The Winchester Union Workhouse Walk

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Thursday 18th June 2026

Once again, Caroline and Richard York gave us a fascinating talk on the Winchester Union Workhouse.

They explained to us what led to the creation of the workhouses and how Winchester was one of the first towns to build one in 1836. They also told us of the controversy surrounding the establishment of the workhouses: how many people thought it would help the poor and homeless while others - including the Editor of The Times - were strongly against it.

Then they guided us round the buildings and showed us very clearly the layout of the original institution and how it has been converted into the very attractive houses and flats that it has become today. It was a real privilege to be guided round by two people who live in the 'workhouse' today and we were doubly lucky to have the walk on such a beautiful evening!

A walk throught the private part of Winnall Moors

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Thursday 21st May 2026

After all the recent cold weather, it was a glorious evening in the beautiful private area at the far end of Winnall Moors.

Guided by Sam, of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, we spent over two hours walking across the meadows and learning about the astonishing interdependence - and vulnerability - of all the forms of life that exist in the natural environment. Sam pointed out red clover, yellow rattle, 'sticky willy', marsh marigold, ragged robin, marsh valerian and many other plants that flourish there and told us of the range of birds that can be seen, including reed buntings, sedge warblers as well as duck, geese and nesting swans but bemoaned the fact that many birds - including wigeon, lapwing, redshank - had disappeared from the area in recent times. His knowledge and enthusiasm were infectious and we went home delighted and amazed to know that Winchester has such a fabulous - and brilliantly maintained - natural treasure on its doorstep!

Summer Walks Programme 2026

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We have a programme of nine summer walks this year, with - we hope - plenty of variety. Two are repeats from last year as they were so popular.

Booking is through TicketSource (https://www.ticketsource.com/city-of-winchester-trust-ltd) and all walks are £10 per person, start at 6pm and are for approximately an hour plus time for questions (all with the exception of the Winnall Moors walk).

Thursday 21st May - 5pm
A walk through the private part of Winnall Moors
Duration: approximately 2 hours
Guide: Sam Martin, of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT), will lead a walk through this wildlife haven in the middle of Winchester. Good boots/shoes recommended.
Cost: £12.50 to include a £7.50 donation to HIWWT.

Thursday 4th June - 6pm
The History of Winchester Barracks
Guide: Bianca Taubert, Curator at the Adjutant General’s Corps Museum, will tell us the story of the Barracks

Thursday 18th June - 6pm
The Winchester Union Workhouse
Guide: Richard and Caroline York, who have lived in part of the former Workhouse for the past 20 years, will be our guides

Thursday 25th June - 6pm
From Priors Barton Farm to St Cross Hospital
Guides: Andrew Scott and Emma Galloway, both nearby residents, will tell us about the history of this area

Tuesday 30th June - 6pm
The Geoarchaeology of Winchester: a Sub-Surface Tour
Guide: Professor Wilkinson, Professor of Geoarchaeology at the University of Winchester, will tell us what lies (a long way) beneath our fee

Thursday 2nd July - 6pm
The Medieval Undercroft at a house in St Thomas’s Street
Guide: Peter Chittick will give us a private tour of the historic parts of his house

Thursday 9th July - 6pm
The Chesil Theatre
Guide: Peter Liddiard, Building Manager of the Chesil Theatre, will take us on a tour

Thursday 16th July - 6pm
The Handlebar Cafe, conception and realisation
Guide: Mark Drury, co-founder of SPUD, will tell us the story of its creation

Thursday 23rd July - 6pm
The Inner Close of the Cathedral
Guide: Sue de Salis, Chair of Winchester Area Tourist Guides Association, will guide us round this beautiful and historic area

Spring Talks Programme 2026

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We have arranged a programme of four talks this year starting on 16th April 2026. They will be held at the St Lawrence Parish Room in Colebrook Street, SO23 9LH and will start at 5:45 pm with refreshments served after the talk.

The talks are open to anyone who would like to come so Members are encouraged to invite friends,

To manage numbers we ask everyone to book in advance via TicketSource (https://www.ticketsource.com/city-of-winchester-trust-ltd) - tickets are £10 each.

Thursday 16th April
Transforming Winchester’s Historic Buildings: The Journey from Corn Exchange to Public Library to the Arc
Speaker: Laura Jarman, the County Council Conservation Architect
Specialising in updating historic buildings for community needs while retaining their heritage values

Thursday 23rd April
The Wildlife of the Winchester College Water Meadows
Speaker: Isabella Powell, the Duncan Louis Stewart Fellow in Natural History at Winchester College, repeats the popular guided walk she undertook in September 2025 for the Heritage Open Day

Tuesday 28th April
Winchester - Heroes and Villains
Speaker: Garry Honey, local author and historian will speak about his recently published book with his personal selection of 20 people who, over 1,000 years, have had an impact on the city

Tuesday 5th May
Two Cities - Contrasting Prague and Vienna
Speaker: Dr Andrew Thomson, a freelance historian and private guide who leads tours of European battlefields and cities
Both Habsburg cities with different stories, the talk will cover their experiences of 19th and 20th centuries