Jobs in Winchester | Pictures of Winchester

Winchester is the 20th most prosperous local authority in the UK and was once the capital of England during Saxon times. Today it is the county town for Hampshire with a population of 40,000 yet a shadow of its former glorious past. Whilst retaining a physical grace and architectural elegance, modern Winchester has a distinct lack of things that are…well, modern. But that's precisely what is so appealing about this city and one of the main reasons why an increasing number of former city lovers from London are so eager to relocate to the area.

Getting around Winchester
Winchester 's town planners designed the streets long before the advent of the stagecoach let alone the automobile. As such, the streets are narrow and offer little room for manoeuvre which, inevitably, creates congestion at peak hours. The council is under pressure to ease congestion and is in the process of adopting a two-fold strategy. Firstly it aims to increase the current provision of Park & Ride schemes in the area (there are only two at present - Barfield and St Catherine's). And secondly, it plans to reduce the number of long stay car parks which it hopes will removes the need for people to drive to the central area to leave their cars all day.

Winchester rail station is a mile northwest of the cathedral on Stockbridge Road , and is on the main line from London to Southampton, Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth and is served by long-distance services from Reading and Oxford . But if you arrive in the city by bus, you will have less distance to walk as the bus station is centrally located just off Broadway .

The drop off location is St. Catherine's Park and Ride car park, 15 minutes' walk from the city centre. Wilts & Dorset operate the branded Cathedral Connection between Salisbury and Winchester , taking in some very attractive countryside on route.

Eating, drinking and shopping in Winchester
Winchester is a small city which for most people is a God-send because not only is it compact, it is also remarkably easy to navigate and cross from one side of town to the other within a matter of minutes. Which is perfect for shopping.

In keeping with tradition and respecting its architectural surroundings, Winchester 's shopping experience honours its market town heritage and whilst welcoming the usual high street favourites, it tastefully blends them into the existing framework of buildings. The centre plays host to what is reputedly the country's largest Farmers Market. Whilst Winchester 's retail charm is its glut of independent bookshops, boutiques, toyshops, galleries, antique and food shops, particularly in the roads off the High Street such as Parchment Street , Great Minster Street and The Square.

Elsewhere, in the old city centre with its narrow pedestrian streets and overhanging medieval buildings, is the Pentice - a group of old shops arcaded at the front, and the Butter Cross , dating back to the 15th century and built with a tax levied on people caught eating butter during Lent.

Winchester 's culinary offering surpasses many of that served by its south coast neighbours. Boasting several award-winning places to eat, many of the pubs and restaurants use only locally produced food and drink with the region famed for its superior local vineyards on account of the temperate climate.

Restaurants and pubs are spread throughout the city and in the nearby villages of Easton, Littleton, Bramdean and Sparsholt. In the centre itself, however, The Wykeham Arms, Loch Fyne Restaurant, Chesil Rectory and Hotel du Vin & Bistro are easily the pick of the best in the area.

And it comes to walking off some of the excess weight gained indulging in some of the best food in the region, the banks of the River Itchen have a series of attractive waterside trails that lead to the South Downs. Whilst Winchester Cathedral – the city's most iconic structure – is the kind of place that you will always find something new no matter how many times you go there.

Elsewhere, Marwell Zoological Park , and INTECH Science and Technology Centre , are also worth a trip.

Given that Winchester has a significant aged population it won't surprise you to learn that bowls is a favourite past-time in these parts. But if you haven't quite reached your greying years then you will be pleased to know that there are a number of other sports in the area. Winchester FC play in the Southern League, whilst the local rugby and hockey teams do well on a regional level.

Main residential areas
Winchester is surrounded by four market towns (Alresford, Bishops Waltham, Denmead and Wickham) that form some of the most desireable places to live in Hampshire on account of the semi-rural nature and ‘exclusivity' factor.

If you're thinking of moving to the area, take a look at some of the current property available to buy or let in Winchester.

Take a closer look
A picture is worth a thousand words. You can see some images from in and around Winchester below.

Looking for local vacancies? See all current jobs in Winchester or find out more information on the local area.