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Welcome to Winchester

Welcome to the official tourism website for Winchester - the perfect English city. Winchester, England, is a vibrant heritage  destination just an hour south west of London, with world class attractions and architecture including a magnificant  Cathedral , award-winning pubs ...

Photo Gallery

Enjoyed your visit to Winchester? Send us images of people and places which you think sum up the city and surrounding area and email your image to: marketing@winchester.gov.uk - no bigger than 3 Mb. Your image may be selected to ...

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Winchester winners announced for Tourism ExSEllence Awards 2009

The final results of the Tourism South East Tourism ExSEllence Awards have just been announced at a glittering Gala dinner at the Wentworth Club, Surrey. Winchester businesses received Gold, Silver and Highly Commended Awards in six of the categories. The ...

Join our mailing list

Want to be among the first to know about special offers and forthcoming events in the Winchester district? Sign up for our regular e-newsletters by filling in the form below.

Accessibility statement

We believe in access to information over the Internet for all. This Accessibility Statement provides an overview of the accessibility features we have implemented on this website. Through research of standard guidelines, Visit Winchester are continually working to improve ...

Attractions in action

Watch the video above for a taste of some of the best attractions in the Winchester District. To find out more about the attractions visit our Things to do page.

Book a conference

If you are looking to host a meeting, conference, event or wedding in the Winchester area then take a look at our video above to see the excellent choice of venues we have in the Winchester District. To contact any ...

Contact us

Tourist Information Centre Winchester Guildhall High Street Winchester Hampshire SO23 9GH Tel:+44 (0) 1962 840 500 Fax:+44 (0) 1962 850 348 Email: tourism@winchester.gov.uk   ...

Cookies

What is a cookie? A cookie is a simple text file that is stored on a user’s computer (or mobile device) that is created when a user visits a website using a program called a browser (for example Internet ...

Currency

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Groups, schools and travel trade

Welcome to our groups pages, created especially for the group and travel trade. Here you will find all you need to help you organise a successful and well-planned visit to Winchester. If you cannot find the information you require please ...

Group travel newsletter

Find out the latest group travel news by downloading our group travel newsletter. Issue 7 - Aug 2008 ...

Guided tours for groups

If your group is keen to hear fascinating stories about Winchester past and present, why not discover the city's highlights with one of our qualified tourist guides . Guided tours for groups are arranged by contacting Winchester Tourist Information Centre by ...

Winchester for schools

Winchester's Community History Partnership - CHiP What is this? it is an organisation which brings together local history societies, museums and other groups interested in the heritage of the Winchester District to work together.   Winchester ...

Accommodation for groups

The accommodation below is suitable for groups of varying size. We recommend you contact the establishment direct to ensure your requirements can be met. Many of the hotels in Winchester and the surrounding area offer competitive rates for groups. For ...

Attractions for groups

Winchester is packed with historic buildings, monuments and museums all within easy walking distance and waiting to be explored. Just a short distance outside Winchester itself, there is also a whole host of other attractions to tempt groups. ...

Coach parking

There are two set-down points at either end of the city. Coaches can set down and pick up their passengers either in the Broadway on the north side by King Alfred's statue, which is central and convenient for visiting the ...

Group eating out

After a busy day exploring Winchester, a welcome meal at one of our pubs or restaurants will round off the sight-seeing. There is a wide choice of eateries which can cater for groups of all sizes, and you are sure ...

Maps

The following maps are available to download and print out as required. Alternatively, our Group Travel Advisor will be happy to provide detailed maps of the city centre and surrounding area. Winchester City Centre Map (PDF, 78KB) A detailed ...

Travelling to Winchester

Winchester is situated in an accessible location in the heart of the county of Hampshire. Close to the maritime cities of Southampton and Portsmouth to the south and the New Forest to the west, a visit to the city is ...

Useful contacts for groups

Winchester Tourist Information Centre tel: 01962 840 500 email: tourism@winchester.gov.uk Winchester City Council Parking Office tel: 01962 848 346 email: parking@winchester.gov.uk Winchester Cathedral tel: 01962 857 225 email: visits@winchester-cathedral.org.uk The Great Hall tel: 01962 846 476 email: ...

Itineraries

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My itinerary

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Meet a Visit Winchester Greeter

The Visit Winchester Greeters scheme is a great way to explore our vibrant and ancient city with the helping hand of a local Greeter who lives in the city.  Our volunteer Visit Winchester Greeters will share their passion for the ...

Special offers

If you are looking for a break but are worried about spending too much money then Winchester could be just the place. Many of the attractions and accommodation in Winchester and the surrounding area offer special deals and packages throughout ...

