I don't know it well, but can give you a few tips and hope somebody else replies!

Winchester is a lovely city with its impressive cathedral, Great Hall, some museums and lots of posh shops.

Things I can think of nearby...

At New Alresford you can catch the Watercress Line steam train to Alton and back. See http://www.watercressline.co.uk/.

There are lovely walks in the area. We have been to Cheesefoot Head (east of W.). There's Farley Mount Country Park, to the west
http://www.hants.gov.uk/countryside/fmcp/

There's Marwell Zoo.

The road through Ampfield to Romsey is very pretty.

The Hillier Arboretum north-east of Romsey if you like gardens/gardening.

There might be concerts on at the cathedral in the evenings if you like clasical/choral music.

Hope this gives you some ideas to work on!

I was working at Sparsholt College, a couple of miles from Winchester last year. Winchester is a very scenic city with the River Itchen (a famous chalk stream) and some excellent achitechure with the cathedral etc. Winchester is also a good base for nearby places, eg Southampton is only 20 mins or so away etc.

Darren

thanks for your replies everyone - keep them coming - also looking at lincoln and salisbury now - anyone been to either for a weekend break? Cant decide but winchester still looks better for food/pubs. etc

lyn

If I had to choose between Lincoln, Salisbury and Winchester, I'd go with Winchester. The Itchen is a great river with some scenic walks.

Darren

thanks darren - yes we have definately decided to see what winchester has to offer . if anyone has any recommendations for good resturants/pubs that would be great

lyn

hi lyn , have stayed in winchester many times,
its a lovely place loads to do, lots of history, beautiful walks
and a great place to do some shopping,
i just know you will have a lovely weekend.

love fizz xxxx

I live near Winchester and know it and the surrounding area quite well.

The Wykeham Arms is excellent for food, and I'm sure accommodation but the Hotle du Vin beats them all for food and accommodation (but it is more expensive).

As well as the places other people have mentioned, there is also the River Test (reputedly the best trout river in the world). There is a nice pub on the river near Chilbolton (about 10 miles north of Winchester) where you can sit outside by the river and watch the trout (feed them too), called The Mayfly.

Stockbridge nearby is good to visit with its many pubs, antique shops and art galleries (Three Cups - brilliant pub).

Winchester itself has lots of pubs and restaurants and nice shops and is quite small so not difficult to get around. The Cathedral is fantastic and there is an Anthony Gormley sculpture in the crypt worth seeing...

Great walks on Farley Mount too.

Hope you have a good stay!

bellaoz

thanks bellaoz for all that - will print off and take with me . I nearly booked the wykeham arms but it didnt take hubbys fancy we were after a "decent " bed and breakfast within walking distance of town/cathedral/pubs etc so we have plumped for "giffard house" - couldnt find any reviews so have taken a bit of a chance - it has 4 stars but of course that means nothing so hope its ok

lyn

ps unfortunately hotel du vin was a little pricey for us - costs of rooms wernt too bad but there breakfast was an extra 13.50 x 2 - it looked lovely tho and probably in a better position .

Hope you have a lovely time, when are you going to be there? I'll look out for you!

Don't know Giffard House, so hope it's what you're looking for.

bellaoz

PS let me know what you do and what you visit!

going in two weeks time - all booked now and mother in law booked for the weekends babysitting - just going for 2 nights friday to Sunday - its a little treat for our birthdays which are both around that time . we both tend to get money from lots of our close family so thought we would put it to good use instead of frittering it away on nothing. But not long come back from Turkey so cant really afford to go too mad . it sounds just the sort of place we like - some history, good pubs and nice walking . where is farley mount you mentioned bellaoz - is it in winchester. Hopefully we can get details of some good walks from the tourist info . lets hope its not raining
ps oh good just found it on acorncups link - thants everyone

lyn

lyn - if you're driving Farley Mount is easy to get to, as all the other places that have been mentioned. Glad you found acorncup's link, which is excellent.
Parking in Winchester can be a nightmare, with really only the places to park, are in the main car parks. Does Giffard House have its own car park as that will make it easier. The one way system round the city dicates the way you go but as it is small, best to leave your car where you're staying to see the city and only use it when you go out.
Winchester College is a very famous Boys Public School which spreads out from the cathedral, the architecture of some of these houses is amazing - facing the front door of the cathedral turn right and wander the streets (Wykeham Arms nearby).
Don't forget King Alfred burnt his cakes in Winchester and Arthur's legends abound here too.
Another place to eat in the city is the Chesil Rectory - one of the oldest buildings and great food.

