Discover hyper-local flavours

Immerse yourself in local food and drink during your visit to Winchester. Consider shopping locally-grown produce from farm shops like Westlands Farm Shop, Hampshire Pantry, West Lea Farm Shop and Cobbs, or trying indie treats made in Winchester district, like these award-winning local products.

Don't leave Alresford without sampling some super-fresh watercress, which is grown in the watery beds which surround the town. The area is also known for it's English sparkling wine, grown at sites like Hambledon Vineyard and The Grange.

Check out pubs, restaurants and cafés that serve up local produce too. The kitchens are Lainston House near Winchester are supplied by their on-site kitchen garden, while other local faves like The Shoe at Exton and The Chesil Rectory in Winchester pride themselves on serving local produce.

Visit our most sustainable attractions

A gateway to the South Downs National Park, Winchester Science Centre has a dedicated exhibition to native species in Bio:Space! Watch the ant colony, explore outside and get hands-on while learning about the natural world. Meanwhile, the daily sustainable running of the Science Centre means it is on track to be carbon neutral by 2030.

For more nature days out, visit Marwell Zoo. More than just a place to see animals, the zoo is a leading conservation charity dedicated to preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable living. They also focus on local and global conservation projects, working to protect endangered species and their habitats.

Winchester Cathedral might be known for its medieval architecture, but did you know it is also committed to sustainability? The cathedral has implemented various eco-friendly initiatives, including energy-efficient lighting, sustainable heating systems, and water conservation measures. Stop by the cathedral's café for a bowl of 'Waste Knot' soup, made using surplus vegetables in an effort to reduce food waste.

Image: Marwell Zoo

Spend time in nature

Nestled amongst ancient buildings and cobbled streets, Winchester’s secret gardens are the perfect way to explore nature and wildlife without leaving the city centre.

Dean Garnier Garden is found next to Winchester Cathedral’s south transept and sits on the former site of a Benedictine Monastery. Bring a picnic, wander through the herb garden or take a moment for yourself under the arbours.

Follow the River Itchen within the Winnall Moors Nature Reserve. This city centre wetland is a wonderful place to escape city life and with its many paths, boardwalks and bridges, you can enjoy the walk year-round.

For a slightly longer walk, summit St Catherine’s Hill. You’ll be greeted by stunning views of the city, a copse of beech trees (the former site of a Norman chapel), and the 17th century turf ‘mizmaze’.

Image: Winnall Moors

Book an eco-friendly hotel

Winchester district offers a great array of eco-friendly hotels that blend comfort with conscious living.

Lainston House is a B Corp certified country house hotel set on 63 acres. Not just a haven of peace and tranquillity, they also implement renewable energy, sustainable recycling and water management programmes and an organic kitchen garden which supplies fresh produce for their onsite restaurants, The Avenue and The Wellhouse.

voco Winchester Hotel & Spa has recently been celebrating its Green Key Certification, awarded for their commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism. A combination of efficient lighting and cooling systems, biodegradable products and plant-based ingredients make this a great choice for an eco-traveller.

Image: Lainston House

Travel to Winchester with your EV

The InstaVolt Winchester Super Hub, located just off the A34 and minutes from the M3, offers 44 ultra-rapid chargers so you can top up your EV in minutes and get back to exploring.

With a children's play area, dog-friendly space, and on-site Starbucks, it's the perfect stop on your way into the city or before heading home. Plus, app users can take advantage of their off-peak charging rate from 8pm to 7am.

Image: InstaVolt

Explore the district by bus and on foot

Winchester district is perfectly placed to be explored by bike, train or foot. Around an hour from London, Winchester train station is within easy walking distance of the city centre, while regular bus services run around the city and connect with our market towns like Alresford, Wickham and Bishop's Waltham.

Winchester is also on many long-distance walking and cycling trails, making it easy to explore the surrounding area simply by picking up one of the routes that head out of or run near to the city. Discover the rural beauty of the district by heading out of the city on The South Downs Way, The Itchen Navigation Trail, The Clarendon Way, St James' Way or The Watercress Way, to name just a few! There are so many trails to choose from.

Stay a little longer

Slow travel is an enjoyable way to travel more sustainably. Staying somewhere longer means you're moving around less, and you also have time to explore a destination by foot or by bike, to make intentional choices about where to eat, shop and explore (rather than making rushed, time-pressured ones), and to really get to know the place you're staying in. There's so much to see and do in Winchester, you can easily while away a few days or even weeks here, discovering incredible history, browsing indie shops, exploring the area's vibrant cultural scene, eating creative dishes and enjoying Winchester's stunning rural surroundings.