Winchester is the ancient capital of Wessex, and is the county town of Hampshire. The town cathedral, Winchester Cathedral, is the second longest buildong in Europe, It is a beautiful building built in 1079 but with examples of 11th to 16th century architecture. In the surrounding streets are old pubs, small shops and various restaurants. Other town attractions are Wolvesey Castle and Palace, formerly the Norman Bishops Palace, Winchester Castle which is known for its Great Hall built in the 12th century and Winchester City Mill, first built in the 11th century and still milling corn today after some restoration work. Winchester has a vibrant cultural scene, with theatres, art galleries, a leisure centre and a successful theatre. The town hosts an annual Hat Fair which is a celebration of street theatre and it is also the setting for Simon Youlds fictional series - Sword of the Spirits. Winchester is also an excellent centre for walking, with many beautiful walks in the countryside surrounding the town.
Areas around Winchester are Avington, Badger Farm, Beauworth, Bighton, Bishops Sutton, Bishops Waltham, Boarhunt, Bramdean, Cheriton, Chilcomb, Colden Common, Compton and Shawford, Corhampton, Crawley, Curdridge, Denmead, Droxford, Durley, Easton, Exton, Hambledon, Headbourne Worthy, Hinton Ampner, Hursley, Itchen Abbas, Itchen Stoke, Itchen Valley, Kilmiston, Kings Worthy, Littleton and Harestock, Martyr Worthy, Meonstoke, Micheldever, New Alresford, Northington, Old Alresford, Olivers battery, Otterbourne, Ovington, Owslebury, Shedfield, Soberton, Southwick and Widley, South Wonston, Sparsholt, Sutton Scotney, Swanmore, Tichborne, Twyford, Upham, Warnford, West Meon, Wickham and Wonston
Winchester Hotel, Winchester Bed and Breakfast, Winchester Cheap Hotel accommodation suitable for a Winchester Weekend Break, a Winchester City Break, Winchester Wedding Accommodation, Winchester Guys Night out, Winchester Girls Night out or even a Winchester Stag Night or a Winchester Hen Night