Could you really retire to a medieval almshouse in Winchester? I explored the Brothers’ historic hall, kitchen and cellar at St Cross, and discovered who can apply, what daily life is like and why this extraordinary community still matters.
I nearly skipped the Hospital of St Cross in Winchester because I thought it was an old medical museum. Instead, I discovered beautiful medieval buildings, peaceful gardens, a magnificent church and the centuries-old tradition of free bread and ale.
Some of the most beautiful parts of Sherborne Castle are the rooms you aren’t allowed to photograph. From its unforgettable dining room and Red Drawing Room to Capability Brown’s sweeping lakeside gardens, here’s why this historic family home became one of my most memorable Historic Houses visits.
I tried the centuries-old Wayfarer’s Dole at Winchester’s Hospital of St Cross. Here’s the story behind its free bread and ale, where to request it and why the experience surprised me.
I expected a lovely historic church, but the Church of St Cross completely surprised me. From enormous Norman arches and beautiful stained glass to a medieval trick involving sunlight, this quiet Winchester treasure has far more to discover than I imagined.
Sherborne Castle and Sherborne Old Castle may sound like the same attraction, but one is a medieval ruin and the other a Tudor house with landscaped gardens. Here’s the difference.
Chawton House and Jane Austen’s House are only a short walk apart, but they offer very different experiences. Here’s how the two Chawton attractions are connected — and what you’ll find inside each.
Looking for historic houses to visit this autumn? Discover seven special exhibitions, tours and events taking place across England in 2026.
Which UK heritage membership is best? I compare National Trust, English Heritage and Historic Houses prices, benefits, restrictions and the days out each one offers.
