#VisitWinchester

Visit Winchester PMS 872 Gold

WINCHESTER TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE

Guildhall | High Street | Winchester | SO23 9GH

01962 840 500 tourism@winchester.gov.uk

visitwinchester.co.uk

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VISIT WINCHESTER

Winchester is the perfect English city nestled amongst breathtakingly beautiful countryside – a destination which has something to offer everyone.

With a world famous cathedral, top rated eateries and a lively festival scene you are sure to have an amazing experience while you are here. From the vibrancy of the city centre with its unrivalled selection of independent shops, to the tranquil nature of the South Downs, there is plenty for you to explore on your stay.Winchester is a city renowned for having a deep and expansive history and a treasure trove of English heritage. From Iron Age forts to Civil War sites, Europe’s longest medieval cathedral to a working mill on the River Itchen, the district offers a wealth of intrigue for visitors looking to uncover Britain’s past. An abundance of legendary historic figures have made an impact on Winchester including King Alfred the Great (C 849-899) who made Winchester his capital. Be sure not to miss the iconic Round Table of Arthurian legend that has hung in Winchester’s ancient Great Hall for centuries.Visit Winchester at any point during the year and you’ll find the city at it’s vibrant best, showcasing an ever-changing kaleidoscope

of colourful events that inspire, intrigue and enchant thousands of visitors every year. With Hat Fair, Cocktail Week, music festivals and Christmas to name a few, there is bound to be something up your street happening on one of ours!

Why not pick up one of the trails available from the Winchester Tourist Information Centre and discover what Winchester is all about; from romantic sunset walks, a beautiful walk of the city to a trail of military history, a trail celebrating Jane Austen and for sports fans a trail exploring the history of cricket in the district.Take a trip out to one of the charming market towns in the Winchester district. Take your pick from the likes of the picturesque village of Wickham, the medieval town of Bishop’s Waltham or Alresford, a beautiful town with iconic painted Georgian houses. Why not stop off in the rural countryside and see how many beautiful villages you can find?If you want a visit that is vibrant, ancient and cultured then Winchester is the place for you. For more information please visit visitwinchester.co.uk.

WINCHESTER

#VisitWinchester

MAKE IT A FAMILY AFFAIR

Winchester is a great location to enjoy a family day out, with plenty to do and loads to explore!A visit to family favourite Marwell Zoo is a must. From the playful penguins, to the impressive giraffe’s and tigers, and all set in 140 acres of beautiful landscape.For inquisitive minds you’ll definitely want to discover more about our world and our universe at the Winchester Science Centre. You’ll be having too much fun to realise you’re actually learning!

A ROMANTIC CITY FOR COUPLES

Winchester is perfect for a touch of romance with that special someone. You don’t even need to go anywhere; just taking in this picturesque city will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy!
Take a stroll through the city centre and take in the numerous boutique shops and cafes.Enjoy a walk alongside the Itchen River that flows through the lower half of the city and sit back and relax in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral, with its green open spaces and park benches, the perfect spot for a picnic.
Winchester is home to some fantastic restaurants that are perfect for a romantic lunch or dinner. Enjoy lunch at the River Cottage Canteen or a taste of the sea at Rick Stein’s own restaurant. No.5 Bridge Street is the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea & dinner.

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ENJOY A SOPHISTICATED CITY BREAK

An iconic and must-see feature of Winchester is the Winchester Cathedral. This magnificent medieval church is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the longest nave and greatest overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe.Join in one of the Winchester guided tours that start from the Tourist Information Centre at the Guildhall. These 90-minute walking tours are the perfect way to explore the city and learn about its history.Give your taste buds a treat sipping fine ales and local ciders at The Black Boy pub, enjoy a delicious Michelin Star taste sensation at The Black Rat restaurant, and fill your glass from wine vending machines The Black Bottle!

The Old Vine

Located in the heart of historic Winchester you’ll find us in a Grade II-listed building steeped in character and charm. Drop in and experience our idyllic surroundings, warm hospitality and superb food and drink (we love local produce, and we’re in the Good Beer Guide).www.oldvinewinchester.com

Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium

Spark children’s curiosity at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium. Run by an educational charity on a mission to excite and inspire children in science, technology, engineering and maths, it promises both entertainment and learning through a hands-on fun-filled family day out.

There’s extra activities running most weekends and during every school holiday. After dark, the Science Centre offers a varied programme of arts, science and space events for older children and adults to enjoy.Boasting two floors of interactive exhibits including a brand new space zone opening summer 2018, Explorer:Space, there’s plenty to occupy inquisitive minds. Take time to visit the Invention Studio, an area dedicated to ingenuity supervised by enthusiastic staff and volunteers. No visit would be complete without experiencing the UK’s largest standalone planetarium, where from the comfort of the reclined chairs you can sit back, relax, and take an immersive tour through the Solar System and beyond. There’s a choice of live, presenter-led shows or animated film shows, all of which last for about 20-30 minutes.The Science Centre is situated on the outskirts of Winchester within the South Downs National Park and enjoys direct access to Magdalen Hill Down Butterfly Conservation reserve. Visitors are invited to explore the countryside using a free ‘spotters guide’ and make use of the outdoor picnic and play area, making the Science Centre an ideal day out whatever the weather.

