains part of the original burial ground where, amongst others, St. Swithun is buried. The main grounds are around the western entrance of the cathedral, and there is also green space on the southern side.

Cheesefoot Head

Enjoy the splendid views around Cheesefoot Head on the off-road cycle track, unsuitable for beginners.

South Downs Way

A 100-mile (160-km) bridleway running from Winchester to Eastbourne. It offers spectacular views of the South's countryside.

Three Castles Path

A 60-mile (100-km) walk from Windsor to Winchester. This walk is inspired by the journeys of King John between the two cities via the castle he built at Odiham at the time of Magna Carta, and passes through a variety of attractive scenery including parkland and forest, heath and downland, quiet streams and picturesque villages. For more information see the web site, or get a hold of a copy of the book The Three Castles Path by David Bounds and Dave Ramm .