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Winchester
Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Around the Cathedral
​Winchester Castle and Vicinity
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CRUISING TO ENGLAND:



WINCHESTER
WINCHESTER CASTLE
​AND VICINITY 


The Round Table at Winchester Castle.
The Round Table at Winchester Castle.
The secular center of historic Winchester was Winchester Castle. It was begun just after the Norman Conquest and served as the new regime's capital for a century. Subsequent monarchs rebuilt and added to the castle. During the English Civil War, it was a Royalist stronghold and after it was taken by the Parliamentary forces, Oliver Cromwell ordered that it be reduced. Following the Restoration, King Charles envisioned building a magnificent palace here along the lines of the Palace of Versailles. However, his plans were never realized.

Today, all that remains intact of the castle is the Great Hall. Built by Henry II in the 13th century, it is an impressive double cube, 110 feet by 55 feet by 55 feet. Features include stained glass windows and wrought iron gates.

The most famous feature of the Great Hall is the huge round table hanging from one wall. For centuries it was believed to be the Round Table of King Arthur. However, modern scientific investigation has shown it to be from the 13th century, several hundred years after King Arthur. While it may not be the table of legend, this antique is nonetheless evocative.

In the area around the Great Hall are a number of excavations that have uncovered parts of the castle's foundations. These show that the castle must have been a quite powerful structure in its day.

Also within the vicinity of the Great Hall are five military museums. They are the regimental museums of the Royal Green Jackets, the Gurkhas, the King's Royal Hussars, the Royal Hampshire Regiment and the museum of the Adjutant General's Corps.. These tell the story of these formations and their predecessors and the conflicts in which they were involved.

Not far from the Great Hall at the top of the High Street is the Westgate. Dating from the 12th century, it is one of two surviving fortified gates that once defended the city. After the need for defense declined, the building was used as a debtors prison. Since 1898, it has served as a museum.

Going down the High Street in the direction of the King Alfred Statue, you come to the Butter Cross. This 43 foot high 15th century town cross is decorated with statues of kings and saints. It name comes from the fact that traders used to sell dairy products here.
​
Between the High Street and the Cathedral Close is the Winchester City Museum. A small museum, it is dedicated to the archaeology and history of Winchester.  
The Great Hall, Winchester Castle, Winchester, England
Above: The Great Hall of Winchester Castle.

Below: An excavation of the foundations of Winchester Castle.

Foundations of Winchester Castle, Winchester, England
West Gate, Winchester, England
Above: The West Gate
Picture
Above: The Butter Cross.
For more about cruising to England:

Click here for our index of England travel features
Click here for a walk through Whitehall and Westminster
Click here for our feature on Kensington Palace
Click here for our article on Maritime Greenwich
Click here for our page on the City of London
Click here for our article on the Tower of London
Click here for our article on the Changing of the Guard
Click here for our article on the Banqueting House
Click here for our article on Windsor Castle
Click here for our article on Leeds Castle
Click here for our article on the New Forest
Click here for our article on visiting Exbury Gardens
Click her for our article on The Beatles' Liverpool
​
Click here for our article on Cambridge University
Click here for our article on Oxford University
Cruise destination guide - England - Winchester - Winchester Castle and Vicinity
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