The Great Hall with Westgate Museum | Historic Winchester
Source: https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/westgate-museum
Archived: 2026-04-23 15:31
The Great Hall with Westgate Museum | Historic Winchester
The Great Hall
With Westgate Museum
Book tickets now
Today’s opening hours:
10:00 – 17:00
Last entry will be 30 min before closure.
Built by William the Conqueror, Winchester Castle was once the seat of power for medieval monarchs – a stronghold of history and legacy. Though much of the original structure has been lost to time, two remarkable survivors remain: The Great Hall, one of the finest medieval halls in England, and the imposing Westgate, which once served as the castle’s primary defence.
Step inside the legendary Great Hall and marvel at its soaring arches, rich history and the iconic Round Table, linked to King Arthur’s legend in popular fiction, and walk through the formidable Westgate, where echoes of centuries past still linger in the stone.
The Great Hall
Westgate Museum
What's on
How to get there
Admission
Opening hours
Thu 23 Apr 2026:
10:00 – 17:00
Fri 24 Apr 2026:
10:00 – 17:00
Sat 25 Apr 2026:
10:00 – 17:00
Sun 26 Apr 2026:
10:00 – 17:00
Mon 27 Apr 2026:
10:00 – 17:00
Tue 28 Apr 2026:
10:00 – 17:00
Wed 29 Apr 2026:
10:00 – 17:00
Planning your trip
Tel:
01962 398327
Email:
Email us
Address:
View on map
The Great Hall, The Castle, Winchester SO23 8UD
See ticket prices
Attraction facilities
Facilities
Gift shop
Guide dogs allowed
School/education groups
Toilets
Accessibility Details
Press enquiries
07710 093821
Email us
The great hall
Where legend and history meet
Discover heritage intertwined with myth and lore
Uncover the hall’s battle scars and immerse yourself in the history of ancient secrets at Winchester’s Great Hall.
Take in the impressive, majestic surroundings and historic architecture, watched over by the iconic Round Table of Arthurian legend, which takes pride of place within the hall.
From its life as a royal residence, to a defensive stronghold, a courtroom and now a thriving tourist destination, discover the place where history was made, and heritage is felt.
The Castle
Though mostly in ruins, the castle’s Great Hall still remains. Built in the 13th century during the reign of King Henry III, The Great Hall is one of the finest surviving medieval great halls in England. It is an impressive structure with a magnificent hammer-beam roof and large, stained-glass windows.
Some parts of the castle, such as the royal apartments and fortifications, have largely disappeared over the centuries due to various factors including demolition, decay and reuse of materials. The castle’s strategic importance diminished over time and it was eventually repurposed for other uses.
Underground Sally Port
A historic feature designed to enhance the castle’s defenses during medieval times, these routes consisted of underground passageways that provided strategic access to and from the castle.
Get a glimpse at the secret passages created to surprise an enemy or to return to the safety of the castle in times of battle and siege, offering insight into the castle’s defensive architecture.
The Great Hall
The Great Hall is one of the finest, surviving medieval aisled halls of the 13th century and was once part of the magnificent Winchester Castle. The castle was founded in 1067 by William the Conqueror shortly after his victory at the Battle of Hastings. In 1222, Henry III, with his love of architecture, began the construction of this, one of the earliest Gothic styled medieval halls. Admire the soaring Purbeck marble columns and beautiful Gothic pointed archways.
The Round Table
The Great Hall also houses the legendary Round Table of King Arthur, which is displayed on an end wall. While the Round Table was actually made in the 13th century, it adds to the hall’s allure and historical significance.
Thomas Malory, the 15th century author of Le Morte d’Arthur, identified Winchester as the site of Camelot. Here, dominating The Great Hall, is the iconic Round Table – famously linked to the ancient legends of King Arthur and his Knights. From historians to poets, its mystique has captivated people’s imaginations for centuries. Uncover its unique role and the influence it had on kings throughout history.
Queen Eleanors' Garden
Relax in a recreated medieval garden named after the queens Eleanor of Provence and Eleanor of Castile.
Featuring a tunnel vine arbour, turf seats and a fountain, surround yourself in this peaceful oasis with its scented herbs and plants that were abundant in the 13th century.
Long Gallery
Meet the heroes and villains of The Great Hall’s past from kings and queens to judges and executioners.
Weddings at The Great Hall
fairytale weddings in the heart of winchester
Whether you’re envisioning a grand celebration or a more intimate gathering, this versatile venue can bring your wedding dreams to life.