The King James Bible, 1611 – 2011

For immediate use 15th March 2011 In 2011 the nation is celebrating the 400th anniversary of the most important and influential printed book in the English language – the King James Bible (KJB).  Otherwise known as the ‘Authorized ...

User help

If you experience any problems using the site please email the webmaster at  kmcculloch@winchester.gov.uk Navigation There are a variety of ways to navigate your way around this site. You can use the navigation buttons on the top to ...

Where we are

Just one hour from London, Winchester lies surrounded by Hampshire's countryside on the edge of the South Downs - ideally placed for a short break in the South of England. The nearby maritime cities of Southampton (13 miles) and ...

  Winchester Bridge Replacement - Road Closures in 2010 Three railway bridges within the Winchester district will be completely replaced in the New Year. As a result, the roads at the three bridges locations will be closed for significant periods.

Winchester in the news

Don't just take our word for it - find out what the travel writers and journalists are saying about Winchester and the surrounding district. We have had some of the most renowned journalists visit us and you have come to the right place for all ...

Things to do

Winchester is packed with historic buildings, museums, family attractions and tranquil green spaces just waiting to be explored. If you are not sure where to begin, take a look at our popular attractions below or use one of the themed ...

Body and soul breaks

Relax and unwind in Winchester's urban retreats Whether you are looking for a pamper weekend with friends or simply need to take the weight off your feet in between shopping or sightseeing , Winchester has some of the most ...

Picnic spots

Grab yourself a picnic and take your pick of some of our suggested beauty spots listed below for a touch of alfresco dining. We've also included a handy guide to the facilities available at each site. In the city ...

St Catherine's Mizmaze

St. Catherine's Hill is an Iron Age Hill Fort of circular plan. A medieval chapel dedicated to St. Catherine on top of the hill is first mentioned in 1268 when we are told that a violent wind in Winchester overturned ...

History and heritage

England's ancient capital is a city steeped in history, offering rich pickings for visitors looking to uncover Britain's past. From legend and lore to awe-inspiring architecture, Winchester is a treasure trove of English heritage. The city is packed with historic ...

Art and culture

Culture lovers will find plenty to occupy them in Winchester. The city has a wealth of accomplished artists, designers and craftspeople working and living in the area. Southampton University's renowned School of Art thrives in Winchester, as do a host ...

Food and drink

Drawing on its rural resources, the ancient capital of England enjoys a growing reputation for local produce and fine fare, endorsed by the size and popularity of its thriving monthly farmers' market . The Winchester District is home to ...

Top shopping

A paradise for shopping connoisseurs, Winchester boasts a tempting array of independent shops, boutiques and art galleries in scenic settings. The city's compact, pedestrian-friendly streets are a refreshing alternative to the large-scale malls found in other cities and its lively, ...

Tours and trails

Once a principal place of pilgrimage, routes from all over the south converge on the ancient city of Winchester. Best explored on foot, it is the ideal base from which to combine the highlights of city life with scenic walks ...

Beyond the city

England's ancient capital has plenty to keep its visitors amused but the city is only half the story. Winchester is the gateway to the South Downs National Park , and the surrounding countryside - rural Hampshire at its very best ...

Family friendly

A city for all ages, Winchester boasts a variety of exciting attractions and things to see and do for a fun-packed family holiday. Take a ride on a steam railway, spot animals in our wildlife park, float through the ...

10 things to do for free

A visit to Winchester needn't cost a penny. Here are our top ten tips for freebie fun: 1. Open your eyes Discover for yourself Winchester's public art and the many accomplished artists in the area. Look out for ...

Where to stay

Looking for somewhere to stay in Winchester? You can choose from a wide variety of properties in the heart of Winchester's city centre and in the surrounding Hampshire countryside for both bed and breakfast and self-catering . There are top-class ...

Search tips

Hotel and B&B Search Tips Some establishments only accept bookings of two nights or more over a weekend, or three nights over a Bank Holiday weekend. ________________________________ Self Catering Search Tips Most establishments do weekly lets ...

Award-winning accommodation

There's no need to worry about the quality of Winchester's accommodation - the following prestigious awards have been given to some of the very best hotels and guest accommodation in Winchester and the surrounding area. A visit to one of ...

Where to find a Fairtrade breakfast

Winchester has been declared a Fairtrade City Look out for this Mark on Fairtrade products Fairtrade is a rapidly growing international movement that guarantees a better deal for disadvantaged farmers and workers in developing countries. This includes sustainable prices ...

Winchester Tourist Information Centre Conditions of Bookings

1. The accommodation detailed on the form has been booked for you by Winchester City Council's Tourist Information Centre (TIC) as an agent for the accommodation provider. Any contract for the booking is therefore directly between you and the accommodation ...

