Location: Winchester
Top Things to do in Winchester
Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Winchester, England
Winchester is a city and the county town of Hampshire, England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs National Park, along the course of the River Itchen. It is situated 61 miles (98 km) south-west of London and 13.6 miles (21.9 km) from Southampton, its closest city. At the time of the 2011 Census, Winchester had a population of 45,184. The wider City of Winchester district which includes towns such as Alresford and Bishop's Waltham has a population of 116,800.
Restaurants in Winchester
1. Old Winchester Hill
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By myrab666 - Southampton, United Kingdom
We enjoyed a very hot walk recently around Old Winchester Hill, if you like flora and fauna then this is the place especially in August as the wild flowers and butterflies were amazing. Car park near top and gentle walk to the top. The views are excellent too but be warned no picnics allowed within the site which was a shame so we had to delay our lunch until much later. We then drove onto Beacon Hill and enjoyed different views. Can thoroughly recommend but perhaps not on quite such a hot day!
2. ClueCapers Limited
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 351 reviews
ClueCapers offers escape room experiences for small teams. Receive your mission and travel to a parallel universe where you will need to work together to solve puzzles and beat challenges to achieve your goal. It makes for a memorable experience to share with family, friends or colleagues. Aimed at adults, we find many children from 9 years old make a great contribution to a family team.
Reviewed By FunkyEnglishman
As a party of 8 we split into two groups of 4 (boys vs girls!) and had the most brilliant time. We admittedly haven't done that many escape rooms to date, but of those we have this was most definitely the best so far. The staff were super friendly (and super helpful when needed to be!) and we all had great fun all round (especially as the boys escaped quicker than the girls!!!) Many thanks, and would highly recommend.
3. Winchester Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,333 reviews
Winchester Cathedral is one of the finest medieval cathedrals in Europe, nestled at the heart of historic Winchester. It has been a place of worship and welcome for over 900 years and is one of the most historically significant buildings in Britain. Step inside to marvel at the longest medieval Nave in Europe, admire stunning architecture and encounter priceless treasures including the 12th-century Winchester Bible. Winchester Cathedral is the resting place of Saxon royalty and Jane Austen, the much-loved English novelist. Don't miss the new exhibition Kings and Scribes: The Birth of a Nation which takes visitors through 1,000 years of history from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present day. One of the best ways to explore is with a guided tour, available from 10am - 3pm Monday to Saturday. After your visit, take time to enjoy delicious home-cooked food in the Cathedral Refectory with its medieval walled garden or browse the Cathedral Shop for souvenirs and exclusive gifts.
Reviewed By JaneB2282
We visited Winchester Cathedral today and can throughly recommend the 1 hour guided tour, it gave great insights into the history and stories behind this beautiful Cathedral and our tour guide Lorraine Estelle was wonderful and definitely deserves a special mention ..
4. The Gurkha Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 167 reviews
Reviewed By foxylady2014 - West Sussex, United Kingdom
small museum but packed with artefacts and weapons used by the Gurkhas in the various wars they have been in with us. Lots of medals on display and re-enactments for battles
5. South Downs Way
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 268 reviews
Reviewed By Highway272 - Brighton, United Kingdom
Hard to believe when you're walking this path that you are in one of the most densely populated parts of England. The rolling downlands are relaxing, at times breathtaking - the views of the the high weald and north Downs, the sea to the south. The path goes through three counties, Hampshire, West Sussex and East Sussex, comes ever closer to the sea until the the South Downs way becomes a coastal path from Cuckmere Haven onwards. Start at Winchester finish at Eastbourne. This way you are more likely to to have the wind on your back as well as saving the best till last. With a few exceptions it's easy walking, very few steep gradients and for long stretches softly undulating. The first few miles from Winchester pleasant enough but things don't really get going until the Meon valley, and the view from Beacon Hill is spectacular. The classic Downland structure is not evident until entering West Sussex and Harting down. From here you are aware of being on the edge of the escarpment pretty much as far as Alfriston. Much of the West Sussex section is forested, some of it rather sterile conifer plantation which also removes the views. In my opinion the East Sussex section is the most varied, beautiful and rewarding with the Seven Sisters the jewel in The crown. There are also villages on the route such as Exton, Amberley and Alfriston, beautiful villages in themselves but also offering refreshment. Between Butser hill, the highest point on the Downs, and Amberley there is nowhere are on the path to get refreshments; the same is also true from Amberley to Devil's Dyke so there are large stretches of the West Sussex path where you either need to to bring your own provisions or come down off the path. By contrast the East Sussex section has many great stop off points for coffee and and lunch. At Alfriston the the South Downs way splits into two, the northern section as far as Jevington is very rewarding but the final part to Eastbourne is fairly dismal. The southern route is thus highly recommended although the Seven Sistersisters can be the most demanding part of the whole walk. The South Downs way can be done in one go taking between 5 and 7 days or else in sections. The following are the points where the path can be picked up using public transport: Meon valley, South Harting, Cocking, Amberley (train station) Bramber, Devil's Dyke and Ditchling beacon at weekends, Southease (train station) Alfriston and Cuckmere Haven Highlights: Meon valley Butser hill Harting down Amberley Chanctonbury ring Devil's Dyke Ditchling beacon Firle beacon Alfriston Cuckmere valley Seven sisters.