Open every day from 10am. Closing at 5pm on weekends, bank holidays and local school holidays and 4pm Monday – Friday during term time

Sound II by Antony Gormley

Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium, Telegraph Way, off Alresford Road, Winchester SO21 1HZ

Winchester Cathedral

Fifteen centuries of English history lie behind the magnificent Cathedral you see today. It stands at the heart of historic Winchester, once the seat of Anglo-Saxon and Norman royal power, on the site of an early Christian church. Begun in 1079, the Cathedral has been a place of worship ever since.

Today the Cathedral welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and in recent years has become well known for its annual Christmas Market and open-air ice rink, which alone attract over 400,000 visitors.A walk round the Cathedral takes you through centuries of English architecture. Particularly striking is the vast gothic nave, the longest medieval nave in Europe. Great works of art, including paintings, sculptures and carvings can be found throughout the building. Don’t miss the Crypt. This atmospheric part of the Cathedral is home to Antony Gormley’s contemplative statue ‘Sound II’ which, after

prolonged periods of rainfall can be seen standing in water.The Winchester Bible, the largest and finest of all surviving 12th-century English bibles, is one of the Cathedral’s greatest treasures. Its exquisitely illuminated capital letters, coloured with gold and lapis lazuli, are as intense today as they would have been 800 years ago.The Cathedral is the resting place of many influential and famous people including Saxon kings, bishops and the much-loved English novelist Jane Austen.

Visiting the Cathedral

A guided tour provided by the Cathedral’s own volunteer guides is by far the best way to explore the building. Available on the hour from 10am – 3pm Monday to Saturday, these hour-long tours really do bring the Cathedral, its characters and history to life.It’s worth taking the time to walk through the Cathedral’s historic Inner Close where you will find beautiful buildings and hidden gardens and a gateway to a pretty area of the City known as Kingsgate Village.A perfect way to round-off your trip is a visit to The Refectory, serving homemade cakes, a seasonal lunch menu and a good range of drinks. The pretty terrace and orchard with outdoor seating enjoy good views of the Cathedral.The Cathedral Shop sells a wide range of gifts, cards, books and music. Many items have been commissioned especially for the Cathedral so can’t be found anywhere else. A selection of products are available to purchase online via the cathedral website.

MARWELL ZOO

NEW EXHIB

Explore the wonders of the natural world at Marwell Zoo, near Winchester, and play a big part in helping to save them. From ring-tailed lemurs to majestic giraffes, and curious meerkats to stunning snow leopards, the 140-acre park is home to an incredible range of exotic and endangered species.

Discover a mind-blowing range of new animal species and exotic plants in Marwell’s new Tropical House – a brand new £8m exhibit! This marks the second phase of a £17m investment programme for the zoo over 10 years, creating improved habitats for animals and more immersive experiences for guests. Spanning two levels, the exhibit offers fantastic vantage points across a lush, tropical canopy and the opportunity to experience the captivating life of the forest floor. Guests will be free to share the habitat and enjoy uninterrupted, close-up views of new, colourful and charismatic mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects, amongst more than 600 plants from over 60 different species!Some of the animals that will be living in the Tropical House include a two-toed sloth, crocodile monitor lizard, pygmy marmosets, Asian brown tortoises, Java chevrotain (mouse deer), a host of free flying birds and many more. Powered by Marwell’s animal waste, the new exhibit will dramatically contribute towards the zoo’s aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2020.This summer, join Marwell for fantastic floral fun and follow their topiary trail with a floral twist around the zoo. Popular presenter,

Discover the wonders of the natural world.

ITS

Mr Bloom from CBeebies, will be bringing his one-man stage show for weekends and bank holidays during August. His muchloved show will feature a bundle of veggie stories, gardening games and all the catchy nursery songs from the TV show for Tiddlers and parents alike. Plus, meet the crazy Botantist ‘Dr Chris Anthemum’ for their weekday show and visit ‘The Big Dig Pit’, where little green fingered gardeners can plant model plants or dig deep with an assortment of mini garden tools. Don’t forget to take a summer #selfie in the giant Marwell deckchair!What’s more, spend time with Marwell’s playful primates at ‘Lemur Loop’, a new walkthrough exhibit – now open. Explore the environment of a variety of different species of lemur, joined in their home by a new species for Marwell - green peafowl. With a beautiful landscaped setting, both indoors and out, the new lemur exhibit promises a truly immersive experience. The zoo’s knowledgeable staff will be on hand to help guests learn all about these wonderful animals.

