Günstige Mietwagen, Führende Marken
The ancient capital of England, Winchester is situated in a convenient location for people wanting to explore the south of England. The city is close to the South Downs National Park and lies on the River Itchen. King Alfred, famed for burning cakes, made Winchester the capital of Wessex, where he ruled from.
A lively market and University City, Winchester is home to Winchester College, one of the leading public schools in England.
Hiring a car in Winchester enables you to explore the surrounding areas and take in a mix of countryside, history and shopping, all in striking distance of this historic city.
Things to See
Winchester Cathedral is one of the city’s main attractions, with the longest Nave in Europe. The gothic architecture of the Cathedral is world famous and is the burial place of St Swithun, who it is said wanted to be buried in the old minster of the cathedral and not in the cathedral itself, then when he was moved from the grounds to inside the cathedral it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. It’s still said that if it rains on St Swithun’s day (15th July) it will continue to do so for 40 days.
Jane Austen is also buried in the Cathedral as she used to live in Chawton just a short drive from Winchester and died in the city. The city boasts a number of other literary connections for the book lovers who visit with Jane Austen being the start point for a literary exploration of the area.
In the Crypt of Winchester Cathedral, which frequently floods, there is a statue called Sound II by Antony Gormley.
Winchester also has the Great Hall which was part of the old Winchester Castle. The Great Hall is home to King Arthur’s round table which hangs in the halls and is a popular tourist attraction.
There are a number of other museums across the city celebrating the medieval history of the city and the many military connections Winchester boasts, including the Ghurkha Museum.
Every year Winchester plays host to the Hat Festival, a gathering of street performers and activities which brings the city to life and draws in people from around the world.
Further Afield
Further afield from Winchester are some other towns and cities you might want to visit as well as some beautiful countryside and villages.
Marwell Zoo is just a short drive from Winchester and offers a great day out for animal lovers.
Beaulieu and its National Motor Museum and Abbey is a popular destination for people staying in Winchester and sits in the New Forest, fantastic for long walks, camping, cycling and seeing the New Forest Ponies.
Surrounding Winchester are a number of towns and villages which visitors to the city can explore without travelling too far. Towns and Villages include Alresford, home of the Watercress Line trains and famous for its Watercress production, and Bishop’s Waltham where the ruins of Bishop’s Waltham Palace offer a window in to the past.
With a short trip down the motorway you can drive to Chichester, Southampton, Portsmouth or Basingstoke for a mix of history, shopping and great places to eat.
Close to the south coast, Winchester also offers a gateway to water based activates, from yachting to wind surfing.
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