pickatrail.com
Hampshire, England
Flag of EnglandMap of England
Yosemite Wells FargoVideo of the Yellowstone National Park GeysersElephant Seals
www.pickatrail.com
Hotels in Hampshire
Hampshire Court Hotel
Hampshire Court Hotel
StarStarStarStar
If you are after leisure facilities that are second to none, Hampshire Centrecourt is the hotel for you! With two indoor pools, 5 indoor and 4 outdoor...
Beaulieu Hotel
Beaulieu Hotel
StarStarStar
This country house hotel, set midway between Lyndhurst and Beaulieu, is known throughout Hampshire for its unique isolated forest setting...
Lyndhurst Park Hotel
Lyndhurst Park Hotel
StarStarStar
An elegant Georgian mansion set within 3 acres of garden, surrounded by 90,000 acres of open forest where ponies roam free. The Lyndhurst Park Hotel appeals to...
Moorhill House Hotel
Moorhill House Hotel
StarStarStar
Situated in the beautiful New Forest village of Burley, this comfortable hotel lies in beautiful landscaped grounds. Leisure facilities include an indoor heated pool, sauna and mini-gym...
Forest Park Hotel
Forest Park Hotel
StarStarStar
A beautifully appointed country house hotel, the Forest Park Hotel is situated across the road from 90,000 acres of open forest where ponies, deer and other animals roam free...
Driving your car to the Airport?
Birmingham Airport Parking
Bristol Airport Parking
East Midlands Airport Parking
Gatwick Airport Parking
Heathrow Airport Parking
Liverpool Airport Parking
Luton Airport Parking
Manchester Airport Parking
Newcastle Airport Parking
Stansted Airport Parking
HotelsAirport ParkingWeatherBlogSkiing
The Great Hall

The Great Hall
Winchester, England

Winchester Castle dated from the reign of William the Conqueror (1066 - 1087). By the end of King John's reign in 1216, the Castle and its royal palace needed extensive repair. Between 1222 and 1235 the Castle's hall was replaced by the building illustrated above. Other alterations and improvements brought the Castle to a peak of military and domestic development during the reigns of Henry III (1216-72) and his son Edward I (1272 - 1307).

Edward and his second wife, Margaret of France, almost lost their lives in a fire which destroyed the royal apartments in 1302. The roof was rebuilt at the end of the fourteenth century, changing the Hall's external appearance.

During the Civil War the Castle was held by the Royalists until its capture by the Parliamentary forces in 1646. Oliver Cromwell ordered the demolition of the Castle, but the Great Hall was kept as a venue for assemblies and the county assizes.

The population increase in the nineteenth century meant that new courts were needed. These were built on to the east end of the Hall in 1873 - 74, to a design by T.H. Wyatt. Their construction enabled Wyatt to carry out major restoration of the medieval Hall, under the supervision of Sir Melville Portal.

Wyatt's new courts were demolished in 1938. From that time the Hall itself was used as a court until the new Crown Courts were built in 1974. Restoration work was carried out by the Hampshire County Council in 1975 - 76. Since then the Royal Wedding Gates have been installed, Queen Eleanor's Garden built and the landscaping outside the Hall completed.

Entry to visit the Great Hall is free of charge. There's a small box at the doors for donations — and every donation, regardless of amount, I'm sure is appreciated.

Source: Hampshire County, England

Hampshire Accommodation:
Campsites & Caravan Parks in Hampshire

Hampshire Attractions:
Looking for Hampshire castles? Castles in Hampshire.
Enjoy the outdoors: Nature Reserves in Hampshire.
Culture and History: Museums in Hampshire.
Beautiful gardens and meadows: Gardens in Hampshire.

Hampshire News:
Injured woman told 'no ambulance'
A Hampshire woman who broke both her wrists and needed stitches to her face was told there was no ambulance available to help her.
Injured horse rescued after fall
Firefighters in Hampshire rush to the aid of a horse which fell over and was unable to get up.

Jobs in Hampshire:
Deputy headteacher
Headteacher
Nursery teacher
Read about all Jobs in Hampshire.

Hampshire Towns and Villages:
Andover - Beaulieu - Brockenhurst - Fordingbridge - Gosport - Hayling Island - Lymington - Ringwood - Romsey - Southampton - Southsea - Winchester

Placenames Around the World