Things to do in Winchester
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Great Hall
Winchester's other showpiece is at the cavernous Great Hall, the only part of 11th-century Winchester Castle that Oliver Cromwell spared from destruction. This hall was the stage for several dramatic English courtroom dramas, including the trial of adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh in 1603, who was sentenced to death but reprieved at the last minute. Outside, near the hall's entrance, there's also a section of the old Roman wall, built around AD 200.
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Black Boy
A celebration of English eccentricity, this adorable old pub is filled with obsessive and sometimes freaky collections, from pocket watches to wax facial features, bear traps, sawn paperbacks and tobacco pipes. Even the women's toilets cheekily sport gynaecological clamps and fish murals.
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Winchester Cathedral
Almost a thousand years of history are crammed into Winchester's cathedral, which is not only the city's star attraction but also one of southern England's most awe-inspiring buildings. The exterior, with a squat tower and a slightly sunken rear, isn't at first glance appealing, despite a fine Gothic facade. But the interior contains one of the longest medieval naves (164m) in Europe, and a fascinating jumble of features from all eras.
The cathedral sits beside foundations that mark the town's original 7th-century minster church. The cathedral was begun in 1070 and completed in 1093, and was subsequently entrusted with the bones of its patron saint, St Swithin (bishop of W…
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Wolvesey Castle
The fantastic, crumbling remains of early 12th-century Wolvesey Castle huddle in the protective embrace of the city's walls, despite the building having been largely demolished in the 1680s. It was completed by Henry de Blois, and it served as the Bishop of Winchester's residence throughout the medieval era. Queen Mary I and Philip II of Spain celebrated their wedding feast here in 1554. According to legend, its odd name comes from a Saxon king's demand for an annual payment of 300 wolves' heads. Access is via College St. Today the bishop lives in the (private) Wolvesey Palace next door.
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King Arthur's Round Table
Crowning the wall of the Great Hall like a giant-sized dartboard of green and cream spokes is what centuries of mythology have called King Arthur's Round Table . Before you get too excited, it's a 700-year-old fake, but a fascinating one nonetheless. It's thought to have been constructed in the late 13th century and later painted in the reign of Henry VIII (King Arthur's image is strangely reminiscent of Henry's youthful face).
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Jane Austen's House
A stone's throw from the Winchester Cathedral is Jane Austen's House , where Jane Austen, one of England's best loved authors, spent her last six weeks before she died in 1817. It's now a private residence. There's also the opportunity to walk over her bones; her grave is near the entrance of the cathedral in the northern aisle.
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Winchester Cathedral Library & Triforium Gallery
Once inside, it's worth being sidetracked by the Winchester Cathedral Library & Triforium Gallery, which affords a fine elevated view of the cathedral body and an up-close view of the dazzling illuminated pages of the 12th-century Winchester Bible - its colours as bright as if they were painted yesterday.
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Westgate Museum
This is one for fans of the grisly bit of history. Set in a medieval gateway that was once a debtors' prison, it boasts a macabre set of gibbeting irons used to display an executed criminal's body in 1777 and, scrawled crudely all over the interior walls, the 17th-century graffiti of prisoners.
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Guided Walks
A wide variety of 1½-hour guided walks are organised through the tourist office. From May to September, evening walks also leave every Tuesday and encompass subjects as diverse as Jane Austen's Winchester and a spooky 'Bring out your dead' plague tour.
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Loch Fyne Restaurant
Winchester's branch of this quality seafood and fish chain is housed in a stunning Tudor jailhouse, full of twisted beams, wooden galleries and beautiful fireplaces. Depending on which section you're in, the atmosphere can be both lively and romantic.
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Chesil Rectory
Duck through the hobbit-sized door, settle down amid the 15th-century beams and savour perfectly prepared modern British cuisine, cooked up by the former head chef at Fortnum & Mason. New Forest rabbit, seared scallops, truffles and local watercress all feature on an assured menu. The 2-course evening menu (served 6pm to 7pm) is a snip at £15.
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Molokos Vodka Bar
One of the city's slicker contemporary venues, Molokos lures in the youth of Winchester with just about every flavour of vodka under the sun, touts an R & B soundtrack and buzzing ambience. It graduates into a club on weekend nights.
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Hospital of St Cross
Monk, bishop, knight, politician and grandson of William the Conqueror, Henry de Blois was a busy man. But he found time to establish this still-impressive hospital in 1132. As well as healing the sick and housing the needy, the hospital was built to feed and house pilgrims and crusaders en route to the Holy Land. It's the oldest charitable institution in the country, and is still roamed by 25 elderly black- or red-gowned brothers in pie-shaped trencher hats, who continue to hand out alms. Take a peek into the stumpy church, the brethren hall, the kitchen and the peaceful gardens. The best way to arrive is via the one-mile Keats' Walk. Upon entering, claim the centuries-o…
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City Museum
Whizzes through Winchester's Roman and Saxon history, lingers on its Anglo-Norman golden age, pays homage to Jane Austen, and reconstructs several early 20th-century Winchester shops.
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City Mill
See the city's 18th-century water-powered mill in action and buy stone-ground flour in the shop.
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Cadogan & James
Self-caterers will need dragging out of this delightful delicatessen, full of the smells of freshly baked breads, herbs and spices, and gourmet goodies.
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St Giles' Hill
The stiff walk up to St Giles' Hill rewards with fine city views. It's at the top of East Hill, half a mile from the Wolvesey Castle, and is signposted.
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River Itchen
A tranquil riverside walk trail a short distance from the Wolvesey castle along the bank of the River Itchen to High St is a lovely amble.
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Tower and Roof Tours
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Royal Green Jackets Museum
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Gurkha Museum
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Crypt Tours
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Crypt Tour
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Wykeham Arms
Somehow reminiscent of an endearingly eccentric old uncle, this is just the sort of pub you'd love to have as a local: 1400 tankards, school canes and a riot of flags hang from the ceiling, while seating comes in the form of worn school desks, lending pint-supping an illicit air.
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