23 Best & Fun Things to Do in Winchester (Hamphshire, England)

Winchester is a cathedral city located in Hampshire, England. Winchester had a population of 45,184 at the 2011 census. 

The city evolved from the Roman town of Venta Belgarum, which became an Iron Age Oppidum. 

It was one of the most important cities in the country until the Norman Conquest in the eleventh century. Winchester has become one of the most costly and affluent areas in the United Kingdom.

Some of England’s oldest institutions can be found in this city. Amongst the fun things to do in Winchester is exploring these landmarks, a notable landmark is the Winchester Cathedral, which houses Winchester College and the University of Winchester. 

Come day or night, this city always has something to do and places to tour, from Winchester Cathedrals to the Great Hall and Science museum.

Monuments such as the ruins of the Bishop’s place and the Great Hall of Winchester Castle are many proofs of the city’s power in the old times when it was home to kings and hosted the nuptial between Queen Mary and Philip II of Spain. 

Are you planning on visiting Winchester? Here are the best things to do in Winchester, Hampshire.

Things to Do in Winchester

1. Great Hall

One of the best things to do in Winchester, Hampshire, is to tour the incredible Great Hall. 

The last existing part of Winchester Castle is the Great Hall, raised between 1222- 1235. The Great Hall is now open as a museum. 

Winchester Castle was a royal home for centuries and was the scene of some significant events, such as the trial of Sir Walter Raleigh for treason In 1603. 

This attraction is one of the best surviving Medieval halls in the United Kingdom, constructed with flint walls, door openings, and limestone windows. 

When you enter inside, you wouldn’t be able to ignore the copy of the Arthurian Round Table, going back to the 13th century and the renovated during the reign of Henry VII. 

The table displays the names of King Arthur’s court members, surrounded by a White Tudor rose. 

You can view the fantastic stained glass and marble columns, and stroll to Queen Eleanor’s Garden, planted in the manner of the 13th century. 

Address:The Castle, Castle Avenue, Winchester SO23 8UJ, United Kingdom

2. Winchester College

Winchester College was established in 1328. The college is undoubtedly the oldest among the seven public schools in England. 

Winchester College has been situated in its current location for more than 600 years, so you don’t want to miss the opportunity to see what the inside of the school looks like. 

Since the school is operating, you can only visit through a guided tour, which takes place at set times throughout the year. 

When you visit Winchester College, the tour guide will show you around the medieval center of the school to view the Gothic Chapel from the 14th century with a wooded vaulted roof, The College Hall, the chamber Court, a Medieval Cloister, a red brick school from the 17th century, and the original Scholar’s Dining Room. 

Address: College St, Winchester SO23 9NA, United Kingdom

3. Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium

Among the best places to visit in Winchester, Hampshire, with kids is the Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium. 

Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium is located at Morn hill on the edge of the town. It is an interactive science technology designed for children and has existed since 2002. 

The Science Center has over 100 activities that deal with topics such as the Physics of gases, magnetism, the digestive system, sport science, static electricity, and lots more. 

The Planetarium has the hugest capacity in the United Kingdom and stand-alone movies, screens, and presentations conducted by astronomers. 

This attraction also holds evening stargazing events while there are live shows, workshops, and demonstrations for kids throughout the year. 

Address: Telegraph Way, Winchester SO21 1HZ, United Kingdom

4. City Mill

The Winchester City Mill is a renovated water mill located on the River Itchen in the heart of Winchester. 

The National Trust owns the Mill and is a Garde II listed building. The Domesday Book of 1086 reveals that the Mill has existed since the 11th century. 

Up to the 1500s, the City Mill was called the Eastgate Mill, but it was changed to City Mill after Queen Mary gave it to Winchester to compensate for the cost of her wedding. 

City Mill was last rebuilt by James Cook in 1744. The Mill was also used as a laundry during the First World War. 

In 2004, this attraction was reopened after 12 years of renovation. It was able to manufacture flour by water power for the first time since the early 1900s. 

