Winchester Cathedral | Plan your Visit (2024)

FAQs

What is the meaning behind the song Winchester Cathedral? ›

It's about a broken hearted lad whose girlfriend left him. Now he's blaming the cathedral for not stopping her. Geoff Stephens wrote the song as an affectionate tribute to old English music hall tunes (much as Paul McCartney did with “Honey Pie” and “When I'm 64.”

Winchester Cathedral is a mediaeval Anglican church in Winchester, Hampshire. It is the seat of the Bishop of Winchester. The cathedral has the longest nave and overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe.

Definitely worth a visit - excellent value. Although the entry price (£12.50 per adult) initially seems a little steep, but it compares well to English Heritage and National Trust.

Most tourists begin their trip to Winchester with a visit to the cathedral. Winchester Cathedral has a fascinating history and the best way to experience it is by joining a guided tour that is free as a part of your entrance ticket. The tours last around 1-1.5 hours and run at regular intervals throughout the day.

Nowadays the cathedral draws many tourists as a result of its association with Jane Austen, who died in Winchester on 18 July 1817. Her funeral was held in the cathedral, and she was buried in the north aisle.

Once the seat of Anglo-Saxon and Norman power, Winchester Cathedral is the resting place of Saxon royalty, bishops and Jane Austen, the much-loved English novelist. You'll find priceless treasures and great works of art, from sculpture by Antony Gormley to the magnificent 12th-century Winchester Bible.

'Our Chawton home how much we find already in it to our mind, and how convinced that when complete it will all other houses beat. ' Jane Austen was buried in the north nave aisle of Winchester Cathedral on 24 July 1817.

Most notably Winchester Cathedral has stood in for St Paul's Cathedral for the funeral of Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. The cathedral was also used to film the funeral of Lord Mountbatten (which in real life took place at Westminster Abbey).

Today, the cathedral holds a 14th century volume, which contains a transcription of the 1217 version of the Magna Carta, the third version of the document. “Our History.” Winchester Cathedral.

Winchester Cathedral

In its 1,500 years of history the cathedral has hosted two lavish royal weddings: 1403, Henry IV and Joan of Navarre; and, 1554 Mary Tudor and Philip II of Spain.

Can anyone get married at Winchester Cathedral? ›

We welcome enquires from couples wanting to marry at the Cathedral –the bride or groom must have a demonstrable connection with the Cathedral, and we advise couples to get in touch with us as soon as possible to discuss this requirement however, we also hold services of thanksgiving following civil marriages, and are ...

Explore one of the oldest parts of the Cathedral and the least altered part of the Norman building. The Crypt provides a stunning setting for Antony Gormley's sculpture Sound II. Duration: 20 minutes. Price: Included in admission.

Ecgberht (770/775 – 839), King of Wessex 802–839. Buried in the Old Minster, Winchester. His bones are now thought to be in one of the six mortuary caskets in Winchester Cathedral. Æthelwulf, (died 13 January 858), King of Wessex from 839 to 858.

The composers have shared their back story, what they imagined as they wrote the tune. During the reign of King James I, all clan chiefs were asked to meet secretly at St. Columba Church in Glasgow (known as the Highland Cathedral). There, they pledged to live in peace and end their constant feuding.

Her grave lies on the left side of the sanctuary. It was a family connection to the cathedral that allowed her this place of honor inside. On the wall nearby is a plaque that was installed many years after her death that credits Austen for her abilities as an author.

There, Violet is drawn into a society of broderers--women who embroider kneelers for the Cathedral, carrying on a centuries-long tradition of bringing comfort to worshippers. Violet finds support and community in the group, fulfillment in the work they create, and even a growing friendship with the vivacious Gilda.

"Winchester Cathedral" is a song by the New Vaudeville Band, a British novelty group established by the song's composer, Geoff Stephens, and was released in late 1966 by Fontana Records.