Attractions Nearby Winchester, Day Trips and Excursions

(Winchester, Hampshire, England, UK)



Photo of Stonehenge, on Salisbury PlainThe charm and appeal of Winchester is without doubt its rich heritage and related attractions. There is more than enough in Winchester to fill a short break, although if you are here for longer, you may well like to take a day trip elsewhere, particularly since the choice of market towns around Hampshire and nearby attractions is so extensive.

Winchester enjoys a very central location within Hampshire, meaning that the bordering counties of Berkshire, Dorset, Surrey, West Sussex and Wiltshire are all within easy reach. Many people choose to take an excursion to Salisbury, where its attractions don't come much more impressive than its Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the prehistoric World Heritage Site of Stonehenge, which is one of the world's most famous and visited attractions.


Picture of the pier at Bournemouth

General Information

Quite different from a day spent sightseeing on the streets of Winchester is a day trip to the popular seaside town of Bournemouth, next to Boscombe and Poole Harbour. With a huge expanse of golden sandy beachfront stretching for some 11 km / 7 miles, the seaside attractions of Bournemouth are generally never far from its beautiful coastline and include pier amusements, theatres and entertainment venues (such as the BIC), the Oceanarium, a tethered helium balloon (the Bournemouth Eye) and beautiful Victorian-style gardens.

Another leading seaside resort is that of Southsea, which is a suburb of Portsmouth and lies just over 48 km / 30 miles to the south of Winchester, close to Gosport. At Southsea, the Clarence Pier Theme Park is highly suitable for children and filled with fairground attractions, while nearby, the Historic Dockyard is home to some magnificent old ships, such as the HMS Victory, the HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose.

Image showing the Bournemouth beachfrontFrom Southsea, you may like to consider the speedy hovercraft crossings to the Isle of Wight, where a choice of beaches and family attractions await, including the former holiday home of Queen Victoria, Osborne House. Close by Southsea and next to Romsey are the acclaimed Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, which are actually no more than 16 km / 10 miles from Winchester and by car, can therefore be reached in roughly 20 minutes. Although considerably smaller, the Houghton Lodge Gardens at nearby Stockbridge also warrant a mention.

Best reached along the M3 and just past Southampton, the New Forest is regularly advertised as a day trip from Winchester and its most prominent town is Lyndhurst, which is just over 30 minutes away. Lyndhurst is a good place to begin any excursion to the New Forest and you won't have far to look until you find the famous wild ponies, which wander freely throughout the park and its towns.

Families from Winchester should definitely pay a visit to the New Forest's Beaulieu attractions, since this grand estate is home to one of England's most prestigious museums - the National Motor Museum. Just a matter of minutes from Beaulieu is the historic hamlet of Bucker's Hard, and the stunning Exbury Gardens, which even has its own steam railway.