The Great Hall of Winchester Castle is a surviving part of a once-powerful medieval stronghold. Built in the 13th century, it remains a significant historical site. The hall is known for its architecture and its connection to the legend of King Arthur’s Round Table.
Winchester Castle was founded in 1067 by William the Conqueror. Over time, it became a key royal and administrative centre. The Great Hall, completed in 1235, was used for legal and ceremonial purposes. The castle itself was mostly demolished in the 17th century, but the hall survived. The hall is best known for housing a large wooden table known as King Arthur’s Round Table. This table, dating from the 13th century, was later painted in the Tudor period with a design featuring Henry VIII.
The Great Hall has witnessed key moments in English history. It served as a courthouse and played a role in various trials and political events. Its links to King Arthur and the Tudors add to its cultural importance. Today, it stands as an example of medieval architecture and craftsmanship.
![Winchester Great Hall in Winchester, Hampshire (Photo: Mario Sánchez Prada [CC BY-SA 2.0])](https://englandrover.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/winchester-great-hall-1280x853.jpg)
What to see at the Great Hall
Visitors can explore the hall’s architecture, including its tall columns and large stained-glass windows. The wooden Round Table is displayed on the hall’s wall. Although not from Arthurian times, it remains a point of historical interest.
The Queen Eleanor’s Garden, next to the hall, is a recreation of a 13th-century garden. It features plants that would have been grown in medieval England. The garden provides a contrast to the hall’s grand interior.
The adjoining Westgate Museum, inside Winchester’s last surviving mediaeval gate, features displays about Winchester Castle’s history. These displays include information on its royal connections and its use over the centuries. There are also exhibits about the hall’s construction and significance.
Visiting the Great Hall
The Great Hall is at the western end of the city centre and most other points of interest in Winchester are no more than a 10–15-minute walk from here.
The Great Hall is open daily. Admission costs £8.50 and combined entry tickets are available that also include entry to 878 AD and the City Museum.
Visitor facilities include a gift shop. While there isn’t an on-site cafe, its central location means that there are plenty of places to eat and drink nearby.
Allow around an hour for your visit to the Great Hall and Westgate Museum.
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