Winchester Cathedral advises the Water Gate* entrance to Winchester Cathedral’s Inner Close will be closed to pedestrians from 7.30am to 5.30pm on Monday 2nd June 2025. The temporary closure will allow for scaffolding to be installed to enable Cathedral architects to carry out essential survey work on the surrounding walls. Visitors are asked to follow diversion signage in place on the day.
*The Water Gate Close is a permissive footpath leading south from Colebrook Street. It runs adjacent to several historically significant structures, including the walls of Wolvesey Castle and the Cathedral Close, and features part of Winchester’s historic water garden network.
The Water Gate wall has been identified as an area requiring repair due to its condition and the volume of public use. As part of the Cathedral’s ongoing care of its historic fabric, Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC) was sought and granted by Historic England.
This survey marks the start of the first phase of works to address the most urgent risks, specifically the area above the Water Gate. Further work will follow, subject to available Cathedral funding.
