Tuesday 12th July - Winchester, Hampshire

A good night's sleep was most welcome after the long day yesterday and it was difficult for some of us to get out of bed this morning!

Breakfast and then a presentation on Winchester. Lots of information on today's destination and the main attraction - Winchester Cathedral.

It takes about an hour to get to Winchester and once there we had our lunch on the green outside the west end of the Cathedral.

                               The Cathedral                                                               Prior's Gate

The Cathedral was the main focus of today although some groups had time to get to the Great Hall to see the legendary round table of Camelot (not exactly true as it was made in the 13th century but it makes a good story!). The Great Hall is in what used to be the castle that stood over Winchester in the Middle Ages.  Some of us managed to pay a visit to Jane Austen's house where she spent the last weeks of her life.  She is buried in the cathedral.

                                                       Jane Austen's House in College Street

The Cathedral has too many treasures, stories and secrets to share with you in this blog but it is an amazing place.  Some of us got a guided tour around the Crypt and we all got to see the site where St Swithun's shrine was until Henry V111 had it pulled down.  Legend has it that if it rains on St Swithun's Day (15th July) it will rain for 40 days.  I am hoping Friday stays fine!

                         In the Nave of the Cathedral                                                 Lighting a candle

Winchester is busy; there seem to be a lot of summer school groups and plenty of other tourists but it is hardly surprising as it is such a special place to visit.  The day is windy and quite fresh (cold!) but the sun breaks through eventually.  It is certainly cooler than the oppressive heat that many of the groups have left behind.

                          Inside                                         the                                       Cathedral

There is some time for a little shopping and some refreshment before we head back to the coach and the drive to Charterhouse. 

After dinner there are some activities and a movie.  As a first day the gentle charm of Winchester has worked its magic and we are all feeling good and ready for the journey to London tomorrow.