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Winchester is an historic cathedral city in the English county of Hampshire within the South East region. Erstwhile capital of England, it was from here that Alfred the Great governed the newly unified country. Visitors appreciate Winchester first and foremost for its cathedral, but also for its other ancient buildings, its medieval centre, its markets and museums.

Winchester has a long history: there has been continuous settlement on the site for over 2,000 years.

Winchester began as a Celtic hill fort, pre-dating the Roman invasion of Britain in 43 CE. After the Roman conquest, the town grew and became known as Venta Belgarum. After prospering under Roman imperial rule for several centuries, Winchester discovered a new identity as an important Saxon city. King Alfred the Great named Winchester as the capital, first of the Kingdom of Wessex and later all of England south of the Danelaw - despite the growing importance of London , it remained so until the Norman invasion of 1066. During the Middle Ages, Winchester was renowned for its woollen goods, among other produce.

Winchester is now an attractive and peaceful cathedral city deep in the southern English countryside, close to London and Southampton .

See

Winchester's city centre is known for its narrow pedestrian streets and overhanging medieval buildings. Besides the cathedral, the main landmark is the Statue of King Alfred the Great, first king and nominal founder England. Nearby is the Victorian Guild Hall, which hosts many events throughout the year. Also of special interest are the Pentice, a group of old shops arcaded at the front, and the Butter Cross, dating back to the 15th century and built with a tax levied on people caught eating butter during Lent. The River Itchen, a crystal clear chalk stream, flows through multiple channels in central Winchester, seemingly just to surprise visitors by its tinkling presence at every turn.

Landmarks

• ⊙Church of St. Swithun upon Kingsgate, Saint Swithun Street, SO23 9JP (perched atop the arch of the Kingsgate, one of the two surviving city gates). Open during daylight hours except for occasional services. This was once a not uncommon position for a place of worship in England, but St. Swithun's is the only one remaining today. The interior of this tiny church is very plain, with whitewashed walls and an unadorned wooden ceiling. Sit for a moment in the simple wooden pews and it is hard not to feel a sense of peace. Free (but donations gratefully accepted). (updated Jun 2015)
• ⊙Winchester Cathedral, 9 The Close, SO23 9LS, ☎ +44 1962 853224. M–Sa 9:30AM–6PM; 12:30PM–3PM (restricted access during services). 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. Adults £7.50; concessions £5.50; students £4; under 16s free. The Tower Tour and Audio Tour cost an additional £6 and £3 respectively. (updated Jun 2015)
• ⊙Winchester City Mill, Bridge Street, SO23 0EJ, ☎ +44 1962 870057. Opening hours are typical of the National Trust - that is to say, very complicated - but in brief, the mill is open Mar–Oct: Sa Su 11AM–4PM and much more often in summer; see full details here. Owned by the National Trust, this old water mill has been fully restored. You can visit the working areas and a rather exciting walkway under the mill almost at river level. The building also houses the Winchester Youth Hostel (see 'Sleep'). Adults £2; Children £1; National Trust members free.  
• ⊙Winchester College, College Street, ☎ +44 1962 621100. Visit by guided tour only, which run several times most days of the year; see full details here. One of England's independent (fee-paying) schools, founded in 1382 and believed to be the oldest continuously running school in the country. Guided tours are available, lasting approximately 1 hour and include Chamber Court; the Gothic Chapel with its 14th-century vaulted roof; College Hall; the 17th-century red brick schoolroom built in the style of Christopher Wren; the original cloister. Adults £7; Concessions £6; Under 12s free.  
• ⊙Winchester Great Hall and King Arthur's Round Table (The Castle), Castle Avenue, SO23 8PJ, ☎ +44 1962 846476. Daily 10AM–5PM, closed Dec 25–26. 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. Free; donations encouraged.  
• ⊙Wolvesey Castle, ☎ +44 1962 854766. Open Apr–Sep 10AM–5PM. This palace was the chief residence of the Bishops of Winchester and its extensive ruins still reflect their importance and wealth. Free.  
• ⊙Hospital of St Cross, St Cross Rd, (1 mile south of city centre; grid reference SU476277), ☎ +44 1962 878218. 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. (updated Jan 2018)

Museums and galleries

• ⊙Westgate Museum, High Street, SO23 9AP, ☎ +44 1962 869864. Late Feb–Mar: Sa 10AM–4PM, Su noon–4PM; Apr–Oct: Sa–Su 10AM–5PM; Nov–Late Feb closed. 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. Free. (updated Jun 2015)
• ⊙Winchester City Museum, The Square, SO23 9ES, ☎ +44 1962 863064. Apr–Oct: M–Sa 10AM–5PM, Su noon–5PM; Nov–Mar: Tu–Sa 10AM–4PM, Su noon–4PM. A family-friendly council-run museum which tells the story of Winchester from the Iron Age to the present day. Multilingual audioguides and hands-on children's activities are available. Free.