Discover more about wedding hire
Fun for all the family
Make memories in the place history is felt
Discover an exciting programme of events at The Great Hall, Winchester, one of England’s finest historic venues.
View our event programme
A fascinating place. You can smell the history in every stone
Brian U
The Great Hall
Tripadvisor
A Winchester gem! A location that must be seen by anyone visiting the city - I was touring with my friend who is not local to the south and stopped in at the museum to show some more local history, we both had a great time whilst visiting.
Bebe A
Westgate Museum
Google Reviews
Fascinating, well-kept historical site, well worth the visit and inexpensive to go in, compared to other historical sites
Ida H
The Great Hall
Tripadvisor
The staff are super friendly and ready to tell you all about Winchester’s rich and legendary.
Marina B
Westgate Museum
Google Reviews
Don't miss this on your visit, all that remains of Winchester Castle, mind boggling. A definite must-see on your visit to Winchester.
Lex M
The Great Hall
Tripadvisor
A wonderful treasure trove of antiquated collectibles. Each and every item in this small single room museum has a fascinating story to tell.
Xavier S
Westgate Museum
Google Reviews
Takes you back to a time long gone - historic and magical at the same time. Well worth a visit.
Mark G
The Great Hall
Google Reviews
A hidden gem in Winchester, well maintained, and amazing to see the hand craftsmanship in this iconic building
Ryan H
The Great Hall
Google Reviews
It's like stepping into a history book but cooler. You can almost hear stories of kings and important stuff that happened here. If history's your thing, it's a gold mine.
Telina F
The Great Hall
Google Reviews
Sign up to our newsletter
to about our upcoming exhibitions, events and news
Sign up now
Westgate Museum
A medieval gateway to Winchester
Included in the Great Hall ticket
Located at the top of the High Street in the historic city of Winchester, Westgate Museum is housed inside a surviving, fortified medieval gateway. The museum tells the story of this remarkable building and the history of Tudor and Stuart Winchester. It also offers unrivalled views over the city from its roof.
Explore the medieval Westgate Museum in the heart of the historic city. A debtors’ prison for 150 years, this beautifully refurbished, ancient scheduled monument is the last of the main medieval gates into the city. Today, Westgate Museum’s displays include a famous collection of pre-imperial weights and measures and a fine painted ceiling commissioned by Winchester College in anticipation of a visit by Mary Tudor and Philip of Spain on the occasion of their marriage in Winchester in 1554.
There are plenty of hands-on activities for all the family to enjoy during your visit. Try on a replica coat of armour and Tudor costumes and pose for a photograph! Make a brass rubbing to take away and have a go at the Westgate spotter trail. Throughout the year, we run a programme of fun, family-friendly events and activities.
An ancient city gate
The Westgate in Winchester, England, is one of the city’s most significant medieval structures. It served as the main western entrance to the city and is the last remaining medieval gate of Winchester, dating mainly to the 12th–14th centuries, which stands on the site of earlier gates stretching back to Roman times.
A Tudor royal wedding
Westgate Museum features displays telling the story of Winchester in the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1554, Queen Mary I married Philip of Spain in Winchester Cathedral, and Westgate Museum is now home to a beautiful Tudor ceiling commissioned by Warden White of Winchester College, with a frieze probably added by him on the occasion of the royal wedding. A portrait of Ralph Lamb who attended the wedding can also be seen, dressed in the finest Spanish style.
The Castle
The Westgate once served as an entrance to the city of Winchester. A fortified stronghold, the monument also protected Winchester Castle from potential attacks.
The medieval gateway still stands proudly on the high street, serving as a poignant landmark, reflecting the city’s rich history.
Seventeenth century Winchester
The city suffered during the English Civil War, with Oliver Cromwell capturing the castle and later demolishing it. In 1648, on his way to trial and execution in London, Charles I was presented with the city mace at the Westgate by the royalist mayor; his son, Charles II, planned a great royal palace in the city. Civil War armour, King Charles II’s boot and a staff belonging to Oliver Cromwell’s son and successor, Richard Cromwell, can be seen in the museum today.
Westgate chamber
In a corner of the Westgate chamber hangs a gruesome set of gibbeting irons reputedly used to display the executed body of Jack the Painter, a notorious traitor who was caught trying to burn the docks in Portsmouth at the time of the American War of Independence. Leg irons hang from the walls as a reminder of crime and punishment in former days.
