The Medieval Undercroft Walk

Thursday 2nd July

This was more of a visit than a walk but maybe even more enjoyable ! Peter very kindly opened up his house in St Thomas’s Street and showed us a number of fascinating features.

First, we went into the large and beautiful - and beautifully kept - garden at the back of the house. From this vantage point, Peter pointed out how the house had been developed from a 12th century dwelling - and the home to a succession of Mayors of Winchester - to a larger house with substantial Elizabethan and then Georgian additions to become the wonderful home it is today.

Then Peter took us indoors and showed us the undercroft, the ‘star’ of the visit: this is a 12th century crypt-like space with a vaulted ceiling made of chalk blocks, with the floor set slightly lower than ground level. It is an astonishing and totally unexpected ‘room’ to find yards from St Thomas’s Street. It is beautiful but it presents substantial conservation challenges - for example, it requires constant dehumidification and re-humidification - and we are very fortunate that Peter and his wife are prepared to maintain it as they do. It now has a billiard table in it - one feels that its medieval occupants would have approved !

Another intriguing part of our visit was to hear that it is thought that Cromwell received the keys of the City of Winchester in 1645 in what is now Peter’s study at the top of the house. It would be interesting to know how Peter feels about sitting where Cromwell once sat. He also kindly showed us the main bedroom with its fabulous fireplace and panelling.

I think we all felt very privileged and lucky to have seen this ‘hidden’ part of St Thomas’s Street and very grateful to Peter for showing it to us.