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Winchester Museums Galleries And The Arts
UFindUs is a comprehensive online directory of UK businesses searchable by region or category, giving you the ability to locate museums and galleries quickly and efficiently. The web sites featured in the UFindUs museums, galleries and the arts directory cover all aspects of museums, galleries and the arts including exhibitions.
About Winchester - show infohide info
Winchester is a town of approximately 40,000 inhabitants in the county of Hampshire, in the south of England. Settlement in the area of Winchester dates to pre-Roman times, with evidence of Iron Age hill forts around the city. Under the Romans, the town, named Venta Belgarum was of considerable importance. From 529, Winchester was important as the capital of the ancient kingdom of Wessex. Though it was not the only Wessex town to be the capital, it was established by King Alfred the Great as the main city in the kingdom in 819. The Saxon street plan laid out by Alfred is still evident today - a cross shaped street system which was common to towns in that era, which overlaid the previous Roman layout. At the time, Wincheter became part of a series of coastal fortifications along the south coast, built by King alfred and known as Burhs. The boundary of the old town is still visible as a stone wall. Winchester remained capital until after the Norman Conquest, when London was declared the capital. In 1141, a devastating fire occured in Winchester, accelerated its decline. William of Wykeham played an important role in the later development of the town. As Bishop of Winchester, he was largely responsible for the current structure of Winchester Cathedral, and he also founded Winchester college. Later, during the middle ages, Winchester was an important centre for wool trading, before slowly declining once again. Many important buildings remain in Winchester, including the cathedral and college. The Great Hall is also important in the town, and is known for being home of King Arthur's round table, which was hung in the hall from 1463. The table was unpainted, though was lated painted at the request of King Henry VIII in 1582. The names of the legendary Knights of the Round Table are written around the edge of the table. The table today is a major tourist attraction in the town. The grounds of the Great Hall also house a recreated medieval garden, as well as the Wedding Gates and law courts. Winchester station is a busy station, despite only having two platforms. It sees services between London Waterloo and Poole, Southampton, Weymouth and Portsmouth via Basingstoke, as well as services between Basingstoke and Brighton operated by South West Trains. In addition, Virgin Cross Country services call at Winchester on routes between Manchester, Glasgow and Bournemouth. Nearby towns to Winchester include Southampton, Andover, Salisbury, Eastleigh, Southampton, Fareham, Gosport, Waterlooville, Havant and Chichester.
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