Winchester Cathedral

The City of Winchester has been a settlement since pre roman times. It was the centre for royal administration in the 7th and 8th centuries. It was along with London one of Alfred the Great's proto capitals. In the Middle Ages, the city was an important centre of the wool trade. The novelist Jane Austen died in Winchester. In modern times Winchester is an upper middle class city and part of the London commuter belt. Winchester Cathedral was founded in 642 on a site immediately to the north of the present one. This building became known as the Old Minster. And was demolished in 1093. In 1079 Bishop of Winchester, began work on a completely new cathedral, and it was consecrated in 1093. The cathedral survived the reformation. And has had many alterations and additions over the centuries. There are multiple Kings of Wessex and England buried/entombed here as well as many bishops and cardinals. It is free to enter if you are going in to pray or as part of a pilgrimage. It is however best to call in advance to guarantee this. They offer a 12 month pass which costs an Adult £9.50, Concession £7.50, Student £6.00 and Children under 16 (with family) are free of charge.  Its opening times do change according to the season and it has quite a few exceptions, however its usual opening times are Mon – Sat: 9.30am – 5.00pm Sun: 12.30pm – 2. 30pm. They are many staff offering tours and there is a small museum inside the cathedral which is quite interesting called Kings and Scribes. It also houses the Winchester Bible. There is also a small shop and a café, on site. Definitely worth a visit.