The Winchester student bucket list

Join us on a whistlestop tour of seven must-see spots in our city. Think countless independent coffee shops, hilltop panoramas and a riverside nature walk. How many will you check off during your time here?

St. Giles Viewpoint 

A short walk from the Broadway, up some stone steps hidden from view by ivy and tall trees, you’ll find St. Giles Viewpoint. From here, you can see the High Street curve like a river through the town centre, and you get an overview of the city, from King Alfred's statue all the way up to the university. This is also a fantastic location for stargazing on a clear night. 🌟

Cathedral and its grounds

As soon as the sun comes out in Spring, the walkways and grassy expanse in front of the grand cathedral come to life. This area is a firm favourite amongst students. Somewhere to relax with a takeaway coffee and just enjoy the sun on your face, the people watching opportunities and the view of the historic stained-glass windows. ⛪

So many independent cafes

Whether you want a quick coffee to go, a lively spot to catch up with friends or an alternative study space, Winchester has it all. Try Forte Kitchen for potato rosti and sourdough toasties, Coffee Lab Academy for coffee perfection ☕ (they take it seriously) or Rost's handmade, organic flatbreads. 

Winchester Antique Books

The stairs never end! Here you’ll find books you never knew existed, everything from 1940s manuals on how to put together small aeroplane models to Swedish-French dictionaries. It’s also the perfect place to search for hidden gems, like cheap fiction and beautiful, vintage children’s books. Try also Kingsgate Books and Prints and P&G Wells.

River Itchen Walk 

This walk is beautiful no matter the season and is particularly enchanting in spring. Follow the river, walk under the tall trees, and you might get a glimpse of local wildlife, like herons, swans and squirrels. There are plenty of benches along the way for a quick breather, and it’s a lovely place to enjoy a hot chocolate and a chat while listening to the gentle sounds of the Itchen as it runs along.

St. Catherine’s Hill

You can’t live in Winchester without at least one hike up St. Catherine’s Hill. It used to hold a fort in the Iron Age and a chapel in the 12th century, but today St. Catherine’s Hill simply towers above the rest of the city, and is a place for peace and contemplation. From here you can see all of the city and the surrounding countryside. The lung-busting walk up is beautiful, and as you make your way up the grassy hills surrounded by trees and greenery, it’s easy to forget that you’re only twenty minutes away from the bustling city centre. 

St. Cross Gardens 

The Hospital of St. Cross, by the watermeadows, is one of England’s oldest, continually used almshouses. It is open to visitors (paid entry) and has a Norman church, a Tudor cloister, plus medieval halls and gardens. There is nothing calmer on a sunny day than sitting on a bench in front of the ponds in the gardens, to smell the flowers and enjoy the trees in bloom. And, extra bonus, they have a tea room with tempting cakes.

 

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