InfoBritain - Travel Through History In The UK :
Winchester
Winchester, Hampshire
King Alfred of Wessex made Winchester ,in Hampshire, his main city in 827. Winchester remained the capital of Wessex, and then England, until some time after the Norman conquest, when the capital moved to London. The period of Winchester's time as capital was hugely turbulent, but also marked the early formation of England. Many reminders of Winchester's past remain in the modern town.
Winchester is perhaps best known for its connection to Alfred, but it has a history that goes back to Roman times. The present street pattern of Winchester shows a the Roman town in reverse, since medieval buildings were erected on the firm and ready made foundations of Roman roads.
Winchester Cathedral stands on the site of a seventh century church. Building of the cathedral itself began on the site of the former church in 1079. This was right at the end of Winchester's time as a capital city, Edward the Confessor being the last king crowned in Winchester, in 1043. King Canute's mortuary chest can be seen there, his name visible in the third line of text on the side of the chest. Canute was a Scandinavian, and Winchester was the centre of Anglo Saxon Wessex, which had struggled for so long against the Scandinavians. It is fitting perhaps for a united England, that Canute should come to rest in the cathedral at Winchester. Much of the rest of the cathedral is dedicated to memorials of bishops of Winchester, who in their day were powerful people. One of these bishops, St Swithin, had a festival on the 15th of July. The weather on this day was held to show the weather for the next forty days.
Opening Times: The cathedral is open 8.30am - 6pm Monday to Saturday and 8.30am - 5.30pm Sunday. The Visitor Centre, cafe and shop are open 9.30am - 5pm.
Access: the ground floor of the cathedral is accessible to visitors in wheelchairs. There is a T-loop and a Touch and Hearing Centre. Contact the cathedral to discuss your needs.
Contact:
telephone: 01962 857200
e-mail: tourism@winchester.gov.uk
web: www.visitwinchester.co.uk
Winchester Castle
Only the great hall of the thirteenth century castle remains above ground. It was built between 1232 and 1240 by Henry the Third. "King Arthur's Round Table" hangs on the wall here, but in reality this round table was made during the reign of Henry the Eighth. If you pass through the Great Hall you will see Queen Eleanor's Garden behind the hall. This is a garden recreated in the style of the thirteenth century, and named after the wife of Henry the Third's son, Edward the First.
Opening Times: Winchester Castle is open daily all year. From February half term to the end of the October half term 10am to 5pm and from the Monday following October half term to the start of February half term 10am - 4pm. Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day with closure at 3pm Christmas Eve.
Access: wheelchair access is good.
Contact:
telephone: 01962 846476
e-mail: the.great.hall@hants.gov.uk
The Brooks Experience is an exhibition dedicated to Roman and medieval Winchester. Excavation at the site of the present Brooks shopping centre unearthed a Roman town, and later medieval remains. Street plans of medieval Winchester have been recreated, and artifacts discovered at the site are on display in realistic settings. Children can have a go at doing their own Roman mosaics, and navigating their way round the medieval streets of Winchester.
Access: There is a ramp to the main entrance and wheelchair access to all shops. A lift serves all floors, and there is an adapted toilet.
Contact:
e-mail: brooks.shopping@tcp.co.uk
telephone: 01962 849030
web: www.visitwinchester.co.uk
The City Museum is situated in the centre of Winchester between the High Street and the cathedral. The museum tells the story of Winchester with the help of extensive archaeological and local history material. There is also an audio guide, in French and Spanish as well as English. Admission is free, although school parties should book in advance. There is a gift shop.
Opening Times: are as follows: April to October open daily, Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 12 midday to 5pm. November to March Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 12 midday to 4pm.
Access: For the disabled there is an audio guide, a hearing loop in reception, and an accessible toilet. Water is provided for guide and assistance dogs. Disabled visitors can ring the museum to discuss their requirements. There is a lift available.
Contact:
telephone: 01962 848269
web: www.visitwinchester.co.uk
Westgate Museum is housed in a fortified gateway at the top of the High Street. It has been a museum and a repository of the city's archives since 1898. Displays include a famous collection of pre-imperial weights and measures. Good views across Winchester are to be had from the roof.
Opening Times: are as follows: February and March Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 12 midday to 4pm. April to October Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 12 midday to 5pm. November to January closed.
Access: Access to both museum and the roof is via a steep staircase with rope handrails. Unfortunately there is no wheelchair access.
Contact:
telephone: 01962 848269
web: www.visitwinchester.co.uk
The countryside around Winchester can be enjoyed by walking the Clarendon Way. This is a twenty four mile walk between the two Wessex cities of Winchester and Salisbury. The walk starts beside the river Itchen in Winchester and ends at Salisbury cathedral. You will pass a few stones beside the Itchen, a last reminder of the Roman wall that once surrounded the city, and the remains of Clarendon Palace, a Norman hunting lodge. The walk passes through the informal country park of Farley Mount, and follows a Roman road through Buckholt to Winterslow. The hilly sections of the walk give fine views over the countryside.