There’s no denying that London simply oozes main character energy. And so it’s pretty hard to believe that this big, bright, brilliant city of ours wasn’t always the UK’s capital. But it’s true. In fact, a fair few spots held the title prior to London. One of which was the jaw-droppingly good looking city of Winchester. Grab your rucksacks and your railcards, folks – because we’re off on another day trip.
Boasting beauty, charm and one hell of a backstory; Winchester is considered to be the ‘ancient capital of England‘. The city holds a rather hefty amount of historical significance, and was one of England’s most important cities until the Norman conquest in the 11th century. As previously mentioned, it even served as the country’s capital city during the Anglo-Saxon period. So basically, what I’m trying to say is that – as far as cities go – Winchester is a pretty big deal.
Winchester, Hampshire
Sat snugly between an abundance of quaint and quiet villages and the sweeping scenery of the South Downs National Park, Winchester is one of those cities that truly offers a little bit of everything. You could quite easily spend the day wandering the winding medieval streets, and being downright delighted with the places that you spontaneously stumble across. However, if you prefer to have a plan of action, Winchester certainly isn’t thin on the ground when it comes to things to do.
The city’s centre-piece is the gasp-inducingly gorgeous Winchester Cathedral. Boasting breathtaking architecture and the title of being the longest medieval cathedral in the world, it’s a must-visit for culture vultures. To be quite honest with you, though – it’s pretty difficult to miss, considering that it stands slap-bang in the middle of the city.
Winchester is also, rather unsurprisingly, the home of Winchester Castle. Built by William the Conqueror and dating all the way back to 1067; the majority of the castle didn’t survive to tell the tale, but the Great Hall has well-and-truly stood the test of time. And it’s in that very hall that you can get up close and personal with King Arthur’s legendary Round Table.
Alongside an abundance of ancient architecture and a whole host of historic sites; Winchester is also jam-packed with independent shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants for all of your mooching and munching needs. No stranger to an impressive accolade, Winchester is home to both the oldest public school in the country (Winchester College) and the largest farmers’ market in the country. Every second and last Sunday of the month, a whopping 95 stalls set up shop on the high street to flog their finest local fare. And it’s most definitely worthy of a visit.
Getting to Winchester from London
Winchester is within very easy reach of the capital city, and is just a hop, skip, and a jump quick and speedy direct train ride from London Waterloo. Getting to Winchester from London via public transport takes less than an hour in total. The car journey, however, is slightly lengthier – and takes approximately two hours.
