Journey Through Winchester's Past
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Southampton, England
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Winchester is one of England’s most historic cathedral cities, and the perfect place to explore some of the country’s most famous legends. Meet Henry VIII, Oliver Cromwell and William the Conqueror on a journey through Winchester’s ancient streets, and learn about the city’s literary heroes including Jane Austen, Keats and Thomas Hardy. Hear stories about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and enjoy the Medieval architecture on a tour that’s like stepping back in time.
- Suitable for the whole family
- Smaller groups mean more personalized tours
- 20% off drinks and dining at the historic Wykeham Arms pub
- See all the historic sights while avoiding the crowds
What's Included
- Photography
- 20% off at The Wykeham Arms (reservation required)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Winchester SO23 8UH, UK
In front of the Westgate, the medieval entrance to Winchester.
End point
- The Wykeham Arms, Winchester75 Kingsgate St, Winchester SO23 9PE, UK
Operating hours.10:00 am
Itinerary
1
Westgate Museum
Admission Ticket Free
2
The Great Hall
Admission Ticket Free
3
Winchester Cathedral
Admission Ticket Free
4
Winchester Buttercross
Admission Ticket Free
5
Wolvesey Castle
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Near public transportation
- Stroller accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Accessible for those with limited eye sight
- Accessible for those with limited mobility
- Animals or pets allowed
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Service animals allowed
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 355 reviews
Antonio_L, Apr 2026
Learned so much from Gail of Welsh Tours. If you walk the beautiful streets of Winchester all you will notice are, "Nice old buildings". Nothing more. However, with Gail as your guide, these same "nice old buildings" come 'alive'! Full of mystery, intrigue, FACTS and more. I am so grateful that I was fortunate to have Gail as our Historian/Guide. Thank you!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review. I am so glad Gail helped bring Winchester to life! Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Charles_P, Mar 2026
I booked the "Journey Through Winchester's Past" to learn about the city's rich history, but instead, I was subjected to a 20-minute political commentary by the guide, Brian. From the start, Brian was difficult to follow—speaking far too quickly and peppering the discussion with sarcasm and quips.
What was most off-putting was the rapid-fire political and world-affairs innuendo. When I politely asked him to refocus on the actual historical tour, he was dismissive and continued to push his personal agenda. It felt more like an attempted comedy show than a professional walking tour. I ended up "bowing out" only 20 minutes in because the content was so irrelevant to the tour's purpose. His parting remark to me was, "Sorry you feel that way." This was the most disappointing Viator tour I have ever experienced. I came for the history of Winchester, not a lecture on today’s world events.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. Your feedback is very much appreciated.
History is best understood by relating it to contemporary events. While doing so in a lighthearted way with a gentle touch specific to that group. That is the merit of any good walking tour. Each guide does that in their own style: some do it with humour. But surely jokes are as relative as history!
It is unfortunate that was not your experience nor your expectation.
However, I would respectfully and strongly disagree with the above categorisation of the Tour and of those specific interactions. It is far, far from reflective of the Tour, despite your own interpretation. If you would like to discuss further, please email info@walshtours.com
Bill_F, Dec 2025
Gail was a wonderful guide, providing a wealth of information in a very personable way. Her knowledge of history and insights into Winchester today were a great combination.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thanks so much for the review. I am so thrilled you enjoyed your walk of Winchester with Gail. Wishing you all the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Carol_M, Oct 2025
Wonderful history of Winchester and easy walking tour.
Great knowledgeable guide who made the history and places come to life.
Very enjoyable 2 hrs with Brian.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thanks so much for the wonderful review! It was a pleasure showing you Winchester. Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
John_A, Sep 2025
Great fun, Bryan is incredibly personable erudite and knowledgeable. Not a fan of Oliver Cromwell mind! 😂
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your very kind review. It was a pleasure having you on the Tour, and not Oliver Cromwell! All the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Keith_S, Aug 2025
Bryan certainly knew his stuff and could probably give a lecture on English history. The tour took us to some interesting places, some things you wouldn't notice without the knowledge of their significance.
A good tour, Which is well worth the money.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thanks so much for your very kind review. I'm so glad that you enjoyed Winchester. Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
David_B, Jun 2025
We had a great private tour of Winchester. We never realized the long history of the town, the church, and the castle. Loved the walk along the River Itchen. While not included in our tour, we also toured inside Winchester Cathedral afterward at an additional price.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for the kind review. I am so glad that you enjoyed Winchester. Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Angela_H, Mar 2025
We were so lucky with the weather having a lovely walk in the sunshine and learnt lots if interesting facts about Winchester. It also meant we walked to areas that we hadn’t previously visited. Down by the river where it was so pretty was one of them.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thanks so much for the very kind review. I'm so glad you enjoyed Winchester. Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Jason_O, Jan 2025
Guide was very knowledgeable on the history and dates and added some appropriate humour to our tour; alas it was only my wife and I on the tour, therefore with less participant questions it was over a little earlier than expected, but everything and more was covered in the experience.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thanks so much for such a kind review. It was a pleasure meeting. Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Joan_H, Sep 2024
It was a great tour with an engaging guide. We saw parts of Winchester that we might otherwise have missed.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thanks so much for the kind review. Winchester is an incredible place. Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
LUCIA_D, Sep 2024
Wonderful experience!!
The guide was so frinedly, and showed too much knowledge about England history!!
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thanks so much for such a kind review. It is very much appreciated. Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Yatharth_T, Aug 2024
Not worth it!
Description says all the tickets for the attractions are included but the guide did the complete opposite and said it's not included! Tour route was interesting but description was misleading!
