WINCHESTER

King Alfred

The first thing I see every day, as I approach Winchester is a magnificent statue of King Alfred the Great. Not only was King Alfred a scholar, a soldier and statesman, but he restored Winchester, after the dark ages and made it, his Capital of England. Winchester has a very mixed history dated as far back as the Saxon Kings. By the late 1980's it had become the richest City in England.

The Great Hall

This thirteenth century hall is the only part of Winchester Castle that has survived time. It is one of the best medieval buildings in the country. The hall is all that now stands at the top of the hill that Winchester Castle was built on. It was during the early reign of William the Conqueror [1066] that the building of the Castle commenced. Winchester was the seat of the Government under the early Norman Kings. It was almost completely rebuilt during the reign of Henry 111 [1216-1272]  With the magnificent Great Hall it was one of the finest castles in England.

 The Great Hall would have been decked with, coats of arms, large pictures and statures. But after an extensive five in 1302, it ceased to be used as a Royal Residence, only the Great Hall continued to be used for the administration of Justice until the 1970's.

It was here in 1603, that Sir Walter Raleigh was condemned to death.

The Round Table

T he legendary table of King Arthur and his Knights, has been hanging in the Great Hall for 600 years. The table is believed to have been made in the 13th century, some 700 years after the death of King Arthur

The table was painted during the reign of King Henry VIII, King Arthur is dressed in Tudor Robes with the face of Henry VIII.

Winchester Cathedral

Some of the earliest Kings of England are buried within the Cathedral.

 The cathedral and Deanery

Winchester Cathedral., which dates back to medieval time, has the longest nave in Europe.

Beneath the east end of the Cathedral, lays the beautiful, secret Norman Crypt, which often floods. The Statue ''Sound 11'' which was designed by Anthony Gormley, was designed to stand in water. The tombs are also very impressive.

The Westgate

At the top of the high street, the West Gate is a fortified medieval gateway. Above the gate, is a little museum, which holds many fascinating relics.

Up until a few years ago, traffic still went through the Westgate, but the main road now takes a detour around the gate.

Looking down, from the Westgate into the main town centre.

The Cross

The cross is situated, in the high street, which is now a public walkway. This area used to be the old market place. 

River Itchen

One of the nicest pleasures, is to walk, in the footsteps of the Great English poet, Keats, from the silk mill, along the banks of the River Itchen.

Winchester, in the heart of Hampshire, has a lot of history, with many original architectural buildings still standing today. The museums contain many old relics of the past. If you are interested in history. Winchester is worth a visit.

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