City Museum

About the museum

City Museum stands in The Square beside Winchester Cathedral Close and is run by Hampshire Cultural Trust as part of Historic Winchester. It follows the story of the city from an Iron Age trading centre through Roman Venta Belgarum and the Anglo-Saxon capital to the medieval and later town, including Jane Austen's last visit in 1817 and the search for the remains of King Alfred.

The Winchester Model, a scale model of the city made in 1870, is shown with a film and interactive tablets. The Roman galleries hold a near-intact mosaic and jewellery, and the Anglo-Saxon and medieval displays include city models, Winchester-style jewellery, coins and everyday objects. A section on local trade features the Foster and Son tobacco blenders' shopfront and the story of the cyclist and trader Dickie Frost.

The museum is spread over three floors with a lift. Families can handle real artefacts, follow a spotter trail and try on Roman and Saxon costumes. The City Museum is one of three Historic Winchester attractions covered by the Explorer Ticket.

Highlights

• Winchester Model, an 1870 scale model of the city
• Roman mosaic and jewellery from Venta Belgarum
• Jane Austen objects
• Anglo-Saxon and medieval city models and finds
• Foster and Son tobacco shopfront

Permanent exhibitions

• The Winchester Model – An 1870 scale model of the city, shown with a film and interactive tablets.
• Roman Winchester – Finds from Venta Belgarum including a near-intact mosaic and jewellery.
• Anglo-Saxon and medieval Winchester – City models, jewellery, coins and everyday objects from the early and later medieval city.

Operated by

Hampshire Cultural Trust

Admission & discounts

Some special events may be charged separately.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum states that it is fully accessible, with a lift to all three floors. Blue Badge holders can use on-street parking next to the museum. Identifiable assistance dogs are welcome. A full accessibility guide is published as a PDF by Historic Winchester.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Families can handle real artefacts, follow a museum spotter trail and try on Roman and Saxon costumes. Holiday events run during school breaks.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in The Square, in the centre of Winchester.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Gift shop with Winchester souvenirs and local produce; toilets are provided.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit