Summary
Situated amidst the undulating chalk hills of the South Downs, Winchester serves as a historic cathedral city and was previously the royal capital.
Your initial destination in Winchester should be the longest Gothic cathedral globally, a magnificent representation of Norman and Gothic architecture.
Winchester is home to some of the nation’s oldest institutions.
Visitors can explore the Hospital of St Cross, the oldest charitable establishment in England, and take a guided tour of Winchester College, the oldest continuously operating school.
Landmarks such as the Great Hall of Winchester Castle and the remains of the Bishop’s Palace stand as significant reminders of Winchester’s historical prominence, where kings once resided and where the wedding of Queen Mary and Philip II of Spain took place.
Let’s delve into the top attractions in Winchester:
1. Winchester Cathedral
The magnificent Winchester Cathedral spans over 170 meters, establishing itself as the longest Gothic cathedral in Europe.
Originally founded in 642, construction of a new structure commenced in 1079 post-Norman Conquest.
This remains evident in the fundamental dimensions of the nave, transepts, and crypt, although the tower required replacement in the early 12th century after a collapse.
At the turn of the 15th century, the nave was adorned with Perpendicular Gothic casing using Caen stone and its wooden ceiling beams were transformed into splendid stone vaults.
At the High Altar, you may appreciate the intricately detailed 15th-century stone screen, which depicts the crucifixion and is rich in quatrefoil arches, crockets, and representations of saints.
The West Window was shattered by Parliamentarians in 1642, with its fragments reassembled in a collage style during the 1660s.
2. Hospital of St Cross
Winchester is home to the largest medieval almshouse in the United Kingdom, established in the 1130s during the tenure of Henry of Blois as Bishop of Winchester.
The Hospital of St Cross is architecturally reminiscent of an Oxford or Cambridge college, constructed around quadrangles.
It continues to function as a private foundation, housing 25 brothers, while also welcoming public visits.
Visitors can access the stunning Norman and Gothic church, along with the Old Kitchen and Brethren’s Hall.
This hall has been a dining area for the Hospital’s brothers for centuries, adorned with medieval features like a raised dais for the Master and a musicians’ gallery.
Guests may inquire about the Wayfarer’s Dole, which consists of a piece of bread and a horn of beer, available to anyone who requests it.
3. Winchester College
Established in 1382, Winchester College stands as potentially the oldest continuously operating school in the UK and certainly the oldest among England’s seven Public Schools.
Having remained at its current location for over six centuries, this institution warrants exploration for those interested in its historical significance.
Visits are conducted solely via guided tours, taking place throughout the year at specific times (generally twice daily) from Monday to Sunday.
The tour showcases the medieval core of the school, including the Gothic Chapel from the 1300s with its early wooden vaulted ceiling, the Chamber Court, College Hall, original Scholars’ Dining Room, a red brick classroom from the 1600s, and a medieval cloister.
4. South Downs Way
Winchester marks the western trailhead of the South Downs Way, a 100-mile path and bridleway extending to Eastbourne on the East Sussex coast.
The trail exists entirely within a national park, the South Downs, making it unique among national trails.
The Winchester City Mill on the River Itchen serves as the official gateway to the South Downs Way.
For a shorter trek, you might venture into the undulating chalk hills for a few miles to the stunning natural amphitheater at Cheesefoot Head before returning.
This site was where General Eisenhower addressed American troops prior to D-Day in 1944, and it features the noticeable humps of three Bronze Age bowl barrows.
5. Winchester City Museum
Designed in the style of a Tudor hall, the Winchester City Museum dates back to 1861 and was among the first purpose-built museums outside of London.
A highlight of the museum is the Winchester Model, a meticulously detailed scale model of the city during Victorian times.
The Roman Venta Gallery houses Roman artifacts sourced from Venta Belgarum, which include mosaics, glassware, figurines, and fragments of statues.
Throughout the museum, dioramas depict life in Winchester during various historical periods, and children can engage in activities like brass rubbing, crafting Anglo-Saxon pots, and dressing in various historical costumes from Roman to Edwardian eras.
An additional exhibit chronicles the final days of Jane Austen, who passed away in Winchester in 1817, featuring her personalized ivory spool case and two of her purses.
6. Great Hall
The Great Hall is the last remaining section of Winchester Castle, erected between 1222 and 1235, and now operates as a museum.
This castle served as a royal residence for centuries and witnessed significant events, including the treason trial of Sir Walter Raleigh in 1603. The Great Hall stands as one of the best-preserved medieval halls in the UK, constructed with flint walls and limestone window and door openings.
Visitors will find it hard to overlook the replica of the Arthurian Round Table, dating back to the 13th century and restored during Henry VIII’s reign. It displays the names of King Arthur’s court members, encircled by a white Tudor rose.
Marvel at the stained glass and marble columns, and take a stroll to Queen Eleanor’s Garden, designed to evoke the fragrances and style of the 13th century.
7. Wolvesey Castle
Located on a river island adjacent to the cathedral are the remnants of Winchester’s episcopal palace, founded by Bishop Æthelwold of Winchester during the 10th century.
The castle was dismantled during the English Civil War, and most of the visible remains belong to the 12th-century palace of Bishop Henry of Blois, brother to King Stephen.
This site is managed by English Heritage, and the extensive ruins reflect the palace’s medieval grandeur.
Wolvesey Castle was the venue for the wedding breakfast of Queen Mary and Philip II of Spain in 1554. Within the site, the remains of the hall can be identified, showcasing a round arch and a complete Norman Romanesque window.
8. City Mill
According to the Domesday Book, a water-powered mill has existed at this location alongside Bridge Street since at least the 11th century.
By the 16th century, it was referred to as Eastgate Mill, and the name was changed to “City Mill” after it was granted to Winchester by Queen Mary in compensation for her wedding expenses.
The current structure is from 1744 and has been under the stewardship of the National Trust since the 1920s.
In 2004, City Mill reopened after a 12-year restoration and resumed producing flour using water power for the first time since the early 20th century.
Visitors can engage in milling their own flour with hand querns and observe the traditional bread-baking process that took place in Winchester for centuries.
9. Westgate Museum
As the last of Winchester’s principal medieval gates, Westgate features architecture dating back to Anglo-Saxon times.
The gate was reconstructed in the 1100s, undergoing modifications in subsequent centuries, including the addition of the oldest gunports in the country, visible on the western facade.
It served as a debtors’ prison until the 19th century, with old graffiti covering much of the stonework, and is now home to a museum commemorating Winchester’s Tudor and Stuart history.
A standout exhibit is a painted ceiling created for Winchester College in anticipation of the wedding of Queen Mary and Philip of Spain in 1554. Additionally, there are pre-Imperial weights and measures, and visitors can ascend to the roof for an exceptional view of Winchester, while children can dress up in suits of armor.
10. Gurkha Museum
The former rifle depot of Winchester’s Peninsula Barracks houses a museum dedicated to sharing the intriguing history of the Gurkhas, Nepalese soldiers who have served in the British Army for over 200 years.
Today, six cap-badged units continue to serve in the army.
The Gurkhas are celebrated for their courage, having earned 26 Victoria Crosses, the highest award for gallantry in the UK military.
The museum chronicles the campaigns the Gurkhas have participated in, spanning from East Timor to the Falklands.
Visitors can explore photographs and footage on touchscreen displays, as well as a range of tableaux, dioramas, uniforms, paintings, weaponry, war trophies, and badges.
Ten of the 26 Victoria Crosses awarded to Gurkhas can be viewed here.
11. Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium
Situated at Morn Hill on the outskirts of the city, the Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium has been operational since 2002 and offers an interactive science and technology experience primarily designed for children.
The Science Centre features over 100 activities covering subjects such as the digestive system, static electricity, sports science, gases, perception, and magnetism, among others.
The Planetarium boasts the highest capacity of any in the UK and presents standalone films as well as programs led by astronomers.
This expansive venue also offers evening stargazing events and hosts workshops, live demonstrations, and shows for children throughout the year.
12. St Catherine’s Hill
Rising abruptly above the eastern bank of the River Itchen south of Winchester, St Catherine’s Hill stands at 97 meters.
This rounded chalk hill provides the finest views of the city and encompasses a 58-hectare nature reserve.
During early summer, the meadows on the slopes bloom with wildflowers, attracting over 25 species of butterflies.
St Catherine’s Hill served as a fort in the Iron Age, and remnants of the earthworks are still visible.
To the east and south lies the somber Plague Pits Valley, marked by long, rectangular mounds that indicate sites of mass graves from past plague outbreaks.
13. Marwell Zoo
Located just outside Winchester in Owselebury, Marwell Zoo is associated with a conservation charity and hosts habitats for over 180 species.
The zoo is situated on the grounds of the Grade I listed Marwell Hall, dating back to the 14th century, and boasts the largest collection of ungulates in any UK zoo, featuring species such as Chapman’s zebras and Arabian oryxes.
The animals are categorized into various themed zones, such as Into Africa, which houses Rothschild’s giraffes, Old World monkeys, and sable antelopes.
The Fur, Feathers and Scales area has a walk-through aviary featuring African species, in addition to a reptile house containing Egyptian tortoises, Gila monsters, and a Madagascan tree boa.
Children will particularly enjoy Penguin Cove and the World of Lemurs, where a variety of lemur species can be seen from a glass corridor.
14. Buttercross
While walking through Winchester’s historic center, take note of the stunning medieval monument located at the site of the old market square on High Street.
The Buttercross, originating from the 1400s, features intricate tracery, pinnacles, and crockets, adorned with 12 statues representing the Virgin Mary, saints, and historical figures from the city.
In 1770, this monument was acquired by the MP Thomas Dummer from Winchester.
However, when he attempted to transport it to the nearby village of Otterbourne, the townspeople of Winchester “organized a small riot,” prompting him to abandon his plan.
15. River Itchen
The River Itchen in Winchester is a chalk stream known for its exceptionally clear waters and rich wildlife, including otters, water voles, white-clawed crayfish, butterflies, and kingfishers.
A path along the river allows for scenic views of some of Winchester’s historic properties, leading to attractions like the statue of Alfred the Great, City Mill, and Wolvesey Castle.
You can continue southward from Winchester through picturesque water meadows along the Itchen Way, which follows the Itchen Navigation, a 17th-century canal.
This path extends for 10 miles, stretching from Winchester’s Wharf Bridge to Woodmill in Southampton.
