Here is some useful information and website links to help you plan your days over the Christmas and New Year period – as attraction opening hours, public transport and park and ride services, may differ at this time.
Please note the Visitor Information Centre is closed for the festive break (closed 5pm Friday 22 December and reopening 10am Tuesday 2 January 2024), many of the city’s attractions are open.
Take a look below for information that may be helpful during your visit this Christmas. You can download a copy of our city centre map here.
Many of the attractions are open every day apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Check below for closures and standard opening hours. Before you visit remember to check the website of the place you are going to for any last minute updates.
878 AD
Tel: 01962 454 505
www.878ad.co.uk/your-visit/#opening-times
Closed Sunday 24, Monday 25 December and Monday 1 January.
Normal opening times apply during other periods (10am – 5pm Monday – Saturday and 11am – 5pm Sundays)
Winchester City Mill
Tel: 01962 870 057
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/hampshire/winchester-city-mill
Normal opening times apply (Wednesday – Sunday 10am to 4pm).
Winchester City Museum
Tel: 01962 863 064
www.hampshireculture.org.uk/winchester-city-museum
Closed Sunday 24, Monday 25 December and Monday 1 January.
Normal opening times apply during other periods (10am – 5pm Monday – Saturday and 11am – 5pm Sundays).
Great Hall
Tel: 01962 846 476
www.hants.gov.uk/greathall
Closed from Friday 15 December until Tuesday 26 December.
Wednesday 27 December onwards normal opening times apply (Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm).
Winchester College
Tel: 01962 621209
www.winchestercollege.org/visit-us
Closed from 17 December until Monday 1 January.
Tuesday 2 January onwards, normal opening times apply, see website for tour times.
The Arc
Tel: 01962 398 046
www.arcwinchester.org.uk/your-visit
Saturday 23 Dec: 9am – 5pm
Sunday 24 Dec: 11am – 3pm
Monday 25 Dec: CLOSED
Tuesday 26 Dec: CLOSED
Wednesday 27 – Saturday 30 Dec: 9am – 5pm
Sunday 31 Dec: 11am – 3pm
Monday 1 Jan: CLOSED
Tuesday 2 Jan onwards: 9am – 5pm
Winchester Cathedral
Tel: 01962 857 200
www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk
Saturday 23 Dec: Open for services only
Sunday 24 Dec: Open for services only
Monday 25 Dec: Open for services only
Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 Dec: Open as usual but closing at 4:30pm
Hospital of St Cross
Tel: 01962 878 218
www.hospitalofstcross.co.uk
Closed Sunday 24, Monday 25 December. Normal opening times apply all other times (Monday – Saturday 10:30am- 3:30pm).
Winchester Military Museums
General Tel: 01962 877 826
www.winchestermilitarymuseums.co.uk
The Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum: Closed from 17 December until February 2024
Horse Power Museum: Closed from 17 December, re-opening Monday 8 January
Gurkha Museum: Closed from 24 December, re-opening Tuesday 2 January
The Rifles & Royal Green Jackets Museum: Closed from 18 December, re-opening Tuesday 2 January
AGC Museum: Closed from 24 December, re-opening Tuesday 2 January
Marwell Zoo
Tel: 01962 777 407
www.marwell.org.uk/plan-your-visit/planning-your-visit-to-marwell/
Sunday 24 Dec: Open 10am – 4pm
Monday 25 Dec – Tuesday 26 Dec: Closed
Wednesday 27 Dec – Saturday 30 Dec: Member only access 1pm – 4pm
From Sunday 31 Dec: Open 10am – 4pm
Winchester Science Centre
Tel: 01962 863 791
www.winchestersciencecentre.org/visiting/opening-times
Sunday 24 Dec – Wednesday 27 Dec: Closed
From Thursday 28 Dec normal opening times: 9:30am to 5pm
**All tickets must be booked online in advance – you can even book on the day of your visit if there’s space**
The Watercress Line
Tel: 01962 733 810
www.watercressline.co.uk/timetables-prices/
Sunday 24 Dec – Tuesday 26 Dec: Closed
Steam Illuminations event from Wednesday 27 Dec – Sunday 31 December
Monday 1 January – Thursday 4 January: Closed
Steam Illuminations event from Friday 5 – Saturday 6 January
**All tickets must be booked online in advance **
Chawton House
Tel: 01420 541 010
www.chawtonhouse.org
Sunday 24 Dec – Tuesday 26 Dec: Closed
Wednesday 27 Dec – Monday 1 January 11am – 6:30pm
Jane Austen’s House
Tel: 01420 83262
www.janeaustens.house
Sunday 17 Dec – Wednesday 27 Dec: Closed
Thursday 28 to Saturday 30 December: Open 10am – 5pm
Sunday 31 Dec: Closed
Open weekends only from 6 Jan
Royal Armouries Fort Nelson
Tel: 01329 233 734
www.royalarmouries.org/fort-nelson
Sunday 24 Dec – Tuesday 26 Dec: Closed
Open daily 10am to 4pm
Stagecoach Buses – www.stagecoachbus.com
Sunday 24 Dec: Sunday service with earlier finish on some services
Monday 25 Dec: No service
Tuesday 26 Dec: No service
Wednesday 27 – 30 Dec: Saturday service
Sunday 31 Dec: Sunday service with all services finishing by 8pm
Monday 1 Jan: No service
Tuesday 2 Jan: Normal service resumes
Bluestar Buses (to Southampton) – www.bluestarbus.co.uk
Sunday 24 Dec: Sunday service
Monday 25 Dec: Limited service (see website)
Tuesday 26 Dec: Sunday service
Wednesday 27 – 30 Dec: Saturday service
Sunday 31 Dec: Sunday service
Monday 1 Jan: Sunday service
Tuesday 2 Jan: Normal service resumes
Southwestern Trains – www.southwesternrailway.com
Sunday 24 Dec: Sunday service with earlier finish on some services
Monday 25 Dec: No service
Tuesday 26 Dec: No service
Wednesday 27 – 30 Dec: Revised Saturday service
Sunday 31 Dec: Revised Sunday service
Monday 1 Jan: Revised Sunday service
Tuesday 2 Jan: Normal service resumes
Taxi services will operate over the festive period but it is recommended that you pre-book. Local companies include but are not limited to:
Wintax Taxis: 01962 878 727
Wessex Cars: 01962 877 749
Please be aware that there will still be a charge to park in city centre carparks over the Christmas and New Year period. For further information please visit www.winchester.gov.uk/parking
National train times www.nationalrail.co.uk
National Express information www.nationalexpress.com
Travel information www.traveline.info
