Founded in 1382, Winchester College has the longest continuous history of any English school and it still occupies its original medieval buildings.
The school’s founder, William of Wykeham, was Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England. Wykeham’s intention was to provide the best possible education to those who would go on to serve society, valued not by birthright but by personal qualities and achievements.
Winchester College survived the upheavals of the Reformation and Civil War relatively unscathed. The school has since undergone many modernising reforms, but it retains many elements of its medieval origins and remains true to the aims of its founder.
College Tours: Monday – Sunday, 14.15 and 15.30
War Cloister Tours: Tuesdays and Saturdays, 14.00 and 15.30
Garden Tours: Seasonal
All tours last for 1 hour.
For updated tour times, please visit https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/winchester-college
For groups of 10 or more, please pre-book on 01962 621209 or visitus@wincoll.ac.uk.
From 1st April 2024:
Concessions: £10.50 (no charge for children under 11)
Adults: £12
Parking is limited around the College and visitors are advised to use public transport, the Park and Ride, or city centre car parks. Follow signs to the Cathedral and walk through the Cathedral Close to St Swithun’s Street, turn left under Kingsgate Arch and bear left into College Street. The Porters’ Lodge (main entrance) to the College can be found on the right hand side.
The school welcomes visitors seven days a week to its museum, Treasury, on guided tours, as well as to public events throughout the year.
Guided Tours
The College offers a range of public tours throughout the year, showcasing the College’s history, architecture and gardens. These include:
Find out more about our range of tours here.
Treasury Museum
Treasury houses the school’s outstanding collections of art and archaeology, displayed across four galleries in the medieval Warden’s stables.
Treasury is open from 2pm-4pm, 7 days a week, and entry is FREE. Find out more here.
Chapel
Members of the public are welcome at Chapel Services during term time. Find out more here.
There are not public toilets are available onsite during guided tours. Please note that due to the historic nature of the school, some areas are not accessible to those with mobility restrictions.
We welcome group bookings for all tours. For bookings of 10 people or more, please contact us via visitus@wincoll.ac.uk or ring our Tours Coordinator on 01962 814 611.
Please note that group bookings for Garden Tours in 2024 are now full, but we are taking expressions of interest for 2025.
The unique and beautiful surroundings of Winchester College provide a magnificent backdrop for private hire. Our many buildings, gardens and grounds have played host to a wide range of occasions, including weddings, film and TV locations, private and business events and residential camps to name a few. Find out more here.
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Award-winning market, held on the 2nd, and last Sunday of the month. 30 to 40 stalls attending each market. Fresh local produce from small businesses based in rural areas.
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