The Great Hall of Winchester Castle, Winchester (must see)
Winchester Castle stands as a significant medieval structure in Winchester, built in 1067. For over a century, it served as the administrative center for the Norman Kings. Henry II notably constructed a stone keep, used to house the royal treasury and the famed Domesday Book. A round tower from the original castle remains visible, equipped with sally ports.
The castle played a pivotal role during The Anarchy in 1141 when forces of the Empress Matilda were besieged by King Stephen's army at the castle, known as the Rout of Winchester. Henry III, who was born within Winchester Castle, contributed the impressive Great Hall between 1222 and 1235. The Great Hall, designed as a "double cube," measures 110 feet by 55 feet, built primarily of flint with stone dressings.
Adding to its heritage, Edward II incorporated extensions to the castle. The Great Hall itself is listed as a Grade I building. Behind the Great Hall, Queen Eleanor's Garden, designed in medieval style, was established in 1986.
The castle's Great Hall features the legendary Arthurian Round Table, originally crafted in the 13th century and later repainted for Henry VIII. This round table once displayed the names of King Arthur's knights. Hanging in the Great Hall, the Winchester Panels, painted in a monastic style, depict the 25 knights of the Round Table, portraying the challenges faced in the great "Wheel of Life."
Interestingly, the Great Hall served as the venue for the trial and conviction of six Provisional IRA members in 1973 for the Old Bailey bombing. However, it ceased to hold criminal trials after the Winchester Law Courts were erected in 1974, situated nearby to the east of the Great Hall. The castle is also close to the Westgate, which remains part of the surviving city wall, further enriching Winchester's historical landscape.
The castle played a pivotal role during The Anarchy in 1141 when forces of the Empress Matilda were besieged by King Stephen's army at the castle, known as the Rout of Winchester. Henry III, who was born within Winchester Castle, contributed the impressive Great Hall between 1222 and 1235. The Great Hall, designed as a "double cube," measures 110 feet by 55 feet, built primarily of flint with stone dressings.
Adding to its heritage, Edward II incorporated extensions to the castle. The Great Hall itself is listed as a Grade I building. Behind the Great Hall, Queen Eleanor's Garden, designed in medieval style, was established in 1986.
The castle's Great Hall features the legendary Arthurian Round Table, originally crafted in the 13th century and later repainted for Henry VIII. This round table once displayed the names of King Arthur's knights. Hanging in the Great Hall, the Winchester Panels, painted in a monastic style, depict the 25 knights of the Round Table, portraying the challenges faced in the great "Wheel of Life."
Interestingly, the Great Hall served as the venue for the trial and conviction of six Provisional IRA members in 1973 for the Old Bailey bombing. However, it ceased to hold criminal trials after the Winchester Law Courts were erected in 1974, situated nearby to the east of the Great Hall. The castle is also close to the Westgate, which remains part of the surviving city wall, further enriching Winchester's historical landscape.
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The Great Hall of Winchester Castle on Map
Sight Name: The Great Hall of Winchester Castle
Sight Location: Winchester, England (See walking tours in Winchester)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Winchester, England (See walking tours in Winchester)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Winchester, England
Create Your Own Walk in Winchester
Creating your own self-guided walk in Winchester is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Winchester's Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Are you an explorer at heart and with a keen interest in history? If you answer yes to both of these and happen to be in Winchester, Hampshire, then you've hit the right spot! There are several historical locations in town, including time-honored buildings, monuments, and palaces, through which you can learn much about its glorious past.
The abundance of such sites makes a walk around... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
The abundance of such sites makes a walk around... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Winchester Cathedral Close Walk
Winchester Cathedral, originally built in 1079, is the longest Gothic cathedral in Europe. It contains much fine architecture spanning the 11th to the 16th centuries and is the place of interment of numerous Bishops of Winchester (such as William of Wykeham), Anglo-Saxon monarchs (such as Egbert of Wessex), and later monarchs such as King Canute and William Rufus. It was once an important... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Winchester Introduction Walking Tour
Winchester, the county town of Hampshire, England, is a charming place with a great deal of history.
The name, Winchester, is traced back to its Old English origins, derived from "Wintan-ceaster" which means "Fort Venta". The city itself emerged in Roman times when it was known as Venta Belgarum, in which Venta was a common Celtic word for a "tribal town" or... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
The name, Winchester, is traced back to its Old English origins, derived from "Wintan-ceaster" which means "Fort Venta". The city itself emerged in Roman times when it was known as Venta Belgarum, in which Venta was a common Celtic word for a "tribal town" or... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles