Photo of Winchester Royal Hotel

“A former Bishop's home turned elegant hotel set in the heart of medieval Winchester. Spacious rooms span across the old house & a newer wing. All are simply styled and feature high ceilings, sash windows & heavy drapes. Delicious classic British cuisine is served in the restaurant. A charming stay.”

“A former Bishop's home turned elegant hotel set in the heart of medieval Winchester. Spacious rooms span across the old house & a newer wing. All are simply styled and feature high ceilings, sash windows & heavy drapes. Delicious classic British cuisine is served in the restaurant. A charming stay.”

Hotel Review

Five minutes from the city's Norman cathedral and the High Street's Georgian and Regency shopfronts, this hotel is surprisingly peaceful for such a central location. Tucked down St Peter's Street, the white-painted frontage hides an intriguing mix of building styles. There are traces of medieval cottages although it's predominantly Elizabethan and Georgian from its time as a private house and then a nunnery. The main public rooms have handsome panelling and plasterwork ceilings while a conservatory dining room has been created at the rear which shows off the building's warm red brickwork. Like the bar and lounge, this room overlooks the hotel's hidden gem: a long, walled garden, beautifully tranquil and with a terrace for drinks and dozing over books on warm days.

Bedrooms in the main building have high ceilings and grand windows although the majority are in a modern wing. Nevertheless, this building is skilfully matched in warm red brickwork and with rooms that are equally spacious; half with garden views and half overlooking a quiet back-street. All rooms have a classic style of pale carpets and walls with delicate patterned feature wallpaper and clean-lined furniture. Blanket throws add softness while black-and-white photographs of the city's historic buildings tempt guests to get out and explore. 

Evening menus focus on comfort food - home-made burgers, risotto - with a sprinkling of smarter dishes such as trout with dill sauce; unpretentious and good value. But the charm of the hotel - location and garden aside - is the warmth of the staff. There's a genuine desire to make guests feel at home.

 

Written by Helen Pickles

Recommended For

  • Families
  • With interconnecting rooms, free z-beds for kids up to 10, and childrens' menus — this is a family-friendly stay
  • Local exploring
  • Well located just moments from Winchester's High Street and with the stunning Winchester Cathedral nearby
  • Short break
  • Winchester is about an hour and a half's drive from London making it an easy choice for a weekend getaway
  • Great walks
  • Walk through meadows beside the River Itchen to the Hospital of St. Cross, one of England's oldest almshouses
  • Sights nearby
  • Visit Winchester's most famed sites including Winchester Cathedral (1096) and the ruins of Wolvesey Castle
  • Other Activities
  • Make a trip to the Bombay Sapphire Distillery and take a tour followed by sampling
  • Restaurant
  • Classic British cuisine is served in Garden Restaurant which makes use of good local produce
  • Disabled access
  • Two accessible rooms with wet room and wheelchair lifts
  • Full of character
  • Sit-out Terrace
  • Less £
  • Family Suites
  • Four poster beds
  • Traditional
  • Child friendly
  • Antiques
  • Historic

Facilities

  • Restaurant
  • Classic British cuisine is served in Garden Restaurant which makes use of good local produce
  • Disabled access
  • Two accessible rooms with wet room and wheelchair lifts
  • Family Suites
  • Sit-out Terrace
  • Meeting Room
  • Bar
  • Parking
  • Wifi
  • Four poster beds
  • Room service
  • Garden
  • Child friendly

Activities

  • Great walks
  • Walk through meadows beside the River Itchen to the Hospital of St. Cross, one of England's oldest almshouses
  • Sights nearby
  • Visit Winchester's most famed sites including Winchester Cathedral (1096) and the ruins of Wolvesey Castle
  • Other Activities
  • Make a trip to the Bombay Sapphire Distillery and take a tour followed by sampling

Map & Location

What's Nearby

Other Reviews

Winchester Royal Hotel

This former bishop’s home, and Benedictine convent, situated bang in the centre of Winchester provides warm hospitality and a pretty walled garden - and it’s only a short stroll to the shops and Gothic cathedral...

Originally published by The Telegraph