Winchester England

It’s amazing how late and early in the day the English like to walk their dogs even in the most remote places. So feeling we were encroaching on their turf, we had our coffee and took off to Midhurst. Thankfully the road in this direction was  much wider. As you can expect we arrived quite early in town and so had no problems parking and went for a stroll to have a look at some of the 100 listed buildings. 

The ones that had distinctive yellow paintwork were those that belonged to the Cowdray Estate. 

After our quick visit drove 54km/1hour to Winchester, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Wessex. As it was around 9am, we managed to get a spot close to town in one of the many carparks. We paid £2.90/4hrs and only had a short walk to the centre.

There was a market set up in High street. 

We couldn’t pass Gregg’s for a very unhealthy donut for breakfast… their pink jammies are delicious. 

One of the main sites is the Cathedral, building began in 1079 and continued on until the early 16th century. We had a quick peek but didn’t go inside. 

We read about a diver, William Walker, who worked 6hours a day for 5 years underwater, shoring up the cathedral’s collapsed foundations. 

We walked around the outside to the Guildhall, an imposing gothic building (housing the information centre). 

Nearby was a statue of King Alfred the Great who made this city his capital. 

Walking back up High street we pass the 15th century Buttercross. 

Then through the Westgate that was once part of the medieval walls. It was a debtors prison for 150years.

We liked the buildings here made with flint stone, including the Great Hall which houses the legendary Round Table. 

We double back down High street again to visit the National Trust City Mill that dates back to at least 1000 years. 

Next we walk along the Itchen River until we came across the ruins of Wolvesey Castle, once the Bishops Palace, built in 1110. 

We then pass the house where the famous author, Jane Austen, died and who is buried in the cathedral. 

We walked through Kingsgate where there is a chapel above it.

We have some lunch in Bluey before driving 22km/30mins to Mottisfont, a National Trust property.  It was originally a priory from 1201 but was transformed into a Neo-classical home in the 1930’s. We strolled through the rooms learning about the last owners. 

We once had a similar cast iron bathroom .

This room is painted with tromp œil style ie looks 3D

There was also an Exhibition on the artist and children’s author, John Burningham. 

We then walked around the gardens. 

By now it was time to look for our overnight spot.. we found a great one in Pamphill, just near Wimborne Minster, 57km/1hour away. 

This is a real squirrel on the roof… saw heaps in the carpark too.. so cute getting the acorns.

137km today