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Kings & Scribes
Winchester Cathedral is a living monument to the heritage of England and is one of the most historically significant buildings in Britain. From the time of Alfred the Great until after the Norman Conquest, Winchester and the Cathedral was its royal chapel. Much of England’s early history was based here and twelve English kings are believed to be buried here – meaning that Winchester can lay claim to being the first Royal Mausoleum.
The opening of Kings and Scribes: The Birth of a Nation in 2019 marked the culmination of an ambitious seven-year project to unlock the Cathedral’s stories and treasures by inspiring active engagement in the interpretation and exploration of our heritage.
Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other generous supporters, a spectacular three-level exhibition space in the South Transept takes visitors through over 1,000 years of history, whilst offering awe-inspiring views of the Cathedral.
The birth of a nation
Winchester played a unique role in shaping early English history and Old Minster, the Anglo-Saxon Cathedral, lay at the centre of its foundation. Join us on an intriguing journey of discovery as we unearth the secrets hidden within the Cathedral’s mortuary chests, meet influential Anglo-Saxon kings in the city from which they ruled and discover the role of Winchester’s Anglo-Saxon and Norman Cathedrals in the birth of a nation.
Decoding the stones
Unlock the mysteries of Winchester Cathedral, a building which has been created, destroyed and remade over centuries of struggle and Civil War. Decoding the Stones tells the story of the Cathedral itself, linking modern restoration works and contemporary craftspeople with their medieval predecessors.
Opening times (Subject to volunteer availability)
Monday - Sunday
10.30am - 4.30pm
Upcoming Closures
Closures notice
Kings & Scribes will be closed Friday 28th January 2022 8am – 2pm due to essential maintenance, sorry for any inconvenience this causes to your visit.
Please note that the exhibition may need to close at short notice in response to an insufficient number of available stewards. Apologies in advance for any inconvenience caused.
Social distancing measures will be in place throughout the exhibition, and occasionally for services and special events it is necessary to close Kings and Scribes: The Birth of a Nation. Please check the closures page in advance of your visit.