Winchester
Properties and events in Winchester
Before heading out for your Heritage Open Days visit, please check entries for last-minute changes.
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.
Weapons Talk
An exclusive look at the weapons held by the Royal Logistic Corps Museum
Hampshire Chronicle
Visit the Hampshire Chronicle's office and meet the team.
Archive Tour
Enjoy a behind the scenes look at the Museum archive
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Meet the Anglo-Saxons at The Ark, Winchester
Join our Anglo-Saxons from 878AD Anglo-Saxon experience
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.
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.
Historic Winchester - Super Explorer Trail
Experience 4 sites in Winchester, completing tasks to become a Super Explorer!
Chesil Theatre
Medieval listed building in the heart of Winchester, now used by Winchester Dramatic Society as a theatre.
Winchester MG Owners Club classic and sportscar display
A display of classic and sports cars in front of the Great Hall in Winchester
Winchester's Military Museums
Free admission to all of Winchester's Military Museums on Saturday 7th and Saturday 14th September 2024
Winchester City Museum
Enjoy free entrance to Winchester City Museum on 7th September as part of Historic Winchester's Super Explorer event.
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.
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.
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.
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
Churchill's Spaniards - a talk by author Séan Scullion
An engaging talk about an often overlooked aspect of military history
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.
Churchill's Spaniards - a talk by author Séan Scullion
An engaging talk about an often overlooked aspect of military history
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
Objects Talk
Find out more about the objects cared for by the Museum.
St John's Assembly Room, Winchester
Visit the 18th century Assembly Room on the first floor of St John's House, Winchester
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.
Museum Tour
An exclusive tour of the Royal Logistic Corps Museum
'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.
Hampshire Cultural Trust store tour
Tour of the Hampshire Cultural Trust collections held at the Chilcomb House stores
Open bell ringing evening
Bell tower open to view church bells and try your hand a chiming a bell.
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.
Hampshire Cultural Trust store tour
Tour of the Hampshire Cultural Trust collections held at the Chilcomb House stores
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.
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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.
Hyde900: Exhibition of Finds Discovered in Hyde900 Community Digs
See the finds from the gardens of Hyde householders whose gardens were dug in the community digs of 2016 to 2023.
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: Medieval tile-making workshop
An amazing opportunity to have a go at making tiles in the medieval manner!
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.
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.
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.
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.