A vibrant and beautiful location for family life, with glorious scenery on the doorstep, there’s a great deal to love about Winchester. Here’s how to spend a great day in the town.

9.30am

Missed breakfast? Head to the popular SO Winchester café just off the High Street on St Thomas Street. Tuck into porridge or a breakfast panini and watch the world go by through the huge Georgian windows.

10am

Get your bearings by taking a stroll up St Giles Hill – from here you can admire the gothic turrets of the Victorian Guildhall and look down over the world-famous cathedral. The statue of King Alfred the Great, who was buried in Winchester, can also be seen from up here.

11.30am

Now you’ve found your feet, take to the cobbled streets and explore the city’s shopping scene – a combination of independent shops and boutiques including The Hambledon, Maxims and Cornflowers, as well as High Street chains. Don’t miss the weekly markets along the High Street which take place between Wednesday and Sunday.

1pm

Time for lunch. An ideal spot is The Old Vine, right at the heart of Winchester. Or try the locally sourced menu at River Cottage Canteen.

2.30pm

Climb the 213 steps to the top of Winchester Cathedral tower to experience more wonderful views across the city and beyond. There’s history and beautiful architecture at every turn and it's well worth spending a couple of hours exploring. Don’t miss the King Arthur’s legendary Round Table, housed for more than 700 years in the Great Hall.

6pm

Ready for a glass of wine? Then head over to the The Black Bottle in Bridge Street. The wine list here is made up of more than 140 different wines; the 32 reds, whites and rosés available by the glass are served from Enomatic dispensers programmed to serve wine at its optimum temperature.

8pm

It’s time for dinner and it all depends on what you fancy. There’s medieval Chesil Rectory, the oldest commercial property in Winchester and now independently owned by a group of friends; the Michelin-starred Black Rat for modern British cuisine; or for a taste of France, there’s La Place or Brasserie Blanc. Whichever you choose, you can be sure of a warm Winchester welcome and an excellent meal.

Further information

Contact Savills Winchester for more details or view available properties for sale in Winchester.