Westgate Museum, Winchester: One Of Two Surviving Gateways

The Westgate is one of two surviving fortified gateways in Winchester.

The other surviving fortified gateway is Kingsgate, formerly part of Winchester City Walls.

The earliest surviving fabric at Westgate is of Anglo-Saxon character.

The gate was rebuilt in the 12th century and modified in the 13th and late 14th centuries.

14th century modifications included a portcullis in the western façade and two inverted-keyhole gunports (for use with hand-held cannon), the earliest in the country.

Westgate was in use until 1959 when the High Street was routed around it.

In the 19th century the City Corporation (now the City Council ) acquired the Westgate and began to use it as a museum and repository for the City archives.

In 2014, ownership of the museum space was transferred to Hampshire Cultural Trust.

Today, the Westgate Museum's displays include a famous collection of pre-Imperial weights and measures.

Under Saxon rule, Alfred the Great rebuilt Winchester and its defences as part of the bush system developed to protect against Norde incursions.

Winchester was later chosen as the location of one of the first Normal castles in England, with Winchester Castle being built alongside the walls in 1067.

As well as the royal castle in the West of the city, Wolvesey Castle was built in the East of the City alongside the River Itchen.

During the Civil War, the forces of Queen Matilda destroyed much of the old city including the urban defences, in an event known as the Rout of Winchester.

Whilst Winchester's city walls went through periods of decline, by the 14th century, the city had 6 gates, the West Gate, South Gate, King’s Gate, East Gate, North Gate and Durn Gate.

During the 18th century, much of the walls and gates were demolished due to the relatively low height of the gates and their hazards to pedestrians, with the Eastgate demolished in 1768, and the Southgate demolished from 1771.

The Northgate also collapsed in 1756.

Today, only the Kingsgate and Westgate survive, with other portions of the wall existing around the gates and Winchester Castle.

Today, the museum at Westgate tells the story of this remarkable building, including being a prison for 150 years, and the history of Tudor and Stuart Winchester.

It also offers great rooftop city views.

Westgate Museum’s displays include a famous collection of pre-imperial weights and measures and a fine painted ceiling made for Winchester College in anticipation of a visit by Mary Tudor and Philip of Spain on the occasion of their marriage in Winchester in 1554.

There are plenty of hands-on activities for all the family to enjoy during your visit.

Try on a replica coat of armour and Tudor costumes and pose for a photograph! Make a brass rubbing to take away and have a go at the Westgate spotter trail.

A programme of fun, family-friendly events and activities throughout the year.

The museum has excellent reviews, one recent customer said: “The Westgate Museum is a perfect way to spend time exploring the history of Winchester.

”The Museum is unique in the sense that its building is very much an artefact in itself, being a surviving gate to the city.

”Its changing role throughout history is also interesting to see inside, for instance prisoner’s graffiti can be seen dating back hundreds of years.”

The entry fee to the museum is £15.

But please note, this Grade-1 listed building is not wheelchair accessible due to its age, and there is a steep staircase from the street entrance.

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