Winchester Museums and Art Galleries

(Winchester, Hampshire, England, UK)



Picture of the Royal Hampshire Regiment MuseumWinchester is very much a city of culture and as such, the sheer quantity of museums and galleries is quite superb and really rather overwhelming. If you are here for a fortnight, then Winchester offers a museum for every single day of your holiday.

There are certainly some of these attractions that are likely to appeal more than others. If you are here as a family, then the INTECH Science Centre and Planetarium is a must. The City Museum is also one of the best, as is the Great Hall of Winchester Castle, which is where you will find a 600-year old replica of King Arthur's Round Table.


City Museum photograph

City Museum

Address: The Square, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9ES, England, UK
Tel: +44 01962 863064
The riverside City Museum has a series of interesting displays and archaeological relics relating to the city's rich Roman heritage, when it was an important Roman settlement named 'Venta Belgarum'. Particularly fascinating are the intricate Roman mosaics, the stories of the city's Saxon and Norman days, and the displays relating to King Alfred and the acclaimed Jane Austen, both of whom enjoyed strong connections with the city. Also very notable is a collection of reconstructed shop fronts from the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
Open hours: April to September, Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 13:00, 14:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 14:00 to 17:00; October to March, Tuesday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 13:00, 14:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium

Address: Telegraph Way, Morn Hill, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1HZ, England, UK
Tel: +44 01962 863791
A highly interactive family attraction with more than 100 hands-on activities and fun, the award-winning Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium, formerly the INTECH Science Centre and Planetarium, features a host of attractions and activities, such as regular science shows, workshops and fun-filled technology exhibits. Lookout for the realistic flight simulation featuring views of Southampton Airport, the spiralling tornado and bridge building activities. The Planetarium is a particular favourite and has frequent 25-minute shows about the solar system and similar topics, using digital simulation to fill the ceiling with realistic images.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children, students, families (two adults and two children) and seniors, children three years old and under are free; planetarium shows are charged per person / per show

Westgate Museum image

Westgate Museum

Address: High Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8ZB, England, UK
Tel: +44 01962 869864
Located on the High Street and within the actual old medieval gateway, close to the Great Hall, the Westgate Museum began its life as a prison for debtors and still contains some prisoner graffiti, carved into the stone walls around 300 years ago. The displays are a little gruesome at times and include leg irons, armour and gibbet posts, last used in 1777 to publicly display the body of an executed prisoner. There is also a detailed ceiling painting commemorating Queen Mary's marriage at Winchester Cathedral in 1554, a collection of weights and measures historically used by the city, and a rooftop observation platform offering great aerial city views of the High Street. Children will be sure to enjoy the brass rubbing activities and fun quiz provided upon entry.
Open hours: February and March, Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 16:00; April to October, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Photo of Winchester Castle's Great Hall

Winchester Castle, Great Hall and King Arthur's Round Table

Address: The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8ZB, England, UK
Tel: +44 01962 845610
Completed in 1235, the Great Hall is actually the only remaining part of Winchester Castle, since the rest was sadly destroyed by Oliver Cromwell in the mid-17th century. The castle itself was even older and building work commenced in 1067, at the orders of William the Conqueror. Commissioned by King Henry III, the Great Hall was a later addition and built using mainly flint. Over the years, a number of significant historical events have taken place on this very spot, including the trial of Sir Walter Raleigh some 400 years ago, and the hall was used as a court between 1938 and 1978. The Great Hall's biggest claim to fame is that it houses King Arthur's Round Table, although this is actually an authentic-looking 13th-century fake. As you enter, keep an eye out for the beautiful steel gates, which were created as a celebration of the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana.
Open hours: April to September, daily - 10:00 to 17:00; October to March, Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: free, donations suggested

City Space / Winchester Discovery Centre

Address: Jewry Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8RX, England, UK
Tel: +44 01962 873610
City Space and the Winchester Discovery Centre is a noteworthy art gallery, where the works of local Hampshire artists are displayed, ranging from watercolour paintings to ceramics. Workshops and talks are an important part of all the exhibitions and offer a useful insight into the thought processes of the artists. During school holidays, the Discovery Centre provides various activities, the opportunity to handle some of the exhibits, and the chance to join fun workshops. The onsite shop is a good place to pick up handicrafts, which include a selection of handmade jewellery.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

The Winchester Gallery

Address: Park Avenue, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8DL, England, UK
Tel: +44 01962 852500
The important venue has grown to become one of southern England's principal contemporary art galleries and is maintained by the acclaimed Winchester School of Art. An extensive exhibition schedule means that many of the displays are changed and alternated on a frequent basis, and include modern paintings, photographs and sculptures. The Fotonet programme promotes the development of local photographs, while the sculptures on display are actively supported by the Hampshire Sculpture Trust. Regular preview events take place all through the year, with exhibiting artists talking about their works and discussing future projects.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 10:00 to 16:30
Admission: free



Further city museums include the following:

Adjutant General's Corps Museum
Address: Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Road, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8TP, England, UK
Tel: +44 01962 877826

Balfour Museum of Hampshire Red Cross History
Address: Red Cross House, Winnall Close, Winnall, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 0LB, England, UK
Tel: +44 01962 865174

The Gurkha Museum
Address: Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Road, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8TS, England, UK
Tel: +44 01962 842832

Historic Environment Centre (HEC)
Address: Colebrook Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9LJ, England, UK,
Tel: +44 01962 840222

King's Royal Hussars Museum
Address: Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Road, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8TS, England, UK
Tel: +44 01962 828541

Light Infantry Museum
Address: Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Road, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8TS, England, UK
Tel: +44 01962 828530

Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum
Address: Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Road, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8TS, England, UK
Tel: +44 01962 828549

Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum
Address: Serle's House, Southgate Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9EG, England, UK
Tel: +44 01962 863658