Winchester history dates back to the Iron Age with the establishment of the valley fort at Oram's Arbour which is in the western part of the current day city. In Roman times, the city was known as Venta Belgarum and was an important trade site.

Winchester was the capital of Wessex and later of England itself until some time after the Norman Conquest when the nation's capital was moved to London.

In medieval times, Winchester was an important cathedral city and the site of a thriving wool trade. In the present day, Winchester is a historic city visited each year by many tourists from all over the world.

Winchester Cathedral (pictured) is the longest cathedral in Europe and is the final resting place of many monarchs, including King Canute. It was originally built in 1079 and was an important pilgrimage site, indeed the ancient Pilgrim's Way began in Winchester and ended in Canterbury.

St. Swithun is buried at Winchester Cathedral and it is said that when his remains were moved against his wishes from the grounds of the cathedral to a shrine in the inner sanctum, it rained for 40 days straight. Now if it rains on St. Swithun's Day, which is July 15th, then 39 more days of rain are expected to follow.

Winchester Castle is another popular destination for visitors to the area. Its Great Hall is quite impressive and hanging from the wall there you can see the Winchester Round Table which is said to be King Arthur's Round Table. The table top has actually been tested and proven to date from the 13th century which makes it no contemporary of King Arthur, but it is a very interesting artefact nonetheless.

The buildings at Winchester College date largely from the 1300s and it is thought to be the oldest continuously operating school in England.

Winchester was also the site of the first public library in England, it was established in a part of the old city gaol in 1850.

Photo courtesy: stevecadman

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