Visit City Mall, try to mill your flour using hand quern, and observe how bread was baked in the city for centuries. One of the top things to do in Winchester, Hampshire, is to explore City Mill.

Address: Bridge St, Winchester SO23 0EJ, United Kingdom

5. The Winchester Hotel

Winchester Hotel is located in the center of ancient Winchester. It has been one of the most popular destinations for holidays, weekend getaways, and spa treatments for more than 20 years. 

The Hotel features 96 cozy bedrooms across four rooms, a relaxing spa with various professional treatments for men and women, a refreshing pool and hot tub, and an elegant bar and restaurant to enjoy the day. 

The Hotel also has a jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, and Alfred’s restaurant for you to enjoy delicious meals.

Car parking is available on the site, but it’s not free. The Winchester Spa offers varieties of beauty and holistic treatments, including a spa lounge. 

The Hotel also features free WiFI, an in-room fridge in all the air-conditioned rooms, and an en-suite bathroom. 

Alfred’s restaurants offer a seasonal menu, using local produce to make them. Meals are served on the outdoor terrace or the dining room, while the bar offers different light meals, snacks, and drinks. 

Address: Worthy Ln, Winchester SO23 7AB, United Kingdom

6. Wolvesey Castle

Wolvesey Castle is located on a River island near Wolvesey Cathedral. It was the home of many bishops during the Middle Ages. 

The castle was established in the 10th century by the Bishop Æthewold of Winchester.

Wolvesey Castle was broken down during the English Civil War. Most of the things you will see here are from the 1100s palace of Bishop Henry Blois, King Stephen Sibling. 

The English Heritage takes care of the site, and the vast ruins reveal the splendor of the palace during Medieval times. 

Queen Mary and Phillip II of Spain held their wedding breakfast in Wolvesey Castle in 1554. 

When you stand in the complex, you can spot the rubbles of the hall, which has a whole Norman Romanesque window and a circular arch 

Address: College St, Winchester SO23 9NB, United Kingdom

7. Westgate Museum

The remainder of the city’s main Medieval gate, the Westgate, has an architecture that dates back to Anglo-Saxon times. 

The gate was rebuilt in the 12th century and amended in the centuries that followed when it was handed the earliest gunports in the county. 

This gate covered with old graffiti on the walls was the prison of a debtor until the 1800s and has since been the home to a museum showcasing the town’s Tudor and Stuart history. 

The most remarkable exhibit at the museum is a painted ceiling made for Winchester College in preparation for the wedding of Queen Mary and Philip of Spain in 1554. 

Address: High St, Winchester SO23 9AP, United Kingdom

8. Winchester Cathedral

The astounding Winchester Cathedral is over 170 meters long, making it the tallest Gothic Cathedral in Europe. 

Winchester Cathedral was established in 642, and construction began on a new structure in 1079 after the Norman Conquest. 

The interior of Winchester Cathedral includes a late Gothic Fan Vaulting and the Romanesque section of the wall. 

Another important highlight is the rare collection of the bronze statues of Charles 1 and James 1. 

Other features include the tomb of numerous Saxon kings, including Alfred the Great, and the impressive 11th-century wrought iron Pilgrim’s Gate. 

You can see the outstandingly detailed 1400s screen at the high altar displaying the crucifixion, pictures of saints, and crockets. 

The Parliamentarians broke the West Window in 1964, and the pieces were haphazardly replaced as a sort of collage in the 1660s. Winchester Cathedral is one of the best places to visit in Winchester, Hampshire.

Address: 9The Cl, Winchester SO23 9LS, United Kingdom

Also, check out the best of attractions and activities in Bude, and Northampton for a fun vacation in England.

9. Buttercross

As you explore the picturesque city of Winchester, keep your eyes peeled for the gorgeous Medieval monument located on the old market square on the High Street. 

The Buttercross goes back to the 15th century and is embellished with pinnacles.

The Ornate tracery and the crockets feature 12 statues showing the virgin Mary, Saints, and figures from Winchester’s history. 

In 1770, the town sold Buttercross to MP Thomas Dummer. However, when he tried taking it to Otterbourne, a close village, the people of Winchester revolted, and he had to quit the plan. 

