Winchester is beautifully located in the soft, rolling South Downs in the county of Hampshire. One time capital of the ancient English Wessex region, you can easily explore its beautifully preserved buildings and parks on foot. It really is the quintessential English town.
People settled Winchester thousands of years ago. They settled along, what is now called the River Itchen, whose waters are crystal clear and sustain an abundance of fish and waterfowl. Indeed, you can see anglers fishing for trout within a five-minute walk of the city. The Romans founded a garrison in Winchester and it peaked under Roman rule around the 4th century. The invading Saxon tribes later remodelled it. Much of the street layout is from this time. Later, after the Norman Conquest, Winchester Cathedral was built and during the Georgian period many of the houses dating from the Middle Ages were faced with brick and re-styled in the neo-classical style favored by the Georgians.
The most famous citizen of Winchester was King Alfred the Great. He has been described as one of the greatest English men whoever lived. He was a warrior, a devote Christian, a great statesman and a scholar. Alfred was born in 849AD and ruled Wessex (most of southern England) between the years 871 to 899. He defeated the Danes and saved the southern half of England from the Danelaw. He made Winchester his capital and set about rebuilding the city. Upon his death he was buried in the city. You can visit the ruins of Hyde Abbey, his final resting place. He is the only king of England ever to have been given the title The Great.
Another famous citizen of Winchester was the author Jane Austen. She spent her last few months living in Winchester. You can visit her tomb in Winchester Cathedral. The house she lived out her last days can still be seen in College Street. It is now a private residence.
Visitors to Winchester include John Keats and Anthony Trollope; both of whom wrote pieces that were set in Winchester. Right up until the late Georgian period Winchester played host to the kings and queens of England during the summer months.
Like these visitors of times past, you will fall in love with this ancient and beautiful city. You can stroll about its medieval streets; admire its Georgian architecture and marvel at its Victorian buildings and parks. You can walk along the banks of the Itchen River. Its waters are still filled with trout and eel, all of which you can easily see owing to its crystal clear water. And, within 5 minutes, you can find yourself strolling in green, unspoilt meadows. But, the jewel in the crown must surely be Winchester Cathedral. It has been described as the finest cathedral in all England. There has been a place of worship on this site for about 1500 years! The architecture of the building is exquisite and the cathedral setting is perfect; surrounded by greens and courtyards. Do go inside and marvel at the stain-glass and the tombs of many of the great who are buried there.
The City of Winchester has miraculously survived many of the modern developments that blight so many cities. It is now a gentle but vibrant place in which to live. Once, you visit the city you will want to visit again. Each time, you will find more hidden gems of this remarkable city. |
