BIG Green Summer

Help us to make Winchester a low carbon destination and get involved with the some of the fun activities happening as part of Winchester's BIG Green Summer. Organised to support The Winchester Declaration on Climate Change by promoting public engagement in activities that focus on embracing a greener lifestyle, the initiative encourages people to have fun while taking action to lower their carbon footprint. For more information about the 20:12 Winchester Declaration on Climate Change visit the WinACC website.

Why not get out and explore Winchester and its surrounding countryside on foot - take a look at our tours and trails pages or pick up some leaflets from Winchester Tourist Information Centre. If pedal powered sightseeing through some of the best conserved countryside in the UK is more your thing, hire a bike and check out our best cycling routes.

Browse our local produce markets and food shows, discover how to create delicious dishes using local ingredients, choose one of the many fun activities and learn how you can help contribute to a sustainable environment. Round off a busy day with a mouthwatering menu using the finest locally-sourced ingredients from one of Winchester's award-winning restaurants. Click on the links below to find out more.

Family fun and other events

Eating out

Local produce markets and food shows

Win our environmentally-friendly Winchester Bag!

To celebrate Winchester’s first BIG Green Summer, Winchester Tourist Information Centre is giving away a free organic cotton bag to their first customer every day from the 29 May until 30 September. You can also win a Winchester bag by completing the BIG Green Summer Word Search (also available from the tourist information centre) to enter a free prize draw. The tourist information centre is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sundays and Bank Holidays 11am to 4pm. For further information call 01962 840 500 or email.

A greener stay

Several of Winchester's accommodation providers have signed up to the Green Leaf Tourism Scheme which encourages sustainable tourism. If you are looking to reduce your carbon footprint on holiday then look for the leaf when planning your visit and see our top 10 tips for a greener stay page to help us make Winchester a low carbon destination.

Win up to £100 for green thinking

At this year’s Winchester Writers’ Conference, writers have the chance to express their awareness of the dangers of climate change and concern for sustainability of our environment in a brand new competition. 

In an article or a short story of no more than 1000 words, competitors will have to describe a time when they saw climate change in a different light and how this experience has changed their life and/or imagine stepping into the future and visiting a well known place in 2039, illustrating how the impact of extreme climate change has altered this place.

Entry fee: £7.00 if attending the Winchester Writers’ Conference; £9.00 if not attending.

Each entrant will receive an adjudication of their entry. Prizes will be presented at the Writers’ Awards Reception 1830-1945 The Stripe, Saturday 26 June.

For full list of competition rules, please contact Barbara Large MBE Founder Director Winchester Writers’ Conference, RKE, University of Winchester, Winchester, Hampshire S022 4NR. Call 01962 827 238 or email: Barbara.Large@winchester.ac.uk  

Did you know...

...the most environmentally friendly and cheapest way to travel around Winchester is by using the Park and Ride?

Why have the BIG Green Summer?

We hope Winchester's summer of green events will encourage people to get involved in Winchester's challenge to reduce its carbon footprint by 20% between 2010 and the end of 2012. So come along and take part in a series of fun activities and find out how low carbon living can also be stimulating and exciting.

To find out more about cutting your carbon footprint visit Winchester City Council's Bee Green blog.