Winchester Cathedral

Winchester Cathedral has been attracting pilgrims for 900 years and contains hidden treasures including Anthony Gormley's Sound II, the Winchester Bible and Jane Austen's tomb. The cathedral is known for being one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, as well as having the longest medieval nave in Europe. This stunning building can be held up as a example of many styles from the Norman transepts through to the East End's Perpendicular Gothic work, with a nod to the Renaissance with the Chantry chapels.

Winchester Cathedral has a very strong connection to the novelist Jane Austen. Not only was her funeral held at the Cathedral in 1817 but she is also buried on the North Aisle. The Cathedral has a brass tablet to commemorate her burial site and there is also a memorial window in her honour.

The Priory of St Swithun was dissolved during the Reformation, there are however still links to the Cathedral's patron saint still today. One of these being St Swithun's Way which was opened in 2002 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. The Cathedral marks the start of the 34 mile long distance footpath.

The Cathedral has many links to popular culture too. The Cathedral has been a backdrop for films and television including The Da Vinci Code as well as being used on numerous occasions on The Crown where is has doubled as both Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral. The Cathedral is a must see as part of any tour of Winchester.