Winchester is eagerly awaiting the arrival of summer. This vibrant city with a village feel has plenty to entertain with enriching experiences for all age groups. With its rich history, cultural landmarks, and vibrant festivals, plus easy access by plane, train and automobile, Winchester is the perfect place for summer day trips and sleep overs.
Immerse yourself in centuries of history at Winchester Cathedral, a cornerstone of England’s medieval heritage. From its awe-inspiring architecture to its captivating tales, the cathedral offers a serene retreat from the bustle of everyday life. Step down into the crypt to see Antony Gormley’s sculpture Sound II or up onto the roof with a tower tour for the best views of the city and beyond.
Winchester Cathedral will have activities and entertainment for all ages this summer. From outdoor theatre performances in historic surroundings, to creative workshops, tailored family tours, an interactive trail, and welcoming services. Available all year round and included in your general admission ticket, the Kings and Scribes exhibition is a journey through over 1,000 years of history. Immerse yourself in the lives of influential Anglo-Saxon kings and discover why this interactive exhibition is a must-visit for all ages as a popular rainy-day activity.
Winchester is the ancient capital of Alfred the Great’s Anglo-Saxon kingdom, witness to The Anarchy, powerhouse of medieval monarchs, resting place of Jane Austen and immortalised as Wintoncester in Hardy’s Wessex. Visit Hampshire Cultural Trust’s four heritage attractions in the city to discover Winchester’s unrivalled position in the history of England. The Great Hall is home to the iconic Round Table of Arthurian legend. The Westgate Museum is housed inside a surviving fortified medieval city gateway. The City Museum has three galleries to explore Winchester past and present. At 878 AD you can fully immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Anglo-Saxon Winchester and discover the stories of the people who lived there, brought to life with the spectacular world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Discovery Tour: Viking Age.
These four heritage attractions have a great value explorer ticket giving access to all four, not just for the summer but for a whole twelve months. Find out more at Historic Winchester.
Ignite the curiosity of the younger members of your family at Winchester Science Centre. This interactive hub offers hands-on exhibits, immersive experiences, and fascinating insights into the wonders of the universe. This summer Fiesta is back, an exciting mini children’s festival of curiosity, which is free with general admission. As well as all the usual Science Centre indoor fun, like two floors of hands-on exhibits, live shows and demos and a breath-taking Planetarium experience, families are invited to adventure outside. There’ll be festival tents, mini stages and live science all set against the stunning backdrop of the South Downs National Park.
At Marwell Zoo, your tribe can get up close to the wonders of the natural world and learn about a variety of animals during daily talks and animal feeds. Younger visitors under 14 years can run wild in the in the five adventure playgrounds and you can all refuel together at one of the many cafés and picnic areas. Marwell is also suitable for those with extra needs. There are accessible toilets, baby change facilities, bottle/baby food warming stations and everyone can enjoy their recently opened Makaton led Thriving Through Nature exhibit. For an extra special visit for your group, why not book an animal experience such as giraffe feeding or going behind the scenes with the primates team?
Winchester is well known for its packed calendar of festivals and events. Annual highlights include Hat Fair, Boomtown and the Wickham Festival. Go to Visit Winchester for a full calendar of what’s on this summer.
