Guest Post from Naomi: UK - Winchester

Winchester is a beautiful and historical town in Hampshire, an hour from London by train and an hour from Heathrow airport by car. Winchester, historically known as Venta Belgarum, was the capital during Roman times. The famous Winchester Cathedral is the major landmark and along with the Great Hall and the Round Table, these are the reasons so many tourists (more than 5m per year!) descend on this picturesque town each year. The restaurants, shopping, boutique inns and bustling markets make it a great weekend escape!

My Dearest Naomi - xo 

 STAY 

• The Old Vine is a pub and restaurant in the Square and offers boutique hotel accommodation. There aren’t many rooms, but each one is so beautifully decorated. The adjacent interior design team, Design House, has done the interiors with luxurious wooden furniture and fun vintage wallpapers. The delicious country style breakfasts are served to you in your room. The view from the Design House Suite at the top offers beautiful views over the Cathedral. 

• Lainston House is an old stately home on the outskirts of town and offers beautiful 5* accommodation. Set in stunning grounds and gardens, it’s great to spend an afternoon walking the gardens and enjoying their Afternoon Tea service. 

Hight Street, Winchester

SEE

• Winchester Cathedral - would be rude not to!
• Cathedral Close - the surrounding area of the Cathedral is beautiful to walk around. In winter they have a Christmas market and ice-skating rink. 
• Winchester College - the very posh boys school (similar to Eton). They do tours of the campus. 
• High Street - the main shopping thoroughfare is mostly pedestrianized and has plenty to see, from Abbey Gardens and the King Alfred statue at the lower end, the Guildhall (and tourist center) in the middle, and the Buttercross Statue and God Begot House at the top end. It’s one of the most beautiful high streets in the country. 
• Winchester City Mill is a restored water mill on the River Itchen and a National Trust Heritage site. 
• A lovely walk to do is to start in The Square and walk through the Cathedral grounds, round the back of the Cathedral Close, along College Street (past Winchester College) to the Itchen river which you can walk along the water up to the Mill at the bottom of the High Street.

EAT

• The Black Rat is the only Michelin star restaurant in town and focuses on locally grown and foraged ingredients. Reservations are a must. Their new boutique hotel The Black Hole is supposed to be excellent! 
• River Cottage Canteen is a great restaurant serving modern British small plates. Located in the Abbey Mill Gardens, the restaurant is housed in the old Mill and has a bright, modern industrial interior. 
• Kyoto Kitchen is the best Japanese restaurant in Winchester. Understated and elegant restaurant with simple and delicious food. 
• La Place is a great little French bistro (not a chain!) run by a couple of French guys who enjoy a strong following of regular customers. The food is always good and the atmosphere is buzzy and fun.
• Tom’s Deli is a tiny little Italian deli and cafe tucked away on a back road. They just expanded to add more seating. Great sandwiches and coffees. 

AFTERNOON TEA & CAKE

It seems the national pastime, if you live in Winchester, is to meet for tea and cake in the afternoon. There are a ridiculous amount of coffee shops packed into this tiny town and so many of them are so good! Here are a few faves:

• So Winchester (formerly Ginger Two) for delicious cakes and a huge selection of artisanal teas. 
• The Corner House does an excellent lunch (sandwiches, quiche, salad etc.). Their cakes are homemade and amazing. A cozy spot for a rainy afternoon with a quirky interior and vintage tea cups and plates. 
• Josie’s (formerly Black White Red) is a modern coffee space opposite the Discovery Center. They do amazing breakfasts and excellent coffees. 
• Cafe Monde is another great breakfast spot. They have lovely outdoor patio seating in the Square to have a coffee and do some people watching. 
• The Bridge Patisserie does fabulous tarts and pastries. A charming spot to sit and have tea and cake, it’s also impossible not to take home some extra pastries. 
• Caracoli is a teeny coffee shop at the top of the high street with amazing coffees. Better to-go. 

BARS & PUBS

Like coffee shops, there are no shortage of pubs in Winchester. Some faves are: 

• The Old Vine is a cozy place to have a few drinks and it has a very good restaurant attached. 
• The Bishop on the Bridge is an elegant pub with a good pub menu. Get a spot on their riverside terrace. 
• The Wykeham Arms is a very old historical pub by the Cathedral. Tables are old school desks. Food is excellent, gastro-pub style. 
• No. 5 Bridge St. is one in a small chain of gastro-pubs. Their sister property is The White Horse in Otterbourne which has a lovely garden and often has live outdoor music in the summer. The food is always very good and its a stylish pub setting to have a casual meal and some drinks. 
• Green’s Wine Bar has a fun Prosecco Wednesdays nights

SHOPPING

All the main brands are along High Street and in the Brooks Shopping Center and some smaller jewelry and boutique shops around Parchment Street and The Square. Some favorite places to browse are: 

• Cadogan & Co for gorgeous, and expensive men’s ties, accessories, and clothing. Some womens clothing and lovely millinery too. It’s like a mini Savile Row in Winchester!
• Pure Home for simple and chic home goods. 
• Maxims Boutique for eclectic and unique womens clothing. 
• Jack Wills for preppy teens. 
• Montezumas Chocolates for delicious indulgences. 
• The Toy Cupboard is a lovely old fashioned toy shop with a great selection over two floors. 
• P&G Wells is a wonderful old bookshop and has a very good kids section upstairs. 

Enjoy!!

Naomi

Gardens of Winchester - lovely all around!