Plan a fun and purse-friendly day out in the city
The best things in life are free - and that includes all these great things to do in Winchester that won't cost you a thing. Whether you're travelling on a shoestring budget, visiting Winchester before payday or just looking for ways to spend your time that don't involve your bank card, look no further.
From art galleries to ancient ruins, historic attractions to pretty parks, you could easily fill an entire trip with Winchester's free things to do.
At certain times of year you'll even find the city taken over with free festivals. We've got COWfest (Children of Winchester festival) which puts on free kids events, the Hatfair, the city's famous festival of street performance and outdoor art, and Heritage Open Days, which sees historic spots open their doors to the public for free.
Here's how to have an amazing free day out in Winchester city without spending a penny.
Curated by the Visit Winchester team. Created 5 February 2026.
The Arc
The Arc on Jewry Street in Winchester houses Winchester library as well as event spaces and two art galleries. You can explore the library, browse and borrow books and make use of cosy spaces for a read, all for free. The City Space gallery also puts on free exhibitions year round. You can also join free events taking place at The Arc, which range from Rhymetime (0-5s) to knitting, scrabble and puzzle sessions.
Winnall Moors
A nature reserve right in the city centre, Winnall Moors is a chalk stream wetland where the River Itchen flows. It's a haven for wildlife and makes for a peaceful place to wander, thanks to paths, boardwalks and bridges. Look out for wildflowers, kingfishers, swans and deer. You won't believe you're so close to the High Street.
St Catherine's Hill
An ancient hill fort with a historic mizmaze and mega views of Winchester and the surrounding countryside, St Catherine's Hill is a Winchester favourite. To reach the hill you simply walk out of town, along College Street to join the Itchen Navigation Trail through the water meadows until you reach the 300+ wooden steps which will take you to the top. There's a café at the bottom of the hill if you need a refuel before making your way back into town or further out into the countryside on one of the many walking routes that pass near the hill.
The Winchester Gallery
Run by Winchester School of Art, The Winchester Gallery is free and open to the public. The gallery hosts a calendar of temporary exhibitions, often featuring work from alumni. The site is between the High Street and River Park.
Winchester College Treasury Museum
Founded in 1382, Winchester College is one of the oldest schools in the country. It's set in a beautiful, historic site which you can explore on a guided tour for £12.60. For your free day out in Winchester though, you'll want to head straight to the Winchester College Treasury Museum, which is open to the public for free between 2 and 4pm every day. The museum houses the school's impressive collections of art and archaeology. A free children's trail is also available.
Winchester City Mill
A petite National Trust property at the bottom of Winchester High Street, the City Mill is an ancient watermill with island garden (plus NT staples: a café and second-hand bookshop). You can discover the mill's fascinating 1,000-year-history for free, even if you're not a National Trust member as it's totally free to enter.
Wolvesey Castle
The former home of the influential Bishops of Winchester, Wolvesey Castle is tucked away on College Street behind Winchester Cathedral. The palace is now atmospheric ruins, largely from the 12th Century. Managed by English Heritage, they are free to explore and open to the public daily.
Winchester Cathedral
Entry to visit Winchester Cathedral costs £13 for an adult (free for 11 and under) though if you're going in to worship, attend a service or light a candle, entry is always free. The gardens and grounds are free to explore also, including the Dean Garnier Gardens, which offer a place to pause with pretty cathedral views.
Lunchtime concerts at the Hospital of St Cross
Head to The Hospital of St Cross on selected Thursdays throughout the year to enjoy a free 45-minute lunchtime concert in a stunning historic setting. You can find dates and more information here.
Abbey Gardens
There are lots of lovely parks and green spaces in Winchester city that are free to explore. Abbey Gardens is a central one which consists of pretty formal gardens perfect for picnics as well as a really good play area for kids, with new facilities and lots of space for running around.
Jane Austen Statue
A new addition to central Winchester, a statue of Jane Austen, with her writing table and pen, can be found in Winchester Cathedral's inner close. It was installed in October 2025 to mark the 250th anniversary of the beloved novelist's birth. You can also walk from here to College Street to see the outside of the house where Austen died, or to browse P&G Wells, a historic bookshop where Jane herself may have shopped.
Sunset Trail
Bookmark this one as the way to finish off a free day out in Winchester. The Sunset Trail is a self-guided walking trail around the eastern part of central Winchester. The route takes in the brilliant views from St Giles's Hill, which look especially lovely at dusk, as the sun sets over the city. The trail is free to download here, or you can pick up a printed copy from the city's Visitor Information Centre for a small fee.
Winchester's street markets
You don't need to part with any pennies to enjoy browsing Winchester's street markets - though it's likely you'll be tempted to! The High Street is lined by market stalls from Thursday to Sunday. The offer changes depending when you visit - Winchester has a Street Market, an Antiques, Vintage, Retro & Collectables Market, an Art & Design market and a Farmers' Market - and they're all fun to explore.
Outdoor art
Download the free Eye-Openers guide and make your way around Winchester city centre spotting public art as you go. You'll find statues, sculptures, colourful painted bollards and murals. The most recent addition to the city's public art scene is outside Theatre Royal Winchester, where the pavement is painted with colourful patterns and shapes.
