WINCHESTERdiscoverbritainmag.com 69Sit at a legendary table
An imitation of King Arthur’s fabled Round
Table takes pride of place in The Great Hall,
the last surviving part of Winchester Castle.
While it is not the original, it still dates
back to the 13th century and was later
painted by King Henry VIII. Underground
passages and Queen Eleanor’s recreated
medieval garden add to the atmosphere.
http://www.hants.gov.uk/greathallEvening
Nibble on quality food
Don’t let the vermin sign hanging outside
put you off – The Black Rat restaurant
serves some of the best meals in Hampshire.
Having gained a prestigious Michelin Star
within two years of opening, this former
pub focuses largely on modern British food
with many ingredients grown in a nearby
kitchen allotment.
http://www.theblackrat.co.ukGet a homely welcome
You can call The Wykeham Arms pub many
things but minimal is not one of them.
Every available surface is covered with
former landlord Graeme Jameson’s eccentric
collections of tankards, historic photos and- on the ceiling of the main bar – walking
sticks. It makes for a homely atmosphere
though, aided by rooms to rent upstairs.
http://www.wykehamarmswinchester.co.uk
Night
Find a city oasis
You could easily walk past the 16th-century
Winchester Royal Hotel as it lacks the
typical grand façade. What it lacks in kerb
appeal, it more than makes up for in cosy
charm and convenience. Enter the small
green door to find 81 plush rooms, some
with four-poster beds and all with access
to a secret garden in the heart of the city.
http://www.winchesterroyalhotel.comEscape to the country
Lainston House has just joined the Pride
of Britain Hotels, an exclusive luxury hotel
collection restricted to just 50 members at
any one time. You can see why they loved
this 17th-century redbrick bolthole just
four miles from Winchester, as it was
built for King Charles II and enveloped
in 63 acres of parks and gardens.
Book the Delft Suite for a gorgeous view
down the mile-long Avenue of Limes. n
http://www.exclusive.co.uk/lainston-houseMorning
Wake up by the river
For a gentle start to a day in Winchester,
begin in the tranquil Hospital of St Cross.
The grade I-listed almshouses were founded
in the 1130s and remain in use today.
Visitors can explore certain areas,
including a church and old kitchen, as well
as enjoying the ancient Wayfarer’s Dole –
a horn of beer and a piece of bread given
free to anyone who asks.
http://www.hospitalofstcross.co.ukExplore the ruins
Stroll towards the city centre along the
River Itchen and you will reach Wolvesey
Castle, the ruined former palace of the
wealthy bishops of Winchester.
Much of the surviving layout was built by
Bishop Henry of Blois in the 12th-century
and destroyed by Roundheads in 1646
during the English Civil War.
http://www.english-heritage.org.ukBook a place with Austen
Winchester is a rather literary city. Aside
from Keats, Jane Austen spent the last
weeks of her life in 1817 at 8 College Street
and a blue plaque commemorates this fact
on the private house. She had an account
at P&G Wells, which is three doors down.
It was founded in 1757 and claims to be
the oldest bookshop in the country.
http://www.bookwells.co.ukAfternoon
Lunch with the Lord
Winchester Cathedral’s Refectory is a lovely
spot for lunch, especially in summer.
Inside the 1,000-year-old cathedral itself
you can find the wonderful illuminated
Winchester Bible, the grave of Jane Austen,
and a new Kings & Scribes display looking
at local history. Add further context on
England’s ancient capital with a visit to
the adjacent Winchester City Museum.
http://www.winchester-cathedral.org.ukShoot around a museum
The Winchester Military Quarter boasts six
museums within firing range of one another
at the historic Peninsula Barracks.
Joint tickets allow you to explore all six,
with highlights including the Royal Green
Jackets Museum’s huge model Waterloo
battlefield and the touchscreen displays in
the Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum.
