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Rediscover the great outdoors

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Winchester boasts stunning landscapes, winding trails and wild adventures all ready to explore right from your door. Since Monday 29 March 2021 the ‘stay at home’ rule ended, replaced by the guidance to ‘stay local’, and we are allowed to meet in groups of up to six people or two households outdoors and in private gardens, and from 12 April 2021 some attractions with outdoor offerings will also be able to open. So make the most of the outdoors and discover the district.

Please continue to follow government guidance and stay local. If you are in the Winchester district and enjoying our outdoor spaces, please make sure you avoid busy areas and follow the Countryside Code – respect everyone around you, protect the environment and enjoy our beautiful countryside.

Plan ahead and make sure you visit the attraction websites linked below for full COVID-19 information, opening times, dates and information on pre-booking your tickets.

To make sure we’re keeping ourselves and others safe, continue to follow social distancing rules, wash your hands regularly and wear face coverings where necessary.

Winchester’s glorious gardens

Winchester is full of stunning gardens waiting to be explored. If you are lucky enough to live locally here are some of our favourites we can’t wait to visit again.

Chawton House Gardens – Frequently visited by Jane Austen the grounds of Chawton House have been restored to the English Landscape style with open views across the estate, a lime tree avenue with distant views into the parkland beyond and terraces. Find out more about the gardens here.

Chawton House

Gilbert White’s House gardens – If you are looking for gardens to explore Gilbert White’s House is the place to visit. With a wide variety of gardens there is something new to discover on every visit. Find out more about the gardens here.

Outside of Gilbert White and The Oates Collections

Beaulieu National Motor Museum gardens – Travel from the Victorian flower and vegetable gardens to an Alice in Wonderland inspired topiary all at Beaulieu National Motor Museum. Find fairy hidden doors and tree carvings along the Mill Pond Walk and take a stroll through the parkland to find a quiet spot to picnic. Discover the gardens here.

Family exploring beaulieu gardens

Abbey Garden – Find a moment of tranquility in the centre of Winchester in Abbey Gardens. Right off the Broadway this green open space is the perfect place to relax, have a sit down and enjoy all the colours of the beautiful flowers.

yellow flowers in Abbey Gardens

Hinton Ampner gardens – take in the gardens at Hinton Ampner with a spring stroll across the estate. Dotted with magnificent trees and fresh foliage you can meander along through the scented bluebell woods and take in the beautiful surroundings. Find out more here.

Take a walk through Winchester

Winchester is brimming with stunning, historic and inspiring trails for you to explore at your leisure. Follow in the footsteps of John Keats or Jane Austen, take in a sunset or explore one of the districts unique market towns – there is so much to discover.

Have a wild adventure

With government guidelines changing some of our brilliant attractions have been able to open their outside activities to the public.

Marwell Zoo – take a walk on the wild side at Marwell zoo and say hello to some of our favourite four legged, feathered and ferocious friends. Find out more about Marwell Zoo reopening here.

Rhino in front of Marwell Hall

Cluecapers – are you ready for a challenge? Take on Percy’s Paradox, a big outdoor adventure taking you on a fascinating loop around central Winchester. Can you solve the clues? 

Fort Nelson – home to the national collection of artillery Fort Nelson is the place to visit big guns. Find out more about visiting here.

Fort Nelson cannon