Address: 106a High St, Winchester SO23 9AH, United Kingdom

10. Winchester City Museum

One of the top things to do in Winchester, Hampshire, is to learn about the city at Winchester City Museum. 

Winchester City Museum imitates the style of a Tudor hall. The Winchester City Museum was birthed in 1861 and was among the first purpose-constructed museums outside London. 

One major exhibit is the Winchester Model, a delicately detailed scale model of Winchester in the Victorian age. 

The Roman Venta Gallery features Roman artifacts from venta Belgarum, such as pieces of statues, glassware, mosaics, and figurines. 

There are models with scenes from life in the city at different points in its long past. 

Children will have the opportunity to be involved with designing an Anglo-Saxon pot, brass rubbing, and putting on all types of costumes ranging from Edwardian to Roman. 

Another exhibition at the museum shows the last days of Jane Austen, who died in the town in 1817. Her ivory spoon case and two of her purses are showcased in the museum. 

Address: The Square, Winchester SO23 9ES, United Kingdom

11. Old Winchester Hill

On your checklist of what to do in Winchester, Hampshire, is to check out Old Winchester Hill. Old Winchester Hill has been a popular beauty spot since the Victorian age and beyond. 

This 150-acre National reserve was primarily designed for its many orchid species, butterflies, and chalk grassland.

The scrub is suitable for bird watching, and the chances of sporting a Buzzard Overhead or a Red Kite are high.

Kite flying is not allowed here because the birds may see the kites as predators and fly away or hide.

Old Winchester Hill is rich in archaeology from the Stone Age to the Second World War. There is an accessible trail at the southern side of the reserve with designated disabled parking close by, which carries you to the hill fort.

Most of this destination is flat, and the most famous areas, including the fort, are probably accessible to a majority of powered wheelchairs. 

Address: Hayden Lane, Winchester SO32 3NQ England

12. St Catherine’s Hill

St Catherine’s Hill is located above the east bank of River Itchen, almost south of Winchester. 

This 97-meter rounded chalk hill possesses a 58-hectare nature reserve and elevates the best view of the town. 

The meadow on the slopes is covered with wildflowers during early summer when over 25 butterfly species can be seen. 

This attraction was a fort during the Iron Age, and the earthwork is still very visible. 

To the East and South, you will discover the Plague Pits Valley, where massive graves from plague outbreaks were dug. On your list of what to do in Winchester, Hampshire, should be a visit to St Catherine’s Hill.

Address: Bull Drove, Winchester SO23 9PA, United Kingdom

13. The Royal Green Jacket Museum

The Royal Green Jacket is one of the best regimental museums in England. It is located opposite the great hall and within a stress-free distance of the city centre. This attraction was opened in 1989.

It is among Winchester’s five military museums. The museum is visited by thousands of people each year, and it records, visually, entertainingly, and graphically the heritage of the Royal Green Jackets and their predecessors. 

These predecessors were among the best and most reputable regiments in the British Army. 

Located in that same building but separate from the Museum is The Rifles Collection permitting guests to follow the history of the Rifle Regiment into recent times. 

The Museum showcases stories of the part played by the regiments in their movement for peace for more than 250 years and how the regiment’s attitude to soldiering and readiness to accept new ideas were frequently ahead of the rest. 

Additionally, the Museum offers a proper focus on courage with a unique Victoria Cross exhibit, including a touch screen allowing guests to access comprehensive information about the actions and private histories of every regiment’s 59 Victoria Cross winners. 

Address: Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Rd, Winchester SO23 8TS, United Kingdom

14. Hotel du Vin & Bistro

Hotel du Vin & Bistro is situated in the historic town of Winchester. It offers a restaurant and free Wi-Fi for all guests. 

The rooms have a flat-screen TV with a satellite channel, a minibar, air conditioning, a private bathroom, a shower, a bath, and a hairdryer. 

You will discover a 24-hour front desk, bath, and garden at this hotel. Other facilities at the hotel include luggage storage, meeting facilities, and laundry. 