Prisoner's graffiti
For 200 years, Westgate Museum chamber was used as a debtors’ prison, with Little Ease – to the left of the original door in the archway – used as a lock-up for drunkards and petty criminals.
Look out for graffiti carved by debtor prisoners from the 16th–18th centuries; the prisoners whiled away their time cutting their names, dates and pictures on the walls of the room and these can be seen today, carved into the softer chalk. There is even a prisoner’s inscription carved onto a floorboard.
Weights and measures
Westgate Museum is home to a unique set of standard weights and measures, used in the city to prevent unscrupulous traders from ‘giving short measure’. In Anglo-Saxon times, a law decreed that all measures must agree with the standards kept in London and Winchester. From that time, the bushel for weighing dry goods became known as the ‘Winchester Measure’; the Winchester Bushel is still in use in the United States today.
Rooftop views
Climb the stairs to the atmospheric Westgate chamber, where you can see the portcullis arch and gun ports that were part of the city defences, the earliest in the country. Imagine yourself as a city guard looking out over views of the city.
Prices
Select your ticket
Single ticket
20% Off
Pay once, visit all year
The great hall with westgate museum
Pay once, visit all year! With your ticket, you can enjoy unlimited visits to The Great Hall and Westgate Museum and return as many times as you like for a whole year!
Please note, The Great Hall with Westgate Museum is a cashless venue. Prices exclude some special events and activities which may be charged separately – please check our What’s On for details. Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
Book tickets
Ticket
Price
Adult
£9.00
Child
£6.50
Concession
£8.00
Under 5s
Free
Family ticket
£29.50
Book tickets
Three attractions, one ticket
Historic Winchester Explorer
Purchase an Explorer ticket to enjoy entry to three historic Winchester attractions, The Great Hall, City Museum and Westgate Museum, as many times as you like for a whole year.
Please note, The Great Hall with Westgate museum is a cashless venue. Prices exclude some special events and activities which may be charged separately – please check our What’s On for details. Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
Book tickets
Ticket
Price
Adult
£13.50
Child
£9.75
Concession
£12.50
Under 5s
Free
Family ticket
£44.50
Book tickets
Worth a visit if you're staying in Winchester! The Great Hall has a beautiful interior and a real sense of history thanks to the round table which is displayed at one end.
Phil M
The Great Hall
With Westgate Museum
Book tickets now
Today’s opening hours:
10:00 – 17:00
Last entry will be 30 min before closure.
Built by William the Conqueror, Winchester Castle was once the seat of power for medieval monarchs – a stronghold of history and legacy. Though much of the original structure has been lost to time, two remarkable survivors remain: The Great Hall, one of the finest medieval halls in England, and the imposing Westgate, which once served as the castle’s primary defence.
Step inside the legendary Great Hall and marvel at its soaring arches, rich history and the iconic Round Table, linked to King Arthur’s legend in popular fiction, and walk through the formidable Westgate, where echoes of centuries past still linger in the stone.
The Great Hall
Westgate Museum
What's on
How to get there
Admission
Opening hours
Thu 23 Apr 2026:
10:00 – 17:00
Fri 24 Apr 2026:
10:00 – 17:00
Sat 25 Apr 2026:
10:00 – 17:00
Sun 26 Apr 2026:
10:00 – 17:00
Mon 27 Apr 2026:
10:00 – 17:00
Tue 28 Apr 2026:
10:00 – 17:00
Wed 29 Apr 2026:
10:00 – 17:00
Planning your trip
Tel:
01962 398327
Email:
Email us
Address:
View on map
The Great Hall, The Castle, Winchester SO23 8UD
See ticket prices
Attraction facilities
Facilities
Gift shop
Guide dogs allowed
School/education groups
Toilets
Accessibility Details
Press enquiries
07710 093821
Email us
The great hall
Where legend and history meet
Discover heritage intertwined with myth and lore
Uncover the hall’s battle scars and immerse yourself in the history of ancient secrets at Winchester’s Great Hall.
Take in the impressive, majestic surroundings and historic architecture, watched over by the iconic Round Table of Arthurian legend, which takes pride of place within the hall.
From its life as a royal residence, to a defensive stronghold, a courtroom and now a thriving tourist destination, discover the place where history was made, and heritage is felt.
The Castle
Though mostly in ruins, the castle’s Great Hall still remains. Built in the 13th century during the reign of King Henry III, The Great Hall is one of the finest surviving medieval great halls in England. It is an impressive structure with a magnificent hammer-beam roof and large, stained-glass windows.