Stop me rambling someone!

You can see why I like living here...

thanks bellaoz -yes gifford house has a car park. its in christchurch rd (no 50)which looks like it has a railway line running behind . 10 mins walks into center she told me . Asked about railway noise and she said you dont really hear much . sounds nice we have a room overlooking garden on the side and the only rooms she had left were premium rooms with seperate living area . apparently they have just been given some award or other . its in the tourst board brochure . hopefully we dont intend to do much driving . we shall just head off with our best walking legs and see where they take us. Having said that all these links everyone is kindly sending me is making me think maybe we should get in the car .

hubby loves all that history stuff and the pubs . as will probably wont get there until later friday afternoon should we book a table somewhere do you think - if you could choose one place with friendly atmosphere and reasonable priced within walking distance where would you choose? maybe the wykeham arms or the chesil rectory- they both sound good

lyn

I'd book Lyn, although the city is small, people like us come in from the villages to eat and it gets very busy!
Wykeham Arms is a jolly, locals and tourists pub/restaurant and quite trendy - it gets very busy and is good fun with good food. Not too costly.
The Chesil Rectory is a restaurant, very smart (white linen tablecloths and silver cutlery etc), quiet ambience and very good food. It is more expensive than the Wykeham.
I'd probably go to the Wykeham, it's probably nearer where you're staying (although I don't know that road) and cheaper. The Chesil Rectory is at the other end of town, not a very long walk, but further than the Wykeham.
If you want posh, there is, of course, the Hotel du Vin restaurant but that is expensive. Could go there for tea?

thanks for that bellaoz - "posh" is not really our thing -much prefer a good pub resturant with decent food - i think maybe i will book a table at the wykham arms to be safe for the friday night

lyn

Lyn, just so your hubby knows (if he's into history)... Winchester College was founded by William of Wykeham and the boys are known as Wykehamists. The pub is named after him... it's pronounce Wickham rather than Why-kham - very confusing.

I'm sure you'll enjoy the food and the atmosphere there.

Maybe see you exploring the delights of the area, not next weekend but the one after?

thats right bellaoz - and thanks for all the help - if you think of any more must do /sees feel free to "ramble " as much as you like over the next 2 weeks you might sell winchester to a few more HT members - could be the "hottest" weekend break this summer

lyn

Lyn

I hope you had a fabulous weekend in wet Winchester! Sorry the weather wasn't good for you yesterday...

Let me know how you got on and where you visited!

bellaoz

hi bellaoz - yes we had a lovely weekend (apart from the 6 hours it took us to get there due to M25/M3 junction shut on friday afternoon) - gifford house hotel was just fab - we had a georgous room , very friendly and lovely breakfast it was about 10-15 minute walk into town but it was in a lovely part of town . Had a walk into town friday evening and ended up in a chinese -" mr so" i think it was called - lovely . Then Saturday we did all the sights - cathedral, barracks, great hall etc. following 2 town walks which we got from the tourist board taking us around the whole of winchester . including the weirs, the castle ruins etc . We then had lunch and a couple of beers at the queen inn - a lovely pub just down the road from our hotel. then we walked along the river to st cross hospital and then back again and up to st giles hill. We were absolutely knackered and then collapsed on a bench next to King alfred statue. Another pub and then 2 hours sleep back at the hotel and back down the queen inn for dinner and more drinkies. Alas woke up sunday morning to rain. Had planned to go somewhere out of town on the sunday before heading home - Either alsford or Farley mount - We decided to give it a go and drove to Crab wood for a walk thinking it may shelter us from the rain. But we didnt have boots and out feet were soaked after 10 mins so we headed back into town for a coffee and cake and some shopping before heading home. .

wincheser was lovely with lots of lovely walking right on the doorstep so hopefully we will go back again and explore some more

lyn

Brilliant! Really pleased. Thanks for letting me know.

You probably know Winchester better than I do now! You know what it's like when it's on your doorstep...

Salisbury is good too!