| Winchester has been a popular tourist | | | | a large pond. The Hospital is no museum |
| destination for over 300 years. Once, a | | | | piece; there are still 25 Brothers, |
| favourite summer residence for London's | | | | whose apartments form one side of the |
| aristocracy and leading socialites, | | | | historic quadrangle. |
| Winchester is now a year-round | | | | Winchester's City Museum is situated |
| destination for people from around the | | | | between the High Street and the |
| world. | | | | Cathedral. It was the first purpose |
| Winchester was once the ancient capital | | | | built museum to be built outside of |
| of Anglo-Saxon England; it was the | | | | London. Inside the museum there are four |
| capital city of a region of England | | | | models of the city that illustrate how |
| called Wessex. The city's rulers spent | | | | the City has changed through the |
| large sums of money on building | | | | centuries. There are also period shop |
| churches, palaces, parks, and of course, | | | | interiors of shop that once traded in |
| the Cathedral. The city is rich in | | | | the City. The shops interiors were saved |
| history and many famous figures from | | | | and relocated when the shops closed. A |
| English history have visited, lived, | | | | recent addition is the Roman `Venta´ |
| worked and died in Winchester. The city | | | | Gallery with displays of mosaics that |
| is now the administrative capital of the | | | | were discovered in archaeological digs |
| county of Hampshire - a county that many | | | | in the city. The 'Floral' mosaic was |
| regard as being the quintessential | | | | found in Brooks and is the earliest |
| English county, with rolling hills, | | | | found in Winchester. You can see a |
| downs, pretty villages and crystal clear | | | | fragment of it in the museum. |
| rivers. | | | | Winchester City Mill spans the River |
| Winchester has many attractions for the | | | | Itchen in the heart of Winchester. The |
| visitor. The first port of call should | | | | City once had dozens of mills scatters |
| be Winchester Cathedral. The cathedral | | | | about but all fell into disuse. The name |
| is probably England's most beautiful. | | | | City Mill came into being after Queen |
| It's setting, just off the High Street, | | | | Mary Tudor gifted it to the city in 1554 |
| is idyllic, being surrounded by a park | | | | following her wedding in the nearby |
| with tree-lined avenues. Construction of | | | | cathedral. The mill has been restored to |
| the present day cathedral began in 1079. | | | | full working order and the visitor can |
| There is a small admission fee but one | | | | now see wheat being ground into flour. |
| really should go inside to appreciate | | | | Winchester Great Hall was built in |
| the beauty of the cathedral. Also, you | | | | 1232-1240, by Henry III. The Great Hall |
| can see the tombs, of some ancient Kings | | | | is the only remaining part of the 13th |
| of England as well as the tomb of Jane | | | | Century Winchester Castle that remains |
| Austen, the famous novelist. Winchester | | | | above ground. It houses the greatest |
| Cathedral Choir is recognized as one of | | | | artefact of medieval mythology; "The |
| Britain's leading cathedral choirs, both | | | | Round Table of King Arthur". The names |
| for its singing of the services and in | | | | of the 24 knights are written around the |
| concert. The Choir comprises sixteen to | | | | edge of the 5.5 metre diameter table, |
| twenty choristers and twelve lay clerks, | | | | weighing 1200kg, surmounted by King |
| whose numbers are augmented when larger | | | | Arthur on his throne. However, the table |
| forces are required. If you have the | | | | is a medieval fake, but still |
| chance, you should go to one of their | | | | impressive, all the same. |
| concerts. | | | | There are many other tourist attraction |
| St Cross Hospital is a short, but | | | | in Winchester. There is Abbey House and |
| beautiful walk, from the centre of town. | | | | gardens - a beautiful floral park that |
| St Cross was never a hospital in the | | | | is also the setting of the mayor's |
| modern sense of the word; rather it has | | | | official residence. The Theatre Royal |
| its name from the word 'hospitality'. St | | | | stages many plays, comedies and |
| Cross was founded in 1132 by Bishop | | | | exhibitions throughout the year -with |
| Henri du Blois. The Bishop is quoted as | | | | many of Britain's leading actors taking |
| saying that the establishment would be | | | | centre stage. The walk up St Catherine's |
| for `thirteen poor men, feeble and so | | | | hill gives the visitor a magnificent |
| reduced in strength that they can | | | | view of the city of Winchester. |
| scarcely or not at all support | | | | There are too many other tourist |
| themselves without other aid´. For over | | | | attractions to mention. But the above |
| 850 the Hospital has provided food and | | | | tourist information of Winchester should |
| shelter for those in need. The Hospital | | | | help to guide the first time visitor |
| has a beautiful church, which the | | | | around the city. Many visitors return |
| visitor is welcome to go inside. There | | | | time and again to this most wonderful of |
| is also a magnificent walled garden with | | | | English cities. |