Winchester Cathedral

About

Winchester Cathedral is one of the finest medieval cathedrals in Europe. Nestled at the heart of historic Winchester, once the seat of Anglo-Saxon and Norman royal power, this magnificent Cathedral is the resting place of Saxon royalty, bishops and Jane Austen, the much-loved English novelist.

Fifteen centuries of English history lie behind the impressive Cathedral you see today. Winchester Cathedral has its roots in the 7th Century, when England’s pagan monarchy first became Christians. Located on the site of an early Christian church, Winchester Cathedral’s foundations were laid in 1079 and it has been a place of worship ever since.
 
Winchester Cathedral is also one of the largest Cathedrals in the UK, with the longest nave and greatest overall length of any Gothic Cathedral in Europe. Marvel at stunning architecture, beautiful stained glass windows and medieval woodwork as you explore this vast and ancient place of worship.
 
Priceless treasures and great works of art can also be found at Winchester Cathedral, including the spectacular Winchester Bible, the largest and finest of all surviving 12th-century English Bibles.

Don’t miss Kings and Scribes: The Birth of a Nation, a spectacular new three-level exhibition in the South Transept which takes visitors through 1,000 years of history, exploring Winchester Cathedral’s captivating story and showcasing some of the nation’s greatest treasures. Highlights include the Winchester Bible, the 17th-century Morley Library and the story of the Cathedral’s mortuary chests, believed to contain the remains of Saxon royalty.

One of the best ways to discover the Cathedral is with a Cathedral Guide, who will take you on a journey through over 1,000 years of history. Tours are available on the hour from 10.00am – 3.00pm Monday – Saturday and are free with your annual pass. Visitors who are feeling adventurous can also explore the atmospheric crypt, home to Antony Gormley’s sculpture Sound II, or climb the Cathedral Tower.*

Visitors are welcome to join in worship, with services at least three times daily. The Cathedral Choir sings at Choral Evensong on most days during term times and visiting choirs regularly sing during school holidays.

*Admission charges apply to Tower Tours.