Experience unrivalled shopping in Winchester and its surrounding market towns the whole year round. Offering a tempting array of big name stores, boutiques and designer stores.
Shop local in the Winchester district
Winchester and district is filled with vibrant, unique, and hardworking independent businesses. From cosy cafes and charming boutiques to innovative artisans and skilled service providers, our local businesses are what make Winchester District truly special.
Wander through the winding streets of Winchester and you will find a retail offering that boasts independent and big name stores, chic boutiques and designer treasure troves alongside exclusive cafes, established restaurants and vibrant galleries.
Known for its quaint independent shops, medieval palace ruins and walking trails, Bishop's Waltham is just 20 minutes by car (and 50 minutes by bus) from Winchester city centre. Meander down the High Street, stopping by charming independent boutiques. For a quick bite to eat and a cup of tea, pay a visit to one of the many cafes and tea rooms.
Discover Alresford a picturesque Georgian town with colour-washed houses, riverside walks, and specialist shops. The town offers a host of independent boutiques and cafes, as well as unique local gems such as Long Barn home and garden shop and Laurence Oxley bookshop.
Wickham is a chocolate-box market town nestled in the heart of the Meon Valley. It is a must-see stop on your travels through the district. Back in the medieval market square of Wickham, you will find coffee houses, tea rooms and pubs. Don't miss The Chesapeake Mill, an old watermill famous for its wonderful range of antiques.
Celebrate Independent Retailer Month
Independent Retailer Month is a global ‘Shop Local’ campaign that runs throughout the month of July to celebrate local, independent retailers in the communities they serve. To support this, Winchester Business Improvement District (BID) recognises the city’s unique selection of independent businesses by promoting Independent Business Month and #IndieWinch businesses across Winchester.
From Tuesday 1 July, the latest FREE #IndieWinch Pocket Map will be available to help raise awareness about ‘shopping local’ and 'supporting local' in Winchester. The maps are available from independent businesses, the Visitor Information Centre, The Arc, Winchester City Museum and the local hotels. Visitors, residents and businesses are invited to use the free pocket map which showcases 200 independent shops, services, restaurants and cafes across the city centre. The pocket map conveniently lists all these #IndieWinch businesses and can be used to help navigate around the city.
Look out for the #IndieWinch window stickers too which help to identify independent businesses from their window frontage and encourage residents and visitors to shop local.
To celebrate the month, Winchester BID has created a series of short films, a montage of reels for social media and radio interviews with Winchester Radio to showcase what it means to be an independent business and why so many businesses choose to call Winchester home. Keep a lookout on social media for the faces behind your local independent businesses.
