Winchester Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque county of Hampshire, Winchester is a charming city that effortlessly blends historical grandeur with a vibrant contemporary atmosphere. With a rich heritage dating back over a thousand years, it is no wonder that Winchester was once the capital of England during the reign of Alfred the Great.

Stepping into Winchester is like stepping back in time. The city's most iconic landmark, Winchester Cathedral, is a magnificent testament to medieval architecture. Its soaring spires and intricate stained glass windows never fail to leave visitors in awe. Inside, you can explore the Winchester Bible, one of the finest surviving 12th-century illuminated manuscripts, and pay your respects at the final resting place of Jane Austen, one of England's most beloved authors.

For those seeking a glimpse into Winchester's royal past, a visit to the Great Hall is a must. This impressive hall is all that remains of Winchester Castle, once the residence of medieval kings. Within its walls, you will find the legendary Round Table, believed to be King Arthur's legendary table of knights. The story behind it is shrouded in mystery, adding an air of enchantment to this historic site.

Winchester's vibrant city center is a treasure trove of independent shops, boutiques, and eateries. Strolling along the quaint cobbled streets, you can browse for unique souvenirs, sample locally sourced delicacies, or simply soak up the lively atmosphere. Don't forget to visit the bustling Winchester Market, where you can find an array of fresh produce, artisanal crafts, and vintage treasures.

Nature lovers will also find solace in Winchester's surrounding countryside. The South Downs National Park, just a stone's throw away, offers breathtaking views of rolling hills, picturesque villages, and tranquil walking trails. A visit to the stunning Winchester City Mill, nestled on the banks of the River Itchen, provides an insight into the city's milling history and offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle.

Alternative names: Population: 46.1 thous. (2019)Elevation: 138 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 51°3'44"N, 1°18'52"W

Location

EnglandUnited Kingdom

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Winchester Top Attractions

Winchester Attractions - What to See and Explore

Winchester offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Winchester Cathedral, Winchester Castle, Royal Green Jackets Museum, Itchen Navigation. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

History-rich Medieval place of worship
Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral stands as an imposing and awe-inspiring landmark in the historic city of Winchester, England. A beacon of architectural splendor, this grand cathedral has been a place of worship and pilgrimage for over a millennium.
Historical place • Forts and castles • History museum
Winchester Castle
Winchester Castle is a medieval building in Winchester, Hampshire, England. It was founded in 1067. Only the Great Hall still stands; it houses a museum of the history of Winchester.
Museum • Military museum
Royal Green Jackets Museum
The Royal Green Jackets Museum is situated at Peninsula Barracks in Winchester, England. The museum is one of several regimental museums that form part of Winchester's Military Museums.

Canal
Itchen Navigation
The Itchen Navigation is a 10.4-mile disused canal system in Hampshire, England, that provided an important trading route from Winchester to the sea at Southampton for about 150 years.
Forts and castles
Wolvesey Castle
Wolvesey Castle, also known as the "Old Bishop's Palace", is a ruined building in Winchester, Hampshire, England that was a bishop's palace, and was briefly fortified during the later years of Henry of Blois, the Bishop of Winchester.
51°3'29"N • 1°18'46"W
Winchester College
Winchester College is a public school in Winchester, Hampshire. It was founded by William of Wykeham in 1382 and has existed in its present location ever since.
Museum • Military museum
The Gurkha Museum
The Gurkha Museum commemorates the service of Gurkha soldiers to the British Crown, a relationship that has endured since 1815. It is located in Winchester in Hampshire, England and is part of Winchester's Military Museums.
City gate
Kingsgate
Kingsgate is one of two surviving medieval gates to the city of Winchester, England. The name was first recorded in 1148. The gate is on, or near, the site of one of the Roman gates to the city, and was the entrance to the royal palace before the Cathedral Close was enclosed in the 10th century.
City hall
Winchester Guildhall
Winchester Guildhall is a municipal building in the High Street, Winchester, Hampshire. It is a Grade II listed building.
Theater
Chesil Theatre
St Peter's Church, Chesil, Winchester, formerly known as St Peter upon Chesille without Eastgate, is a former parish church of the Church of England in Winchester, Hampshire, and is now the home of Chesil Theatre.
Museum • Historical place • Nature and wildlife
Winchester City Mill
The Winchester City Mill is a restored water mill situated on the River Itchen in the centre of the ancient English city of Winchester. The mill is owned by the National Trust and is a Grade II* listed building.
Park
Winnall Moors
Winnall Moors is a 64-hectare nature reserve in Winchester in Hampshire. It is managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. The southern section is owned by Winchester City Council and has been managed by HIWWT since the 1980s.
Museum
Westgate
The Westgate is one of two surviving fortified gateways in Winchester, England formerly part of Winchester City Walls. The earliest surviving fabric is of Anglo-Saxon character.
City wall
Winchester city walls
Winchester city walls are a series of defensive walls in central Winchester, originally built during the Roman settlement of southern Britain, in what was then the settlement of Venta Belgarum.
51°5'16"N • 1°14'27"W
Avington Park
Avington House is a 16th-century English country house which stands in Avington Park in the Itchen Valley near Winchester, Hampshire. It is a Grade I listed building.
Church
St Swithun-upon-Kingsgate Church
St Swithun upon Kingsgate is a Church of England church in Winchester, Hampshire, England, built in the Middle Ages in the Early English style.
Museum • Military museum
The Rifles Museum
The Rifles Museum is the regimental museum of The Rifles. It is located in Winchester in Hampshire, England and is part of Winchester's Military Museums.
Museum • Military museum • History museum
HorsePower: The Museum of the King's Royal Hussars
HorsePower: The Museum of the King's Royal Hussars is a military museum in Winchester, Hampshire, that is dedicated to documenting the King's Royal Hussars, a cavalry regiment of the British Army.
Church • Sacred and religious sites • Historical place
St Bartholomew's Church
St Bartholomew's Church, Winchester is a Church of England parish church in Hyde, Winchester, England. St Bartholomew's is the parish church of Hyde, formerly a village outside the walls of Winchester, now a suburb of the city.

