Winchester
Properties and events in Winchester
Before heading out for your Heritage Open Days visit, please check entries for last-minute changes.
'If music be the food of love, play on!' A concert by Courtlye Musick with Scott Free
'If music be the food of love, play on!' A concert to appeal to the lovers of Early Music and the magic of Shakespeare.
A step back in time: The storied past of St Giles Hill Park
A 90-minute guided walk up and around St Giles Hill - including the hilltop park with views across the centre of Winchester - led by local historian and noted horticulturalist Dr Harry Mycock.
A walk through the water meadows to St Cross
A walk of historical interest from central Winchester to St Cross and back. About 2 miles.
A walking tour of Medieval Winchester
This walking tour led by Dr Cindy Wood will explore medieval Winchester - looking at the characters who lived in various properties and churches in the city which are now lost.
Abbey House Open Day
On Saturday 7th September, Abbey House will be open to the public as part of the Heritage Open Days scheme. Abbey House is the official residence of the Mayor of Winchester, and is not usually open to the public.
Archive Tour
Enjoy a behind the scenes look at the Museum archive
Archive Tours - Winchester College
Enjoy a one-hour tour of Winchester College's Archives.
Berengaria of Navarre, Queen and Lord: Making Connections in Medieval Europe
Berengaria of Navarre, often forgotten queen of England, forged partnerships and connections across Western Europe during her marriage and beyond. This talk explores connections, friendships, and alliances in medieval Europe.
Bishop's Waltham Palace and Museum
Come for guided tours of the fascinating buildings of Bishop's Waltham Palace, started in the 12th century by the Bishop of Winchester. The Palace was so grand all the Tudor Monarchs stayed there.
Chesil Theatre
Medieval listed building in the heart of Winchester, now used by Winchester Dramatic Society as a theatre.
Churchill's Spaniards - a talk by author Séan Scullion
An engaging talk about an often overlooked aspect of military history
Classic & Sports Car Parade
A Classic car parade around Winchester city centre! Cars will gather at the St Catherine's Park & Ride before forming up to leave together at 12 noon for a tour of the city centre where they may be seen from many vantage points.
College Tours - Winchester College
Enjoy a one-hour tour of Winchester College, led by an experienced and friendly guide. The tour focuses on the school's history and medieval architecture.
Family Backstage Tour at Theatre Royal Winchester
A backstage tour of Theatre Royal Winchester for families that takes in the stage, dressing rooms and backstage areas.
Family Craft Activities - Winchester College
Join us for some family-friendly craft activities based on our Treasury museum collections.
Fellows' Library Tours - Winchester College
Enjoy a one-hour tour of Winchester College's Fellows' Library.
Flora Twort’s War: the wartime diary of a Hampshire artist
Flora Twort was an artist in Petersfield, remembered for her sketches and paintings of the town before WWII. Wendy Couchman, a local author & artist will give a talk about her research into Flora's life and work
Guided Tour of Old Hyde House on Hyde Street, ADAM Architecture offices
Old Hyde House on Hyde Street was built on part of the original Hyde Abbey Precinct, established in the northern suburb of the city in the twelfth century. Visitors will have a tour of its architectural history and broader historical context.
Hampshire Chronicle
Visit the Hampshire Chronicle's office and meet the team.
Hampshire Cultural Trust store tour
Tour of the Hampshire Cultural Trust collections held at the Chilcomb House stores
Hampshire Regency Dancers
Hampshire Regency Dancers will be in the Great Hall, Winchester on 7th September 2024, demonstrating dances from the Regency era. The opportunity for audience participation will be part of each dance session.
Heritage Backstage Tour at Theatre Royal Winchester
Learn about the theatre building's history in this 75 minute backstage tour that takes in the stage, dressing rooms, 400-seat auditorium and fly tower.
Historic Winchester - Super Explorer Trail
Experience 4 sites in Winchester, completing tasks to become a Super Explorer!
