Historic places in Winchester

Historic places in Winchester

1. Do

   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.

2. Eat

   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

3. Buy

   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

4. See

   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.

5. Drink

   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.

6. Drink

   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

7. Drink

   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.

8. Eat

   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

9. See

   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

10. See

    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

11. See

    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

12. See

    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

13. Do Not mapped

    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.

14. Do Not mapped

    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 .

15. Do Not mapped

    Winchester Cycle Fair

    CycleFest

    Held in June every year - times vary - that celebrates all things cycling, including a short gentle bike ride around historic points of interest.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Winchester (CC BY-SA 4.0).