Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Castles

The Great Hall, Winchester

Castles

The Great Hall, Winchester

Highlight • Castle

The Great Hall, Winchester

Name: The Great Hall, Winchester
Rating: 2

Recommended by 1 hikers

Save

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

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to The Great Hall, Winchester

hikers

1. Westgate, Winchester – Buttercross, Winchester loop from West Hill

2.76km

00:47

60m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

4.8

(4)

hikers

2. The City Bridge – Westgate, Winchester loop from The Soke

4.10km

01:05

40m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

3.0

(1)

hikers

3. Westgate, Winchester – The Buttercross, Winchester loop from Fulflood

2.27km

00:36

20m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

Tips

Mike Cree

October 9, 2025

The Great Hall is all that remains of the vast Winchester Castle, which was founded by William the Conqueror in 1067 as a seat of royal power and government.
The present Great Hall was built between 1222 and 1235 during the reign of King Henry III, who was born in Winchester Castle. It is regarded as one of the finest surviving medieval great halls in England.
While the rest of Winchester Castle was largely destroyed in 1649 following the English Civil War on the orders of Oliver Cromwell, the Great Hall was spared, possibly for use as a courthouse.

Mike Cree

October 9, 2025

Gothic Architecture: The Hall is a stunning example of 13th-century Gothic architecture. It is an immense, aisled hall featuring elegant Purbeck marble columns and soaring pointed archways.

Hammer-Beam Roof: It is topped with a magnificent hammer-beam roof, which creates a large, unobstructed open space.

Judicial History: For centuries, the Great Hall served as the primary law court for Hampshire, hosting Assize Courts until 1974. Notable trials held here include that of Sir Walter Raleigh (1603) and the "Bloody Assizes" under Judge Jeffreys (1685).The Great Hall is most famous for housing the Winchester Round Table, which is prominently displayed on the west wall.

The Legend: This enormous circular wooden tabletop is strongly linked to the legendary King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, symbolizing equality as it has no "head."

The Reality: The table is a genuine medieval artifact, but it is not from King Arthur's time. Carbon dating suggests the wood was cut in the late 13th century (around 1250-1280), approximately 600 years after Arthur is traditionally thought to have lived.

Purpose: Historians believe it was likely created for a lavish "Round Table" tournament, possibly hosted by King Edward I in 1290 to celebrate a royal betrothal.

The Painting: The famous painted design, which features the Tudor rose in the centre and a figure resembling a young King Henry VIII as Arthur, was commissioned by King Henry VIII in the early 16th century (c. 1522) to reinforce his connection to the legendary king.

Mike Cree

October 9, 2025

Queen Eleanor's Garden: Outside the Hall is a tranquil recreated medieval garden, named after Eleanor of Provence (wife of Henry III) and Eleanor of Castile (wife of Edward I).

The Westgate: The imposing Westgate, a surviving medieval fortified gate, is located nearby and was once the main entrance to the castle complex.

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 110 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 5 November

16°C

13°C

100 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

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

Other Popular Places to Check Out

The Weirs, Winchester

Hockley Viaduct

The City Bridge

Shawford Down War Memorials

Winchester High Street

Abbey Gardens, Winchester

Allbrook Lock

Winchester City Mill – Start or End of the South Downs Way

Start of South-West Steps to St Catherine’s Hill

Winchester Cathedral

Westgate and King Alfred Statue, Winchester

View of Avington Lake and Avington Park

The Great Hall, Winchester

1. Westgate, Winchester – Buttercross, Winchester loop from West Hill

2. The City Bridge – Westgate, Winchester loop from The Soke

3. Westgate, Winchester – The Buttercross, Winchester loop from Fulflood

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️