Hockley Water Mill
Hockley Watermill, Church Lane, Twyford, Hampshire, SO21 1NT Open 11 to 4 Sunday 8 September Guided tours by members of the Hampshire Mills Group of an unusual watermill which was originally part of Hockley Farm
Horsepower The King's Royal Hussars Museum
Free museum entry from 6th-15th September! Come down from 6th-15th September to explore the history of Horsepower at Hampshire's only museum of Cavalry.
Hyde900: ‘Want your garden dug?’ How the community archaeological excavation of Hyde Abbey is revealing its historic layout. An illustrated talk by Dr John Crook
Dr Crook, architectural advisor to Hyde900, discusses the layout of Hyde Abbey, a major medieval monastery, obliterated under Henry VIII. The community archaeological excavations have added significantly to our knowledge of the abbey’s core buildings
Hyde900: Display of Copy of Medieval Liber Vitae of New Minster and Hyde Abbey
Believed to date from 1031, the Liber Vitae (the 'Book of Life') of New Minster and Hyde Abbey recorded the daily life of the New Minster and (after 1110) of Hyde Abbey.
Hyde900: Emma of Normandy - the medieval queen that Netflix has yet to discover. A talk by Don Bryan
Emma of Normandy. ‘ Who?’ I hear you ask. Wife of two kings (Aethelred II, the Unready, and King Cnut) mother of two kings (Harthacnut and Edward the Confessor). Don Bryan will tell us why this extraordinary woman deserves to be better known.
Hyde900: Exhibition of Finds Discovered in Hyde900 Community Digs
See the finds discovered in local gardens during community excavations from 2016 to 2023.
Hyde900: Hidden in Hyde - a trail
Follow this self-guided trail for children (and adults!) to discover the evidence of the remains of the Abbey hidden all around Hyde.
Hyde900: Hyde Abbey Heritage – A guided walk
Hyde Abbey Heritage – a guided walk in the footsteps of the monks and pilgrims who frequented Hyde Abbey in the days of its Medieval glory.
Hyde900: King Alfred's Last Journey - a child friendly trail between the three burial sites of Alfred the Great.
Solve the clues as you follow the trail from Winchester City Museum to Hyde Abbey - King Alfred's resting place and the location of Hyde900's Heritage Open Day events. Discover some fascinating facts along the way.
Hyde900: Medieval tile-making workshop
An amazing opportunity to have a go at making tiles in the medieval manner!
Hyde900: Saxon Activities Table for Children
Experience Saxon childhood through games and activities.
Joan of Navarre's circuitous route to Winchester: The unorthodox making of an English Queen
Joan of Navarre is one of England's least known--but most interesting--queens consort. This talk will reveal her very unusual route to becoming Queen of England, including her challenging voyage to Winchester to marry Henry IV in 1403.
Making a Grade 2 listed 1680s town house greener
Tour of the house shows what has been done to make it more energy-efficient, covering materials, trades, cost, listed building consent & hassles. New in 2024: hemp and plaster internal insulation of rooms under roof and external wall; heat pump.
Making Connections: Explore Hampshire Archives, connecting the present to the past
Who do you think we are? What do you think we do? Come along to Hampshire Record Office to connect to the past, explore the fascinating world of archives and watch our conservator at work
Meet the Anglo-Saxons at The Ark, Winchester
Join our Anglo-Saxons from 878AD Anglo-Saxon experience
Museum Tour
An exclusive tour of the Royal Logistic Corps Museum
Objects Talk
Find out more about the objects cared for by the Museum.
Open bell ringing evening
Bell tower open to view church bells and try your hand a chiming a bell.
Open Choir Rehearsal - Winchester College Quiristers
Enjoy an open rehearsal of Winchester College's Quiristers in Winchester College's Chapel.
P&G Wells bookshop history talks
P&G Wells is on College Street in Winchester and is (possibly) the oldest bookshop in England. During HODs we will open up the old Bindery & give short talks about the history of the building & the people who worked (and lived) here.
