The summer holidays are finally here, and with the kids off school and the sun shining, you can enjoy days out with the whole family in Winchester.
Let Visit Winchester take the sting out of the planning – and the purse strings – with these money-saving tips…
Take the bus to Winchester Science Centre to unlock a special offer
Did you know you can catch the 64 bus from the centre of Winchester and be at the Science Centre within 10 minutes? From 22 July to 2 September, Winchester Science Centre are offering any visitors who travel by bus 10% off hot drinks! To claim the discount, all you need is a valid bus ticket for the day of your visit.
During the summer Olympic and Paralympic fever is taking over both inside and out! Visitors can take on the Bug Olympics by creating an epic nature-inspired opening ceremony. Plus you'll find out about the science of us and exercise.
Top tip! Book in advance on the Winchester Science Centre website and save as much as 25% by planning ahead. If you plan on coming again soon, make sure you upgrade to an annual membership for free entry on your first trip and 10% off planetarium entry.
Pre-book now.
Save on joint tickets for 878 AD, City Museum, The Great Hall and Westgate Museum
Discover the history of Winchester from its roots in the Iron Age to the emergence of the Anglo-Saxons and its part in the final journey of King Charles I with a joint ticket to four historic Hampshire Cultural Trust Winchester attractions – 878 AD, City Museum, The Great Hall and Westgate Museum.
Don’t miss the this exclusive offer – at just £69.50, a family of five can enjoy unlimited visits to all four venues for a whole year, exploring the city’s unrivalled heritage and its pivotal place in the history of England.
Book your Historic Winchester Super Saver tickets.
Five go to Marwell for just £85
Marwell Zoo has got a fantastic offer set to help as many people as possible connect with nature this summer! For £85 guests will be able to buy a ticket that admits up to five people for a full day of family adventures.
There is always something new to enjoy at the zoo – among the new arrivals are a Przewalski’s foal and blesbok calf that arrived within days of each other. Don’t forget to explore Marwell’s wide open spaces, animal walk-throughs, adventure playgrounds, and a variety of cafes and shops to help you make the most of your visit.
This summer, Marwell Zoo is also hosting a fun interactive trail inspired by Eric Carle’s bestselling children’s book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The trail tells the popular children’s story through a series of supersized 3D installations guaranteed to thrill fans.
Augmented reality (AR) elements will allow guests to view extra content through a smartphone or tablet making the experience even more immersive.
Guests will be able to follow The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s many, many footsteps, winding their way through the giant apple, pear archways and plum tunnels!
Six Military Museums for the price of 1
Winchester’s Military Quarter is a grouping of six regimental museums situated within yards of each other on a historic site, close to the city centre of Winchester. Each museum offers a unique experience and has its own story to tell. There are fantastic collections of medals, paintings and military objects on display across the whole site, making a trip to Winchester’s Military Museums worth a visit.
You can now visit all six military museums at Peninsula Barracks in Winchester for one price! You can purchase your tickets at the museums or online to pick up at the Royal Green Jackets Museum. Alternatively, check out the Military Quarter’s free museums: The Rifles Regimental Museum, The Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum, and the Adjutant General’s Corps Museum.
Find out more.
Get ‘Fit for the Fort’ for free at Fort Nelson
Take a visit to the Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson and enjoy free admission. At the weekends, the Fort Nelson instructors will be giving young recruits the opportunity to learn the skills a soldier would be expected to have to be considered ‘Fit for the Fort’ – completely free! Each weekend will focus on a different period in history including and will be a chance to learn about military drills, Morse code, survival skills and more! Book your free tickets now.
This summer Fort Nelson’s daily junior assault course is back for more fun and at just £3.50 to pay on the day, the kids can enjoy obstacles, challenges and plenty of adventures.
Hop on the South Downs Rambler Bus
The South Downs Rambler Bus is the perfect opportunity to explore the South Downs Way – without breaking a sweat or the bank! The Rambler runs every Sunday from 21 July to 15 September, as well as the August Bank Holiday Monday.
The bus takes a scenic view from Winchester to Petersfield railway stations and back again – via the Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium, views at Cheesefoot Head, the gardens of Hinton Ampner, the Iron Age fort at Old Winchester Hill, the luxurious Langrish House Hotel and a number of traditional village pubs and villages.
Explore the King Alfred’s Way cycle route
Grab your bike and helmet and challenge yourself to the 220-mile King Alfred’s Way cycle route, taking you on a journey through the heart of Hampshire, Surrey, Wiltshire and Berkshire. The route begins and ends at the Westgate Museum at the top of Winchester high-street, so be sure to pop in before setting off on your journey.
Find the route here.
If you’d prefer to stay closer to the city, you can try the 19-mile Itchen Valley Cycle Route. It begins in the city centre and takes you through some of Winchester’s most picturesque market towns and villages such as Easton, Itchen Abbas and Alresford, where you can stop into some of its fabulous independent shops and eateries.
Find the Itchen Valley cycle route here.
Discover the South Downs on foot
The Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail stretches from Winchester in the north, to Woodmill near Swaythling in the south. As it follows the route of a waterway, the trail is mainly flat and level, however there are some locations with stiles, gates or gradients. The walking route is well way-marked with the Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail logo directional arrows on posts. It is the perfect way to explore the Hampshire countryside for free.
From tracing the footsteps of King Alfred to Jane Austen, you can download Visit Winchester’s range of brochures for free. If you prefer a hard copy you can purchase them for £1 in our Visitor Information Centre on The Broadway. There, our friendly and knowledgeable visitor guides can help point you in the direction of your perfect Winchester walk.