Visitors can enjoy a range of daily animal talks and feeds including gentle giraffes, marvellous meerkats and fabulous Humboldt penguins. What’s more, take part in Marwell’s popular Explorers Trail collecting stamps of your favourite animals for a free sticker! With five adventure playgrounds, a free tractor train, rail train and an indoor picnic area, there’s plenty to occupy your little ones whilst you relax and soak up the surroundings.

Location: Thompson’s Lane, Colden Common, WINCHESTER SO21 1JH www.marwell.org.uk01962 777407 marwell@marwell.org.uk @marwellwildlife @Marwellwildlife

STARDUST YEARS VINTAGE FASHION

Set back from the High Street, in a leafy mews, you’ll find Winchester’s latest vintage treasure. Opposite the Man On A Horse statue by Elizabeth Frink, Walcote Place is home of ‘Stardust Years Vintage Fashion’, recently featured on BBC TV’s ‘Money For Nothing’Opened in July 2013, by Karen Fitzsimmons and her husband, Gary Nicholson, ‘Stardust Years’ brings to Winchester the glamour and style of past times – from the Victorian era through to the 2000s. Karen comments, “Fans of ‘Downton Abbey’ can find an original 1920s beaded dress or purse, alongside more recent pieces such as an evening gown designed by Thomas Starzewski, who designed for one of our most famous fashion icons, Diana, Princess of Wales.”It’s clear that Karen has a passion for her stock. “I grew up watching the films of the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Whether it was Bette Davis striding across a room in a finely-tailored 1940s suit, or Grace Kelly, in a 50s cocktail dress, pouring

champagne for James Stewart in ‘Rear Window’, I loved it all. In the shop, we even have an Oscar-nominated costume worn by Glenda Jackson and a fur stole believed to have been worn by Vivien Leigh.All our clothing and accessories are hand-picked so we can ensure the highest quality of fabric and tailoring. Not only do we have pieces by Christian Dior, Hardy Amies, Harrods and Hermès, but we also have items from the stores of the day as well as many hand-made dresses which reflected the changes in the economic and social climate of the period.We attract a lot of ladies looking for a unique piece, whether it’s for a cruise, a Mother of the Bride or just as an alternative to the high street.”In ‘Stardust Years’ the stock is lovingly displayed according to decade, and Karen researches each label or company, including this in her detailed, and often witty, labels.Through her research, Karen has been lucky enough to make contact with

the later generations of some of the designers and manufacturers of the past. One such example is the Rayne family. “In the late 1940s, young Edward Rayne joined the family firm (founded in 1885) and soon ‘society ladies’ were drawn to Rayne Shoes as they became renowned for their style, beauty and craftsmanship. So, it was only natural that Buckingham Palace chose Rayne to design and supply the wedding shoes for Queen Elizabeth II. Today, the Rayne family have created a Rayne Shoe Archive and Stardust Years is proud to have donated a pair to this special collection.”So, is it the quality of the clothing, the comfortable dressing room, or the lovely vintage music in the background that makes this a Winchester ‘mustvisit’ shopping destination? “I hope we provide a friendly, relaxed shopping experience where you can browse, research our fashion books or share the memories stirred by our vintage treasures,” says Karen.

Location: 3 Walcote Place, Winchester, SO23 9AP www.stardustyears.com01962 809043 Karen@stardustyears.com @StardustYearsVintageFashion @StardustYears @stardustyearsvintage

Hampshire Guest Guide

Main image © davidgriffenphotography.co.uk

The heart of the ocean on Winchester High Street!

© David Nash © The Electric Eye Photography © David Nash

Rick Stein is famous for his ocean delicacies, fresh seafood dishes, and catch of the day delights! Historically the only place you could sample a Rick Stein dish was in Cornwall, but now you simply need to head to Winchester High Street where you can enjoy his cuisine right in the heart of this beautiful city.Enjoy a welcome break from a busy day and discover the perfect place for a spot of lunch. You’ll feel in-touch with the big blue from the moment you step in the door with clever little touches to give an authentic feeling of being by the sea.You’ll be well looked after by the attentive staff and can sit back and relax as the chefs in the open kitchen add a touch of flair to the atmosphere with the sizzle of fresh fish on the grill.The restaurant offers both a la carte and set lunch menu options, which include a good selection of non-fish based delights, a vegetarian menu and gluten free options.Rick Stein’s emphasis on simple cooking ensures the quality of the produce is the hero of the dish. Each course is simply cooked to perfection, with a nod to its coastal heritage.The wine menu boast a selection of wines picked by Rick Stein himself and complement the dishes perfectly. A crisp white wine goes down a treat with tender fish that falls off the bone.At Rick Stein’s in Winchester it’s not just about the food, it’s about the experience, and from the moment you step in the door a great experience is what you’ll have.

To book call 01962 35 35 35

LOCATION: 7 High St, Winchester SO23 9JX www.rickstein.com 01962 353535

Location: Winchester Cathedral Office, 9 The Close, Winchester, SO23 9LS www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk 01962 857200cathedral.office@winchester-cathedral.org.uk @ winchestercathedral @WinCathedral @winchestercathedral