SIGHTSEEING
If you are in Winchester, you must visit Winchester Cathedral. This cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. The interior features the combination Romanesque sections of wall and late-Gothic fan vaulting in its splendid 12-bayed nave and transepts. The beauty of this place is also completed with a series of bronze statues of James I and Charles I. If you want to explore more, the tour guides are ready to help you. Cafe and shop are also available.
Winchester Cathedral
DOWNTOWN
Dine, shop, and explore Winchester City Center in Old Town Winchester. Tourists will be spoiled here, as it's the vital marketplace for more than 250 years. Old Town Winchester is located in the heart of the National Register Historic District. This place provides luxury and iconic pedestrian walking malls with outdoor cafes. You will also find retail shops, historic attractions, and family-oriented activities in this place. No matter what the time and your food preference, Old Town Winchester always offers the best experience.
Old Town Winchester
SHOPPING
[Please add and explain Winchester Farmers' Market]
If you are looking for a shopping center in Winchester, come to Brooks Shopping Centre. This is an indoor shopping center located in the city center. Here, you will find various products from local and international. It is open from 9 AM until 5:30 PM. Brooks Shopping Centre also provides free Wi-Fi so the shoppers can stay up to date while they enjoy their shopping time. For book lovers, you can visit Winchester Bookshop. This book shop was built in 1991. It has so many collections of antiquarians, second-hand, vintage books, and also a selection of prints and ephemera. This place is located at St Georges Street close to the Parchment Street junction. Winchester Bookshop is open from Monday to Saturday from 10 AM until 5 PM.
Brooks Shopping Centre
Winchester Bookshop
FOOD & DRINK
Winchester is well-known as Hampshire’s foodie capital. You will find a wide range of cuisine here. You will find Asian and Spanish cuisines served in some of Winchester's eateries. If you want to find the iconic local foods, you can go to Winchester Farmers' Market. Here, you will see which local fresh food you can have. No less important, make sure you visit a local restaurant, pub or cafe to fill your tummy.
CULTURE
The art scene in Winchester is excellent. It is portrayed from the city's cultural events that are held annually, such as the Hat Fair. Hat Fair is a street theater celebration that includes performances, workshops, and gatherings at several places around the city. Winchester also has numerous medieval buildings that have the vibes of former political and cultural center of England. Not only that, but this city also is home to award-winning Blue Apple Theater which is a company of actors. As for the official language, people of Winchester speak English to communicate.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Based on the average temperature from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), the best time to visit Winchester for ideal weather is between May 28 to September 30. The average temperature in Winchester is varied. Come between June to August if you are looking for the warmest time to visit Winchester. The hottest months are July, August, and then June. Generally, the warmest time is in late July and the temperature is around 22.6°C and drops below 12.2°C at night.
HOTEL
Book your room at Mercure Wessex Hotel. This hotel has a perfect location for business and vacation with the views of the popular Cathedrals. It provides executive and classic bedrooms. Some rooms are even provided with an interconnecting option. All rooms are non-smoking rooms completed with WiFi access and 24-hour room service. Each room is also equipped with a hairdryer, ironing amenities, flat-screen TV with international channels, complimentary toiletries and tea and coffee making facilities. As another best option, you can also book a room at Hotel du Vin Winchester which is located in Southgate Street, Winchester. This is a beautiful hotel with very fine architecture and has 19 properties. Hotel du Vin Winchester offers 24 bedrooms. The newly-refurbished bistro and winery, Champagne bar, and delightful walled garden are also available to spoil every guest. Special amenities are provided here including the bathrooms with the monsoon power showers, oversized baths, robes, and fluffy towels.
Mercure Wessex Hotel
Hotel du Vin Winchester
RESTAURANT
Treat your taste bud at Rick Stein restaurant. This restaurant serves classic seafood dishes and other menus for any occasion. Their menu is varied from casual lunches with friends to a romantic dinner with your loved one. This restaurant is open every day for lunch and dinner. There is also a la carte menu. The Old Vine is another perfect restaurant for lunch, drink, or just simply relax. This restaurant is well-known for its quality food. The restaurant's kitchen has won the Hampshire Hospitality Award for its use of local products. The menu is changed seasonally, it ranges from pub food and yummy bistro classics to delicious freshest fish. If you are here, you must try the popular fish finger sandwich or perhaps an Old Vine steak and ale pie made with Ringwood ale. Vegetarian options are also available. Good news for pet lovers, this restaurant welcomes pets inside the bar and outside areas.
Rick Stein
The Old Vine
CAFE
Enjoy an array of Origin Coffee, with monthly different coffees, fine teas, and yummy cakes at Theatre Royal Winchester Cafe Bar. This cafe has strategic location, free WiFi, laptop/USB charging points, plenty of pram and buggy parking, and free water refill. You can also bring your dog here since it is a dog-friendly café. Theatre Royal Winchester Cafe Bar is open for 7 days a week at 8 AM from Monday to Saturday and at 10 AM on Sundays. Another recommended cafe is Eighteen71. This cafe offers a great vibe with a cool and relaxing interior. Treat your taste buds with a decent selection of food, snacks, cakes, and drinks. In this place, there are contemporary lounge seating, nice dining tables, chairs and also outside seating which allows you to enjoy the views and sounds of the Broadway.
Theatre Royal Winchester Cafe Bar.
Eighteen71
BAR AND NIGHTLIFE
If you are a night owl, you should spend your night at these two places. At VODKA Nightclub, you will have a great time clubbing with country music accompanied by a glass of best drink. The club offers three floors with so many Genre’s played on each floor. You can find a dance floor area, bar, and toilets on the lower floor. You can also enjoy Shisha and a large seating area in the smoking area. The VIP area is on the top floor and it has the main dance floor completed with super comfortable leather seating. Another great place to hang out and meet new people is St. James Tavern. This place has funky tunes and friendly service to spend the night time. Enjoy the regular music sessions including jazz held once a month. The private and intimate dining space for more than 22 guests is also perfect to celebrate your special event!
VODKA Nightclub
St. James Tavern
INTERESTING PLACE
[Highclere Castle is in Newbury, not Winchester.] If you are wildlife lovers, we recommend you to go to Marwell Zoo. This zoo has over 1,200 animals from 135 species including endangered white rhinos, oryx, and zebras. For more fun experience, take a ride on the zoo's miniature beautiful railway for a trip. You will be able to see various animals in the animal cages and enclosures, including pygmy hippos, rhinos, and flamingos.
Marwell Zoo
INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOT
Strike a pose and capture it as many as possible in Wolvesey Castle. Wolvesey Castle is a ruined castle located on the River Itchen. It was built in 1107. It is a nice place to get beautiful photos for your Instagram account. If you come with your partner, you can also take a pre-wedding photoshoot here. Another place to see the beauty of Winchester is Winchester Castle's, Great Hall. This place is popular for its columns of Purbeck marble, old stained-glass windows, and an open wooden roof truss. To make your experience more memorable, there are also tour guides provided. Fun fact, some scenes from the Netflix show entitled "The Crown" was shot in this place!
Wolvesey Castle
Winchester Castle's Great Hall
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