Westgate Museum
Westgate Museum
4.5
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
Closed
Friday
Closed
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Located at the top of the High Street in the historic city of Winchester, Westgate Museum is housed inside a surviving fortified medieval city gateway. The museum tells the story of this remarkable building, and the history of Tudor and Stuart Winchester. It also offers great rooftop city views. A debtors’ prison for 150 years, this beautifully refurbished listed monument is the last of the main medieval gates into the city. Today, 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 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. Throughout the year, we run a programme of family friendly activities.
Duration: < 1 hour
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See what travelers are saying
- MarcusHurleyCalne, United Kingdom10,886 contributionsLovely little museumWe visited here with a combined ticket for the Great Hall and City Museum too. The Westgate is quite small but it's interesting to walk around the outside first to see it's original defensive role as one of the city gates. The lady in the ticket office was lovely and very helpful and the museum has, for its size, a lot of exhibits and information including activities for kids. We probably spent about half an hour inside the building and the rooftop viewing area.Visited April 2024Traveled with friendsWritten April 15, 2024
- BirminghamUKVisitorBirmingham, United Kingdom251 contributionsExtremely interestingThe Westgate was used, among other things, as a debtor's prison and houses some fascinating artefacts. The lady at the desk was very knowledgeable and I enjoyed this visit which I combined with the Great Hall at a reduced price booking the two attractions together online. The "graffiti" carved into the stone by the inmates was fascinating.Visited May 2024Traveled soloWritten May 14, 2024
- DorsetbeanBournemouth, United Kingdom58 contributionsSmall museum packed with interesting exhibits and well-labelledA lovely little museum, with some interesting exhibits and plenty of information to read. As a history buff I spent a good hour reading everything. The terrace upstairs on the roof is pleasant enough - you just get a view of the High Street and the Law Courts but not much else. I was rather hoping to find refreshments up there but sadly there were none! Note that the entrance to the Museum is not obvious, especially if you are heading down the High Street as I was, from the train station. You need to go through the arch beside the main road then turn right and immediately right again where there is an ancient door and some steps to climb to enter the Museum entrance. Could be better sign-posted. The Great Hall (with King Arthur's Round Table) is part of your visit and this is 2 minute walk from the Westgate Museum.Visited May 2024Traveled soloWritten May 21, 2024
- permia67,095 contributionsGate itself is superiorAs one of only two surviving old city wall gateways it is infused with history. The earliest surviving segment is likely from Anglo Saxon times. It was grand standing in the archway and safely admiring the streetscapes on both sides, given that High Street was diverted around it in 1959. With the combined museum ticket it was worth visiting that within. It’s not in the same league as the City Museum but it does have a fine selection of weights and measures from prior to Imperial units. They reiterate the importance always attaching to accurate weights so that buyers would not be easily defrauded by untrustworthy traders.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 15, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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tregarth01
Maidstone, UK59 contributions
Sep 2022
Visited this small but attractive museum on a wet ad rainy day, because we had purchased a joint ticket when visiting the City museum and it seemed a shame not to use it.
The museum contains a fair collection of exhibits given its compact size and they are presented to give a good feel of the varied functions the building was put to, the wider history of early modern Winchester and the renovation of the building as a museum. Given its compact size it was quite uprising to see how many Ladies with extremely wide skirts and impractical shoes managed to ascend to the roof via very narrow stairs for the museum opening ceremony., which had large numbers of dignatires on a rather small roof. the spirit of civic adventure was clearly more evident in days gone by.
Talking about the roof we did not linger long because it was rather wet, but in finer weather the view is well worth the price of admission in itself. This is a particular bargain if like us you had brought the combination ticket, which can be also reused over the following year.
The museum contains a fair collection of exhibits given its compact size and they are presented to give a good feel of the varied functions the building was put to, the wider history of early modern Winchester and the renovation of the building as a museum. Given its compact size it was quite uprising to see how many Ladies with extremely wide skirts and impractical shoes managed to ascend to the roof via very narrow stairs for the museum opening ceremony., which had large numbers of dignatires on a rather small roof. the spirit of civic adventure was clearly more evident in days gone by.
Talking about the roof we did not linger long because it was rather wet, but in finer weather the view is well worth the price of admission in itself. This is a particular bargain if like us you had brought the combination ticket, which can be also reused over the following year.
Written October 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review, so glad you enjoyed the museum and braved the roof even in the weather! We hope to see you again soon 😃
Written July 16, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
curlykate1976
Forest Row, UK313 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Review from Oct 2021. Small but interesting museum with great view from tower. Staff helpful, we got the joint ticket with the city museum, so £8 each, don’t mind paying as we are supporting the museums and city in this strange times. Good visit and good COVID precautions in place.
