Last year when I visited The Christmas market at Winchester, I took the opportunity to look inside the cathedral and I am so glad I did. Never before have I walked into a building and literally gasped out loud!
In the heart of the historic city of Winchester, the former capital of England, the site where the cathedral now stands was once a Saxon church that later became a cathedral. It was the most important royal church in Anglo-Saxon England and many kings were buried here including Kind Alfred the Great and King Cnut.
In 1066 William the Conqueror invaded England and a huge new church was built in the Norman Romanesque style in part with the stones from the previous building.
above: the one area of the cathedral where the original Norman architecture is still visible
Over the centuries wealthy and powerful bishops left their mark and in the 14th century it was remodelled with Gothic arches with further embellishments added in the 15th and 16th centuries when it became an Anglican cathedral and little has changed in its structure since then.
In the early 1900s it was feared that the east end of the building would collapse following years of subsidence. Working under water and in total darkness for six years, deep-sea diver, William Walker, stabilised the structure.
If you visit the cathedral I strongly recommend that you go on a free guided tour as otherwise you might miss some very interesting features, such as the resting place of England’s well-loved author Jane Austin. I had no idea she was buried here but as I stood on the stone floor and saw her name engraved there I really felt quite moved and glad to be able to pay my respects and thank her for all the joy she had brought me through her books (in my head that is, not out loud). Other gems include the Morley Library with its collection of ancient and rare books including a magnificent illustrated Bible from the 12th century and an Antony Gormley sculpture in the crypt, the sight of which caused another gasp!
I could carry on for ages describing items of great interest and beauty but my words would not do them justice, neither do my photographs. If you ever get the opportunity to visit Winchester cathedral, please do and if you are visiting London, Winchester is just an hour away from London’s Waterloo Station. For more information and opening times visit Winchester Cathedral’s website.
and has been in constant use ever since.
concert and like others sat down to listen for a while. Magical!
Join my 'Behind the Scenes' newsletter
Delivered monthly to your inbox with all my behind the scenes news, latest posts and giveaways exclusive to my subscribers.
Thank you for the wonderful photographs. They are truly inspiring. I hope one day to visit England. You have given me one more reason.
My pleasure, Jim. There are so many lovely places to visit. I hope you make it here one day.
Love your photos! Just seeing Jane Austen’s tomb is reason enough to go! I’ve had a very busy ending month at school and really haven’t had time to read or write. I’m back to reading blog posts and gaining inspiration to write my own! Thanks!
Thank you Deirdre. Hope you get some more free time soon.
I also visited the interior of the cathedral at Christmas and it is truly magnificent.
Isn’t! So pleased to hear you’ve been there too! Did you write a post?
No I didn’t write a post but I should have. It’s only just up the road from Southampton so maybe next time I will take a camera and put on my “I should write a post about this” hat
Those photos are fantastic, Kat. Is there anything else to see/do in Winchester besides the cathedral?
Thanks Richard. The Christmas market is a must but I don’t really know the town itself. Maybe I should find out!
I passed through the water meadows many years ago and can’t think why we didn’t go in the cathedral. I suspect a time factor because we were en route somewhere. What a shame. It looks gorgeous if your photos are anything to go by (and you don’t usually let me down). 🙂
The photos really don’t do it justice. I do hope you get the chance to visit sometime. I’m not really that into walking around cathedrals as a rule but this one blew me away! Love your Tea dueling post by the way!
What an absolutely stunning building…I had no idea.
Nor had I! But you have an excuse living in Italy. I actually live relatively near Winchester but I’d never been there! So glad I did.