Abbey Gardens

Next to the famous King Alfred statue lies Abbey Gardens, the perfect picnic spot and beautifully tended park. The flowerbeds are always in delightful bloom and the river runs straight through, offering a charming spot to take the load off during a busy day of exploring.

Not only does the park have toilets, a water refill point and an accessible playpark it also has an ice-cream stall in the warmer months. It boasts a selection of inspiring wildlife and even has some art and heritage.

At the front of the gardens you can see Abbey House which was built in 1751 and became the official ‘residence’ of the Mayor in 1890. In front of the house, you can see the Jane Austen seat which was commission by Winchester City Council and carved by local sculptor Nicola Henshaw to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Austen’s death (18th July 1817) in 2017. Behind the house you will find the Soroptimist Garden of the Senses, which features a stone monolith sundial commissioned from David Harber for the third millennium.

The house and gardens take their name from the site they are on, the former location of St Mary's Abbey or Nunnaminster from the medieval period. If you leave the park and head along Abbey Passage you will be able to see part of the historic Nunnaminster, set below the ground and find out more about the Abbey throughout the years.

If you didn’t bring a picnic then not to worry, you can head to Shoal, just on the outskirts of the gardens to pick up some of delightfully fresh fish and chips to eat whilst enjoying the views. Alternatively, you could treat yourselves to something from the seasonal menu at Inn the Park which is located in the historic mill in the centre of the gardens.

The gardens are home to some special flora and fauna. The large Handkerchief tree, seen towards the main road, is originally from China where it is thought of as the most romantic tree. They take a long time to flower when first planted, it is not usual to take 20 years. It gets its name from its white bracts or flowers. In 2023 a green beech tree was also planted near the play park to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III. If you are interested in trees then why not follow our tree trail?