The Round Table displayed was originally unpainted; Henry VIII ordered it repainted in the 1520s to feature a Tudor Rose at its center.
The hall was used for the Parliament of 1275, one of the earliest recorded examples of a representative parliament.
Sir Walter Raleigh was condemned to death for treason within the hall in 1603, though he was not executed until 15 years later.
The table's 24 carved oak boards were subjected to dendrochronological analysis, dating the wood to the mid-13th century.
The hall retains its original stone-vaulted transition space, which connects the main chamber to the Queen's Garden.
The structure survived the demolition of the rest of Winchester Castle by Oliver Cromwell’s forces during the English Civil War.
The Great Hall hosted the trial of Alice Lisle, the first woman executed by order of Judge Jeffreys in the Bloody Assizes of 1685.
The Great Hall is the sole surviving remnant of Winchester Castle, constructed between 1222 and 1235. It serves as a rare example of 13th-century aisled hall architecture in England. The interior houses the legendary Round Table, a massive oak artifact associated with King Arthur, though carbon dating suggests it dates to the 13th century. The table measures approximately 5.5 meters in diameter and features depictions of King Arthur and his knights. The hall was the site of significant historical legal proceedings, including the trial of Sir Walter Raleigh in 1603. The building features original Purbeck marble columns and lancet windows. It remains an active judicial site as part of the Winchester Law Courts complex. Queen Eleanor of Provence commissioned the decorative paintwork on the table during the 16th century for Henry VIII. It stands as a Grade I listed building preserved by Hampshire Cultural Trust.
Position yourself at the far end of the hall facing the Round Table to capture the full length of the medieval aisle.
Visit the Queen Eleanor Garden behind the hall for a quiet, historical horticultural experience.
Look for the medieval 'leper's squint' or viewing hole that allowed staff to monitor activity in the hall.
Check the official website for rare instances when the hall is closed to the public for private functions or legal ceremonies.
Assuming the Round Table is an authentic 5th-century artifact; it is a medieval construction used for royal propaganda.
Occasionally closed for private events or judicial use; check the website before traveling.
Maintain a quiet volume; food and drink are prohibited inside the hall.