In the stunning Bistro du Vin restaurant, you will experience stylish and info settings for lunch and dinner where you can meet with your family and celebrate or spend a fun afternoon or evening. 

The meals prepared in this restaurant are very much motivated by homestyle French cooking with flavourful earthly dishes and slow-cooked food. 

The best chefs cook the meals since the restaurant is focused on making the best dishes. The staff at the restaurant are outstandingly knowledgeable and happy to explain the meals, the ingredients, and how the foods are made. 

Address:14 Southgate St, Winchester SO23 9EF, United Kingdom

15. Highclere Castle

Although this destination is approximately 25 miles north of Winchester, Highclere Castle is a home that has become one of the main tourist attractions in England, primarily due to its role in the successful Downtown Abbey TV show. 

Highclere Castle is located in Newbury, 30 minutes from Winchester. Earls of Carnarvon’s ancestral home has been Highclere Castle since 1979. It was designed by the architect of the Houses of Parliament In London, Sir Charles Barry. 

Prepare to spend a few hours touring this impressive 1,000-acre mansion and the 18th-century park with fantastic views of the North Hampshire Downs. 

Highlights of a visit include an opportunity to see the mansion’s magnificent gothic saloon, with its rare leather wall covering. 

Additionally, you will see the state dining room with fabulous portraits and the library with its 5,600 unique books. 

Other popular areas worth touring include the smoking and drawing room. Private guided tours are also available. 

Address: Highclere Park, Highclere, Newbury RG20 9RN, United Kingdom

Check out other cities in England. Here is  a list of things to do in Cleethorpes, and things to do Cromer in for a fun time

16. Marwell Zoo

One of the fun things to do in Winchester, Hampshire, is to see the animals at Marwell Zoo. 

Marwell Zoo is located almost out of Winchester in Owselebury. The Zoo is connected to a conservation charity and serves as a home for over 180 species. 

Marwell Zoo is situated on the site of the Grade I listed Marwell Hall, which goes back to the 13th century. 

This Zoo has a more massive collection than any United kingdom Zoo, from Arabian oryxes to Chapman’s Zebras. 

The animals in Marwell Zoo are arranged into a host of themed zones, such as Africa with the Rothschild giraffes, sable antelopes, and Old World monkeys. 

Scales, Feather, and Fur, have an avairy you can walk through, Madagascar tree boa, a reptile house with Egyptian tortoise and Gila monsters. 

Kids will love Penguin cove and World of Lemurs, where there can see different lemur types from a glass corridor. 

Address: Thompson’s Ln, Colden Common, Winchester SO21 1JH, United Kingdom

17. Hospital of St Cross

Winchester is an enormous Medieval almhouse set in the 1130s when the city’s Bishop was Henry of Blois. 

The Hospital of St Cross resembles the college at Cambridge or oxford in the way it is built on quadrangles. 

Hospital of St Cross has remained a private operating foundation. It houses 25 brothers but accepts visits. 

You can go into the stunning Norman and Gothic Church, the Old Kitchen, and Brethren’s Hall. 

The Brethren Hall is where the brothers met for meals for centuries and are filled with Medieval items like a gallery for musicians and a raised dais for the Master. 

Also, you can request for the bread called the Wayfarer’s Dove. In addition, a horn of beer is given to anybody who wants it. 

Address: St Cross Back St, Winchester SO23 9SD, United Kingdom

18. River Itchen

River Itchen is a chalk stream with superb clear waters and plenty of wildlife that you can see from its banks, such as water voles, otters, kingfishers, white-clawed crayfish, and kingfishers. 

You can take the path by the River, see some of the town’s beautiful old properties, and view some sights like Wolvesey Castle, Alfred the Great, and the City Mill. 

Also, you can continue to move forward towards the South, out of Winchester, via water meadows along the Itchen Way, which flows along the Itchen Navigation, a 17th-century Canal. 

Address: River Itchen, United Kingdom

19. Gurkha Museum

The old rifle depot of Winchester’s peninsula Barracks is home to a museum that showcases the gripping history of the Gurkhas, Nepalese soldiers drafted by the British Army during the past 200 years. Six-cap badged units are still in the army even today. 