6. HorsePower: The Museum of The King's Royal Hussars
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
7. The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 278 reviews
One of Winchester's six superb Military Museums telling the story of 250 years of campaigning for peace by The Royal Green Jackets and their former regiments, the 43rd and 52nd (The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry), the 60th (The King's Royal Rifle Corps) and the 95th Rifles (The Rifle Brigade). An outstanding collection of uniforms, weapons, silver, paintings and medals set over two floors. The exhibition on the first floor, entitled 'With the Rifles to Waterloo', opened in 2015 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. The centrepiece of the exhibition is the 25 square metre model of the battle with light and sound commentary. The Museum is situated in Peninsula Square, formerly the barracks and the home of the Rifle Depot. The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum shares the building with The Rifles Regimental Museum.
Reviewed By Pepsmum72
On our day in Winchester, I had to visit the Royal Green Jackets Museum as my Dad was a Marksman in the 60’s. Such a wealth of information about the Rifles throughout time. The Waterloo diorama was amazing. I’d definitely recommend a visit here
8. The Great Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,201 reviews
The Great Hall is one of the finest surviving medieval aisled halls of the 13th century and is all that remains of Winchester Castle. The Great Hall is open daily to the public offering a unique historical experience and the chance to see the greatest symbol of medieval mythology: King Arthur's Round Table. Visitors can also see Queen Eleanor's garden, a recreation of an enclosed medieval garden, providing an injection of nature. Entry charges apply, please visit our website for further details.
Reviewed By Stylish60 - Folkestone, United Kingdom
The Great Hall was stunning. The Table was very interesting but so were the stained glass windows. Lovely adjacent medieval garden and the Long Gallery was informative although it jumped around chronologically!
9. Hospital of St Cross
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 357 reviews
Reviewed By Journey18475752684 - Burnham-On-Sea, United Kingdom
Lovely church, gardens and hall to visit. I enjoyed the kitchen by the hall and a good way to spend and hour having a good look around.
10. Westgate Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Located at the top of the High Street in the historic city of Winchester, Westgate Museum is housed inside a surviving fortified medieval city gateway. The museum tells the story of this remarkable building, and the history of Tudor and Stuart Winchester. It also offers great rooftop city views. A debtors’ prison for 150 years, this beautifully refurbished listed monument is the last of the main medieval gates into the city. Today, Westgate Museum’s displays include a famous collection of pre-imperial weights and measures and a fine painted ceiling made for Winchester College in anticipation of a visit by Mary Tudor and Philip of Spain on the occasion of their marriage in Winchester in 1554. There are plenty of hands-on activities to enjoy during your visit. Try on a replica coat of armour and Tudor costumes and pose for a photograph! Make a brass rubbing to take away and have a go at the Westgate spotter trail. Throughout the year, we run a programme of family friendly activities.
Reviewed By ZD951 - Santiago, Chile
West Gate is a medieval city gate close to The Great Hall a, free museum where you can view the city from the top of the tower. Try on some armor, dress up as a squire. See what life in prison was like in the middle ages.
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