Written April 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review. Glad you enjoyed the museum and felt safe visiting us, we hope you will visit us again in the future 🙂
Written July 16, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Biibaekie
Romsey, UK10 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
A location that must be seen by anyone visiting Winchester! I was touring with my friend who is not local to the South around Winchester and stopped in at the museum to show some more local history, we both had a great time whilst visiting. We were the only visitors at the time so took our time looking at all the items and details of the place and even went up onto the roof which I don't remember from my last visit! The ceilings and walls have so much history and it's a fascinating place to gain some insight into how Winchester would have been back then.
The staff were friendly and let us just wander around quietly before we left to visit another museum. I will definitely visit again.
The staff were friendly and let us just wander around quietly before we left to visit another museum. I will definitely visit again.
Written August 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keith N
13 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
£4.50 per adult to visit one room of artifacts and the roof. Very limited views off the roof due to surrounding buildings and safety barriers. Disappointing artifact display but some fun clothes and costumes to try on and photograph.
Written August 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graham P
13 contributions
Jul 2021
Visit took place during Covid restrictions prior to 19/7/21. this was a pre-booked visit along with another in the immediate locality. This is obviously an important historic structure but access via steep steps makes it unsuitable for visitors with mobility issues. The venue consists of one room with a small display and information on the history of the building. The roof can be accessed with a view down the High Street. Being such a small venue I am sure that some will baulk at an admission charge. I am inclined to agree as other local attractions do offer better value for money.
Written July 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Orpington Sylvia
Orpington, UK123 contributions
Sep 2022
Westgate is well worth a look (note: there are stairs up to the museum). They have done well to pack a lot of interesting stuff for adults & children into such a small space. The climb to the roof is worth it
Written October 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review! So glad you enjoyed the museum and our family friendly activities, I hope we will welcome you back soon 😁
Written July 16, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
curlykate1976
Forest Row, UK313 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Small but interesting museum with great view from tower. Staff helpful, we got the joint ticket with the city museum, so £8 each, don’t mind paying as we are supporting the museums and city in this strange times. Good visit and good COVID precautions in place.
Written October 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda R
Salisbury, UK631 contributions
Feb 2023
Amazing views from window and you can climb the stairs to go on the roof which is a bonus.
It is so amazing at how much they have packed in this small room, but it is so full of history and excellent descriptions.
I was amazed at how much they packed in for the child to do, including dressing up in armour. Also a quiz where you got a small prize.
An excellent little gift shop, but one poor cold person at the front desk as there is no proper heating.
Mind you I should imagine it is great in the summer when we are having a heatwave!
It is so amazing at how much they have packed in this small room, but it is so full of history and excellent descriptions.
I was amazed at how much they packed in for the child to do, including dressing up in armour. Also a quiz where you got a small prize.
An excellent little gift shop, but one poor cold person at the front desk as there is no proper heating.
Mind you I should imagine it is great in the summer when we are having a heatwave!
Written February 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review! So glad you enjoyed the museum and our family friendly activities, I hope we will welcome you back soon 😁
Written July 16, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
anon1973_04
Alton, UK59 contributions
May 2018 • Family
A small, but perfect, museum at the top of Winchester. The volunteer on duty when we visited was brilliant with my 6 year old and 10 year old. He was friendly & very knowledgeable.
My son loved being dressed up as both a Parliamentarian & Royalist - with the volunteer telling him what to shout as his battle cry for each side. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed looking round and spotting all the hidden objects. Highlights for me were the rooftop views over Winchester & the graffiti spanning from 1597 - late 1700s: it's amazing it's survived so long.
There's a good range of exhibits, and the accompanying info is nice & succinct.
It's free to visit, but closed on Sundays & Bank Hols.
My son loved being dressed up as both a Parliamentarian & Royalist - with the volunteer telling him what to shout as his battle cry for each side. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed looking round and spotting all the hidden objects. Highlights for me were the rooftop views over Winchester & the graffiti spanning from 1597 - late 1700s: it's amazing it's survived so long.
There's a good range of exhibits, and the accompanying info is nice & succinct.
It's free to visit, but closed on Sundays & Bank Hols.
Written May 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elcharco
London136 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
It is free entrance although a donation is much appreciated. A mini museum at the 1st level. Good for children as there are some interactive activities which allow the children to learn a bit of the history. Top deck of the gate offers a stunning view of the town. Be careful with the narrow stairs and low headroom.
Written September 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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