GRAHAM PRENTICE/INCAMERASTOCK/ALAMY/VISIT BRITAIN/ANDREW PICKETTwww.winchestersmilitaryquarter.orgWINCHESTERdiscoverbritainmag.com 69Sit at a legendary table
An imitation of King Arthur’s fabled Round
Table takes pride of place in The Great Hall,
the last surviving part of Winchester Castle.
While it is not the original, it still dates
back to the 13th century and was later
painted by King Henry VIII. Underground
passages and Queen Eleanor’s recreated
medieval garden add to the atmosphere.
http://www.hants.gov.uk/greathallEvening
Nibble on quality food
Don’t let the vermin sign hanging outside
put you off – The Black Rat restaurant
serves some of the best meals in Hampshire.
Having gained a prestigious Michelin Star
within two years of opening, this former
pub focuses largely on modern British food
with many ingredients grown in a nearby
kitchen allotment.
http://www.theblackrat.co.ukGet a homely welcome
You can call The Wykeham Arms pub many
things but minimal is not one of them.
Every available surface is covered with
former landlord Graeme Jameson’s eccentric
collections of tankards, historic photos and- on the ceiling of the main bar – walking
sticks. It makes for a homely atmosphere
though, aided by rooms to rent upstairs.
http://www.wykehamarmswinchester.co.uk
Night
Find a city oasis
You could easily walk past the 16th-century
Winchester Royal Hotel as it lacks the
typical grand façade. What it lacks in kerb
appeal, it more than makes up for in cosy
charm and convenience. Enter the small
green door to find 81 plush rooms, some
with four-poster beds and all with access
to a secret garden in the heart of the city.
http://www.winchesterroyalhotel.comEscape to the country
Lainston House has just joined the Pride
of Britain Hotels, an exclusive luxury hotel
collection restricted to just 50 members at
any one time. You can see why they loved
this 17th-century redbrick bolthole just
four miles from Winchester, as it was
built for King Charles II and enveloped
in 63 acres of parks and gardens.
Book the Delft Suite for a gorgeous view
down the mile-long Avenue of Limes. n
http://www.exclusive.co.uk/lainston-houseMorning
Wake up by the river
For a gentle start to a day in Winchester,
begin in the tranquil Hospital of St Cross.
The grade I-listed almshouses were founded
in the 1130s and remain in use today.
Visitors can explore certain areas,
including a church and old kitchen, as well
as enjoying the ancient Wayfarer’s Dole –
a horn of beer and a piece of bread given
free to anyone who asks.
http://www.hospitalofstcross.co.ukExplore the ruins
Stroll towards the city centre along the
River Itchen and you will reach Wolvesey
Castle, the ruined former palace of the
wealthy bishops of Winchester.
Much of the surviving layout was built by
Bishop Henry of Blois in the 12th-century
and destroyed by Roundheads in 1646
during the English Civil War.
http://www.english-heritage.org.ukBook a place with Austen
Winchester is a rather literary city. Aside
from Keats, Jane Austen spent the last
weeks of her life in 1817 at 8 College Street
and a blue plaque commemorates this fact
on the private house. She had an account
at P&G Wells, which is three doors down.
It was founded in 1757 and claims to be
the oldest bookshop in the country.
http://www.bookwells.co.ukAfternoon
Lunch with the Lord
Winchester Cathedral’s Refectory is a lovely
spot for lunch, especially in summer.
Inside the 1,000-year-old cathedral itself
you can find the wonderful illuminated
Winchester Bible, the grave of Jane Austen,
and a new Kings & Scribes display looking
at local history. Add further context on
England’s ancient capital with a visit to
the adjacent Winchester City Museum.
http://www.winchester-cathedral.org.ukShoot around a museum
The Winchester Military Quarter boasts six
museums within firing range of one another
at the historic Peninsula Barracks.
Joint tickets allow you to explore all six,
with highlights including the Royal Green
Jackets Museum’s huge model Waterloo
battlefield and the touchscreen displays in
the Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum.
GRAHAM PRENTICE/INCAMERASTOCK/ALAMY/VISIT BRITAIN/ANDREW PICKETTwww.winchestersmilitaryquarter.org