Winchester Cathedral is one of the greatest cathedrals in Europe, rising serenely from the heart of England’s ancient capital. Begun by the Normans in 1079 on a site where kings had been crowned and buried since Saxon times, it boasts the longest medieval nave in the world — a breathtaking avenue of Gothic stone more than 160 metres from end to end. If you’re in the city for the Winchester Science Centre, this is the other half of a perfect Winchester day.
A Thousand Years of Stories
Few buildings anywhere pack in so much history. Jane Austen is buried in the nave, and pilgrims still visit her grave; the mortuary chests hold the bones of Saxon kings and of Cnut; and William the Conqueror’s son William Rufus lies here too. Best-loved of all is the tale of William Walker, the deep-sea diver who spent six years working in darkness beneath the flooded foundations a century ago — and quite literally saved the cathedral with his bare hands.
Tours, the Tower and the Crypt
Excellent guided tours run through the day and are included with admission. The frequently flooded crypt contains Antony Gormley’s haunting statue Sound II, standing calmly in the water when the levels rise. For the adventurous, bookable tower tours climb 213 steps past the bell chamber and along the nave roof to views right across the city — an unforgettable extra (minimum age 11, and a decent head for heights required).
Visiting Winchester Cathedral
The cathedral sits at the centre of Winchester, minutes from the Great Hall and King Arthur’s legendary Round Table, with the railway station an easy walk away. Your admission ticket cleverly works as an annual pass, so you can return as often as you like for twelve months, and entry for worship and prayer is always free. Time a visit for the famous Christmas market in the Close — regularly rated among the best in Europe — and check ahead for tower tour dates, as they book up fast.
Book Your Visit
Annual pass admission, tower tours and events are on the official Winchester Cathedral website.
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