Winchester's rich tapestry of history, culture, nature and vibrant atmosphere makes for a captivating destination for tourists seeking an authentic English experience. With its prime location just one hour from London and 20 minutes from Southampton, Winchester is ideally located for a day out or short break in Hampshire and the south of England.
The city’s charming streets are lined with boutique shops, cafés and restaurants, offering plenty of opportunities to indulge in shopping and dining experiences. Winchester’s markets, including the weekly farmers' market, are popular with locals and tourists alike, as well as famous seasonal events such as the Winchester Christmas Market, Hat Fair and busy annual programme of festivals.
Plan your visit
Please check opening times when planning your visit. Opening times may vary per venue.
| Opening hours: term time | |
|---|---|
| 878 AD |
Monday - Friday: closed (pre-booked schools and groups only) Saturday: 10am - 5pm Sunday: 11am - 5pm |
| The Great Hall with Westgate Museum | Monday - Sunday: 10am - 5pm |
| City Museum |
Monday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm Sunday: 11am - 5pm |
| Opening hours: half term and school holidays | |
|---|---|
| 878 AD |
Monday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm Sunday: 11am - 5pm |
| The Great Hall with Westgate Museum | Monday - Sunday: 10am - 5pm |
| City Museum |
Monday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm Sunday: 11am - 5pm |
Historic Winchester joint ticket: Four experiences, one ticket!
Available from 27 March.
Discover four historic experiences in the heart of Winchester with our Historic Winchester joint ticket. Your ticket will give you 12 months of access to our Winchester heritage attractions, so you can return as many times as you like throughout the year.*
With your ticket, you can visit when you choose – you do not need to visit all four experiences in one day.
*Please check special event details as they may be ticketed separately.
For individual pricing, please visit the relevant page: The Great Hall | Westgate Museum | 878 AD | City Museum
Winchester’s high street is located on an incline, going uphill towards The Great Hall and Westgate Museum. An historic city in nature, Winchester also has cobbled streets along some routes. We recommend Visit Winchester's accessible trail for those with access needs looking to make the most of the city and all it has to offer. https://www.visitwinchester.co.uk/accessforall/
Each of our four heritage experiences has varying accessibility levels, please visit our accessibility page to find out more. https://historicwinchester.co.uk/accessibility
Winchester can be easily accessed via public transport. Where possible, we encourage choosing public transport options to help reduce carbon emissions. Find out more
By train
Winchester has a train station located centrally within the city – all of our museums are less than 15 minutes walk away from the station. There is a taxi rank located at the station, as well as a bus stop.
By bus or park and ride
Whilst Winchester’s landmarks are quite concentrated and can be easily navigated on foot, you may prefer to utilise the public transportation connections to facilitate your journey around the city. There are a number of local bus services operating within Winchester – we recommend visiting Visit Winchester’s local travel information as a guide: https://www.visitwinchester.co.uk/contact/local-travel-information/
By car
By motorway, Winchester is located just a short drive off junctions 9, 10 and 11 of the M3. The city is also accessible via the A34 from Oxford and Newbury.
Parking
If you’re travelling to Winchester by car, there is plenty of appropriate parking to suit your needs. You can discover parking throughout the city centre on Winchester City Council’s website: https://www.winchester.gov.uk/parking
The Great Hall: Limited parking for Blue Badge holders along Castle Avenue can be requested by prior arrangement.
Castle Avenue, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8UJ
High Street, Winchester, SO23 9AP
The Brooks Shopping Centre, Upper Level, Upper Brook Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8QY
The Square, Winchester, SO23 9ES
