Diver William Walker spent six years underwater between 1906 and 1912 underpinning the foundations with concrete to save the cathedral from collapse.
The cathedral is the setting for the popular folk song 'Winchester Cathedral', which reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966.
Jane Austen's grave is located in the North Aisle, marked by a plaque that initially omitted her fame as a novelist.
The Winchester Bible, housed here, is the largest and finest surviving 12th-century English Bible.
The building features a series of mortuary chests that contain the bones of Anglo-Saxon royalty, including King Cnut and William Rufus.
The cathedral houses the 'Winchester Cross', a rare example of 14th-century stained glass and medieval metalwork.
The floor tiles in the choir are original 13th-century 'pavement' tiles, among the best-preserved in England.
The Cathedral's close contains the ruins of the medieval Wolvesey Palace, the former residence of the Bishops of Winchester.
The wooden choir stalls, dating from 1308, are the oldest complete set of woodwork in England.
The cathedral is home to a functioning 17th-century organ case, though the interior mechanisms have been modernized.
Winchester Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, featuring the longest nave of any Gothic cathedral. Construction began in 1079, incorporating Norman and Gothic architectural styles. The site serves as the final resting place for numerous Anglo-Saxon monarchs and the writer Jane Austen. The building rests on a peat bog, requiring a massive underwater reinforcement project in the early 20th century to prevent collapse. Its Great Screen, restored in the 19th century, features a complex arrangement of stone figures. The interior houses the 12th-century Winchester Bible, a masterpiece of Romanesque illumination. The cathedral holds the tomb of King Canute and the mortuary chests of several early English kings. Its crypt regularly floods due to the high water table, limiting access to certain areas during periods of heavy rainfall.
The view of the nave looking toward the high altar from the West Door provides the best perspective of the building's scale.
Join a guided tour to gain access to the crypt or climb the tower for views across the city.
Visit the retrochoir to see the intricate medieval carvings and the location of St. Swithun’s shrine.
Check the cathedral website for details on choral evensong, which provides an atmospheric acoustic experience.
Missing the chance to look down at the floor tiles, which are often overlooked in favor of the high ceiling architecture.
Occasional closures for special civic events or private services; the crypt may be inaccessible during winter months due to flooding.
Maintain a quiet demeanor; modest dress is expected, covering shoulders and knees; avoid taking photos during active services.
