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The Buttercross, Winchester

The Buttercross, Winchester

Highlight • Monument

The Buttercross, Winchester

Recommended by 52 hikers out of 53

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Location: Hampshire, South East England, England, United Kingdom

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Best Hikes to The Buttercross, Winchester

4.6

(17)

167

hikers

1. The Weirs, Winchester – St Catherine's Hill loop from Winchester

13.2km

03:26

90m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.8

(36)

328

hikers

2. St Catherine's Hill – The Weirs, Winchester loop from Bar End

9.51km

02:28

60m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.6

(15)

101

hikers

3. Saint Catherine's Hill – St Catherine's Hill loop from Winchester

12.2km

03:15

120m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

Tips

David Howells

October 7, 2023

The Butter Cross of Winchester is a Holy Cross, dating back to the mid C14th, it is thought it may have been a gift of Cardinal Beaufort who was Bishop of Winchester from 1404 – 1447. It may well have replaced a much earlier cross associated with the monastic buildings and the Old Minster.

Mike Cree

October 9, 2025

The Buttercross is a magnificent, many-pinnacled, 15th-century stone market cross located prominently on Winchester's High Street. Originally known as the City Cross, it acquired the name "Buttercross" because its five octagonal steps and surrounding area were traditionally used by country people to sell dairy products, eggs, and other produce. The highly decorative Gothic structure features a tall central shaft, numerous smaller pinnacles, and twelve figures, including the Blessed Virgin, various saints, King Alfred the Great, and William of Wykeham (though many of the statues were added during an 1865 restoration by Sir George Gilbert Scott). The monument is also famous for a local "small riot" in 1770, when the citizens successfully prevented a local squire from dismantling and moving the historic cross to his private estate.

Sylkeweb

April 12, 2024

The Buttercross is a well known feature in the city centre and often used as a meeting point.

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Informations

Elevation 40 m

Weather

Today

Thursday 30 October

13°C

12°C

100 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 5.0 km/h

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See hikes here

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Location: Hampshire, South East England, England, United Kingdom

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The Buttercross, Winchester

1. The Weirs, Winchester – St Catherine's Hill loop from Winchester

2. St Catherine's Hill – The Weirs, Winchester loop from Bar End

3. Saint Catherine's Hill – St Catherine's Hill loop from Winchester

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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