What to do in Winchester when it rains
The weather needn't spoil Winchester. Its galleries, museums and indoor markets are at their best on a grey day, with cafés on every corner.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Winchester Cathedral 9 The Cl, Winchester SO23 9LS, UK
- Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium Telegraph Way, Winchester SO21 1HZ, UK
- Winchester City Museum The Square, Winchester SO23 9ES, UK
- The Gurkha Museum Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Rd, Winchester SO23 8TP, UK
- Westgate Museum High St, Winchester SO23 9AP, UK
- Winchester's Military Museums Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Rd, Winchester SO23 8TS, UK
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- The Arc Winchester Jewry St, Winchester SO23 8SB, UK
- The Colour Factory Gordon Rd, Winchester SO23 7DD, UK
- Castle Fine Art, Winchester 4 The Square, Winchester SO23 9ES, UK
- The Winchester Gallery The Winchester Gallery, School of Art, University of Southampton, Park Ave, Winchester SO23 8DL, UK
- The Gallery at The Arc Jewry St, Winchester SO23 8SB, UK
- Clarendon Fine Art Winchester 8 Market St, Winchester SO23 9EP, UK
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Winchester Cathedral 9 The Cl, Winchester SO23 9LS, UK
- The Great Hall The Castle, Castle Ave, Winchester SO23 8UJ, UK
- Wolvesey Castle (Old Bishop's Palace) College St, Winchester SO23 9NB, UK
- King Alfred the Great Statue 65 The Broadway, Winchester SO23 9BE, UK
- Buttercross Monument 106a High St, Winchester SO23 9AH, UK
- Jane Austen's last residence 8 College St, Winchester SO23 9LX, UK
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Tesco Extra Tesco Stores Ltd, Easton Ln, Winchester SO23 7RS, UK
- Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market Winchester SO23 9LS, UK
- Tesco Petrol Station Tesco Stores Ltd, Easton Ln, Winchester SO23 7RS, UK
- Tesco Express 121 High St, Winchester SO23 9AS, UK
- Tesco Esso Express Tesco Stores Ltd, Andover Rd, Winchester SO23 7BT, UK
- Cattle Market Car Boot Sale Worthy Ln, Winchester SO23 7AB, UK
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Winchester Sport & Leisure Park Hampshire, Bar End Rd, Bar End, Winchester SO23 9NR, UK
- Josie's 28 Jewry St, Winchester SO23 8SA, UK
- Cobbs at Winchester Springvale Rd, Headbourne Worthy, Winchester SO23 7LD, UK
- Marks & Spencer 138 High St, Winchester SO23 9AX, UK
- Theatre Royal Winchester Jewry St, Winchester SO23 8SB, UK
- Cadence Clubhouse Winchester Garnier Road Car Park, Winchester SO23 9PA, UK
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- The Brooks Shopping Centre Middle Brook St, Winchester SO23 8QY, UK
- King's Walk Kings Walk, Winchester SO23 8AF, UK
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 32 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.