Ratings you can trust

All the properties promoted by Winchester City Council are assessed and have been awarded a quality rating by one or more of the two national agencies, the AA and VisitBritain * (formerly the English Tourism Council), who operate a harmonised ...

Make a booking

To secure accommodation that best suits your requirements, we suggest you book in advance as Winchester is very busy at certain times of year. Website 'Real time' online room availability can be booked on the searchable accommodation pages ...

Accessible accommodation

Several properties have ground floor bedrooms and lifts. You can download a list of accommodation catering for visitors with different needs (doc) ; however, we strongly recommend that you check before making a booking that the establishment of your choice ...

The Green Leaf Tourism Scheme (GLTS) is part of a national pilot for sustainable tourism in the UK. Participating accommodation establishments and attractions complete a self-assessment questionnaire which measures their commitment to environmental issues such as encouraging car-free tourism; use ...

Family celebrations

If you are planning a wedding or family occasion in the Winchester District we can assist you and your guests with finding accommodation in Winchester. Simply provide us with the guest list and the details of your event and ...

Winchester Tourist Information Centre - Online Booking terms and conditions

Online Accommodation Booking Terms "We, us, our" and related expressions refer to us, the Winchester Tourism service of Winchester City Council (‘the Council’) Colebrook Street Winchester SO23 9LJ E-mail address: tourism@winchester.gov.uk "You/Your" and related ...

What's on

For details of main events in and around Winchester use the search option to the right or search our general online events calendar .  ...

A Fabulous Father's Day

Sunday 16 June 2013 Families will find plenty of great activities in Winchester to celebrate Father’s Day this year. Whether it’s soaking up the history of cricket with a fascinating guided tour, catching a classic film or welcoming the ...

Marwell Zoo's Go! Rhino

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Marwell Zoo is bringing Go! Rhinos , a world class mass public art event, to the streets and parks of Southampton. For 10 weeks throughout this summer (13th July – 22nd September), rhino sculptures ...

May half term around Winchester

Are you wondering what to do with the children this holiday? Below is a selection of events to give you some ideas, or go to our events calendar for more:  Winchester City Mill A journey through ...

What a performance...outdoors

Bring your picnic blanket and some strawberries and be entertained by some classic performances against the most beautiful backdrops while the sun sets. The Comedy of Errors Saturday 15 June at 7:30pm Rain or Shine ...

Live performance venues

There are four main performing arts venues in Winchester, including the cathedral where classical music concerts take place throughout the year in awe-inspiring surrounds. Other venues are: The Theatre Royal Winchester An Edwardian building which underwent a major refurbishment ...

Festivals

Scroll down for an overview of the annual festivals taking place in and around Winchester. For details of forthcoming events search our online events calendar . See all the festivals happening in and around Winchester in one handy website ...

Winchester's markets

Time your visit to coincide with one of the many colourful markets taking place throughout the week. The markets offer an excellent chance to buy locally made arts, crafts and edible treats. Farmers' Market Winchester plays host to ...

Conference Winchester

Winchester's business venues offer you the perfect location for any corporate occasion. From a conference to a training course, a product launch to a corporate hospitality occasion, or a corporate fund day to a VIP night at the theatre, there ...

Accommodation for delegates

If you decide to book your conference at a venue that does not offer accommodation, Winchester's top class hotels and B&B's are not far away. If you are looking to accommodate all your delegates in one place our hotels ...

Conference Venues

Ancient and modern sit side by side among our diverse range of venues; choose from buildings of character or purpose built conference centres sure to provide you with a memorable event.  Take a look at some of our venues. ...

Team Building

Winchester has some great ideas for team building activities or plenty of opportunities for that something different to break up a meeting.  Some of our conference venues offer on-site facilities such as Lainston House Hotel or De Vere New Place so ...

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Local industry

Welcome to the local industry section of the Visit Winchester website. We have designed this section as a resource for tourism businesses to access useful information and links. You will see that links have appeared beneath the Local Industry button ...

A 15-step guide to using Twitter efficiently

1. Go to the Twitter website and set up an account. www.twitter.com . 2. Choose a user name (and probably your real name). Your name might already have been taken, you could always use the name of your accommodation.

Accessibility directory

October 2004 brought the final stage of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) of 1995 into force. Aiming to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities in a range of ways, the DDA requires that anyone providing a public service must make ...

Availability updating

Up-to-date information improves the quality of service we give to visitors. This enables the staff at the TIC and visitors alike to make well informed booking enquiries. You can also improve your visibility on the website and the Visit booking ...

