Winchester, Hampshire (England’s former capital city)
Winchester is a beautiful city, and one of England’s most affluent (it used to be the capital of England!) It’s home to a lovely cathedral and ancient streets. And England’s oldest working watermill.
From 1906 to 1911, diver William Walker placed bags of cement in the flooded cathedral crypt, to stop it from sinking into the peat soil.
Out walking? Follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. Keep dogs away from steep banks, mushrooms (and other toxic plants/trees) and on leads during nesting season (and near barnyard friends and wild ponies).
Winchester Litter Pickers began with 3 friends, and now has over 30 local volunteers. Areas they clean include outside the cathedral and the area around the railway station. They collect around 1000 bags of litter per year. Volunteers receive litter grabbers and reflective vests.
Jane Austen was born nearby
Regency writer Jane Austen (often more associated with Bath, where she lived) was born in nearby Steventon, where her father was the local vicar. Several of her nephews attended Winchester collage, and she spent her last weeks in the city. She is buried at Winchester cathedral.
Winchester College (a very posh private school)
Winchester College is up there with Eton, as one of England’s poshest private schools. Founded in 1382, it’s also one of the oldest, and includes a 14th century Gothic chapel, and a schoolroom designed by Sir Christopher Wren (who designed St Paul’s Cathedral in London).
Some well-known pupils who attended here include poet John Keats, actor Colin Firth and Tim Brooke-Taylor (former Goodie). The school was recently voted one of the top 100 schools in the world.
