After wrapping up a week of work in Bristol, I quickly head down the motorway to the charming town of Winchester in Hampshire to meet my sister for some shopping, sightseeing, and walking. We arrive from different directions in separate cars and meet at The Winchester Hotel, where we’ll be staying for two nights while we explore the area.

The Winchester Hotel is a modern building with a brick and glass front, offering guest parking at the back and a public car park in front. Although the exterior isn’t particularly appealing, the interior is much more inviting. Upon entering through the glass-fronted sliding doors, you step into a stylish, modern reception area. To the right is the Gershwin bar, featuring dark wood, leather chairs, colorful glass, and a grand piano, which I imagine will be playing during the evening.

The hotel is located on the edge of town but is only a 10-minute walk to Winchester’s historic center and a short walk from the station, with London just an hour away by train. The free car park is a significant advantage in Winchester, where parking is scarce in the town center.

After checking in, we head to our second-floor room, accessible either by lift or stairs. Our twin room, located at the end of the corridor under a sloping roof and facing the car park, is not very large and a bit dark with only one small window. However, it is nicely decorated with ample storage space and all the essentials for our weekend stay.

The bathroom is modern and attractive, featuring clean fittings, a large mirror, and Taylors of London toiletries. The efficient shower above the deep bath is perfect for a long, hot soak after walking part of the South Downs Way. We also appreciate the full-length mirror, spacious wardrobe, ironing board, and hairdryer tucked away in the desk area.

The room includes a kettle for making early morning tea and a fridge for storing snacks and complimentary water bottles. For those who need to work, there’s a safe for laptops and free Wi-Fi. It’s the kind of hotel suitable for both business trips and weekend getaways in Winchester.

After dropping off our bags, we head into town for dinner at The Old Vine, near the Cathedral. This 18th-century inn is full of character, with a restaurant featuring old beams and a touch of designer flair. They pride themselves on using local ingredients. I choose the smoked salmon mousse with salad, followed by a pan-fried confit of duck salad with pomegranate seeds. The atmosphere is convivial, with plenty of real ales to try, and the menu is reasonably priced.

After a good night’s sleep at The Winchester Hotel, we enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the restaurant area beyond the bar. There are two seating areas: one light and airy with glass windows facing the car park, cleverly disguised by lipstick pink blinds and frosted tree motifs, and another cozier area with dark wood, shimmering wallpaper, and cream leather banquettes.

We are promptly offered coffee or tea, and the buffet selection includes cereals with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, pastries, bread, and a range of cooked breakfast dishes. The staff are extremely helpful, providing attentive service.

After breakfast, we explore the pool and spa area, which looks inviting with a small shaped pool and loungers, more suited for relaxation than serious swimming. For exercise, there’s a gym available.

Fortified by our excellent breakfast, we walk into Winchester’s historic center and visit the cathedral, where a farmer’s market is in full swing. We buy chicken pie and lardy cake for a picnic later. The cathedral, one of Winchester’s main attractions, charges an entry fee except during worship times. Inside, there’s much to see, including guided tours every half hour. We opt for an audio guide to explore at our own pace, learning about the cathedral’s history, Jane Austen’s grave, and the flooded crypt with an Antony Gormley sculpture.

We then visit the small Dean Garnier garden, the Medieval city gate, and the house where Jane Austen spent her last weeks. Past Winchester College, we find Wolvesey Castle, the former Bishop’s palace now in ruins and managed by National Heritage. We follow the pretty river walk to Winchester City Mill, run by the National Trust, where we see grain being ground into flour and learn about the otters living under the mill race.

By lunchtime, we’re not yet hungry after our hotel breakfast, so we head back to The Winchester Hotel to pick up our cars and drive to the start of our planned walk on part of the South Downs Way. With two cars, we can park one at each end of the walk, which takes us the rest of the afternoon. We walk along wooded lanes with views of bright yellow rapeseed fields, spotting the occasional hare and startled pheasant.

We end the day with a Shandy and lamb hot-pot at The Flowerpots Inn, which has an attached brewery and has won numerous awards for its real ale. Back at The Winchester Hotel, we enjoy a long soak in the bath to recover from our walk and another comfortable night’s sleep.

On Sunday morning, after another excellent breakfast, we walk back into town to see a couple more sights. We visit The Great Hall with the 13th-century painted King Arthur table and then walk up the hill to the Peninsula Barracks, originally built as a palace for Charles II and later turned into military barracks. Now, these beautiful buildings house several military museums.

Mid-morning, it’s time to check out of The Winchester Hotel. We drive through the Hampshire countryside, stopping first at the National Trust property of Hinton Ampner. This country house, built at the end of the 18th century, features elegant Georgian-style interiors remodeled after a fire in 1960. The gardens are beautiful, with herbaceous borders, wildflowers, and a pretty All Saints church.

After a late lunch in the tea rooms, my sister heads home, but I continue to the village of Chawton to visit the Jane Austen House Museum. This was Jane Austen’s home, where she wrote many of her most popular novels, offering a fascinating insight into her family life.

Staying at The Winchester Hotel and Spa provided a comfortable base for our explorations. I’d recommend it for couples and groups of friends looking for a high-quality, modern hotel well-located for visiting Winchester and the Hampshire countryside.