Winchester Castle

Winchester Castle is a medieval castle complex in the city of Winchester, Hampshire, England, of Norman origin with surviving elements from the later medieval royal complex; its most prominent surviving structure is the Great Hall.

The Great Hall is the main visitor highlight and displays the large painted Round Table traditionally linked to King Arthur. The hall and adjacent ruins illustrate medieval royal administration and ceremonial architecture.

The original castle was founded after the Norman Conquest as a royal stronghold; the Great Hall that survives was built in the medieval period as part of the expanded royal complex. Over subsequent centuries other buildings were added, altered or demolished and the site was used for administration and local courts.

The castle lies in central Winchester, close to the cathedral and historic core of the city in Hampshire, and is accessible on foot from the town centre.

• Great Hall and Round Table: The surviving Great Hall dates to the medieval royal complex and contains the painted Round Table long associated with Arthurian legend.

What to See #

• Great Hall (with the Round Table): A single large medieval hall surviving from the Norman and later royal complex that houses the historic Round Table display and forms the principal visitor space.