Some parts of the castle, such as the royal apartments and fortifications, have largely disappeared over the centuries due to various factors including demolition, decay and reuse of materials. The castle’s strategic importance diminished over time and it was eventually repurposed for other uses.
Underground Sally Port
A historic feature designed to enhance the castle’s defenses during medieval times, these routes consisted of underground passageways that provided strategic access to and from the castle.
Get a glimpse at the secret passages created to surprise an enemy or to return to the safety of the castle in times of battle and siege, offering insight into the castle’s defensive architecture.
The Great Hall
The Great Hall is one of the finest, surviving medieval aisled halls of the 13th century and was once part of the magnificent Winchester Castle. The castle was founded in 1067 by William the Conqueror shortly after his victory at the Battle of Hastings. In 1222, Henry III, with his love of architecture, began the construction of this, one of the earliest Gothic styled medieval halls. Admire the soaring Purbeck marble columns and beautiful Gothic pointed archways.
The Round Table
The Great Hall also houses the legendary Round Table of King Arthur, which is displayed on an end wall. While the Round Table was actually made in the 13th century, it adds to the hall’s allure and historical significance.
Thomas Malory, the 15th century author of Le Morte d’Arthur, identified Winchester as the site of Camelot. Here, dominating The Great Hall, is the iconic Round Table – famously linked to the ancient legends of King Arthur and his Knights. From historians to poets, its mystique has captivated people’s imaginations for centuries. Uncover its unique role and the influence it had on kings throughout history.
Queen Eleanors' Garden
Relax in a recreated medieval garden named after the queens Eleanor of Provence and Eleanor of Castile.
Featuring a tunnel vine arbour, turf seats and a fountain, surround yourself in this peaceful oasis with its scented herbs and plants that were abundant in the 13th century.
Long Gallery
Meet the heroes and villains of The Great Hall’s past from kings and queens to judges and executioners.
Weddings at The Great Hall
fairytale weddings in the heart of winchester
Whether you’re envisioning a grand celebration or a more intimate gathering, this versatile venue can bring your wedding dreams to life.
Discover more about wedding hire
Fun for all the family
Make memories in the place history is felt
Discover an exciting programme of events at The Great Hall, Winchester, one of England’s finest historic venues.
View our event programme
A fascinating place. You can smell the history in every stone
Brian U
The Great Hall
Tripadvisor
A Winchester gem! A location that must be seen by anyone visiting the city - I was touring with my friend who is not local to the south and stopped in at the museum to show some more local history, we both had a great time whilst visiting.
Bebe A
Westgate Museum
Google Reviews
Fascinating, well-kept historical site, well worth the visit and inexpensive to go in, compared to other historical sites
Ida H
The Great Hall
Tripadvisor
The staff are super friendly and ready to tell you all about Winchester’s rich and legendary.
Marina B
Westgate Museum
Google Reviews
Don't miss this on your visit, all that remains of Winchester Castle, mind boggling. A definite must-see on your visit to Winchester.
Lex M
The Great Hall
Tripadvisor
A wonderful treasure trove of antiquated collectibles. Each and every item in this small single room museum has a fascinating story to tell.
Xavier S
Westgate Museum
Google Reviews
Takes you back to a time long gone - historic and magical at the same time. Well worth a visit.
Mark G
The Great Hall
Google Reviews
A hidden gem in Winchester, well maintained, and amazing to see the hand craftsmanship in this iconic building
Ryan H
The Great Hall
Google Reviews
It's like stepping into a history book but cooler. You can almost hear stories of kings and important stuff that happened here. If history's your thing, it's a gold mine.
Telina F
The Great Hall
Google Reviews
Sign up to our newsletter
to about our upcoming exhibitions, events and news
Sign up now
Westgate Museum
A medieval gateway to Winchester
Included in the Great Hall ticket
Located at the top of the High Street in the historic city of Winchester, Westgate Museum is housed inside a surviving, fortified medieval gateway. The museum tells the story of this remarkable building and the history of Tudor and Stuart Winchester. It also offers unrivalled views over the city from its roof.
Explore the medieval Westgate Museum in the heart of the historic city. A debtors’ prison for 150 years, this beautifully refurbished, ancient scheduled monument is the last of the main medieval gates into the city. Today, Westgate Museum’s displays include a famous collection of pre-imperial weights and measures and a fine painted ceiling commissioned by Winchester College in anticipation of a visit by Mary Tudor and Philip of Spain on the occasion of their marriage in Winchester in 1554.