The Gurkhas have constantly been celebrated for their bravery. In their service, they have received 26 Victoria Crosses, the number one honor for gallantry in the United Kingdom military. 

This Museum features the campaigns that the Gurkhas battled in, from Falklands to East Timor. 

You can see photos and footage on touchscreen displays. You can also admire the tableaux, paintings, uniforms, badges, weapons, and war trophies. 

The museum also displays ten of the 26 Victoria crosses received by the Gurkhas. 

Address: Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Rd, Winchester SO23 8TS, United Kingdom

20. King Alfred the Great Statue

One of the most easily noticed landmarks in the city of Winchester is the eye-catching statue of King Alfred the Great, which is located close to the site of the city’s medieval East Gate. 

Hamo Thornycroft, RA, designed the Statue of King Alfred the Great. This statue was erected in 1899 to record one thousand years since Alfred died. 

The statue’s most symbolic part is how the sword is positioned. The sword is set with the point facing down and gripped beneath the hilt. 

This position is symbolic because Alfred the Great was a battleground hero and an early Christian leader because the swords stand for the cross.

The sword was designed to be removable, but the rest of the status is a single, strong bronze casting. 

Address:65 The Broadway, Winchester SO23 9BE, United Kingdom

21. Theatre Royal Winchester

Among the several fun things to do in Winchester, Hampshire, is to enjoy a live performance at Theatre Royal Winchester. 

Theatre Royal Winchester is a stunning Edwardian-style, 400-seat theatre located im the center of the city. 

Theatre Royal Winchester offers a variety of programmes, including drama, dance, music, talks, and family theater around the year, including a large famous traditional family pantomime every December. 

Also, the theatre gives frequent backstage tours. Theatre Royal Winchester has a Café Bar that opens from Tuesday to Wednesday, serving coffee, tasty cakes, and other light snacks. 

The Café Bar has a lot of space for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The café is also dog friendly and has free Wi-Fi. 

Other facilities of Theatre Royal Winchester include a lift, Entrance Flat without steps, accessible toilets, and Hearing Loop System. 

Address: Jewry St, Winchester SO23 8SB, United Kingdom

22. Winchester Tourist Information Centre

This award-winning Tourist Information Centre is situated in the Victorian Guildhall building. 

The expansive center offers an extensive range of services. The experienced, polite, and friendly team has an impressive knowledge of the city, including accommodations, places to stay, maps of the area, and local transport. 

Furthermore, The Winchester Tourist Information Center provides several services for locals and guests, including Winchester souvenirs, publications, and postcards. 

The Center also makes provisions for a guided tour of the city, local produce, art, and jewelry. 

There are also tickets for different events happening in the local area, photocopying service, and free internet access points. 

Address: Winchester Guildhall, High Street, Winchester SO23 9GH, United Kingdom

23. Wykeham Arms

Wykeham Arms is a unique 18th-century hotel between Winchester Cathedral and the College, situated in the quietest corner of the city.

The Hotel, maintaining many original features, is well known for its charm, fine wines, excellent food, local ales, and log fires. 

Wykeham Arms features varieties of individual-designed, comfortable bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. 

The traditional restaurant and cheerful bar are filled with memorabilia and have a warm atmosphere. Wykeham Arms Hotel is a fantastic location from which to explore the city. 

Address: 75 Kingsgate St, Winchester SO23 9PE, United Kingdom

Check out our list of things to do in Huntingdon, things to do in Crewe, and things to do in Basildon for a fun time in these cities of England.

Plan Your Trip to Winchester

Winchester is reputable for its eleventh-century Cathedral and the Great Hall, which has provided shelter to the remarkable King Arthur’s Round Table for more than 700 years. 

The town is England’s ancient capital and the old seat of King Alfred the Great. 

Winchester is home to good food and the burial place of author Jane Austin 

There are many things to do in Winchester because the town is filled with animated street theatre, a thriving modern art scene, and striking architecture, making it a compelling destination for guests.