Winchester Cathedral, Winchester (must see)

Winchester Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, Saint Peter, Saint Paul, and Saint Swithun, stands among the grandest cathedrals in Northern Europe. Serving as the seat of the Bishop of Winchester, it represents the ecclesiastical heart of the ancient Diocese of Winchester.

The cathedral, spanning from 1079 to 1532, honors numerous saints, particularly Saint Swithun of Winchester, and presents an impressive array of architectural styles, showcasing Norman transepts, an Early English retrochoir, and a Perpendicular Gothic style in its extensive nave. Its length spans an impressive 558 feet, marking it as the longest medieval cathedral globally, surpassed only by more recent constructions like Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome.

Built from a variety of stones—such as Quarr limestone from the Isle of Wight, Bath stone or Oolite, Caen stone from Normandy, ashlar, Beer stone, and Purbeck Marble—the cathedral displays the evolution of architectural styles. The structure's design includes a cruciform plan, featuring an extensive nave, transepts, central tower, choir, presbytery, and lady chapel.

The building incorporates significant sections constructed during the 11th century, notably the north and south transepts erected between 1079 and 1098 under Bishop Walkelin. The central tower, reconstructed in the Norman style post its collapse in 1107, offers insights hinting at its original intention for a grander structure, reflected in its elaborate interior features. The nave, initially completed between c.1100 and c.1129, underwent a Perpendicular Gothic remodeling from 1346 to 1420 while retaining much of the original Norman work.

Underneath the cathedral lies the extensive Norman-built crypt, featuring a notable statue by Antony Gormley and frequently facing winter flooding due to a high water table.

In contemporary times, the cathedral attracts numerous tourists due to its connection with Jane Austen, who passed away in Winchester on July 18, 1817. The cathedral served as the venue for her funeral, and her final resting place is in the north aisle.