Winchester is a historic cathedral city and is the former capital of England. It was established by King Egbert as the main city in his kingdom in 827 and remained the capital until the eleventh century. There has been a settlement at the site for over 2,000 years.
Today Winchester is an attractive city in the southern English countryside and is in close proximity of Southampton. Most of the things to see and do in the city are within easy walking distance of each other and from the main rail station.
The city’s long history means that there are lots of landmarks worth seeing. Winchester Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in England and was originally built in 1079, although most parts of it have been rebuilt or extensively restored since then. It is home to architecture spanning from the 11th to the 16th century and is now the venue for regular recitals and concerts.
Another landmark worth visiting is Winchester Castle, known in particular for its Great Hall which is home to an imitation Arthurian Round Table constructed in the 13th century. The names of the legendary Knights of the Round Table are written around the edge.