Poetry Routes Networks and Connections: A journey on King Alfred's Buses with the Hampshire Poet
Join Damian Kelly-Basher - Hampshire Poet 2024-26 - for a journey on one of King Alfred’s Buses to hear poems exploring the Heritage Open Days theme of ‘Routes - Networks - Connections’
Showcasing Hampshire History
An exhibition of stalls and a programme of talks by a number of local history societies which will present a comprehensive picture of what is currently happening in Hampshire history
Spy School in the Woods
Uncovering secrets from the past, we explore the role a wartime spy school concealed deep in Hampshire's New Forrest. Established to train secret agents to 'set Europe ablaze', the school had a lasting legacy that remains relevant today.
St John the Baptist, St John's Street, Winchester
Winchester's oldest parish church, St John's, built in the 12th century, is situated on the ancient Pilgrim's Way between Winchester and Canterbury. Described by Sir John Betjeman as ‘a gem'. Come and admire its medieval simplicity and beauty.
St John the Evangelist Church, Northington
A unique and impressive Victorian church designed by Sir Thomas Graham Jackson. Truly magnificent and puts many cathedrals to shame. This tour reveals stories associated with the building, its environment and the Baring family.
St John's Assembly Room, Winchester
Visit the 18th century Assembly Room on the first floor of St John's House, Winchester
The Grange, Northington
The Grange, Northington, Hampshire, the foremost example of Greek Revival architecture anywhere in England. Modelled on an Ancient Greek temple, owes its appearance to the architect William Wilkins, who went on to design the National Art Gallery.
The Great Hall with the Westgate Museum
See the legendary King Arthur's Round Table with free entrance to The Great Hall and Westgate Museum on 7th September.
Tour of Wolvesey Castle, Winchester
A tour of the ruins of Wolvesey Castle, the 12th century palace of the Bishops of Winchester, led by one of Winchester's official Tourist Guides
United Church Anniversary Exhibition
United Church Winchester is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its creation on 8 September 2024. We welcome visitors to see the Grade II interior with various exhibitions and displays.
Vintage Bus Running Day
The Friends of King Alfred Buses collection of vintage buses dating from 1929 to 1970 will be operating a range of free bus services based on Winchester Broadway from 10:00 to 16:00.
War Cloister Tours - Winchester College
A one-hour tour of Winchester College's war memorial, War Cloister.
Weapons Talk
An exclusive look at the weapons held by the Royal Logistic Corps Museum
West Hill Cemetery, Winchester; walking tour
This is a guided tour around the West Hill Cemetery in Winchester. Led by Dr Christina Welch (University of Winchester) it will provide an overview of the site from its establishment through to more contemporary times. Do wear appropriate footwear.
Winchester City Mill
Winchester City Mill has stood at the heart of the historic city of Winchester, the capital of King Alfred’s Wessex, since at least Saxon times. With over 100 years history, a cafe, a beautiful island garden and a wonderful bookshop.
Winchester City Mill - The Great Pilgrimage
Out There Actions tell the story of the Great Pilgrimage of 1913, when women marched through Winchester on their way to London, campaigning for the Vote. This will be a short performance, repeated throughout the day, on demand.
Winchester City Museum
Enjoy free entrance to Winchester City Museum on 7th September as part of Historic Winchester's Super Explorer event.
Winchester Friends (Quaker) Meeting House
Exhibition of "Loving Earth Project" Panels of sewn collage celebrating parts of our planet that we value and want to conserve. Visit our lovely Grade II listed Georgian house and peaceful walled garden. Cream teas and refreshments available.
Winchester Literary Tour
Join Dr Gary Farnell (University of Winchester) for a walking tour of literary Winchester. Follow in the footsteps of writers with Winchester links, from Alfred the Great to Jane Austen, John Keats to Anthony Trollope, Thomas Hardy to Claire Fuller.
Winchester MG Owners Club classic and sportscar display
A display of classic and sports cars in front of the Great Hall in Winchester
Winchester Muse Poetry Showcase
Winchester Muse presents an lively program of poetry based on the HODs 2024 theme. Accomplished poets have been selected from our poetry platform which meets on the second Monday of the month, 1900h at Winchester School of Art.
Winchester's Military Museums
Free admission to all of Winchester's Military Museums on Saturday 7th and Saturday 14th September 2024
Woodlands House,Bramdean
Art Collection and Award listed Classical House