The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Chilcomb

The remains of the Roman city walls in Winchester, anciently known as Venta Belgarum, are primarily buried, as the medieval city was built directly upon and adapted the original defensive circuit; however, the single most visible fragment of the original Roman stone wall, built in the third century AD, can be found encased in a small grotto on The Weirs, near the River Itchen and the Bishop on the Bridge pub. While much of the stone was dismantled over time, especially in the 18th century to accommodate traffic, the subsequent Anglo-Saxon and medieval city walls largely followed the original Roman line, meaning the general boundary of the Roman town still influences the layout of Winchester today, with the remaining medieval gates, Kingsgate and Westgate, standing in the tradition of their Roman predecessors.

The striking bronze statue of King Alfred the Great is one of Winchester's most recognizable landmarks, dominating The Broadway at the eastern end of the High Street near the River Itchen. Sculpted by Sir Hamo Thornycroft, the colossal, 15-foot-tall figure was erected in 1901 to commemorate the millennium of the king's death—a pivotal figure who made Winchester his capital and is credited with being "The Founder of the Kingdom and Nation," as inscribed on its granite base. Depicting a heroic, bearded Alfred in a regal stance with a downward-pointing sword hilt forming a cross, the statue celebrates his dual role as a military champion against the Vikings and an early Christian leader, all while standing proudly in the city he helped define.

Winchester High Street serves as the ancient, vibrant spine of the historic city, following a route established possibly in Roman times and later formalized in the Anglo-Saxon grid, running from the River Itchen and the statue of King Alfred the Great at the eastern end, up to the medieval Westgate at the west. It is a bustling thoroughfare that seamlessly blends centuries of architecture, featuring landmarks like the 15th-century Butter Cross, the Victorian Guildhall, and the area known as The Pentice, alongside a contemporary mix of independent boutiques, cafes, pubs, and major retail chains. The upper section of the High Street is pedestrianized, enhancing its role as a central hub for shopping, dining, and cultural life in Winchester.

The Winchester Guildhall is a prominent Grade II listed Victorian building, built in the Gothic Revival style by architects Jeffery and Skiller and opened in 1873, standing on the High Street on a site once occupied by St Mary's Abbey. With its striking façade featuring a tall clock tower, an arcaded entrance, and statues of historical figures, the Guildhall was originally conceived as a larger complex to house civic government functions, law courts, the police station, and the fire brigade. Today, it operates as a major event and conference venue in the heart of the city, offering a range of versatile rooms like the grand Bapsy Hall and the King Charles Hall for weddings, conferences, and various other public and private functions.

The Buttercross is a magnificent, many-pinnacled, 15th-century stone market cross located prominently on Winchester's High Street. Originally known as the City Cross, it acquired the name "Buttercross" because its five octagonal steps and surrounding area were traditionally used by country people to sell dairy products, eggs, and other produce. The highly decorative Gothic structure features a tall central shaft, numerous smaller pinnacles, and twelve figures, including the Blessed Virgin, various saints, King Alfred the Great, and William of Wykeham (though many of the statues were added during an 1865 restoration by Sir George Gilbert Scott). The monument is also famous for a local "small riot" in 1770, when the citizens successfully prevented a local squire from dismantling and moving the historic cross to his private estate.

a key landmark that crosses the River Itchen right next to the famous Winchester City Mill on the eastern edge of the city centre.

The Sword: Alfred is shown grasping a large, cross-hilted sword with the point facing downwards. This posture is symbolic, representing not just his prowess as a warrior who defended his kingdom against the Vikings, but also his role as a Christian leader, with the hilt forming the shape of a cross. The Pedestal: The statue rests on a large pedestal of Cornish granite, which is inscribed with just one word: AELFRED. Historical Portrayal: Thornycroft's depiction is a romanticized, heroic one—showing Alfred with a long, flowing beard—even though contemporary coins suggest the King was clean-shaven. The monument represents the Victorian-era idea of Alfred as a perfect warrior, statesman, and philosopher king.

The statue depicts Alfred the Great (847–899 AD), who was the King of the West Saxons and is traditionally regarded as the first King of the Anglo-Saxons and the founder of the Kingdom of England. Winchester was his capital. Sculptor: Sir Hamo Thornycroft, a highly-regarded Royal Academician. Completion: It was completed in 1901, although it was commissioned to mark the millennium of King Alfred's death (which was in 899 AD). Size: The bronze statue is monumental, standing at 15 feet (4.57 m) high and weighing about five tons. The total height with its granite pedestal is around 40 feet. Location: It stands prominently at the eastern end of The Broadway, near the junction with Bridge Street and Eastgate Street, with the High Street extending behind it toward the city centre.