Sightseeing in Winchester UK

Sightseeing in Winchester provides places of interest to captivate young and old. The huge diversity in places to visit and explore is unparalleled. A good place to start is the inner city. St Giles hill overlooks the high street and has a viewpoint from which many of the historical places can be viewed.

Winchester Viewed from St. Giles Hill

To get to the St. Giles viewpoint, just walk down the High Street toward the hill. A large number of steps lead to the top and provides a good workout. The hill may also be accessed from the back where Baring Road leads all the way to the top. Of late residents have become very hostile towards people parking at the top of the road, rather climb the hill and avoid any unpleasant incidents. Click on the image above to load a large panorama of Winchester with labels to identify prominent features.

Winchester Cathedral

Probably the most famous place in the city is the cathedral. Any sightseeing in Winchester must include a visit to the cathedral. Even if you don't go inside, the Norman architecture is well worth a visit on its own. Inside the cathedral some priceless relics can be viewed, including the 12th-century black Tournai marble font, the spectacular medieval nave refashioned in the late 14th century, the beautiful and secret Norman crypt, the choir stalls that depict a lively forest, the Winchester bible on permanent display in the library, and many other noteworthy items.

The Close

The beautiful cathedral close still retains the peaceful atmosphere of the monastery. Here visitors may view the Deanery, the Norman Chapter House, the Cathedral Visitors' Centre, Dean Garniers garden, pilgrims hall, the priory stables and Cheyney Court. The latter is a 16th-century building and one of the most photographed sights in Winchester.

The Square

A bit of a misnomer as the square is L-shaped. This is part of the original site where William the Conqueror built his royal palace in 1069. Nothing remains of the palace, but some specialists shops help create a charming area where visitors may enjoy some refreshments in a number of pubs and restaurants. The Winchester museum and the 15-th century St Lawrence church are also located on the square.