The sun is shining, the smell of BBQs are wafting through our neighbourhoods and, very shortly, school’s out for summer – hooray! Whether you are visiting during your summer holidays or are lucky enough to live in the area, Winchester is a haven of places to go and things to see to keep your six-week holiday bursting with fun.
Heritage Open Days
Now – 1 September
This summer, Marwell Zoo’s world-exclusive BRICKOSAURS event is now complete with five new species added. The full collection of 50 jaw-dropping LEGO brick dinosaurs are on display around the park – including an eight-metre Tyrannosaurus Rex, now protecting its new arrival – a cute, but not so cuddly, baby T Rex.
BRICKOSAURS! at Marwell Zoo
Other new ROARsome dinosaur species include a towering four-metre tall Plesiosaur, a super-sized and super spikey Stegosaurus, a colourful Mochlodon and five bird-like Archaeopteryx. Running until 1 September 2019, BRICKOSAURS and a selection of extra activities throughout the summer are included with general admission at Marwell Zoo.
Now – 4 September
Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium invites you to explore the fascinating world of environmental science.
Learn about our marvellous planet as well as the solar system and beyond by getting hands-on with fun activities in the invention studio, watching an awe-inspiring show within the Centre’s state-of-the-art planetarium and meeting inspirers who will be roaming the exhibition floor with fun science-themed busking.
Operation Earth at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium
Selected weekends from now – 1 September
Head over to Fort Nelson this summer to immerse yourself within a haven of historic exploration.
Saxons v Vikings at Fort Nelson
Throughout the summer there are a host of action-packed themed weekends inviting you to travel back in time with those who wrote history, from First and Second World War Soldiers to Victorian Engineers. There is also a weekend dedicated to all things Saxon and Viking as well as the opportunity to have a go at the junior assault course.
3 – 11 August
Meet Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends at the Watercress Line over 9 days, at their Day Out With Thomas event. Experience a ride on a real steam engine and shake hands with The Fat Controller.
Enjoy Rusty & Dusty’s entertainment show and ride the vintage fairground rides. Don’t forget to visit the Thomas themed children’s activities room. All activities and rides are included in the ticket price. There is plenty to keep the family entertained for the whole day!
Day Out with Thomas at The Watercress Line
6 & 21 August
Delve into Winchester’s most horrid history this summer on a 1½ hour walking tour that has been designed for the younger generation of city explorers and historians.
Tickets to join Winchester City Guides Children’s Walking Tour are available to purchase from the Winchester Tourist Information Centre or online. Please be aware that this is suitable for children aged 7+.
7, 14, 21 & 28 August
Family Days at Winchester Cathedral
Choose from a selection of historic eras including Noteworthy Normans, Turbulent Tudors and Adventurous Victorians. Don’t forget to pick up your very own free trail from the entrance desk on arrival.
As you reach the end of the trail there is an opportunity to get creative and make your own historic artefacts at the arts and crafts table.
Now open
Kings and Scribes: The Birth of a Nation at Winchester Cathedral
Don’t miss Kings and Scribes: The Birth of a Nation at Winchester Cathedral, an enthralling exhibition which explores over one thousand years of history from the birth of the English nation to the present day.
New for 2019, this spectacular three-level exhibition reveals Winchester’s pivotal role in shaping early English history and highlights some of the nation’s greatest treasures, including the Winchester Bible. Included with admission to Winchester Cathedral.
Now – 29 September
The Sistine Chapel
An internationally acclaimed exhibition makes its UK premiere in Winchester this summer. Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: A Different View will be on show at Winchester Discovery Centre and the Great Hall.
Officially licensed by the Vatican Museums, the exhibition allows unprecedented closeness to the works which adorn the chapel ceiling, normally 22 metres above visitors’ heads. The frescoes have been photographed at high resolution and transferred onto fabric webs to create highly detailed panels.
Free family fun continues into September with Heritage Open Days! Look out for more details in our next newsletter.
