Find out how you can celebrate World Book Day in Winchester
This year, World Book Day is being celebrated on March 2026. It is dedicated to authors and illustrators, and encourages young people across the globe to pick up a book and discover the joy of reading.
Winchester is lucky to have some fantastic connections to books. Jane Austen spent her final weeks here and is buried in Winchester Cathedral. John Keats was inspired to write his Ode to Autumn after a visit to The Hospital of St Cross. Winchester is also home to what is thought to be Britain's oldest bookshop!
From exploring the literary history of the city, to finding your next favourite read at one of our independent bookshops, Winchester has a whole world of books just waiting to be discovered.
Read on to find out how you can celebrate World Book Day in Winchester.
Curated by the Visit Winchester team. Updated: 3 March 2026.
Learn about Jane Austen's Winchester
Jane Austen was born and grew up in Hampshire, spending her formative years in the place and society that inspired so many of her novels. After her health worsened in 1817, she came to Winchester for medical treatment. She eventually died here just a few weeks later. Using our trail, Jane Austen's Winchester, you can explore notable Georgian buildings, walk in Jane’s footsteps and discover the people and places that marked her final weeks.
This trail take you to explore Winchester Cathedral, where Jane Austen is laid to rest. Visitors are invited to leave letters and flowers next to Jane Austen’s brass memorial plaque, at the side of her grave.
Just around the corner from Winchester Cathedral is Winchester City Museum, where three of Jane's personal possessions are exhibited – two purses and her personalised ivory spool case.
Just beyond the city, in the village of Chawton, is Jane Austen's House, where she lived, wrote and published her novels. Here, you can discover events, exhibitions, special festivals and more!
Walk in the footsteps of John Keats
The English Romantic poet, John Keats, stayed in Winchester during the late summer and early autumn of 1819. Keats enjoyed a daily walk through the Cathedral Close and water meadows to St Cross.
Inspired by the natural beauty of Winchester on Sunday 19 September 1819 he penned his ode ‘To Autumn’ on his return. The area has changed little in the 200 years since Keats visited - take the walk yourself using this self-guided trail.
You will end the Keats Walk at The Hospital of St Cross. Founded in 1136, the hospital is the country’s oldest charitable institution and still functions as an almshouse. Those arriving on foot may ask for the Wayfarer’s Dole, bread and ale which has been given to travellers since the almshouse was founded.
Take a tour of Winchester's bookshops
Winchester is home to a wonderful selection of independent and pre-loved bookshops, so why not do a Winchester bookshop-crawl and find your next favourite read?
The Winchester Bookshop is tucked behind a passageway off St Georges Street, The Winchester Book Shop has three floors of antiquarian, second-hand, vintage and nearly new books.
The Deanery Bookstall is nestled in the Inner Close of Winchester Cathedral. It stocks a wide range of second-hand books of every genre.
Kingsgate Books & Prints is a unique gallery selling prints, antique maps and engravings. You'll find a selection of second-hand books under the archway of Kingsgate.
P & G Wells is Winchesters longest-running business and thought to be Britain's oldest bookshop! Browse a selection of books from bestsellers to local authors.
Watch a words some alive on-stage
Theatre Royal Winchester has a stellar programme of stage productions taking place this spring. World Book Day is the perfect reason to enjoy a book-to-stage adaptation, see a play come to life, or watch inspirational spoken word.
On 5 to 7 March, step into a world of tragedy and tyranny with Flabbergast Theatre's production of Macbeth. This Shakespearean classic is supported by exhilarating live music and a powerful ensemble cast. It's not one to miss!
On 8 March, Theatre Royal Winchester presents Taking Up Space, a special afternoon celebrating creativity, community, and the voices of women. In the lead-up to the event, participants will take part in a workshop with local poet and spoken word artist, Jo Fisher, culminating in a showcase of fresh, new talent.
Later this spring, little ones can enjoy two book-to-stage adaptations. Mischief and mayhem will be taking centre stage in Dr Seuss' Cat in the Hat from 7 to 8 April. Then, get ready for A Squash and a Squeeze, a musical adaptation of the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson, from 17 to 19 April.
See what's on at Winchester Books Festival
Winchester Books Festival 2026 is taking place from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 April. There's an extraordinary line up of authors for a weekend filled with inspiration, imagination and lively discussion, including Sir Tony Robinson, Mary Portas, Tom Gilbey, Dame Vikki Heywood, Kathy Lette and more!
From captivating fiction and thought-provoking non-fiction to enchanting children’s stories, join the festival in celebrating the best of books and the writers who create them.
