The ancient capital of Alfred's Saxon kingdom, Winchester is especially rewarding for visitors to explore on foot. In the streets around the beautiful cathedral and its close, there are old pubs, tea rooms. and restaurants offering food for all tastes. The pedestrian precinct and its side streets have many tempting small shops, including book and clothes shops, delicatessen, galleries and craft shops.

Winchester is an excellent centre for walking, famed as the start of the Pilgrim's Way, but now a stopping point on many long distance walks. A towpath leads out to St Catherines Hill , (close to Twyford Down) and there is a new 'Keats' walk through the water-meadows beyond the ancient town walls and Winchester College to St Cross. Across the River Itchen a steep walk on St Gile's Hill leads up to a viewpoint over the city.

Winchester is home to numerous museums and art galleries, as well as the legendary 'Arthurian' Round Table in the Great Hall of the old castle. It has a popular leisure centre, and successful theatre.

The city has a park and rideservice operating from the Eastern approaches. For just one pound visitors can park near to the M3 and driver and passengers can use a rapid and frequent new bus service into and around the city all day. Help is available for disabled visitors through a 'Shopmobility' scheme.

[hampshiretowns]