Your guide to marking Remembrance Day in Winchester district
On Remembrance Sunday (9 November) and Remembrance Day (11 November), Winchester district commemorates those who served in the Armed Forces, their families, and civilians who lost their lives in times of conflict.
What is Remembrance Day?
Remembrance Day is honoured on 11 November (Tuesday 11 November 2025), marking the anniversary of the end of the First World War at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918. Millions of people around the world join together to remember those who were lost in this conflict, and wars since. Poppies were the first flowers to grow on the battlefields of France and Belgium after the devastation of the First World War, so are worn as a symbol of this Remembrance. You can donate to the poppy appeal in many shops across the district, including the Winchester Visitor Information Centre.
Winchester Remembrance Sunday Service
Winchester Cathedral will be commemorating those who lost their lives in war and honouring the service of the armed forces and their families, past and present on Sunday 9 November 2025. The service is led by Reverend Canon Dr Roland Riem, Interim Dean of Winchester Cathedral, and the Right Reverend Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Winchester, will preach. The service begins at 10am and a two minute silence will take place at 11am when the congregation joins those gathered outside around the War Memorial in the Outer Close.
This service is expected to be very busy with many invited guests, military, veterans, uniformed organisations, schools and colleges, civic leaders and representatives of other faiths. It is recommended that you come early for a seat, as seating will be on a first-come-first-served basis. You may also join online via the Cathedral Channel. Find out more.
For Your Tomorrow: The People's Tribute
Fort Nelson is currenting hosting a powerful installation, created by charity Standing With Giants. Life-size silhouettes representing the 1,475 servicemen under British Command who gave their lives on D-Day and 50 French resistance fighters are displayed around the grounds of the fort. It's free to visit, but tickets must be pre-booked.
You can also visit the D-Day 80 exhibition, which marks the 80th anniversary year of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944. The exhibition looks at the stories of Portsmouth and the surrounding areas in the lead-up to D-Day, featuring contemporary images and accounts from local people, both military and civilian. Find out more.
Remembrance in Winchester’s market towns
Bishop’s Waltham is holding a Remembrance Day parade through the High Street and a church service at St Peter’s Church on 9 November. This is followed by a two minutes’ silence and air raid siren on 11 November on the High Street.
Alresford Community Choir is holding a Remembrance Concert on Saturday 8 November at St John the Baptist Church, raising money the Royal British Legion and SSAFA The Armed Forces Charity.
Winchester's Military Museums
Winchester's Military Museums are a grouping of five engaging museums situated in the historic site of Peninsula Barracks, and a sixth Museum located just outside the city. Each museum offers a unique experience and has its own story to tell. There are fantastic collections of medals, paintings and military objects on display across the whole site, making a trip to Winchesters Military Museums worth a visit this Remembrance weekend.
Winchester Military Trail
Winchester has a rich and varied military history. From Iron Age forts, to Civil War sites, through two World Wars to the completion of a Nuclear bunker sited at Twyford - the district’s military stories span centuries of history. If you are interested in finding out more about the military history of Winchester, ancient and modern, then follow these two informative trails – one based in the city and one taking you further afield. Find out more.
