21 August 2020
Embrace your wild side and start your day at Marwell Zoo. Make your first stop Penguin Cove and enjoy seeing the penguins dive in and out of the water. Or make your way straight to Wild Explorers and immerse yourself in the natural world as you gaze out upon white rhinos, Grevy’s zebra and scimitar-horned oryx. There are so many animals to see, make sure you pick up a map at the entrance or download the Marwell Zoo app.
Don’t miss Marwell Zoo’s world exclusive, larger-than-life brick adventure – SUPERSIZED! Featuring up to 30 models of curious real-life creatures, from sneaky predators such as the venomous blue-ringed octopus to the aptly-named assassin bug, these fearsome creatures have been magnified to an eye-popping size and will be in residence until 1 November 2020.
Tickets must be booked in advance for the zoo, and are released four days in advance. Numbers into the zoo are limited so please book your tickets early and be aware cash will not be accepted on the day. More details of what to expect can be found on their website.
After a day exploring, take your hungry monkeys for dinner in the district. Take advantage of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme and enjoy 50% off of your meal (up to £10 a head) throughout August. With over 70 businesses signed up throughout the district there are so many restaurants to choose from to satisfy every appetite – find your perfect menu here.
Winchester is a district steeped in history, from England’s Ancient Capital to the site of Winchester Castle – discover it all in Winchester’s brilliant museums.
Did you know Winchester was once the capital of England? Explore the rich history of this heritage city at the Winchester City Museum, including an 1870 model replica of the city on the first floor – can you spot your favourite landmarks? The museum now has hand sanitiser and signage throughout to help maintain social distancing – read more about the measures they have put in place here.
Travel up the High Street until you reach a fortified medieval gateway at the very top – you can’t miss it. This is one of two surviving gateways into the city and now houses the Westgate Museum. Explore the remarkable story of this building, from a medieval gate to a debtor’s prison, along with Winchester’s Tudor and Stuart history. Numbers are limited into the museum and measures have been introduced to ensure visitor safety, read all about it here.
Lastly on your city centre history adventure we recommend a visit to Peninsula Barracks, home to six military museums. Each museum offers a unique look into the military history of Winchester with a fantastic collection of military objects on display. For information on when the museums are open please visit the website.
If you now have a taste for history we would recommend a day at Beaulieu National Motor Museum, exploring the history of motoring from its humble beginnings to the present day. The museum has a world famous collection of over 250 vehicles on display alongside the World of Top Gear, a collection of cars that were modified and battered on BBC’s Top Gear. If cars are not for you, explore the Victorian flower garden or stand in awe of the Palace House, once the Montagu family home. Take your little ones to Little Beaulieu and let their imaginations run wild as they explore the secret passage ways and look out through the windows in the towers. The museum has introduced a number of measures to ensure your safety, read about them here.
If after all this information you need to relax, take a walk along one of the stunning self guided trails in the city and the district. Visit or call the Winchester Visitor Information Centre or see the website here for details on the trail available. If the evening is approaching we recommend the sunset trail for fantastic views across the city.
If you are looking to get your heart pumping and enjoy the outdoors why not grab your bikes and helmets and head out on one of Winchester’s great cycling trails – a great way to enjoy the district and take in some fresh air. Try the Viaduct Way taking you out along an old railway line past St Catherine’s Hill with views over the city. This is a great route for little legs being approximately 2.6 miles and mainly flat. Why not visit the market before you leave and grab some essentials to enjoy a picnic along the way?
If you have enough time left in the day a visit to Fort Nelson will hold something for everyone, or save it for another day to fully explore all that is on offer. Delve into the history of artillery and how this has shaped the nature of battles. Are you brave enough to take on their monster hunt, a great trail for the whole family to enjoy. Find out more about what to expect from your visit here.
There are so many other places to see from the Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line to Jane Austen’s House, shopping in one of Winchester’s stunning market towns to exploring the legend of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Browse our website and be inspired…
