Winchester
Save24 hand-picked places in 8 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.
Only have a day? See 3 ready-made day plans ↓12 places on the map
Walking Tour
- 1
Medieval city gate with a small museum and rooftop views.
3 tips
- Free entry
- Climb to the roof for views up the High Street
- Seasonal opening hours
📷 Photos
- 2
Medieval hall of Winchester Castle displaying the legendary Round Table.
3 tips
- Small entry fee
- Visit Queen Eleanor's Garden behind it
- Next to the Westgate
📷 Photos
- 3
15th-century market cross on the bustling medieval High Street.
3 tips
- Look for the old clock over the street
- Market stalls nearby
- Passage leads to the cathedral
📷 Photos
- 4
Free museum on the city's Roman, Saxon and medieval past.
- Tip: Weekdays
2 tips
- Free entry
- Good intro before seeing the city
📷 Photos
- 5
One of Europe's longest medieval cathedrals, with Jane Austen's grave.
3 tips
- Tickets are valid for a year
- Join a tower tour for roof views
- See the Winchester Bible in the library
📷 Photos
- 6
Peaceful close with Cheyney Court and medieval timber buildings.
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Cheyney Court is the classic photo
- Free to wander
📷 Photos
- 7
Medieval gate topped by the tiny church of St Swithun.
3 tips
- Climb the steps to the church above
- P&G Wells bookshop is next door
- Pretty with College Street beyond
📷 Photos
- 8
England's oldest continuously running school, founded in 1382.
3 tips
- Visits only on guided tours
- Treasury museum open some afternoons
- Jane Austen's last house is nearby
📷 Photos
- 9
Ruins of the medieval palace of the bishops of Winchester.
3 tips
- Free English Heritage site
- Open in summer months
- Combine with the Weirs walk
📷 Photos
- 10
Riverside path along the clear River Itchen beside the old city wall.
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Look for trout in the water
- Leads to the City Mill
- Lovely in the evening
📷 Photos
- 11
Working medieval watermill run by the National Trust.
3 tips
- Try the flour milled on site
- Watch for otters from the mill race
- Free for National Trust members
📷 Photos
- 12
Imposing Victorian bronze of King Alfred the Great on The Broadway.
3 tips
- Free to see any time
- Good meeting point
- End of the walking route
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Winchester tips
Transportation
- Take the train from Waterloo: South Western Railway trains link London Waterloo with Winchester in about an hour.
- Use Park and Ride: parking in the centre is limited; Park and Ride sites outside town run buses into the High Street.
- Walk everywhere: the cathedral, Great Hall, High Street and water meadows are all close together, best explored on foot.
Security
- Watch for cyclists and buses: the High Street and narrow lanes are busy with buses and bikes; look both ways.
- Keep valuables safe at markets: Winchester is very safe, but busy Christmas markets attract pickpockets.
- Mind the riverside paths: the Itchen paths can be muddy and slippery after rain, so wear sturdy shoes.
Saving
- Buy advance train tickets: off-peak and advance fares from London are much cheaper than buying on the day.
- Enjoy free walks: the water meadows walk to the Hospital of St Cross and St Catherine's Hill are free and beautiful.
- Shop the farmers market: the regular Hampshire farmers market sells local produce, ideal for picnic supplies.
Weather/Clothing
- Pack for changeable weather: Winchester has mild weather but frequent rain; bring a waterproof jacket.
- Layer in summer: summers are mild to warm, but evenings cool off, so pack a light jumper.
- Dress warmly for winter markets: the cathedral Christmas market can be cold, so wear warm layers.
Cultural
- Visit Jane Austen's grave: Jane Austen is buried in Winchester Cathedral, and her house in Chawton is nearby.
- See the Round Table: the Great Hall holds the famous Round Table linked to King Arthur legends.
- Ask for the Wayfarer's Dole: at the Hospital of St Cross visitors can still request this medieval tradition of bread and ale.
Local Hacks
- Climb St Catherine's Hill: the hill offers panoramic views of the city and the Itchen valley.
- Catch the Hat Fair: in summer the Winchester Hat Fair brings street theatre and performers to the city.
- Start the South Downs Way: the long-distance path begins in Winchester, perfect for a day hike.
1-day itineraries in Winchester
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.
Day 1 of 3
Winchester Cathedral and around
🕘 9:30–16:30📍 5 stops
- 1Winchester Cathedral
- 2Winchester College
- 3Wolvesey Castle
- 4The Weirs
- 5Winchester City Mill
Day 2 of 3
The Great Hall and around
🕘 9:30–16:30📍 4 stops
- 1The Great Hall
- 2Westgate Museum
- 3Buttercross & High Street
- 4Winchester City Museum
Day 3 of 3
Hospital of St Cross and around
🕘 9:30–13:15📍 3 stops
- 1Hospital of St Cross
- 2Winchester Water Meadows
- 3St Catherine's Hill
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