Pictures of Wolvesey Castle

a Castle in the town of Winchester, in the county of Hampshire

Wolvesey Castle Picture Tour Hotels near Wolvesey Castle Submit a history of Wolvesey Castle Nearby Attractions Nearby Towns Wolvesey Castle Reviews Submit pictures Wolvesey Castle Map Add to favourites

About Wolvesey Castle

The outstanding remains of Wolvesey Castle stand as a stern reminder of the days when the order of life was God first, followed by King and country, for this was the principle residence of the all powerful Bishops of Winchester.

This was a keep and bailey castle built around 1100 on a site already used by the Anglo-Saxon's. Later it was to be extended by Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester at the time of the Civil War between Queen Matilda and King Stephen during the middle of the 12th century.

The castle led a seemingly peaceful existence for several centuries with little in the way of siege. Throughout this period a number of Royal personages visited, but its last important historic occasion was the wedding breakfast of King Philip II of Spain and Queen Mary on the 25th of July, 1554 before their marriage in Winchester Cathedral.

In little over one hundred years from this event the castle came under orders to be demolished to make way for a new Bishop's Palace which was to be built in the grandiose Baroque style. The chapel of the old palace was retained and can still be seen today incorporated into the walls of what was then the new building.

These remarkable ruins occupy a magical setting, they consist mainly of the massive walls to the towers and impressive great halls, the sheer scale of which cannot fail to impress. This site is cared for by English Heritage, it is an enjoyable site to visit with good views all round and picnic spots. Admission is free.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Wolvesey Castle.

Planning a visit? Please help support this website by booking your hotels near Wolvesey Castle and uploading your pictures.
Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Wolvesey Castle

Winchester Cathedral	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)	Pictures
Winchester City Mill	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)	Pictures
Farley Mount Country Park	(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction W)	Pictures
Marwell Zoological Park	(4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction S)	Pictures
Hinton Ampner Garden	(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction E)	Pictures
Mid Hants Railway	(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction E)	Pictures
Hillier Gardens & Arboretum	(7.2 miles, 11.5 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Itchen Valley Country Park	(8.3 miles, 13.3 km, direction S)	Pictures
Bishop's Waltham Palace	(8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Longstock Park Water Garden	(8.7 miles, 14.1 km, direction NW)	Pictures

All attractions in Hampshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Wolvesey Castle

Winchester, in the county of Hampshire (0.1 miles, 0.1 km)
This is an old town which was a tribal town long before the Romans landed in Britain, under their leadership it flourished to become the 5th largest city in the land, and was later heralded as the capital of King Alfred.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Itchen Abbas, in the county of Hampshire (3.8 miles, 6.2 km, direction NE)
A beautiful village in a serene and picturesque valley whose meadows are watered by the gently flowing, trout filled waters of the River Itchen as it continues it's journey towards Southampton where it will meet with the sea.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Alresford, a Historic Market Town in the county of Hampshire (6.9 miles, 11.0 km, direction E)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bishop's Waltham, in the county of Hampshire (8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wherwell, in the county of Hampshire (9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction NW)
This enchanting little village boasts a host of thickly thatched, black and white, half timbered cottages,and has a bit of a bloody history.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Southampton, in the county of Hampshire (11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction S)
Southampton has many lovely gardens right in the city centre with picnic tables, flower beds and shady walks. In the spring the rhododendrons are a lovely sight.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Whitchurch, in the county of Hampshire (11.8 miles, 19.1 km, direction N)
With such pretty countryside and so much of historic interest Whitchurch makes an ideal base from which to explore the delights of rural Hampshire.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Totton, in the county of Hampshire (12.2 miles, 19.7 km, direction SW)
Totton is a small town lying close to Southampton Water with easy access to the picturesque New Forest National Park, making it a desirable place to stay for anyone wishing to explore both coast and countryside.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Netley, in the county of Hampshire (12.9 miles, 20.8 km, direction S)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Hambledon, in the county of Hampshire (13.2 miles, 21.2 km, direction SE)
This lovely red-brick village was the early home of cricket. A club was founded here in 1760 when the laws governing the game were laid down.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Hampshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

M3 Junction 10	(0.7 miles, 1.2 km)
Winchester Station	(0.8 miles, 1.2 km)
M3 Junction 9	(1.5 miles, 2.5 km, direction NE)
Shawford Station	(2.8 miles, 4.6 km, direction S)
Southampton Airport	(7.7 miles, 12.4 km, direction S)
Bournemouth Airport	(29.7 miles, 47.8 km, direction SW)
Wolvesey Castle to London	(60.0 miles, 96.5 km, direction NE)

Accommodation & Hotels near Wolvesey Castle

Hotel Name
Mercure Wessex Winchester	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
The Winchester Royal	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
The Winchester Hotel	(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)
Lainston House Hotel And The Avenue Restaurant	(3.0 miles, 4.9 km, direction NW)
Marwell Hotel	(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction S)
Potters Heron Hotel	(6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction SW)
Holiday Inn Southampton Eastleigh	(6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction S)
Norton Park Winchester - A QHotel	(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction N)
Chilworth Manor Classic Hotel	(8.3 miles, 13.4 km, direction SW)
Grosvenor Hotel	(8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction NW)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts