Winchester - City & Castle

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Winchester City & Castle, with Detectives helping DCI Lorna Grey investigate the suspicious death of local stylist Harry Barnett, who was found in his salon just days before he was due to accept a prestigious hairdressing award.

The investigation covers approximately 1.7 miles and should take around 2+ hours to complete. You'll begin at Winchester City Museum, in The Square, then follow the evidence through Winchester's city streets, past the Discovery Centre area, the Castle, Peninsula Barracks Military Quarter and Winchester Cathedral before returning to the Winchester City Museum.

This Trail is wheelchair and pushchair accessible. The route includes gradual inclines and cobbles, and some surfaces can become slippery after rain, so take things steadily in wet weather.

Watch out for cars in some areas, including near the church and Peninsula Barracks. Be extremely cautious at the Public Library because it is a very busy road.

Getting There

By car: Start your investigation at Winchester City Museum, in The Square (SO23 9ES). Middle Brook Street car park (SO23 8ED) is recommended and is the nearest parking to the start point. The Brooks multi-storey car park (SO23 8QY) is an alternative and is also the nearest parking to the start point.

By public transport: Make your way to Winchester City Museum, in The Square (SO23 9ES), to begin the case. The circular route returns to the Winchester City Museum once the evidence has been gathered.

Need the Loo?

Detectives have a few comfort-stop options during the investigation. Toilets are available at the Discovery Centre near Clue 08, at the Castle and at Joe's Cafe.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives are welcome to join the investigation. 🐾

The route includes city streets, gradual inclines, cobbles and areas where surfaces can become slippery after rain, so keep canine colleagues close. Take particular care around cars near the church and Peninsula Barracks, and be extremely cautious at the very busy road by the Public Library.

Food & Drink Stops

Cracking a suspicious salon case is hungry work. There are many cafes, pubs and other eating establishments along the way, including Joe's Cafe at the AGC Museum, Peninsula Barracks around Clues 13-14.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Winchester Castle and the Great Hall

Winchester Castle was originally built for William the Conqueror in 1069. Oliver Cromwell eventually ordered the demolition of the Castle, but the Great Hall was kept as a venue for important events, of which it has seen a great many over the centuries. You can also visit the Great Hall, Round Table and Queen Eleanor's Garden, though there is a small charge for admission.

The Round Table and Castle Passageway

According to legend, the Round Table is the table around which King Arthur and his Knights met, and it has been famous for centuries for this association. Although it is now known that the table originated many centuries later, in about 1290, the mystique still remains. As an optional extra, you could also explore the underground passageway that was originally part of the dungeons of the Castle, with a small admission charge.

Peninsula Barracks Military Quarter

The Military Quarter is on the historic site of Peninsula Barracks, which was leased from the Crown in 1796. It houses six museums, and visitors are welcome to walk around the grounds, but should be respectful of the people who live there and watch out for cars. Admission charges apply.

Winchester Cathedral

Winchester Cathedral brings some heavyweight historical drama to the case. In the early 1900s, water-logged foundations to the south and east walls of the Cathedral saw the whole building in danger of falling down. William Walker is said to have saved the Cathedral by working under water, in the dark, for six hours a day for six years packing the foundations.

God Begot House

God Begot House dates from 1050 and is one of the oldest houses in Winchester. This black and white timbered house was gifted by Richard, Duke of Normandy, to his daughter Emma when she married her first husband, Ethelred the Unready. Emma outlived both Ethelred and her second husband King Canute, and later willed the Manor of God Begot to 'Christ, St Peter and St Swithun, tax free and toll free forever'.