Lovely, leafy Winchester is the perfect destination for a day trip or a longer, luxurious break. It offers great shopping, superb restaurants and much more historical interest than just a magnificent cathedral to enjoy, and it’s all within an easy walk of the station.
For foodies, Winchester hosts a bustling and excellent farmer’s market on the second and final Sunday of every month, where you’ll find plenty of local smoked trout, watercress and other goodies associated with the River Itchen. And if you get thirsty, Winchester is also rumoured to have more pubs per head than any other town or city in the UK.
Winchester Travel links
Winchester is well-connected by train and bus to other major cities and towns in the UK. If you're coming from London, it's relatively easy to reach Winchester by train. There are direct train services from London Waterloo, and the journey typically takes about 1 hour.
There are regular direct train services from Southampton Central Station to Winchester Station. The journey typically takes around 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the type of train you take. Basingstoke is also a short train journey away from Winchester (around 15 to 20 minutes).
Outside Winchester train station you can catch a bus into town. It’s worth getting a PlusBus ticket along with your train ticket so you can then hop on and off any bus you fancy all day. Alternatively, the local taxi company is Wessex Cars. The centre of town is only half a mile away, though, if you’re up for a 10-minute stroll. There are over 400 car parking spaces, with a new multi-storey improvement recently completed, and a whopping 286 bicycle spaces.
Winchester Cathedral is perhaps best known as the burial place of Jane Austen, and well worth a visit. It was saved from sinking at the start of the 20th century by diver William Walker, who spent 6 hours a day under water for 5 years shoring it up. There’s an Anthony Gormley statue in the crypt (which still floods), which you should definitely see after you’ve finished gawping at the longest gothic nave in the world.
Wolvesey Castle is well worth a visit too, and from there you can cross the road, nip past the back of Winchester College and take a stroll in the water meadows, a tranquil oasis of cultivated river meadow enjoyed by the locals for centuries. If you’re lucky you could even spot an otter.
Continue on the path through the meadows and if you walk far enough you’ll reach St Cross Hospital, dating from 1132, the star of the TV series Wolf Hall. You should also see King Arthur’s Round Table in the Great Hall to tick all the historical boxes – you just have to imagine that it’s the real thing.
If you’re thirsty by now, both the Black Boy and the Hyde Tavern are favoured by local ale connoisseurs, and just round the back of the station is The Railway Inn, which is home to excellent live music.
Great Hall, Winchester
Shopping in Winchester
Wander through the winding streets of Winchester's old-fashioned high street and you will find a retail offering that boasts independent and big name stores, chic boutiques and designer treasure troves alongside exclusive cafes, established restaurants and vibrant galleries. Artisan chocolatier Chococo is a local favourite, where you'll find plenty of delicious treats to get your teeth into and P&G Wells bookshop, which has traded since 1891 and is not only Winchester's longest-running retail business but Britain's oldest bookshop. The town has regular markets with a popular farmers market twice a month, a 'retro, antique, vintage & collectables' market monthly as well as an art and design market once a month.
Eating out in Winchester
Winchester is blessed with plenty of tempting restaurants, and handily lots of them are clustered along Jewry Street just 5 minutes walk from the station. If you’re feeling peckish but not sure what you fancy then a quick stroll along here should sort you out.
Locals (and TripAdvisor) favour the quirky Gurkha’s Inn just round the corner from the station, which does a great Nepalese curry. For finer locally-sourced dining, the famous Chesil Rectory is still hard to beat.
Hotels in Winchester
Hotels in Winchester cater for all weary travellers. The newly-constructed Premier Inn is the hotel of choice for those on a budget and not so far out of town that it can’t be walked. At the other end of the spectrum, the beautifully refurbished 17th century Lainston House is a couple of miles outside Winchester but offers the full high-end hotel experience.
If you fancy something a little quirkier, try the central Wykeham Arms, a pub with rooms right by Winchester College (old boys are known as ‘old wykehamists’, after the college’s founder, William of Wykeham, not the pub).
Travelling by train from London Waterloo to Winchester cost as little as £9.10 if you book in advance. Prices may differ based on the time of day, class, and route. Bear in mind booking on the day of travel is usually more expensive.
How much is a train ticket from Winchester to Southampton?
Travelling by train from Winchester to Southampton can cost as little as £5.20 if you get evening out ticket. Prices may differ based on the time of day, class, and route. Bear in mind booking on the day of travel is usually more expensive.
How long does it take to travel from London to Winchester?
The average travel-time is around one hour. However, keep in mind that travel times on weekends and holidays may be longer. To find out the exact travel time for a specific date, please visit our Train Times page.
Is there a direct train from London to Winchester?
You can save money by buying off-peak tickets. Search our ticket types to find cheap train tickets, and see if you can save even more with a Railcard . If you’re travelling in a group, you could benefit from GroupSave. And don’t forget to check out SWR Rewards hubfor exclusive discounts on dining deals, theatre tickets, hotel stays, days out and much more.
What time does the first direct train from London to Winchester depart?