Things to See and Do in Winchester by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Winchester.

Culture

Chesil Theatre
Winchester
Theater
Theatre Royal Winchester
Winchester
Concerts and showsPerforming artsTheater
Winchester School of Art
Winchester
ArtArt galleryUniversities and schools

Active

South Downs Way
Winchester
HikingHiking trail
Pilgrims' Trail
Winchester
HikingHiking trail
Winchester College Ground
Winchester
SportSport venue
Green Jackets Ground
Winchester
SportSport venue

Church

Winchester Cathedral
WinchesterHistory-rich Medieval place of worship
ChurchHistorical place
St Swithun-upon-Kingsgate Church
Winchester
Church
St Bartholomew's Church
Winchester
ChurchSacred and religious sitesHistorical place
Holy Trinity Church
Winchester
Church
St Thomas Church
Winchester
Church

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Museum

Winchester Castle
Winchester
Historical placeForts and castlesHistory museum
Royal Green Jackets Museum
Winchester
MuseumMilitary museum
The Gurkha Museum
Winchester
MuseumMilitary museum
Winchester City Mill
Winchester
MuseumHistorical placeNature and wildlife
Westgate
Winchester
Museum

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Historical place

Winchester Cathedral
WinchesterHistory-rich Medieval place of worship
ChurchHistorical place
Winchester Castle
Winchester
Historical placeForts and castlesHistory museum
Winchester City Mill
Winchester
MuseumHistorical placeNature and wildlife
St Bartholomew's Church
Winchester
ChurchSacred and religious sitesHistorical place
St Lawrence Church
Winchester
ChurchHistorical placeSacred and religious sites

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Park

Winchester City Mill
Winchester
MuseumHistorical placeNature and wildlife
Winnall Moors
Winchester
Park
Dean Garnier Garden
Winchester
GardenPark
Abbey Gardens
Winchester
GardenParkMonastery
Oram's Arbour
Winchester
Park

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Military museum

Royal Green Jackets Museum
Winchester
MuseumMilitary museum
The Gurkha Museum
Winchester
MuseumMilitary museum
The Rifles Museum
Winchester
MuseumMilitary museum
HorsePower: The Museum of the King's Royal Hussars
Winchester
MuseumMilitary museumHistory museum

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Day trips

Winchester – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Winchester, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Salisbury Cathedral (Salisbury), Paultons Park (New Forest), Spinnaker Tower (Portsmouth).

21 milesW
Medieval edifice housing the Magna Carta
Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury
Salisbury Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an architectural marvel and a place of worship that dominates the skyline of Salisbury, England. This Anglican cathedral, completed in the 13th century, is renowned for having...
13 milesSW
Theme park, Amusement park
Paultons Park, New Forest
Nestled in the scenic beauty of the New Forest in Hampshire, Paultons Park is a vibrant and beloved theme park in the United Kingdom that promises a day of fun and adventure for families and thrill-seekers alike. Known for its friendly atmosphere and diverse range of...
20 milesSE
Sail-like tower with panoramic views
Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth
The Spinnaker Tower is a striking landmark in Portsmouth, United Kingdom, and an emblem of the city's maritime heritage. This sleek, sail-shaped structure soars to a height of 170 meters, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the historic Portsmouth Harbour, the...
21 milesSE
Amusement, Amusement park, Piers and boardwalks
Clarence Pier, Portsmouth
Nestled along the southern coast of England, Clarence Pier stands as a vibrant hub of entertainment in the city of Portsmouth. This seaside amusement park, with its array of rides, arcades, and attractions, offers a delightful escape for families, tourists,...
44 milesW
Scenic walking areas, Garden, History museum
Stourhead
Nestled in the verdant Wiltshire countryside, Stourhead is a stunning example of an 18th-century English landscape garden. This picturesque estate, with its classical architecture and tranquil lake, is often referred to as a living work of art.