Exploring the Heritage of St Giles Hill Park
Abbey Gardens, 65 The Broadway, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9BE
Join horticulturalist and local historian Harry Mycock for a walk up and around St Giles Hill Park. Learn about the park's storied past -- from place of execution under William the Conqueror, to the site of one of Europe's largest trade fairs in the Middle Ages. In the late 19th Century, the City Council acquired the open land on the hilltop and the wooded slopes, designating the area as a recreation gound. The Council brought in one of the country's leading landscape architects to design and oversee the creation of a 'pleasure ground' for the purposes of public health and exercise. The Park today is a much loved green space, a haven for local flora and fauna, and an integral part of the city's landscape, and boasts extraordinary views across the city centre, including of the Cathedral, College, High Street, Guildhall and Great Hall. The walk will start in the park behind Abbey House on the Broadway: meeting point will be near the water fountain.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 20 September:
- 10.30
- Sunday 21 September:
- 10.30
Location & directions
Abbey Gardens, 65 The Broadway, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9BE
- Contact on day:
- Dr Harry Mycock 07971 896487
- Telephone number:
- +447971896487
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- Advance booking using Winchester Heritage Open Days.
- Booking contact name:
- Hampshire History Trust
- Booking website:
- https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/hampshire-history-trust
- Booking opens:
- 08 Aug 2025 12:00 AM
- Booking closes:
- 10 Sep 2025 12:00 AM
Accessibility details
Parking is available near the meeting point in the public Colebook Street car park or, if this is full, in the Chesil Street multi-storey car park off Chesil Street. Visitors are also encouraged to use the cheaper Park & Ride car parks at Bar End, from where buses run every 7-10 minutes that will drop you in front of the designated meeting point in Abbey Gardens. Please note that St Giles Hill Park is a hilltop park that encompasses steep wooded flanks, sloping pathways and steps. Unfortunately, this guided walk would be unsuitable for wheelchair users or others with mobility challenges.
Additional information
The tour-guide for this event, Dr Harry Mycock, chairs the Friends of St Giles Hill Park -- a voluntary organisation which is working to preserve, protect and improve the Park. For more information, please visit: https://www.friendsofstgileshillpark.org
- Max no of people per tour:
- 24
- Est. tour duration:
- 1 hour(s) 30 minute(s)
