The Castle RollsA survey of every visitable castle in the United Kingdom
4.4 / 5 · 3,300 reviews TICKETED

Winchester Castle (Great Hall)

Hampshire, England


Winchester Castle (Great Hall)
Winchester Castle (Great Hall), further view Winchester Castle (Great Hall), further view

Key facts

Operator
Hampshire County Council
Condition
Partial ruin
Access
Staffed, ticketed

Pinpoint

The Castle, Castle Ave, Winchester SO23 8UJ

Telephone 01962 398327

Possible Opening hours

Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.

Monday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

All that survives of Winchester's medieval castle is the Great Hall — but it's the hall that holds the famous Round Table, a genuine medieval artefact that Henry VIII had repainted with a Tudor rose after visiting in 1516, even though the table was already centuries old by then. It's a compact site, but a dense one.

Worth the trip

The Round Table itself, painted with the Tudor rose Henry VIII commissioned — medieval object and Tudor propaganda in one piece of furniture.

Before you go

A single ticket gets you unlimited return visits for 12 months, which is worth knowing if you're local; some reviewers feel the entry price is a touch high given how quickly you can get round, so factor that in if you're short on time.

WHAT VISITORS SAY · 4.4 / 5 across 3,300 Google reviews

The Round Table is the clear standout across these reviews, mentioned as a highlight by nearly everyone alongside the stained glass and dress-up area. Most describe it as a small site that doesn't take long to see, and one reviewer felt the ticket price was a little high given how short the visit is, though still considered it worthwhile.

Great Hall with Round Table

“A very nice and quiet historical spot to visit! On the other hand, I asked myself if it's worth coming to Winchester, just for the most famous Round table, I guess the answer is quite clear!”— Dodo Bird, visitor review

Further reading

book
The Boleyns of Hever Castle

Owen Emmerson & Claire Ridgway

Find it on Amazon
book
Kenilworth Castle (English Heritage Guidebook)

Richard Morris

Find it on Amazon
The Six Wives of Henry VIII cover book
The Six Wives of Henry VIII

Alison Weir

Find it on Amazon