News

Winchester Cathedral has remained open as a place of worship, for private prayer and reflection and in just over a month’s time, visitors will be warmly welcomed back following Government guidance that indoor visitor attractions can re-open from the 17th May. 

In the next phase of its re-opening, and having been awarded the ‘Good to Go’ industry standard by Visit Britain, visitors will be invited back after many months to explore fifteen centuries of English history, heritage and magnificent architecture.  

Winchester Cathedral has been a living place of worship and welcome for over 900 years and priceless treasures and great works of art can be discovered within the building, including the beautiful illuminated Winchester Bible, 12th-century wall paintings, medieval carvings and contemporary art. Tours and exhibitions including the famous Tower Tour and the Kings and Scribes: The Birth of a Nation exhibition, will also be available to the public once again.  

From the 12th April, the Cathedral Café will be open for takeaway, including hot and cold drinks, scones, cakes and pastries which can be enjoyed in the outdoor seating that is available in the garden and open-air terrace. The Cathedral gift shop will also be open from the 13th April, selling a wide range of unique gifts and souvenirs.  

On the planned reopening, Chief Operating Officer, Alison Evans says: “We are delighted to be re-opening more of our facilities to visitors in the coming weeks. The team is excited to welcome people back so that they can enjoy the heritage of the building and its rich history, which makes Winchester Cathedral so unique and special. We have always been committed to delivering an exceptional visitor experience and great care has been taken to ensure everyone’s safety.” 

As Winchester Cathedral looks ahead, a wide range of fun, educational and family focused events have been planned for the latter half of the year. From classical concerts, open-air theatre and family trails to art exhibitions, light installations and stonemason workshops, there is something for everyone to enjoy. There will also be the return of the famous Christmas Market in November and the Winchester Flower Festival, which will run from the 15th – 19th September 2021. The Cathedral will be transformed by spectacular floral displays designed by Pip Bensley, an award winning floral designer. More details on each event will be available on the website soon.  

Winchester Cathedral is working hard to keep everyone safe by following Government and Public Health COVID-19 guidelines. A range of safety measures and processes are in place to maintain cleanliness and ensure social distancing, and we ask that when visitors return, they join us in adhering to the guidance around the building so that the Cathedral remains a great and safe day out for everyone.