Visiting Winchester
Winchester in Hampshire was the medieval capital of England. If you're planning a visit to the city then there are plenty of travel guides available but we're in the fortunate position of being able to give you a real insider's view.
One of our editors resides in Winchester and has lived and worked in the area for a decade. The content in these pages will give you his thoughts on the city, the must see attractions and practicalities, such as where to park, where's great for a pub lunch and some hidden sights in Winchester's back streets.
Introduction
To walk through Winchester is to be surrounded by the history of England. With every step that you take you follow in the footsteps of legendary visitors to the city, from Alfred the Great to William the Conqueror, Oliver Cromwell and Henry VIII.
The street layout of the city still harks back to that originally set out by the Romans some 2,000 years ago, while the buidings are like a timeline through architectural fashions. The Norman Cathedral does, of course, take centre stage but the sights are almost endless...Wolvesey Castle, Winchester Guildhall, the Castle and the City Gates to name but a few.
The strategic importance of this place throughout the years is still reflected today by the presence of the military museums and by the historic buildings that point to the affluent past.
So...where does one begin when talking about such a culturally rich city? The most sensible place to start would appear to be at the known beginnings of the settlement that is now known as Winchester.
Early Beginnings
The earliest settlement on the present day site can be dated back to 150 BC, with the establishment of a Hill Fort on St Catherine's Hill and a trading centre near Oram's Harbour. As with so much of the city's history, these early days are still accessible to the modern day visitor. St Catherine's Hill has been left virtually untouched, although a walk has been laid out to enable you to climb to the top. Well worth it, as the view down over the grounds of Winchester College and much of the rest of the city is a real treat.
In the year 70 AD the Romans arrived in this part of England and established a town that was to become a regional capital. That town was named Venta Belgarum and the street pattern created by the Romans still forms the core of the current day city of Winchester.
Having risen to prosperity, the city found itself in disarray less than 350 years later when the Romans departed.
Visiting Winchester, Places to Stay in Winchester, Eating
in Winchester, Medieval Winchester, Winchester in the Middle Ages, Victorian Winchester, Winchester
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