Eye-openers - Public art, crafts and galleries in and around Winchester

Aug 21, 2026

Winchester’s public art, crafts, and galleries come into focus through a practical city guide designed to help residents and visitors know where to look. The foreword highlights a playful civic approach that blends heritage with contemporary creativity, describing landmark works and the social nature of viewing art in public spaces. The booklet maps major areas—such as the Broadway, High Street, and nearby towns—to support exploration of freely accessible exhibitions and select venues with entrance fees.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time34 min

AccessFree to download

heart of the city

broadway and st giles’ hill

hyde and north walls park

theatre district

high street and castle hill

city west

winchester towns and villages

further afield

general information

maps and index

Published by the Cultural Services Divsion of Winchester City Council. Front cover: Peter Freeman, Luminous Motion, 2002 photo © Peter Freeman Back cover: photo © Joe Low Eye-openers Public art, crafts and galleries in and around Winchester We are extremely grateful for the support of the many people in Winchester without whom this publication would not have been possible. Antony Gormley, Sound II, 1986 Courtesy of the artist and Jay Jopling/White Cube (Winchester Cathedral Crypt) Published by Cultural Services Division, Winchester City Council, Colebrook Street, Winchester SO23 9LJ. Tel: 01962 840 500 Email: [tourism@winchester.gov.uk](tourism@winchester.gov.uk) [Web:](Web: www.visitwinchester.co.uk)[ www.visitwinchester.co.uk](Web: www.visitwinchester.co.uk) © copyright Winchester City Council, June 2006 Designed by Graphics Workshop, Southampton. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this booklet, no responsibility can be accepted for errors, omissions or subsequent alterations. Works from Winchester Cathedral are reproduced here by kind permission of the Cathedral Chapter. Works by Elisabeth Frink, David Kemp, Glynn Williams and from the Great Hall and Council Offices are reproduced here by kind permission of Hampshire County Council. Other images are subject to the copyright of the artist or Winchester City Council unless otherwise stated. ZmeadgZ L ^ZkZgncX]ZhiZg foreword Look across from the southern pavement of the Broadway at the second floor windows of St John’s House, near King Alfred’s statue, and you will notice that the fifth window from the left is open. It’s always open, whatever the weather. And the decorator’s brush is always in the paint-pot you can see just inside. The window, like the paint-pot and all the other windows in the row, is of course just a painting. The painted window is one of those things which, once you have spotted it, feels like your very own secret, and yet it’s in just such a public place. It’s a funny little joke on the front of a serious old building, and the building turns a blind eye. And it’s a good expression of Winchester’s strong visual character: those responsible for the building seem to have recognised that its general appearance requires windows just there which look convincing, and that in such prominence the paintwork needs to be well kept. They are making an important contribution to a carefully maintained visual environment, protecting a heritage we are proud of. But they are also prepared to have fun, daring to be different in the city’s central thoroughfare. It is the same civic adventurousness and a willingness to recognise when something just looks right which has placed Peter Freeman’s metal tower of light, Luminous Motion , on the main approach to the cathedral. Your experience of this piece of contemporary public art will be different from mine and everybody else’s: partly because the work itself is always changing, and partly because it’s about who else is there when you’re looking at it. It’s a social experience, of a kind which has been going on in the serene presence of the cathedral for centuries. The interplay between the ancient and permanent on the one hand and the new or fleeting on the other is the essence of what’s on offer here. This guide will help you to know where to look to see interesting things, but cannot tell you about everything you’re likely to see. We have major public venues for temporary exhibitions, many places to see and buy art and crafts, and a growing population of accomplished art and craft practitioners. There are two thriving higher education institutions, the University of Winchester and Winchester School of Art, and two local authorities, Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council, all with a stake in the city and a strong commitment to local culture. These and many other organisations are working together on festivals and ot

FAQs

What kinds of attractions does the Eye-openers booklet feature in Winchester?

It highlights public art, contemporary visual art, crafts, and art galleries around Winchester, including venues where works can be seen freely and some with entrance fees.

How does the booklet help readers plan their visits?

It organizes sights by city areas (with color-coded sections) and includes page ranges, maps, and an index to make exploring easier.

Can readers learn more about the featured artists and crafts makers?

Yes. The booklet points readers to the official website for information about local artists and makers and for details on the art included in the guide.

Aug 21, 2026

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