Explore the ancient city of Winchester with the advice of real people who have grown up in the city

How often do we end up on a web page that isn't really relevant to the topic that we wanted to read about or that has been written by either AI or someone who clearly doesn't know a great deal about the subject about which they have written?

This guide to exploring Winchester, England has been curated by people who have grown up in the city and really do know the spots to discover and explore!

Yes, Winchester Cathedral and The Great Hall are worth a visit, but what the normal guide books don't tell you about are the back streets, the hidden treasures and the 'must visit' spots that only the locals know about

Start with coffee at Cadence Clubhouse (known to most locals as 'The Handlebar Café')

Begin your day with breakfast or coffee at this unique, community-led café just a 10 minute walk from King Alfred's Statue at the bottom of the High Street. Perched on the Viaduct Way cycle path, the cafe has views over the surrounding water meadows and the River Itchen

• what3words /// The simplest way to talk about location

• Indoor and outdoor seating

• Winchester Cadence — Cadence Cycle Club

Climb St. Catherine’s Hill

Just behind the café is this scenic chalk hill. A short (but rather steep) climb rewards you with sweeping views over Winchester and the Itchen Valley.

The 2500-year-old Iron Age hillfort, with its ancient maze, generally doesn't get too crowded

Find the start of the easiest path to the top (a 7 minute walk from the cafe) at what3words /// The simplest way to talk about location

Riverside walk to the city

Walk back down the hill the way that you went up and then head right back towards the city centre via the Itchen Navigation path, a riverside walk with views of water meadows, wildlife and historic mills. You will pass the cafe where you had coffee earlier. but then just follow the riverbank path for as far as you can go. You will walk past playing fields belonging to the iconic Winchester College and the Kingsgate Tennis Club on your right hand side, before the track narrows along the river bank and then forks right up onto a tarmac road. Follow this to a T-junction at the end and then fork left to follow College Walk. Continue to follow this road (past a metal gate which blocks traffic from passing) and then up to another T-Junction. Turn right under Kingsgate Arch and then right again into the Cathedral Close

12:15pm – Quiet corners of the Cathedral grounds

While the Cathedral itself is magnificent, the quieter side is the Inner Close and Dean Garnier Garden, a tucked-away walled garden with views of the cathedral’s flying buttresses. This is the area that you will have just walked into if you have followed the directions above.

Lunch at The Bishops on the Bridge (or picnic nearby)

This riverside pub just off the High Street has a raised garden overlooking the water. Alternatively, pick up something from Open House Deli and enjoy it in the Abbey Gardens, a lesser-visited park nearby.

Visit the Wolvesey Castle ruins (English Heritage)

Free to enter and often almost empty, these romantic ruins of a medieval bishop's palace are alongside Winchester College and are well worth a visit

Afternoon tea break at The Orangery or Coffee Lab

Choose a peaceful spot for afternoon tea or cake. The Orangery (near the Cathedral) is a great place to stop, or try Coffee Lab for some delicious coffee

Optional Twilight Stroll

If the weather is fine, take a walk through St. Cross and along the Water Meadows path towards the Hospital of St Cross (it may be closed, but the walk is beautiful at sunset)

Need more help or advice? Just drop our friendly, local team an email on hello@experiencehampshire.uk and they will be happy to offer you some assitance