Destination Management Partnership

Join the Visit Winchester and the Heart of Hampshire Destination Management Partnership Partnership means business The Visit Winchester and Heart of Hampshire Destination Management Partnership (DMP) is a partnership founded by Winchester City Council, Tourism South East , ...

The Future of Tourism - Stakeholder Event

Tourism is changing Join us to ensure Hampshire's future is as bright as it deserves to be It is a time of great change for tourism and with that comes an opportunity to create a new future locally.

Winchester advertising opportunities 2011

Even more people are set to holiday in the UK this year. Make the most of this trend by advertising in Visit Winchester 2011 - the official Winchester visitor guide - and on www.visitwinchester.co.uk . To find out more download ...

Winchester Tourism Summit: Your Questions Answered

You asked about progress on the Silver Hill development in Broadway. We said: "The project is progressing as planned. In November the Council will be asked to make a compulsory purchase order which we then expect to take a year ...

Fire safety law

From October 1st 2006 new fire safety laws came into force making businesses directly responsible for the safety of all premises users. As a result, fire certificates have been abolished in favor of risk assessments to be completed by the ...

Register with us

If you would like to advertise in the Winchester Visitor Guide and on the Visit Winchester website please contact Rachel Gander, Tourism & Marketing Development Officer, on 01962 848 556 or email rgander@winchester.gov.uk . > Download Winchester advertising opportunities ...

Tourism signage

If you would like to apply for tourist signage please contact your local authority. For signage enquiries in the Winchester District contact the Traffic and Transport Department at Winchester City Council on 01962 848 241. The following text and links ...

Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS)

VAQAS was launched nationally in 2001. It is a consumer focused quality assessment service for visitor attractions. It helps to identify strengths of an attraction and highlights development areas, based on industry examples. A wide range of attractions of all ...

Welcome to Winchester training course

Winchester Tourism has teamed up with Tourism South East , the regional tourism body, to organise a FREE customer care training course, specifically tailored to the needs of taxi drivers based in the Winchester district. The course will take place ...

Research

We are developing the research area as a resource for people finding out about the facts and figures for Winchester. For an overview of Tourism in Winchester the Tourism Strategy 2004-2008 is available to download. Tourism is also incorporated within ...

Resources for tourism students

Creating tomorrow’s workforce today If you are currently studying towards a career in tourism, or thinking of doing a course in the future, we hope that this page will give you an idea of what a job in tourism ...

The Promise of 2012

The third Winchester Tourism Summit took place on Tuesday 15th July 2008 at Winchester Guildhall, with over 70 people in attendance including delegates from local businesses and residents. The summit formed a key stage of the evidence-gathering process that ...

Creative Winchester

A Tourism Strategy for the Winchester District 2004 - 2008 The full Tourism Strategy has been broken down into smaller sections for easier download in pdf format. Click on the title to go to the relevant section. Introduction What does ...

Overseas Markets

On 21 June 2006 Winchester Town Forum held a public meeting about marketing Winchester as a destination abroad called 'Putting Winchester on the Map: Creating a higher global profile'. For an overview of the event view the Town Forum Minutes ...

About Winchester

In this section you will find information on Winchester's long and distinguished history, its famous former residents and literary connections, as well as some more unusual facts about England's ancient capital. A guided tour is an excellent way to ...

20 things you may not know about Winchester

1 . The legend of St Swithun originates in Winchester - according to the legend, the saint's remains were moved against his dying wishes from their final resting place in the grounds of the cathedral to the inner sanctum, whereupon ...

A brief history of Winchester

The settlement of Winchester begins in about 150BC when a large defended enclosure was created on the western slopes of the modern city, in the area of Oram's Arbour. Since that time, great kings and bishops have left lasting reminders ...

A Winchester life

Winchester's community is as diverse as its attractions, heritage and culture. We look at its traditions, events and landscapes through the eyes of three people who live and work in the district. Just click on the links below to read ...

As seen on screen

Winchester's atmospheric historic buildings amid scenic settings offer rich pickings for movie-makers, and a number of blockbusters and TV programmes have been filmed here over the years. You've seen the film, now visit the set ... On the big ...

Cricket in Hampshire's countryside

Jane Austen's life in Hampshire

Literary connections

On the edge of the South Downs, the city of Winchester and its surrounding district have inspired a wealth of literary classics; from Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility to John Keats ' ode 'To Autumn'. Step into the shoes of ...

Market towns

Nestling in the picturesque countryside just a stone's throw from Winchester you will find quaint rural market towns and villages that are well worth a visit. Pick up a pocket guide from the tourist information centre for the handsome ...

