Winchester Tourist Information

Winchester has been a popular tourist destination formuseum piece; there are still 25 Brothers, whose
over 300 years. Once, a favourite summer residenceapartments form one side of the historic quadrangle.
for London's aristocracy and leading socialites,Winchester's City Museum is situated between the
Winchester is now a year-round destination for peopleHigh Street and the Cathedral. It was the first purpose
from around the world.built museum to be built outside of London. Inside the
Winchester was once the ancient capital ofmuseum there are four models of the city that illustrate
Anglo-Saxon England; it was the capital city of ahow the City has changed through the centuries.
region of England called Wessex. The city's rulersThere are also period shop interiors of shop that once
spent large sums of money on building churches,traded in the City. The shops interiors were saved and
palaces, parks, and of course, the Cathedral. The cityrelocated when the shops closed. A recent addition is
is rich in history and many famous figures from Englishthe Roman `Venta´ Gallery with displays of
history have visited, lived, worked and died inmosaics that were discovered in archaeological digs in
Winchester. The city is now the administrative capitalthe city. The 'Floral' mosaic was found in Brooks and is
of the county of Hampshire - a county that manythe earliest found in Winchester. You can see a
regard as being the quintessential English county, withfragment of it in the museum.
rolling hills, downs, pretty villages and crystal clear rivers.Winchester City Mill spans the River Itchen in the heart
Winchester has many attractions for the visitor. Theof Winchester. The City once had dozens of mills
first port of call should be Winchester Cathedral. Thescatters about but all fell into disuse. The name City Mill
cathedral is probably England's most beautiful. It'scame into being after Queen Mary Tudor gifted it to
setting, just off the High Street, is idyllic, beingthe city in 1554 following her wedding in the nearby
surrounded by a park with tree-lined avenues.cathedral. The mill has been restored to full working
Construction of the present day cathedral began inorder and the visitor can now see wheat being ground
1079. There is a small admission fee but one reallyinto flour.
should go inside to appreciate the beauty of theWinchester Great Hall was built in 1232-1240, by Henry
cathedral. Also, you can see the tombs, of someIII. The Great Hall is the only remaining part of the 13th
ancient Kings of England as well as the tomb of JaneCentury Winchester Castle that remains above
Austen, the famous novelist. Winchester Cathedralground. It houses the greatest artefact of medieval
Choir is recognized as one of Britain's leading cathedralmythology; "The Round Table of King Arthur". The
choirs, both for its singing of the services and innames of the 24 knights are written around the edge
concert. The Choir comprises sixteen to twentyof the 5.5 metre diameter table, weighing 1200kg,
choristers and twelve lay clerks, whose numbers aresurmounted by King Arthur on his throne. However, the
augmented when larger forces are required. If youtable is a medieval fake, but still impressive, all the
have the chance, you should go to one of theirsame.
concerts.There are many other tourist attraction in Winchester.
St Cross Hospital is a short, but beautiful walk, fromThere is Abbey House and gardens - a beautiful floral
the centre of town. St Cross was never a hospital inpark that is also the setting of the mayor's official
the modern sense of the word; rather it has its nameresidence. The Theatre Royal stages many plays,
from the word 'hospitality'. St Cross was founded incomedies and exhibitions throughout the year -with
1132 by Bishop Henri du Blois. The Bishop is quoted asmany of Britain's leading actors taking centre stage.
saying that the establishment would be for `thirteenThe walk up St Catherine's hill gives the visitor a
poor men, feeble and so reduced in strength that theymagnificent view of the city of Winchester.
can scarcely or not at all support themselves withoutThere are too many other tourist attractions to
other aid´. For over 850 the Hospital hasmention. But the above tourist information of
provided food and shelter for those in need. TheWinchester should help to guide the first time visitor
Hospital has a beautiful church, which the visitor isaround the city. Many visitors return time and again to
welcome to go inside. There is also a magnificentthis most wonderful of English cities.
walled garden with a large pond. The Hospital is no