The Close is a beautiful and tranquil area, centred on the Deanery. The porch was built in the 13th century and formerly gave access to a hall of the same date. The Priors Hall was reconstructed in the mid 15th century but the interior has been greatly altered. The best monastic survivals are found in the Close - a guesthouse was erected around 1308 in which visitors could be accomodated. St Swithuns priory had a deserved reputation for hospitality. One half of the guesthouse has been restored to something like its original appearance. Now known as the Pilgrims Hall it contains the earliest surviving hammer beam roof and is open to the public.
Nearby the long, timber framed range identified as the priory stables was built around 1500, as was the earliest part of Cheyney Court an enclave of the bishops domain within the priory precepts.
The core of the present Winchester Cathedral Organ
consists of pipe-work from the monumental organ built by Henry Willis for the Great Exhibition at Hyde Park in 1851. This was the first large organ wholly built by Willis, and with 70 stops it was also the largest at the Exhibition. It created considerable interest including a private visit by Queen Victoria to hear the instrument. Also present at the Exhibition was Winchester Cathedrals organist Samuel Sebastian Wesley who befriended and collaborated with the young organbuilder in 1854. At Wesleys instigation, the organ was installed at Winchester in a reduced but improved form as a four manual instrument of 49 stops with the then unique features of thumb pistons and a radiating and concave pedal board - believed to have been the first cathedral organ in the world to have such features - and fully developed choruses and mixtures both on the manuals and the pedal organ. Queen Victoria maintained her interest, and she and Prince Albert were among the subscribers to the new instrument.
After long service at Winchester the organ was rebuilt and enlarged by Willis in 1897 with some tonal alterations reflecting his developed house style and changed public taste. However, the instrument has retained a strongly classical foundation. A further considerable enlargement by the firm of Hele took placve in 1905. Of their additions the pedal bombardes nd one stop on the swell organ remain.
A major rebuilding was undertaken in 1938 when the instrument acquired a more romantic bias, although preserving the historic material from the Great Exhibition organ. Almost 50 years later from 1986 to 1988 the Organ was completely reconstructed to its present form of 79 stops and a largely new Choir organ. The pedal organ was given greater versatility and clarity with new and completely independent choruses. The original Willis work returned to its due prominence in the instrument by reversing some of the changes made in 1905 and 1938.
There have been bells a tWinchester Cathedral from Saxon times, and King Canute is recorded as having given two in 1035. The bells have been rung on numerous inportant occasions including Nelsons vicotry at Trafalgar in 1805 and again in 1815 after Waterloo.
There were seven bells by the mid seventeenth century, and in 1734 a new ring of eight bells and repairs to the frame were ordered. As far as is known, it is from that installation that full circle ringing began in the Cathedral. Most of the bells were recast over the next two hundred years in search of improvements. Two bells were added in 1892 and two more in 1921.
In 1936-37 the whole ring of 12 was recast and rehung. In 1956 a redundant bell of 1621 from a local church was added. In 1991-92 the tower was extensively repaired and the various bell-frames were renewed or replaced.
|
|
|
Matthew Normans account of his recent visit to Bovey Castle restaurant. Bovey Castle is in Dartmoor National Park
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Bradgate Park Leicestershire
|
|
|
|
|
Bradgate Park in Leicestershire is a well known and much loved visitor attraction. The Folly in the Park can be seen for miles around and the park is typical of an English country park where urbanites can escape the hurly burly of city life and breath som
|
|
|
|
Brighton & Hove has always done things differnetly. Rather than using a cathedral as it's focal point this city on South England's Coast has the Royal Pavillion, built in 1815.
|
|
|
|
Bristol a city built on its maritime past. An article by Jenny Spetter.
|
|
|
|
A history of Cliffords Tower for the English Travel Guide. An essential guide to this English Heritage attraction in York.
|
|
|
|
Croyde North Devon Village not far from Barnstable
|
|
|
|
Derby is compact city at the centre of England, full of history, art and – reputedly – ghosts
|
|
|
|
England has seen a high rise in tourism. Its main cities as well as its main coastal resorts have all benefited from this high rise...
|
|
|
|
England has some of the best traveling the world. This travel guide highlights all the best travel resources from travel associated with the countryside to city travel. Mix with English people, English folklore and travel in one of the finest....
|
|
|
|
English Travel Guide.com has been designed to provide a definitive easy to use travel companion for all your English Travel needs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
English Travel Guide and Jurys
|
|
|
|
|
English Travel Guide, the fastest growing Travel and Leisure website for England welcomes Jurys hotels to its growing family. Coupled to the English Travel Guides expanding list of attractions and features the leisure traveller and tourist can plan their
|
|
|
|
Cornwalls oldest surviving Tin mine, now a popular tourist attraction.
|
|
|
|
The effects on travel in England of a few heavy thunderstorms.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HOLIDAY HOMES WITH A DIFFERENCE
|
|
|
|
|
An apparently normal family will arrive by open boat at a rented holiday cottage in Britain to find there is no hot water or electricity... and the only lighting is a box of candles. Amazingly, they’ll be delighted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
London Tourist Information
|
|
|
|
|
London the capital city and major tourist attraction. A first stop on any travel, this major cosmopolitan city of the English speaking world. Population of just under eight million. This guide to the various sites to see is a must read in conjunction with
|
|
|
|
Matthew Norman s review on Luc s Brasserie London EC3.
Sunday Telegraph Magazine 21 November 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North York Moors National Park
|
|
|
|
|
A Visit to the North York Moors National Park
|
|
|
|
Elfreda Powell article from The Sunday Telegraph magazine 28 November 2004
|
|
|
|
Information on Penzance including hotels restaurants, attractions, museums and local points of interest. This market town is the Capital of west Cornwall and is a popular tourist attraction.
|
|
|
|
One of the wonders of the world. This ancient stone circle is managed by Englsh Heritage and is truely a must see site for any visitor to the UK.
|
|
|
|
Set in the far North Eastern corner of England this beautiful county borders Scotland to the North and the Industrial North East to the South. It has been designated an area of outstanding beauty.
|
|
|
|
Rye one of the Cinque port towns on the Sussex
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Battle of Hastings 1066
|
|
|
|
|
Fought between Harold, King of England and the Norman French under William at Battle in East Sussex. The battle occured on October 14th 1066. The Battle Abbey near Battle provides information on the event.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Lion King - Lyceum Theatre
|
|
|
|
|
Story of the Disney musical the Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre London. Search London Theatres for bookings.
|
|
|
|
Plan a visit to this spectacular forest and enjoy the peace and tranquility and wonderful scenery of this exquisite forest.
|
|
|
|
Article on The Close, the Organs and Bells of Winchester Cathedral
|
|
|
|
