Nothing beats a midweek break to really feel like you’re escaping it all.
The last day of summer has officially passed, autumn is upon us and that means goodbye to ice creams, wasps and flip-flop tan marks – hello indulgent hot chocolate, warming wine sipped in private hots tubs and the perfect time to cosy up with the one you love on a midweek escape to somewhere idyllic: beautiful Winchester and all this wonderful city has to offer…
Not only historic, but full of romance and grown-up things to do; Winchester is a wonderful place for couples or friends to while away a few days and a stay with us at South Winchester Lodges is the cherry on top!
We are delighted to welcome you to your very own private lodge, with the feel of a fairy-tale cabin surrounded by ancient woodland but with all the mod-cons at your fingertips, luxurious rooms with views that go on for miles, private hot tubs and 24 hour staff behind the scenes to ensure your stay is as perfect as can be. Our award-winning accommodation boasts a fully equipped kitchen, parking, wi-fi, central heating, flat screen TV and a complimentary tea tray.
Once you have unpacked, taken time to appreciate the fresh country air and put on your autumnal coats, venture into town, grab a rich and creamy hot chocolate from Chococo (arguable the best in town!) and let your feet trace the well-trodden paths through the city.
Visit Winchester Cathedral, stroll arm in arm through the 900-year-old ornate architecture and spend the morning soaking up the culture from Austen to Arthur. Once you feel sufficiently immersed, we highly recommend taking a turn through the city centre. Not only is it a chance for a little retail therapy but it’s also steeped in its own riches of medieval buildings, statues, and monuments.
Here’s your chance to follow in the footsteps of one of the most romantic poets of all time… Embark on a journey of 200 years past and take in the sights and sounds that inspired Keats to put pen to paper and create words of beauty that still grace our world today. After all, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” You can pick up maps of the city to show you the best places to walk, or you can simply let your feet take you where they will.
If you need to replenish some well spent calories, stop in at The Chesil Rectory, one of the most romantic lunchtime dining experiences in Winchester, with its heavy wooden beams, atmospheric lighting, gentle ambience, roaring fire offering protection from the elements and it’s delectable menu - it is the place to be!
The days are getting shorter and you want to make every minute of your mini break count, so we suggest a sunset stroll across one of the most stunning vistas a stone’s throw from the city. St Giles Hill offers these very views and you don’t have to go very far or high to feel like you are the only people in the world. Watch the sun set over the hills and feel utterly relaxed as the twilight shadows begin to darken the horizon.
Now, back to the lodge, shoes off, swimwear on, wine poured, chocolates out and time to dip a toe in your own private hot tub, heated to perfection as you watch the day fade into night and are already looking forward to tomorrow…
If there’s a few of you…
If you are taking your well-earned minibreak with other couples or perhaps a group of friends, then we have stunning three bed lodges that happily sleep 6 guests, with 2 bathrooms, kitchen, washing machine and all the necessities.
A great way to spend a couple of harrowing hours (just enough to work up some adrenalin and a healthy appetite, of course) is Winchester’s very own “Escape Room!” Who in your team will prove the hero as you begin a battle of wits to follow clues, unearth mysteries and escape what appears to be a locked room with no way out! It is a whole lot of fun and so immersive – the perfect start to a minibreak so you can really feel like you are away, free and with no set routine, if only for a few days.
Our city is home to some wonderful attractions. Winchester City Mill is the perfect mix of indoor and outdoor and is never dampened by the changing weather. It is a fully working corn mill and home to a host of wildlife you won’t see from the office window!
The Winchester Pub Tour is a great way to explore the city, as well as the odd beverage or two along the way – everything is close together so you can drop in and out of the tour if a particular place takes your fancy. You are guaranteed to discover some hidden gems slightly off the beaten track that you may not have noticed on your travels. All your guides are local, so can enhance your experience with a wealth of local knowledge!
If you’re getting hungry just thinking about all the calories you are using up, there are some amazing places to refuel in Winchester, it all depends on what you are hungry for. Here’s some suggestions for you:
- The Winchester Stable – pizza, puddings and cider - what more could you want! Vegan and gluten free options
- The Fox – best of British food, think Sunday roast, cottage pies and bangers and mash!
- If spicy is more your thing, then try Bangkok Bistro for authentic Thai dishes.
After a full day of activities (a mere scratch on the surface for things to do) how about a visit to Incognito for the most creative and fancy cocktails in town. They also have a huge array of gin and tonics on offer. It's the perfect place to indulge after all the physical activity you have done today.
Feet have definitely been used, warming drinks have been drunk and fabulous food has been eaten - time to go home to your lodge, swap the heels for toasty socks, kick back and watch a movie together on your flat screen TV, whilst reflecting on a wonderful stay…
To book your midweek break from only £300 for 2 nights, check our availability here.countryside break