Top 14 Castles in Hampshire

Winchester Castle was one of the most important royal fortresses in England during the medieval period, though today, only a magnificent part of it remains.

The Round Table in Winchester's Great Hall is an iconic artifact often associated with the legend of King Arthur and his Knights. Location: It hangs on a wall in the Great Hall, which is the last remaining part of the medieval Winchester Castle. Actual Date: Despite the legend, carbon dating proves the table is a medieval creation, made from English oak between 1250 and 1280 AD. It was likely commissioned by King Edward I for an Arthurian-themed tournament or feast.

Wolvesey Castle (also known as the Old Bishop's Palace) was the medieval residence of the extremely wealthy and powerful Bishops of Winchester.

Queen Eleanor's Garden: Outside the Hall is a tranquil recreated medieval garden, named after Eleanor of Provence (wife of Henry III) and Eleanor of Castile (wife of Edward I). The Westgate: The imposing Westgate, a surviving medieval fortified gate, is located nearby and was once the main entrance to the castle complex.

Gothic Architecture: The Hall is a stunning example of 13th-century Gothic architecture. It is an immense, aisled hall featuring elegant Purbeck marble columns and soaring pointed archways. Hammer-Beam Roof: It is topped with a magnificent hammer-beam roof, which creates a large, unobstructed open space. Judicial History: For centuries, the Great Hall served as the primary law court for Hampshire, hosting Assize Courts until 1974. Notable trials held here include that of Sir Walter Raleigh (1603) and the "Bloody Assizes" under Judge Jeffreys (1685).The Great Hall is most famous for housing the Winchester Round Table, which is prominently displayed on the west wall. The Legend: This enormous circular wooden tabletop is strongly linked to the legendary King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, symbolizing equality as it has no "head." The Reality: The table is a genuine medieval artifact, but it is not from King Arthur's time. Carbon dating suggests the wood was cut in the late 13th century (around 1250-1280), approximately 600 years after Arthur is traditionally thought to have lived. Purpose: Historians believe it was likely created for a lavish "Round Table" tournament, possibly hosted by King Edward I in 1290 to celebrate a royal betrothal. The Painting: The famous painted design, which features the Tudor rose in the centre and a figure resembling a young King Henry VIII as Arthur, was commissioned by King Henry VIII in the early 16th century (c. 1522) to reinforce his connection to the legendary king.

The Great Hall is all that remains of the vast Winchester Castle, which was founded by William the Conqueror in 1067 as a seat of royal power and government. The present Great Hall was built between 1222 and 1235 during the reign of King Henry III, who was born in Winchester Castle. It is regarded as one of the finest surviving medieval great halls in England. While the rest of Winchester Castle was largely destroyed in 1649 following the English Civil War on the orders of Oliver Cromwell, the Great Hall was spared, possibly for use as a courthouse.

Features: The medieval complex included two great halls (East and West), a huge kitchen block, a keep, and one of the earliest known piped water supply systems in medieval Britain. Royal Connections: Due to the decline of Winchester Castle, Wolvesey became the favoured lodging for royalty visiting the city. The most famous event was the wedding banquet of Queen Mary I and Philip II of Spain in 1554, which took place in the East Hall before their marriage ceremony in Winchester Cathedral. Destruction: Wolvesey Castle was significantly damaged and largely stripped of its fortifications by the Parliamentarians (Roundheads) in 1646 during the English Civil War. Replacement Palace: The medieval palace was eventually abandoned in the 17th century. The site's fortunes changed with the Restoration of the Monarchy: Bishop George Morley (1662–1684) commissioned the construction of a new, smaller Baroque palace right next to the ruins. This palace was later partially demolished but its surviving West Wing remains the current private residence of the Bishop of Winchester today.

It was the principal residence of the immensely wealthy and powerful Bishops of Winchester throughout the Middle Ages, and is now a spectacular ruin managed by English Heritage. The extensive ruins visible today are largely the work of Bishop Henry of Blois (1129–1171), the brother of King Stephen. Henry was a dominant political and religious figure who built a magnificent, fortified palace to reflect his status. Although often referred to as a castle, it was primarily a lavish palace built in the style of a castle (fortified) due to the turbulent political period of the 12th century known as The Anarchy.