Experience the flavours of the district with our Local Food and Drink Heroes map
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.
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.
Here are just some producers to whet your appetite…
Church Paddock Fishery is situated on the outskirts of the city centre, Church Paddock Fishery has a spring fed lake set in five acres of landscaped ground. The lake holds mostly rainbow trout with some brown & blues. The fishery also offers private hire including catering and stands as a wedding venue.
The Wasabi Company opened in the 1850s and has been growing watercress predominately. However, in May 2010, a visiting chef mentioned how the only other crop he has seen growing in similar conditions was wasabi in Japan.
From this they began investigating and experimenting to see what it would take to grow wasabi in the UK and they soon learnt that wasabi had never been successfully cultivated in Europe.
Today The Wasabi Company is thriving, they even have their own wasabi vodka! Check them out, here.
Photos by Ms Marmite Lover.
The Winchester district is also very fortunate to be the home to a few of Hampshire’s firsts including Hambledon Vineyard, Winchester Distillery and Jude’s Ice Cream…
Hambledon Vineyard
Hambledon Vineyard was founded in 1952 and is the oldest and one of the most successful commercial vineyards in the UK.
Today Hambledon comprises over 60 acres of vineyards and a new state-of-the-art winery, opened by HRH Duchess of Cornwall. Hambledon regularly opens its doors for ‘behind the scenes’ tours and events.
We are delighted to work with Winchester City Council in promoting Hampshire’s Firsts. Today we are one of the leading sparkling wine producers in England and visitors to Hampshire can join us for a vineyard tour and tasting, a cream tea, or visit our pop-up restaurant.
Ian Kellet, Owner of Hambledon Vineyard since 1999
Winchester Distillery is a micro-distillery in the heart of Winchester. They craft small-batch, premium spirits using traditional methods with locally sourced botanicals.
Every part of their distillation process is performed by hand using their closely guarded recipes and the master distiller’s twisted nose to fine-tune each 50-bottle batch to perfection, they are the proud makers of Twisted Nose Gin.
Jude's Ice Cream
Jude’s Ice Cream is situated in Twyford, Winchester. Born from one man’s love of ice cream and want to create ‘the most unbelievably delicious ice cream.’ After naming the business after his wife, the first Jude’s Ice Cream was purchased in 2002 and now having tested hundreds and thousands of recipes, they have won over 60 Great Taste Awards! Not only do they create delicious ice cream, but Jude’s are also certified as a B-Corp business and are running as Britain’s first carbon negative ice cream company.
Cllr Lucille Thompson, Winchester City Council’s Cabinet Member for Business and Culture:
“This map is a welcome addition which showcases the enormous variety of food and beverages that are produced throughout our lovely district. I do hope it will be of use to visitors, but I also hope it will act as a reminder to our residents of the rich diversity we have on our doorstep and encourage everyone to shop local.”
Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager, Hampshire Fare:
“It was a real joy working with the team at Visit Winchester on this food trail project. The Winchester District is extensive. As well as the historic city of Winchester, the District covers market towns and villages, chalk downlands and river valleys, and really does have something for everyone in terms of delicious produce. It is a place to explore and enjoy tasting what is grown and made here, that is for sure!”
Foodie festivals
Throughout the year there are also various food festivals celebrating local produce including Hampshire Food Festival in July and Alresford Watercress Festival in May. Winchester is also a popular destination for national festivals and welcomes celebrity chefs to Cheese and Chilli Festival in June and Foodies Festival in July.
Take a look at festivalsinwinchester.co.uk for dates and events
Eating out
Local produce is on the menu at many of our independent eateries across the district – so make sure you head to one of our market towns and villages or Winchester city centre to experience the flavours of the district. If you fancy adding the freshest ingredients to your own cooking then buy locally at one of our award-winning butchers, farm shops, village stores or delis. Winchester Visitor Information Centre not only stocks locally made produce and gifts, but they can also help recommend great places to eat and food days outs.
Discover more local food, drink and craft producers across Hampshire on the Hampshire Fare website.