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thanks for the review. It is disappointing that you had that impression. As explained on the day, the ticket was purchased via Viator which clearly states what is included. While Viator description lists itinerary stops as being free, it is clear on listing what is included in the ticket. Apologies for any confusion. If you would like to discuss further please email info@walshtours.com
Lorraine_R, Aug 2024
Knownable and entertaining guide. Throughly enjoyable tour.
We learnt so much. Would recommend it to everyone.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thanks so much for such a kind review. It was a wonderful pleasure. Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Richard_G, Jul 2024
Brian is a fabulously entertaining and knowledgeable guide who made the place come alive. Great value for money. A must if you are visiting Winchester.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thanks so much for such a kind review. Winchester is a fascinating place. Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Oana_P, Jun 2024
Beautiful day and amazing guide not to be missed highly recommend as a day out every minute was enjoyable
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thanks so much for such a kind review. Winchester is always a wonderful place to visit. Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Lauren_H, Jun 2024
Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Winchester. Bryan was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the city and was able to answer all our questions. It was a great way to see some major points of the city!
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thanks so much for such a wonderful review. Winchester is an amazing place! Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Maren_S, Jun 2024
Bryan was a wonderful guide! His sense of humor and interesting stories of Winchester’s history kept us engaged and interested on a cold and rainy day.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thanks so much for such a kind review. Winchester is always worth a walk! Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Martyn_H, Jun 2024
A well paced and enjoyable experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our walking tour seeing all the best of Winchester. Really informative and tied in lots of Winchester’s history with the history of the country. Just the right distance,time,pace from a knowledgeable, amusing guide. Recommend
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thanks so much for such a kind review. It was a pleasure. Wishing you all the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Kathleen_L, Jun 2024
Bryan was a great tour guide, knowledgeable and funny. This was our 2nd tour with him, also did the Secrets of the Titanic in Southampton. Highly recommend either of these tours!
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thanks so much for such a wonderful review. It was a double pleasure! Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan
Sue_D, May 2024
tour guide was very knowledgeable & kept our tour interesting with an element of fun.
He was able to answer questions & gave lots of fun facts.
……………………….
Response from Host, May 2024
Thanks so much for such a kind review. It was more than my pleasure. Wishing you all the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Edie_D, Apr 2024
Brian was simply amazing! His knowledge of history, plus his humor and enthusiasm, made this a very memorable day. We learned so much and really had an enjoyable day.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thanks so much for such a kind review. It was more than my pleasure showing you all that Winchester has to offer! Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
karenawilkinson, Apr 2024
Bryan was an excellent tour guide and host for our Saturday morning jaunt around 'win-Winchester'. It lasted about 1hr 45 but we were a reasonably small group of 6. He shared a lot of knowledge with good humour and banter along the way (even a little song!). Although we'd toured the Cathedral and Great Hall the previous day we got to see a lot of things we'd have missed otherwise and I would definitely recommend it to others.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thanks so much for such a kind review. It was a most wonderful pleasure showing you all that Winchester has to offer! Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
wendy_k, Mar 2024
Beautiful, interesting tour. Bryan is knowledgeable, friendly and fun.
So cool to actually be standing in history. Totally worth the affordable cost.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thanks so much for the kind review. You say it all-Winchester is beautiful! Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Paul_M, Mar 2024
Excellent clear information from our guide. Very interesting and informative with a good amount of humour thrown in.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thanks so much for you clear and excellent review! It was more than my pleasure. Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Janette_M, Feb 2024
The tour was extremely interesting and Bryan was very knowledgeable, his passion in the history of Winchester really shone through. We were a group of 3 adults and we all came away with far more understanding of the history of Winchester and its effects throughout
England. By far the best tour we have ever been on.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thank you so much for such a kind review. Winchester is an incredible place. And it was my pleasure showing all it has to offer. Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Sally_l, Feb 2024
Great guide, really informative and sociable amusing. Would recommend it especially for people interested in History
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thanks so much for the kind review. It was more than my pleasure. Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Elizabeth_A, Aug 2023
Very enjoyable and informative.
We learned lots about Winchester and the characters who inhabited the city. Bryan was entertaining and lots of fun.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thanks so much for the very kind review. It was more than my pleasure. Cheers. Bryan.
Rowina_x, Jul 2023
Everything was nicely explained. We loved the tour. The guide was great! We walked around town and received a lot of information about the past of Winchester. We recommend it.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Thanks so much for the very kind review. So glad you enjoyed the Tour and Winchester. Cheers. Bryan.
Cynthia_T, Jul 2023
Winchester has so much more history than i think people know. From the Arthur legend to 2 castles and 2 palaces, Keats and Jane Austen, even a no.1 song! Bryan was the most entertaining and knowledgeable tour guide, with enriching prepared material and also warm interaction as well. Could not have been better !
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Thanks so much for the very kind review. It was most wonderful having you on Tour. Winchester is rich in historical and literary characters none the least, Jane Austen. Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
Victoria_B, Jun 2023
Winchester is amazing! It’s a treasure trove and everyone who has been someone in British history has passed through this magnificent, living museum of a city. So much history! Bryan literally and figuratively walked us through its storied streets and buildings, making it come alive. He is such a knowledgeable and personable young man and passionate at what he does and he does a great rendition of “ Winchester Cathedral “
This tour is highly recommended for everyone especially for those who loves history and architecture. It is excellent both in value and content.
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Thanks so much for the very kind review. I am so glad you enjoyed brining Winchester to live. But even more thrilled that you enjoyed my singing voice! Wishing you the best. Cheers. Bryan.
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