Winchester

Travel Guide

Winchester featuring heritage architecture and a fountain
Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium
Winchester which includes heritage architecture and a city
Winchester City Mill which includes heritage architecture and a river or creek
Great Hall featuring heritage architecture

This peaceful town embraces its enthralling history with museums full of ancient relics and streets lined with medieval architecture.

Be surrounded by Winchester’s past as you stroll down the city’s narrow streets, where the stories of Roman rulers and Saxon kings are interwoven with today’s family-run pubs and elegant Tudor houses. Admire grand cathedrals and mysterious ruins or discover the legend of King Arthur.

In the center of town, Winchester CathedralOpens in a new window provides the perfect first glimpse of this old city. The vast central vault and tall towers are a striking sight, while inside the long nave you will find exquisite carved-oak choir stalls. Venture deeper to view magnificent artwork and one of the few 12th-century bibles left in England.

If the cathedral’s amazing past has got your mind racing, head to the City MuseumOpens in a new window nearby. Three exhibition spaces guide you from Roman settlement all the way to World War II. Don’t miss the exhibition of ancient coins and the reconstructed Victorian street.

The lively hub of High Street lies to the north of the museum and provides a good chance to stop for some refreshment. Try a local beer or enjoy a roast dinner at one of the friendly pubs.

Visit the Westgate MuseumOpens in a new window, making sure to step through the only remaining city gate in Winchester, then continue onward to the Great HallOpens in a new window. Formerly part of a superb 11th-century castle, the hall now holds the round table, one of the region’s most important treasures. According to the famous legend, King Arthur would sit here with his 12 knights and discuss battle plans.

Take a short stroll south to view Wolvesey CastleOpens in a new window, an impressive landmark that has not stood the test of time so well. Walk through the courtyard and imagine the broken arches and lengths of stone as the grand halls and turrets that once stood here.

Winchester is a 2-hour drive southwest of LondonOpens in a new window. Stay at a luxurious hotel or one of the elegant guesthouses. At the beginning of July the Winchester Hat Fair turns the city into a festival of street theater and music.

The Winchester Hotel & Spa

The Winchester Hotel & Spa

4 out of 5
Worthy Lane, Winchester, England
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Winchester. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
Goodwood festival of speed prep night
"Lovely hotel! Looks a little like a nursing home at the front, but lovely inside. Room was clean, spacious and had all the ammenities. We chrcked out at 5am to go to goodwood and the night staff were blooming lush!"

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

The Winchester Hotel & Spa
Norton Park Hotel, Spa & Manor House

Norton Park Hotel, Spa & Manor House

4 out of 5
Sutton Scotney, Winchester, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥14,733 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
¥14,733
¥17,680 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Winchester. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Nice hotel,more attention to refilling coffee and milk in the room"

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

Norton Park Hotel, Spa & Manor House
voco Winchester Hotel & Spa by IHG

voco Winchester Hotel & Spa by IHG

4 out of 5
Telegraph Way Morn Hill, Winchester, England
Fully refundable
The price is ¥13,587 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
¥13,587
¥16,304 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Winchester. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (855 reviews)
"Friendly staff"

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

voco Winchester Hotel & Spa by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Student Only Riverside Way

Student Only Riverside Way

2 out of 5
Moorside Rd, Winchester, England
Stay at this apartment in Winchester. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Winchester Cathedral and Winnall Moors Nature Reserve ...
Student Only Riverside Way
room2 Southampton Hometel

room2 Southampton Hometel

4 out of 5
1 Queen's Terrace, Southampton, England
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Southampton. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,031 reviews)
"We were pleased with this property. The staff was friendly, room was great and food in dining area was excellent!"

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

room2 Southampton Hometel
Pinnacle Suites

Pinnacle Suites

3 out of 5
104A High Street, Cowes, England
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and conference space. Popular attractions Ryde Pier Head Terminal and Cowes Yacht ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (17 reviews)
"Had a great time here, in town for a wedding. The location is perfect and right off the red jet ferry. Zoe was also super helpful"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Pinnacle Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Winchester

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
35
5 - Excellent 88%
4 - Good
3
4 - Good 8%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very lovely and friendly town. Decent to excellent shopping and dining. Great walking town. However, the Christmas Market was gone on the 22nd. What? Why not the 24th?? So we missed one of the main reasons for choosing Winchester for the holidays.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Really fascinating history, wonderful cathedral and great pubs and museums. Oldest bar in Britain (Royal Oak dating to 1005) is very authentic and mostly original building.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

I was disappointed that there weren't any "Britain" shops. We walked all over - it was our last night in England. I was hoping to get a Christmas Ornament to remember our stay.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Would love to go back again! Beautiful historic town with lots to do and see.

5/5 - Excellent

T

Winchester superficial looks stodgy but has a surprisingly good food scene. There's masses of great places to eat—a real treat!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

So much history, so much to see within the city as well as Jane Austen’s home/museum a short bus ride away.

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