Stay warm and toasty this winter at these cosy Winchester spots
From eating crumble and custard to hunkering down in a secret underground cinema, here are Winchester's cosiest things to do.
There are plenty of things to do outside in Winchester all year round, from exploring the city's pretty nature reserves and hiking the district's long-distance walking trails to hanging with the animals at Marwell Zoo, stargazing after dark at Winchester Science Centre and admiring the view from the top of Winchester Cathedral's tower. But sometimes you just want to shed your big winter coat and get cosy. Read on to discover the cosiest and most comforting things to do in Winchester right now, featuring comfort food cafés, second-hand book shops, wood-fired saunas, hot chocolate spots and ancient pubs with open fires.
Here are 10 super cosy things to do in Winchester.
Eat incredible comfort food
When it's cold outside, there's nothing better than a big plate of something warm and comforting. In Winchester, you've got lots of options. Visit Piecaramba! on Parchment Street for plates of pie, mash and gravy. Overdraft does giant burritos while Josie's serves up stacks of fluffy pancakes. Stop by the Karolcake truck on Winchester Street Market days for a generous portion of crumble and custard on the go.
Cosy up with a good book
Is there anything cosier than snuggling up in a reading nook with a good book? Pick up a new page-turner from historic P&G Wells or a second-hand novel from The Winchester Bookshop, Winchester Cathedral's Deanery Bookstall or one of the city's welcoming charity shops. Alternatively, head to The Arc to browse or borrow from Winchester's library. You'll find plenty of warm spots there to start reading too.
Visit a secret underground cinema
The ideal retreat for a cold day, The Cabinet Rooms is a cosy bar serving up warming drinks and treats. Head downstairs to their secret Foreign Office cinema, an intimate room which seats just 10 and screens classic movies and cult faves. Upgrade your ticket to enjoy a cake and a cocktail during the movie. Film fans might also want to check out Winchester's Everyman cinema, as well as Theatre Royal Winchester, where films are often screened in the auditorium.
Sweat it out in an alfresco sauna
Really warm yourself up with a trip to a wood-fired sauna. Winchester Garden Spa, which has a wood-fired sauna and hot tub, is a short walk from the city centre, with rural views of St Catherine's Hill. Wild Sauna at The Yard or the Woodland and Fallen Willow Saunas near Stockbridge are also dreamy locations to visit, a short distance from Winchester city. They are all alfresco saunas with cold plunges or swimming lakes for contrasting your newfound warmth with a little invigoration!
Try a hot yoga class
Softly lit and deliciously warm, New Energy Yoga's Lunar studio uses infrared heating, which gently warms the body from the inside out. They describe it as a "soothing, sun-like effect on the skin that helps ease tight muscles, improve circulation, and promote a calm, focused mind". Embrace the heat during a dynamic flow class, or get super cosy for a restorative session, with eye masks and blankets on hand for extra snug vibes.
Book an intimate meal out
After a dinner date with cosy energy? The Pizza Tavern is an intimate spot in a 18th century building, lit by warm fairy lights. Nearby The Chesil Rectory is all wooden beams, low ceilings and comfy seating. Winchester newbie and BYOB restaurant Olivetta serves soothing Italian classics.
Have a Sunday roast beside an open fire
Cosy = roast potatoes next to a roaring fire. Luckily there are plenty of great spots for fireside Sunday lunches in Winchester. At The Wellhouse at Lainston House, everything on the menu is smoked or cooked by woodfire, including their stellar Sunday roast. The Tichborne Arms and The Chestnut Horse are just two countryside pubs with great roasts and open fires on offer.
Play games at Winchester's new boardgame café
If cosy to you feels like an evening hunkering down with friends and a really good game to play, plan a visit to Mythic Tabletop Games. The store and social space on Parchment Street opened in the autumn, making it one of Winchester's newest additions. Book a table and you get to pick a game from their boardgame library to play with your pals.
Drink a rich 100% hot chocolate
Coffee could be cosy, but hot chocolate is cosier. Chococo in Winchester is a chocolate shop and café that does award-winning hot chocolates, made with flakes of single origin chocolate. The richest of the lot is their 100%, though there are sweeter options if that's a little too dark for you! Other places in Winchester to pick up a hot chocolate include Flat Whites, Open House Deli and Forte Kitchen, which has a healthy hot chocolate on the menu, containing collagen and ashwagandha. Røst, near Winchester station, also offers a range of rich cacao drinks.
Sip a pint in an ancient pub
There are plenty of candidates for Winchester district's cosiest pub. The Wykeham Arms, in pretty Kingsgate Village near the cathedral, is a warm and welcoming option. St James' Tavern, The Black Boy, The Fulflood Arms and The King Alfred are all characterful spots for a cosy drink in Winchester city.
