“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.
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