The tranquil Joyce Gardens in the Soke below St Giles Hill. This small area of Winchester is packed full of history with buildings from the present day all the way back to the 14th century. The old road to London passed through the area as did the Pilgrim's Way from Winchester Cathedral to Canterbury. The red brick house is the 18th century St. John's Croft while the white building is the Old Blue Boar.                                                              All photographs © David Packman

Winchester's oldest house ~ The former Blue Boar Inn was originally a 14th century timber-framed hall house. After falling into disrepair in the 1960's the building was saved and restored by Winchester architect Wilfred Carpenter Turner. During the restoration a lot more of the original house was revealed and it was further refurbished in the mid 1980's as a private house.

Some of the cottages on the hill that leads to Joyce Gardens from Water Lane.

Hampshire Treasures describe this house in St John's Street in very few words "Tudor House 16th century in appearance, but possibly older".

St John's Street - The frontage of the small cottages date from the early to late 19th century.

Old Chesil Rectory. Dated 1459, but possibly earlier, was donated to the city by Mary Tudor in recognition of the immense cost of her wedding to Philip of Spain at Winchester Cathedral in 1554. The building occupies land which belonged to St Mary's Abbey, one of the many religious sites demolished by Henry VIII during the Reformation.

The Hyde Tavern is reputed to be the city's oldest pub. Built originally as a house in medieval times with a brick ground floor and tile-hung bargeboarded gables it became a tavern in the 1700s.

The 14th century Kingsgate, above it the 16th century Church of St. Swithun is incorporated into the city wall. Built of stone and flint the Kingsgate is one of the city's two remaining gates, two pedestrian entrances with brick arches were added in the 18th century.

The simple interior of St Swithin upon Kingsgate.

The main entrance to the Cathedral Close, the 15th century Prior's Gate
with its original traceried doors.

The three storey stone and timber-frame Cheyney Court dates from the 15/16th century, as does the two storey Porter's Lodge which adjoins the Prior's Gate.                                                                         All photographs © David Packman

Caption details are based on the latest available  information and are accurate to the best of my  knowledge.        Although the images are heavily compressed you are welcome to use them for your own non-commercial use.
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All Photographs copyright David Packman david@packman.demon.co.uk © 2002 - 2008 (All Rights Reserved)