How to Find Hotels in Winchester, England

Formerly the capital of England during the 10th and 11th centuries, Winchester, located along the southern coast, has an almost surprising small town atmosphere. Famous for its cathedral, which is considered one of the most beautiful in England, Winchester is also a place to brush up on stories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet access
• Passport

Find Accommodations in Winchester, England

1. To book any accommodations in Winchester, contact Winchester City Council at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources below).
2. Choose one of the charming bed-and-breakfast inns along the Itchen River for a more authentic experience. These accommodations can run for well under $100 per night and include a proper English breakfast.
3. Experience an old-fashioned inn. While some of the older hotels in town have a reputation for thin walls and noisy guests, they'll definitely give you a flavor of Winchester's past.
4. Reserve a room in a restored cottage just outside of Winchester and get your fill of the famously beautiful English countryside. Some of these accommodations rent rooms for as little as $80 per night.
5. Roam the grounds. Many Winchester accommodations have lovely gardens, courtyards and even golf courses for you to enjoy.
6. Consider one of the historic Winchester hotels in the center of town. Most of these accommodations cost from $120 to $180 per night.

Get to Winchester, England

7. Fly into one of London's five international airports.
8. Take the train from London to Winchester Station, which is about an hour away if you use one of the express trains.
9. Use the city's bus line (known as the Stagecoach) for getting to the various sites within the town.
10. Consider walking to most of your destinations, since Winchester is a relatively small and quiet town.

Relax and Enjoy Winchester, England

11. Take a tour of beautiful Winchester Cathedral, the main attraction of the town, built in 1093.
12. Visit the Great Hall. Built in the 12th century, it is the only surviving portion of Winchester Castle. This is where you can see the actual Round Table, used by King Arthur and his knights, which has been hanging in the hall since 1463.

Tips & Warnings

• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Panhandlers often station themselves at ATMs throughout the town. Although generally well-behaved, make sure you cover the keyboard when you type in your pin number.
• Remember that the British drive on the left-hand side of the road.
• Keep in mind that cars are generally smaller in Europe. Pack accordingly.
• Make sure to change your money only at authorized locations where current exchange rates are posted. You may wish to keep abreast of any actual fluctuations in the exchange rate to make certain you're getting a fair deal.