Winchester is an interesting city. I last visited it in 2017 when I explored the Cathedral and the National Trust owned Water Mill. Today I followed the history of King Alfred the Great and came along with a suggested walking route around the city which took me past the main sights. The Great Hall and the Round Table was also in my plans.
I arrived at Winchester station at around 10.30am and from there it was a short walk to the Great Hall. The Hall is all that remains of the original castle, the surrounding buildings are used by Hampshire County Council.
The remains of the castle cellar which I explored. The steps on the other side lead to a rather bland square in which is the Hampshire Jubilee scuplture.
Inside the Great Hall which was built by William the Conqueror. Here is the Round Table hung on the wall with the 24 Arthurian knights portrayed around the circumference.
Out of the rear of the Hall is Queen Eleanor's Garden. Inside a large statue of Queen Victoria, a very rare example of her seated.
Into Winchester High Street, busy with Friday morning shoppers. Then the Buttercross, a Holy Cross dating back to the 14th century and marks where butter and other goods were sold to the residents.
King Alfred's statue at the end of the High Street. Then along the River Itchen.
The Water Mill across the bridge. Then stretches of the original Roman city wall.
The walk took me past Winchester College but most of it was invisible behind a tall wall. Further on is the house in College Street where Jane Austen died in 1817.
Prior's Gate which leads into the Cathedral Precinct and passing the Medieval Cheyney Court.
The Deanery and the secluded Dean Garnier Garden.
The Cathedral in all its glory. To the left of this is where the Old Minster, built by Alfred the Great stood until it was moved to the suburb of Hyde in 1110 and which is marked out with bricks. Here I had finished the first section of my walk so stopped for lunch in the Ivy on the High Street.
After lunch I continued with section 2 of the walk, first passing the City Museum and then along to the Westgate which houses another museum.
Now into the Peninsular Barracks which originally housed various brigades and training departments. Most of the barracks closed in 1964 but some remain and the area is now flats and several museums.
St Thomas's Church with its impressive spire then Serles's House, home of the Royal Hampshire Regiment museum. At this point I decided to end my visit and returned to the station and home after a quite interesting day.