A Taste of Winchester takes place across the district from 8 – 13 July.
With stunning market towns; below are a few highlights so you can discover the best of local cuisines during A Taste of Winchester.
A picturesque market town nestled in the heart of the Meon Valley with great places to eat and drink. Wickham is a must-see stop on your foodie travels during A Taste of Winchester week. Work up an appetite by meandering along the water meadows – a tranquil oasis in the middle of Wickham. Or follow the route of the old Meon Valley Railway towards the village of West Meon. Here it connects with the South Downs Way and Wayfarer’s Walk, passing by various hamlets and country pubs – making it a path with plenty of pit stops!
Back in the medieval market square of Wickham, you will find coffee houses, tea rooms and pubs. Look out for The Square Cow – housed in a beautiful open hall and timber-framed building. Pick up a sweet treat in Confiserie Verdonk The Wickham Chocolate Shop with over 100 flavours of Belgian chocolate. If you’re looking to cook up a storm for dinner, head to Meon Valley Butchers – a multiple award-winning traditional artisan butchers and bakers, specialising in top quality, locally and ethically produced meat.
Pack your picnic of local treats from delicatessens and farm shops across the Winchester district and head to the grounds of Bishop’s Waltham Palace. The impressive ruins of the palace are free to visit and located just a short walk from the town. Head to Sweet Corner in the High Street for an afternoon treat.
Anyfish sells fresh and sustainable fish sourced from the waters around the UK and the Mediterranean. They have their own local smokehouse in a converted barn. They smoke salmon and kippers, but also ham and duck.
If you don’t fancy cooking, Bishop’s Waltham caters for all tastes from cosy pubs with roaring fires to fabulous cafes, delis and restaurants.
Watercress, walks and steam trains in AlresfordJust eight miles from Winchester, Alresford is famous for being the UK’s Capital of Watercress. It has grown wild in the chalk streams and ditches in and around the town for centuries. Approximately 1,500 tonnes of watercress is produced in Alresford every year, supplying supermarkets and greengrocers across the country. Watercress features on many menus across the district and even in the local gin!
Follow the original route the watercress took by train on board the Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line and travel through 10 miles of beautiful Hampshire countryside. At Alresford station you can visit the West Country Buffet for some delicious hot meals, snacks and drinks.
The Winchester district is very fortunate to be the home to a few of Hampshire’s firsts, and is full of food and drink producers who also offer an experience to visitors.
Visit Winchester and Hampshire Fare have created a map to highlight and promote some of the wonderful local producers we have across the district – so why not explore them at your leisure during A Taste of Winchester?
From wasabi and trout to lavender and gin, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to eating and drinking during your visit. Eating locally produced food not only means you’ll be tasting the freshest, seasonal ingredients but it’s much better for the environment too and it’s also a great way to support our local businesses.
This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
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