The Winchester Christmas Lights are a highlight in the Hampshire calendar every year.
If you live near and need to get in the Christmas spirit consider a winter walk around Winchester.
And, if you can’t get out for whatever reason, here’s a peek at the city’s festive lights…
The Winchester Christmas Lights
It’s a great way to use that daily exercise slot, get some fresh air and see the pretty festive lights.
Due to different tiers and lockdown situations I know it’s hard to get out to see places in Hampshire right now.
I took some snaps so you don’t have to miss out, or you can plan your own route and stops for a visit over Christmas.
Pick up a mulled wine or festive drink and take a wander around this enchanting city. We went fairly late at night which was perfect because it was oh so quiet and we didn’t come into contact with a soul.
A Festive Drink
There’s loads of places that stay open a bit later on in the evening so, you can pick up a mulled wine or festive drink to go too…
- Proudfoot & Co – for a non-alcoholic festive foraged drink
- The General Store – has a cauldron of mulled wine on the go
There’s also plenty open earlier in the day too…
- Flat Whites Coffee – it has the most incredible festive hot chocolates and great coffee
- Rawberry – grab a healthy juice to tour the city with
- The Winchester Orangery – coffee and more from its take way window
- Forte Kitchen and The Hatch – an array of drinks from ‘The Hatch’
- Hoxton Bakehouse – for the coffee lovers
Christmas Lights in the City
Here’s a tiny tour of my favourite Christmassy places to stop and look at the lights in Winchester. Everything on this list is within easy walking distance from each other.
Winchester Cathedral
The Cathedral is always magical, and I love how the trees in the surrounding park match!
Kingsgate Village
This charming corner of Winchester is my favourite. A great pub, book shop, gift shop and more, it always feels like a movie set.
Talking of favourite bookshops, P&G Wells always looks great but, even better with twinkly fairy lights.
Winchester Guildhall
The Winchester Guildhall is a beautiful bright purple with fun snow like fairy lights. My picture honestly does not do it justice, it looks so grand and so pretty in real life.
The High Street
If you head to Winchester you really do need to walk the length of the high street. There’s a few nooks and side streets to explore and the lights go right up to the gate at the top of the hill and it’s lovely to walk down.
On the high street a lot of the shops and restaurants make a real effort too. One of my personal favourites is The Ivy, which puts on displays all year round and is always a delight to look at.
The Buttercross Monument is also on the high street and beautifully lit up. It’s always been a meeting point and focal point to the city.
The Chesil Rectory also is nice to walk down to, and what you can’t see in the image is all the beautiful winter foliage surrounding the door and windows. Again, my picture does not do this justice!
The high street is a great place to start on a wander of the city to view the lights.
A Festive Evening
A festive evening walk is a fantastic and safe way to take in the lights away from the daytime crowds.
Let me know if you pick up a drink and walk around the city to take in the lights. Or, if you’ve enjoyed a bit of Christmas in this post!
If you liked this, you might like these posts too…
- PROUDFOOT & CO – BRITISH DRINKS INNOVATORS IN WINCHESTER
- WALK THE WINCHESTER WATER MEADOWS
- THE A TO Z OF THINGS TO DO IN HAMPSHIRE
If you want to remember this for later, save it on Pinterest using the images below or share by using one of the buttons.
2 thoughts on “The Winchester Christmas Lights 2020”