There are plenty of hands-on activities for all the family to enjoy during your visit. Try on a replica coat of armour and Tudor costumes and pose for a photograph! Make a brass rubbing to take away and have a go at the Westgate spotter trail. Throughout the year, we run a programme of fun, family-friendly events and activities.
An ancient city gate
The Westgate in Winchester, England, is one of the city’s most significant medieval structures. It served as the main western entrance to the city and is the last remaining medieval gate of Winchester, dating mainly to the 12th–14th centuries, which stands on the site of earlier gates stretching back to Roman times.
A Tudor royal wedding
Westgate Museum features displays telling the story of Winchester in the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1554, Queen Mary I married Philip of Spain in Winchester Cathedral, and Westgate Museum is now home to a beautiful Tudor ceiling commissioned by Warden White of Winchester College, with a frieze probably added by him on the occasion of the royal wedding. A portrait of Ralph Lamb who attended the wedding can also be seen, dressed in the finest Spanish style.
The Castle
The Westgate once served as an entrance to the city of Winchester. A fortified stronghold, the monument also protected Winchester Castle from potential attacks.
The medieval gateway still stands proudly on the high street, serving as a poignant landmark, reflecting the city’s rich history.
Seventeenth century Winchester
The city suffered during the English Civil War, with Oliver Cromwell capturing the castle and later demolishing it. In 1648, on his way to trial and execution in London, Charles I was presented with the city mace at the Westgate by the royalist mayor; his son, Charles II, planned a great royal palace in the city. Civil War armour, King Charles II’s boot and a staff belonging to Oliver Cromwell’s son and successor, Richard Cromwell, can be seen in the museum today.
Westgate chamber
In a corner of the Westgate chamber hangs a gruesome set of gibbeting irons reputedly used to display the executed body of Jack the Painter, a notorious traitor who was caught trying to burn the docks in Portsmouth at the time of the American War of Independence. Leg irons hang from the walls as a reminder of crime and punishment in former days.
Prisoner's graffiti
For 200 years, Westgate Museum chamber was used as a debtors’ prison, with Little Ease – to the left of the original door in the archway – used as a lock-up for drunkards and petty criminals.
Look out for graffiti carved by debtor prisoners from the 16th–18th centuries; the prisoners whiled away their time cutting their names, dates and pictures on the walls of the room and these can be seen today, carved into the softer chalk. There is even a prisoner’s inscription carved onto a floorboard.
Weights and measures
Westgate Museum is home to a unique set of standard weights and measures, used in the city to prevent unscrupulous traders from ‘giving short measure’. In Anglo-Saxon times, a law decreed that all measures must agree with the standards kept in London and Winchester. From that time, the bushel for weighing dry goods became known as the ‘Winchester Measure’; the Winchester Bushel is still in use in the United States today.
Rooftop views
Climb the stairs to the atmospheric Westgate chamber, where you can see the portcullis arch and gun ports that were part of the city defences, the earliest in the country. Imagine yourself as a city guard looking out over views of the city.
Prices
Select your ticket
Single ticket
20% Off
Pay once, visit all year
The great hall with westgate museum
Pay once, visit all year! With your ticket, you can enjoy unlimited visits to The Great Hall and Westgate Museum and return as many times as you like for a whole year!
Please note, The Great Hall with Westgate Museum is a cashless venue. Prices exclude some special events and activities which may be charged separately – please check our What’s On for details. Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
Book tickets
Ticket
Price
Adult
£9.00
Child
£6.50
Concession
£8.00
Under 5s
Free
Family ticket
£29.50
Book tickets
Three attractions, one ticket
Historic Winchester Explorer
Purchase an Explorer ticket to enjoy entry to three historic Winchester attractions, The Great Hall, City Museum and Westgate Museum, as many times as you like for a whole year.
Please note, The Great Hall with Westgate museum is a cashless venue. Prices exclude some special events and activities which may be charged separately – please check our What’s On for details. Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
Book tickets
Ticket
Price
Adult
£13.50
Child
£9.75
Concession
£12.50
Under 5s
Free
Family ticket
£44.50
Book tickets
Worth a visit if you're staying in Winchester! The Great Hall has a beautiful interior and a real sense of history thanks to the round table which is displayed at one end.
Phil M