Vibrant. Ancient. Cultured.
Just one hour from London by train is Winchester.
England's ancient capital is full of history, culture and fun. Home to a cathedral, a university and the UK's oldest public school, it's also filled with vibrant shops, family attractions and fun activities for families.
As well as enjoying a trip to the Science Centre, here's what else you can do on your visit to Winchester.
Winchester Cathedral
A trip to Winchester wouldn't be the same without visiting the magnificent Cathedral. Take a tour of the historic venue, climb the Cathedral Tower, discover the massive vaults and visit Jane Austen's grave. Don't miss the fun events that take place throughout the year from classical concerts and open-air theatre to light installations and the spectacular Christmas market.
Discover more about Winchester's historic Cathedral
Winchester City Museum
City Museum tells the story of England’s ancient capital, Winchester, the seat of Alfred the Great. Explore the sights and sounds of Winchester past and present in the museum’s three galleries. Discover more about its origins as an Iron Age trading centre and Anglo‑Saxon glory. Find out about the last journey of Jane Austen. And learn about the hunt for King Alfred’s remains.
Find out more about City Museum
878 AD
878 AD is an immersive experience for all the family. Discover early medieval Wessex and the sights, sounds and smells of Anglo-Saxon Winchester in this exciting exploration of the city and its history. This two part Anglo-Saxon adventure is brought to life by the spectacular world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla© and its educational experience, Discovery Tour: Viking Age – fun for all ages!
Start your 878 AD adventure here
Westgate Museum
Westgate Museum, at the top of the High Street, is housed inside a fortified medieval city gateway. Discover the history of Tudor and Stuart Winchester. Have a go at the Westgate spotter trail. And be wowed by the views of the city from the rooftop.
What's at Westgate - find out now
The Arc
The Arc brings together families to experience arts, reading and community under one roof. Experience the Grade II listed building's rich history as a live-performance venue with live music, comedy performances, family theatre shows and high-quality art exhibitions.
Find out what's on at The Arc during your visit
Marwell Zoo
The 140-acre Marwell Zoo is home to hundreds of animals. Discover giraffes, tigers, rhinos, meerkats, penguins, lemurs and much more. Find out how conservation is making a difference for future generations. Watch feeding time. And enjoy five adventure play areas.
Find out more about Marwell
Accessibility info
Accessibility information for the city of Winchester
As an historic city, Winchester's streets can be narrow or uneven. The city is situated on a hill that runs from west to east along a pedestrianised High Street. Some of the routes within the city centre are therefore quite steep, and they are cobbled in places. There is an accessible trail which passes some of Winchester’s major visitor sites. This is mainly level with just one ramp.
All public toilets in the city have accessible facilities. These are marked on the city centre maps available from the Visitor Information Centre. The RADAR scheme is in use and keys are available for loan or purchase from the Visitor Information Centre. All city centre car parks have accessible parking.
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