Publications

To help plan your trip to Winchester why not download some of our useful leaflets and brochures by following the links below or click here to see a list of all our brochures which we can send out to you.

Historic figures

Throughout history, a wealth of now-legendary historic figures have lived in or made an impact on Winchester. Some of the more notable include: King Alfred the Great (c 849-899) Scholar, soldier, statesman, King Alfred rebuilt Winchester after the Dark Ages ...

Tourist information

The city's award-winning tourist information centre is located on the ground floor of Winchester Guildhall just a stone's throw from King Alfred's Statue at the bottom of Winchester High Street. Follow this link to download Winchester Tourist Information Centre location map (1.1Mb PDF).

Get the Winchester app!

Make the most of your trip to Winchester and the surrounding area with the official Visit Winchester iphone app . The app is your essential mobile guide to the city and the Hampshire area of the South Downs National ...

Hoppa bus service

Winchester City Council's Park and Ride buses can be used as a Hoppa Bus around the town for just 70p.  The route accesses a wide variety of shops, offices and tourist attractions, as well as the trains. The daily ...

How to find us

Just one hour from London, Winchester lies surrounded by Hampshire's countryside on the edge of the South Downs - ideally placed for a short break in the South of England. The nearby maritime cities of Southampton (13 miles) and ...

Getting around in Winchester

Hoppa bus service If you need to travel to the station from the city centre, the ideal way is to use the Hoppa bus which is operated for the park and ride service. It is available for a small ...

Maps

To help you plan your journey and to make it easier to find your way around follow the links below to download our maps of Winchester and the surrounding area. Winchester city centre map (pdf) Winchester access ...

Parking

Park & ride Winchester operates a park and ride system which is easily accessible from the M3 motorway, which provides frequent bus services to all main areas of Winchester City Centre. Click here for more information including timetables, routes ...

Visitors with disabilities

Getting About Winchester is historic in nature, and streets can be narrow or uneven.  Winchester City Centre can be congested at peak times and particularly during major events for which you can check event details on our What's On page ...

Souvenirs

Winchester Tourist Information Centre sells a range of souvenirs to help you remember your visit to our lovely city.   Have a look at the list below for our top 20 items, or contact us direct to find out what ...

Top 10 tips for a greener stay

Help us to preserve the special character of the Winchester district by following these few simple steps: 1. Look for the Carbon Smart logo Book your accommodation with a member of the Carbon Smart Scheme , indicated by ...

Explore Hampshire

Winchester's central location makes it ideal as a touring base for exploring the rest of Hampshire . At just under an hour by train from London Waterloo or an hour's drive via the M3, it makes a quick escape for ...

The South Downs National Park (Hampshire area)

We all need space to recharge ourselves. The Hampshire area of the South Downs is ideal for this purpose, characterised by its steep wooded hills and hidden valleys that are home to picture-perfect villages and peaceful market towns. Nestling ...

Food and Drink in the South Down's (Hampshire Area)

If all this fresh air makes you hungry, there's no shortage of good food and places to eat.  Taste artisan cheeses, preserves or honey at a local delicatessen; try a Hampshire hog roast at a village fete; or buy a ...

Places to Visit in the South Down's (Hampshire Area)

The Hampshire area of the South Downs National Park, part of Britain's newest National Park, is an area rich in landscapes, wildlife and culture.  Take a look at some of the many attractions you can visit.... Winchester City ...

Where to stay in the South Downs (Hampshire area)

You'll find a warm Hampshire welcome awaits you - whether you choose a small country bed and breakfast, a hotel or self catering property. Why not soak up the beautiful countryside around you and rest your head under canvas? Hotels ...

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Media

If you have a media enquiry or would like to arrange a press trip email Winchester Tourism  or call 01962 848 219. Visit our press releases page for the latest news, follow King Alf on Twitter  or befriend him ...

Press releases

Click on the headlines below to view the press release. May 2013 Hampshire Farmers' Markets celebrates National BBQ Week March 2013 See Fort Nelson’s Mighty Sexton up close and personal Way of ...

Press pack downloads

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Photo gallery

Enjoyed your visit to Winchester? Send us images of people and places which you think sum up the city and surrounding area and email your image to: marketing@winchester.gov.uk - no bigger than 3 Mb. Your image may be selected to ...

Privacy policy

This page explains how  www.visitwinchester.co.uk managed by Winchester City Council uses any information you give to us, and the ways in which we protect your privacy. The Data Protection Act Under the Data Protection Act, we have ...

What is the Credit Card Security Code?

The Card Security Code is the group of numbers immediately following your credit card number. These numbers are used by your credit card company to help prevent fraud. Because the Card ID number is not printed on your receipts, it ...