Winchester Accommodation

Winchester's grand Cathedral in the centre of the city
Gormley's Sound II statue in the crypt of the cathedral. At its best when it floods
Trace Winchester's history in and around the cathedral
Historic houses near the cathedral
The house where Jane Austen spent the last weeks of her life in College Street

Winchester Cathedral Tourist Information Hampshire

Winchester Cathedral is one of the finest Gothic cathedrals in the country. It dates back to at least the seventh century when a Christian church stood on the site. The Saxons developed the Winchester Cathedral to be the ecclesiastical centre for the Wessex Kingdom

The Cathedral has several literary connections with Jane Austen being buried here, John Keats having found inspiration on his walks through Cathedral Close for "An ode to Autumn" and more recently the cathedral was used as a location for the film adaptation of Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code" in 2005.

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Winchester Cathedral - St Swithun

Winchester Cathedral originated from the seventh century when a Christian church was built on the site and was the centre of religious pilgrimage. The cathedral as it stands today was begun in 1079 when the architectural style was Romanesque. Isle of Wight stone and huge timbers from Hampshire oaks were used. The crypts and transepts are the only remaining parts of the cathedral dating from this time.

In the Saxon Kingdom of Wessex the cathedral was at the heart of a huge diocese that stretched from the Thames in London to the Channel Islands. Over the years the cathedral was enlarged and remodelled incorporating vast Gothic sweeping vaulted ceilings in the Nave and intricate carvings of stone throughout.

Winchester Cathedral is linked with the legend of Saint Swithun. He was a Bishop of Winchester Cathedral during the ninth century and was renowned for his generosity of spirit such as inviting the poor to banquets and making the trips around his diocese on foot. The miracle he was renowned for was where he restored a basket of broken eggs that had been maliciously broken by workmen.

When he died his wishes were that he be buried outside the cathedral so that the "sweet rain of heaven" could fall on his grave. From this the saying that, if it rains on Saint Swithun's Day, 15 July, it will rain for forty days and forty nights. In July 971 it was decided that his body would be reburied inside the Cathedral in a new shrine in the Old Minster. It is said that the ceremony was delayed by forty days of rain - a sign of Saint Swithun's disapproval of the move! It is from this day that Saint Swithun's Day became established after this torrential downpour and miraculous cures around the event.

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market

A highlight of the winter season is the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market. Set against the cathedral as a stunning backdrop the Christmas market consists of cosy log cabins and an outdoor ice rink below the cathedral gives it that real Christmassy feel.

There's a whole range of gift ideas from gourmet food to arts and crafts as well as a Food Court with speciality food chalets offering continental and British festive treats. Carol singing and Christmas music all add to the festive feel.

The market usually runs from end of November to mid December while the Ice-Rink is open from end of November to January from 10am-7.30pm (8.30pm on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays).

Check out the link right for more information of this year's Christmas market.

Jane Austen's Grave Winchester Cathedral

One of the most famous people to have been buried at Winchester Cathedral is Jane Austen. Although as was the tradition for clergyman's family not much is made of her fame that she had attained even in her own lifetime on the inscription itself.

She had travelled to Winchester to see a doctor in the hope that he could provide a cure, but she finally succumbed as a result of Addison's disease, on 18 July 1817 at the age of 41.

Her grave is in the North Aisle in the Cathedral as a consequence of her clergyman father's right to bury members of his family in the Cathedral.

Visiting Winchester Cathedral Tours

Winchester Cathedral is open daily (from 8.30am-6pm, 5.30pm on Sundays) for visitors and pilgrims alike. To get the most out of your visit why not take a tour around the Cathedral.

Public tours are available on a drop in basis. There are three tours: the "Cathedral Tour", the "Tower Tour" and the "Crypt Tour".

Pre-booked tours are available for groups of five or more and cover a variety of themes such as "An Architectural Odyssey" or "Jane Austen - Her Life and Times". Check the Winchester Cathedral website, link right for more information. There is a dedicated Visitor Centre with information on the history of the Cathedral. It also has an Egon Ronay Award Winning restaurant. The profits from all commercial activities at the Cathedral are used for the upkeep and mission of the Cathedral.

The Cathedral Office, 1, The Close, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9LS. Tel: 01962 857200. Fax: 01962 857201. Email: cathedral.office@winchester-cathedral.org.uk