It’s no great surprise that this beautiful medieval city in the heart of Hampshire frequently crops up on lists of the best places to live in the UK. Its combination of historic landmarks and association with notable figures such as Alfred the Great and novelist Jane Austen makes it one of the county’s most significant places.
Throw in its proximity to the South Downs National Park, a thriving town centre, with noteworthy buildings such as Winchester Cathedral and The Great Hall, and a reputation for some of the best schools in the country, and you can see why it’s such a desirable city in which to live.
Where to stay in Winchester
Choosing the best motorhome sites to pitch up at will be an important factor in getting the most out of any tour. For those of you who are thinking
Folly Farm Caravan & Camping is a family-run site, just 10 minutes drive from Winchester, and has grass pitches with electric hook-up and showers, toilets and washing-up areas. Other facilities include a children’s play area, a dog walk, and a nearby bus service.
Or there is Hookpit Farm Caravan Site, a new site on a working farm three miles from Winchester, with hardstanding pitches featuring 16A electrical hook-up and a water supply. There’s grey water disposal and a chemical toilet disposal facility, but no shower or toilet block.
Alternatively, consider Winchester Morn Hill Caravan and Motorhome Club. It is a popular park with a range of pitches, some hardstanding and some on grass, but all with electric hook-up. There’s a motorhome service point, toilet and shower block with disabled facilities, and a laundry and dishwashing area, as well as an on-site dog walk and nature reserve
What to do on Day 1 in Winchester
9am – Juice at Josie’s
Grab a delicious brekkie at this café-restaurant with speciality coffee, pancakes, smoothies and fresh juices – just a few of the treats on the menu.
10am – City walk
Get a feel for Winchester’s historic routes with a wander across town, taking in the Buttercross Monument and the City Mill. The medieval City Cross (or Buttercross) was restored in 1865, yet dates from much earlier. It depicts 12 figures, including the Virgin Mary and several saints, and was once used as a place to sell produce.
It’s a short walk along the high street (less than 10 minutes) to Winchester City Mill, which is one of the oldest watermills in the UK, having been rebuilt in 1744 and partially restored in 2004. On the way, be sure to stop for a photo of the statue of Alfred the Great on The Broadway. Alfred made Winchester the capital of the Kingdom of Wessex and is buried in the nearby Abbey Gardens, the site of Hyde Abbey, which was demolished in 1539.
11am – Austen at Chawton
Drive out to Jane Austen’s home in Chawton (there’s a car park opposite the house), where the celebrated author spent the last eight years of her life. Austen fans can see the table where she wrote all six of her novels, and exhibits include jewellery, letters and first editions of her novels. As well as several rooms to explore, there is a pretty cottage garden and regular special exhibitions. Adult tickets are £15.
2pm – Steaming back!
From Chawton, it’s a short drive to Alton, where you can catch a train on the Watercress Line heritage railway to Ropley or Alresford (about a 30-minute train journey). If you want to avoid a round trip on the train, nominated drivers can drop passengers off at the station and pick them up at the other end. Keep an eye out for Steam Illuminations and Valentine’s Day Specials. Regular adult tickets cost £12.
3pm – Out of this world
From the Watercress Line it’s a short drive to the Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium. This is a great facility, including a planetarium with a huge screen and entertaining shows about the galaxy. Advance adult tickets cost £14.
7pm – On Chesil eats
Returning to Winchester, and not far from the City Mill, dine out at the splendid Chesil Rectory where you’ll find exposed oak beams and a menu full of locally sourced produce. Try the fresh gurnard, and pecan tart with lime sorbet to finish.
What to do on Day 2
10am – But first coffee…
Enjoy a later start to the day with breakfast at Girls Who Grind Coffee in the Project Stores & Kitchen, which is home to a group of 30 independent traders.
11am – Cathedral & cafe
From the coffee shop, it’s a five-minute walk to mighty Winchester Cathedral. This spectacular building was founded in 1079 and encompasses several architectural styles, from the vaults of the early Norman crypt to the Renaissance chantry chapels and the perpendicular Gothic nave. It is one of the largest cathedrals in the UK, with the longest nave and greatest overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe. An adult annual pass costs £13.
You can stop for refreshment at the Cathedral café, which has a large terrace and walled garden.
2pm – The Great Hall
A trip to the Great Hall and Westgate makes a wonderful journey into the past. This pair of attractions formed part of Winchester Castle, which was built by William the Conqueror and was the seat of power for medieval monarchs.
While much of the castle no longer remains, the Great Hall with its soaring arches and huge round table (a nod to the legend of King Arthur) remains one of the finest medieval halls in England. Adult annual ticket £9.
4pm – Military might
A short walk from The Great Hall brings you to Peninsula Barracks, the location of five of Winchester’s military museums: The King’s Royal Hussars, Royal Hampshire Regiment, Rifleman’s, Gurkhas and The Adjutant General’s Corps. The remaining sixth museum, The Royal Logistic Corps Museum, is located north of the city at Worthy Down. Tickets cost up to £6.50, and several are free to enter.
7pm – Arms that charms
Not far from the cathedral, you’ll find the Wykeham Arms, a charming old inn, which serves classic dishes as well as ever-popular favourites such as burgers and beer-battered haddock.
Get more ideas for where to go for a weekend getaway by taking a look at our plan for spending 48 hours in Cheddar, a destination with beautiful landscapes and delicious cheese. Alternatively, head to Norwich and find out about this fascinating city which was, for most of the past millennium, the biggest city in England outside of London.
Lead image: Getty Images
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