Test Valley District

After a late start to the day, trip planning for the September trip to the Faroe Islands, we decided to explore Winchester. We had been warned to avoid the train station area due to the Boomtown music festival happening nearby.

A 25 minute drive found us to the multi-storey parkade, just east of High Street. We were quick to leave the parkade due to a blaring car alarm that its owner couldn't quiet 😭...

We wandered into a park where the local council hosts "Fabulous Family Friday's". The park was set up with various children activities, and the weather was perfect for outdoor fun.

Eventually we exited Abbey Gardens park and found our way to the Cathedral rear access. It was very tranquil in the passage through the Watergate access. As with most of the old English Cathedrals, the grandiose architecture and engineering is always stunning and impressive.

After walking around the Cathedral grounds, we found our way to the old castle grounds, and remaining Great Hall and West Gate structures. The Castle that had been built in 11th Century after the Norman conquest, and later upgraded in 13th century, but was mostly reduced to rubble during the English Civil War in the 17th century. The rest of the grounds has various aged buildings used by the Winchester City Administration, with the newest buildings being the Law Courts.

Although the kingdom administraton moved to London in the 11th century, Winchester still played an important role in legal affairs and the treasury till the 13th century.

We finished our tour of Winchester with a wander down the famous High Street, which hosts a street market four days a week.

Once back at the house, A fired up the BBQ and we feasted on steak and veggies outside. It was an enjoyable warm evening on the patio.Read more