What to do in Winchester

Activities, attractions and tours

Winchester featuring heritage architecture and a fountain
Winchester featuring heritage architecture and a fountain
Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium
Winchester featuring heritage architecture and a city
Winchester City Mill featuring heritage architecture and a river or creek

Winchester Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Winchester has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Winchester is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Winchester to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Winchester Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Winchester.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Winchester attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Top places to visit

1. Winchester Cathedral

Marvel at the symmetrical towers and vast arched windows of Winchester Cathedral’s magnificent façade and step inside to discover one of the longest naves in Europe. Admire intricate wood carvings and take a look at one of the oldest remaining English bibles.
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Winchester Cathedral featuring a park, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

2. Marwell Zoo

Marvel at swimming penguins and spot cheetahs hiding among the trees at Marwell Zoo, Winchester’s expansive wildlife park. Learn about a range of animals while relaxing on a steam train as it slowly weaves its way through this 140-acre (56-hectare) park.
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Marwell Wildlife featuring cuddly or friendly animals and zoo animals

3. Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium

Find out what the inside of a black hole looks like or set off to the far corners of the solar system at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium. Put yourself to the test with the fascinating science center’s range of games, which includes scoring points in wheelchair basketball and landing a plane at Heathrow Airport.
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Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium

4. Great Hall

Visit Winchester’s Great Hall to see the famous round table where it is believed King Arthur once sat with his knights. View the building’s rustic stone exterior and elegant arched windows and discover the exquisite wooden décor and grand marble pillars within.
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Great Hall which includes heritage architecture

5. Winchester City Mill

Watch the fast-flowing waters of the River Itchen push the wheel and turn the wooden cogs of the picturesque Winchester City Mill, the same way it did more than two centuries ago. See how this intricate process produces fine flour and have a go at grinding the wheat yourself.
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Winchester City Mill featuring a river or creek and heritage architecture

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What to do in Winchester

Discover the most popular places to visit in Winchester

Winchester Cathedral featuring a park, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

Winchester Cathedral

5/5(17 reviews)

With its exquisite artwork and fascinating historical relics, Winchester’s Gothic masterpiece is thought to be one of the nation’s finest cathedrals.

Winchester Cathedral
Marwell Wildlife which includes dangerous animals and zoo animals

Marwell Zoo

4.5/5(2 reviews)

Head out on a safari in search of hippos, snow leopards and giraffes or check out unusual reptiles at this spacious zoo and wildlife park.

Marwell Zoo
Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium

Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium

Try out an extensive selection of interactive exhibits and lose yourself in deep space at one of the U.K.’s largest digital planetariums.

Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium
Great Hall which includes heritage architecture

Great Hall

4/5(7 reviews)

Admire one of the finest 13th-century halls in England and see the legendary round table of King Arthur at this monument to the city’s medieval heritage.

Great Hall
Winchester City Mill featuring a river or creek and heritage architecture

Winchester City Mill

Set in a charming riverside location, one of the few remaining watermills in England offers an idyllic and enthralling insight into 18th-century engineering.

Winchester City Mill
Hospital of St Cross featuring heritage architecture

Hospital of St Cross

Set within tranquil gardens, England’s oldest charitable institution features traditional 15th-century architecture and a stunning Norman church.

Hospital of St Cross
The last home of the great novelist Jane Austen. Now a private residence near the Cathedral

Winchester College

Enjoy the collegiate vibe when you visit Winchester College, during your travels in Winchester. Visit the area's stunning cathedral or amble around its picturesque gardens.

Winchester College
Wolvesey Castle which includes a castle and heritage elements

Wolvesey Castle

Explore fascinating ruins set amid serene parkland to be transported back hundreds of years and discover a magnificent medieval castle.

Wolvesey Castle

Winchester Christmas Market

3/5(2 reviews)

You can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Winchester Christmas Market during your trip to Winchester. Wander the area's picturesque gardens or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Winchester Christmas Market

 

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Frequently asked questions

Is Winchester worth visiting?
Known for its walking trails and views, finding awesome things to do in Winchester is a cinch. Be sure to add Winchester Cathedral to your trip itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Winchester?
Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium and City Museum are two excellent places to start your vacation adventures. Be sure to check out the shopping and dining options in Winchester while you're there too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Winchester?
The top tourist attraction in Winchester is Winchester Cathedral, so make sure to add it to your itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Winchester?
Three days in Winchester is plenty of time to enjoy the city's leading attractions. Many travellers spend two days on average. Winchester Cathedral, Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium and Theatre Royal Winchester are top-rated sights. Want to see more? Hang around a bit longer to visit nearby hotspots such as Southampton.
Is Winchester a walkable city?
If touring on foot sounds like your kind of vacation, Winchester is a perfect destination. Find leading sights, including Winchester Cathedral, within walking distance of downtown. You can also go for a stroll around Littleton, a cool neighbourhood located about 5 kilometres from the city centre.
What are some activities to do in Winchester with kids?
If you are after attractions and activities for all the family, here are some awesome ideas for what to do in Winchester with kids.

What to do in Winchester for adults?
There's no shortage of things to do in Winchester, with activities for adults of all ages. Round off your day with a visit to South Downs Way.
Are there free things to do in Winchester?
From checking out parks to strolling around hip neighbourhoods, it's a breeze to find free things to do in Winchester. If you're in need of ideas, get some tips from a local tour guide. Winchester Cathedral is a great spot for anyone wanting to save on their sightseeing activities.

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