A Guide to Winchester, England's Anglo-Saxon capital, Winchester, England

As many of my readers know, I love medieval architecture, especially castles and cathedrals. I also love discovering destinations that are rich in sights and culture and nature but without the crowds. England’s cathedral city of Winchester is all of those things. People do not take tourists for granted and are truly welcoming and proud of their beautiful city. I have visited a few times, and over the summer I had the pleasure to take a friend who was visiting me from Italy. Despite the whether being a bit touch and go, she absolutely loved it and felt she had discovered something new, a place that no-one else she knew had seen before!

Do you love the architecture of Oxford but cannot put up with the Harry-Potter-worshipping crowds? Are you looking for that Jane Austen vibe but fancy an alternative to Bath? Are you passionate about medieval and dark ages history? Are you searching for a quintessential postcard-perfect English town, not over-run with tourists and just one hour from London? These are all good reasons to visit Winchester!

The earliest inhabitants of Winchester were a Celtic tribe. After the Roman conquest, the city grew to become one of the most important settlements in Britain. When Rome left, the walled city was occupied by the Jutes and survived as a religious or royal centre, part of the Kingdom of Wessex. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).