From legend and lore to awe-inspiring architecture, Winchester is a treasure trove of English heritage.  I travelled from London to Winchester by train as my boyfriend was participating in Tough Mudder.  The journey was quick (a little over an hour) and the town is quaint, medieval-looking and steeped with history.  We stayed at the Mercure Winchester Wessex Hotel which was in a good location just behind the main shopping street and offered views of the Cathedral.

England’s ancient capital is a city steeped in history, offering rich pickings for visitors looking to uncover Britain’s past.

I spent the day shopping (while Ross did Tough Mudder) and was plesently surprised with the quality of shopping, it was not too busy and the range of shops were great.

On our second day in Winchester we visited the beautiful Cathedral which is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the longest nave and greatest overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe.

We saw the beautiful illuminated Winchester Bible, 12th-century wall paintings and medieval carvings throughout this magnificent building.