Located roughly an hour away from London and close to the M3 and A34, it is the perfect place to take a well-deserved break. Despite being a city (it does have a cathedral after all) it is known for its small market town feel surrounded by green spaces, river walks, historic buildings, interesting artisan shops and great places to eat and drink.
Step back through time and visit the vast Winchester Cathedral- once the most prominent royal churches in Anglo Saxon England. With its 12th century wall paintings, medieval carvings and the illuminated Winchester bible, a visit to the cathedral is an inspiring day out for everyone. Don’t forget to climb the 213 steps up the tower to see the cathedrals bells and walk along the length of the roof! Other historic buildings to include on your visit are The Great Hall and Arthur’s Round Table, the Hospital of St Cross and Wolvesey Castle. Whilst you are exploring, tick of some the city’s landmarks; the bronze statue of Alfred the Great, The City Cross Monument and if you are a fan of poetry experience The Keats walk- home to English romantic poet John Keats.
Did someone say Gin o’clock? The Bombay Sapphire Gin distillery near Winchester gives you a chance to find out more about the unique vapour infusion process that gives Bombay Sapphire its distinct flavour. You can explore the ten botanicals nurtured in the glasshouses at Laverstoke Mill, before heading to the Botanical Dry Room.
For fine dining in Winchester, you can visit the Michelin starred restaurant The Black Rat. Their renowned menu is seasonal and they showcase local produce wherever they can. If you’re into more British classics try the Chesil Rectory, a Grade II listed medieval building with heaps of original features- think oak beams and open fireplaces. The Old Vine is also housed in a beautiful 18th century building, and you can get breakfast right through to supper here. If you fancy a little change, try the Sushi and Sashimi at Kyoto Kitchen which offers authentic Japanese cuisine. Or why not head out of town to the pretty village of Twyford and visit The Bugle Inn, a gastro pub and hotel.
Just a short drive from Winchester is the acclaimed Marwell Zoo, where you can get a taste of Africa in the middle of the Hampshire country side. The 140 acre park is home to hundreds of animals, from the tallest giraffes to the shorter Humboldt penguins.
If you’re feeling energetic, you could try walking or cycling along the South Downs Way, the only National Trail to lie entirely within a National Park. The route stretches one hundred miles, starting in the west at Winchester, before heading across to the white chalky cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy head in Eastbourne.
The average price for property in Winchester stood at £575,122 in May 2018. In terms of property types, flats in Winchester sold for an average of £327,899 and terraced houses for £493,915. This is according to the current Zoopla estimates.
Want to find out more about property in Winchester? Contact our Belvoir Basingstoke Office for further information.
