Abbeys and Religious Sites

Details: Category: Hampshire; Published: 24 April 2011

Visited April 2011 & March 2025

Location	Winchester, Hampshire
Entrance Fee	No
Railway Station Nearby	Winchester, approx 1/4 mile
Parking	Yes- city centre parking
Facilities	Exhibition, shop, toilets
Map

Review

Winchester was from very early times an important centre, capital of Alfred the Great's Kingdom of Wessex and one-time capital of England, so it goes without saying that it would have had a castle. The first castle would have been built by William the Conqueror, but this structure burned down and was then re-built , undergoing extensive alterations by Henry III and Edward I. It was in Henry's reign that the Great Hall was added, this is the building that we see today. The remainder of the castle was slighted during the civil war, and with the exception of the Great Hall, all that remains of the castle today are a few fragments of masonry and the entrance to a sally port. The Great Hall houses a piece of artwork known as the Round Table- it dates from the 13th century but was once believed to be a genuine Arthurian artefact.

There is a pretty garden at the back of the Great Hall- known as Queen Eleanor's Garden. it is not massive though, so I imagine it could get busy out there the during peak tourist season. There is a gallery just off the hall which houses an exhibition on the history of Winchester, there are also toilets and a gift shop on site. The Great Hall is right in the middle of Winchester, so it is a two minute stroll to find the shops and cafes of the city centre. It is a shame that more of the Castle did not survive , but what is left is one of the best preserved medieval halls in the country. It is also in the centre of a beautiful cathedral city, so well worth the effort to visit. There is free admission which is always a bonus!!! (2025 Update- it is no longer free to visit😞)

Just round the corner from the castle is the Westgate, once part of the town walls. Now it stands isolated from the rest of the now- demolished wall, and serves as a museum. The Cathedral itself is also worth a visit- there are several floors of exhibitions , including the library of Bishop George Morley containing many rare books. The crypt is also a feature of the Cathedral- it floods in the winter, and has a statue called Sound II- it is often standing in the floodwater, and the idea is that as the water rises it will begin to flow out of the statue's cupped hands. In recent years many people have commented on how it looks like someone looking at their mobile phone!

Finally, if you are interested in Anglo- Saxon history it is worth going to the 878AD interactive experience, which is very child friendly and takes you back to Winchester in the Saxon times. Also, take in the statue of Alfred the Great in Winchester, towering about his one-time capital.