Tours and Group Visits
Saturday Morning Tours – Book online
Individuals and small groups can easily book online for a visit + tour led by one of the Brothers at 11.00am on Saturdays. These will be available from November 7th onwards. The tour lasts approximately an hour and is the same tour as the organised group tour described below. The cost is £5 per person in addition to the entry fee.
GUIDED TOURS (pre-booked groups only)
You are welcome to book a group tour at the Hospital of St Cross (up to 50 people) There is a maximum of 25 in one group. Refreshments are provided in our delightful Tearooms. The Hospital receives visits from group bookings internationally and nationally, including The Arts Society, The National Trust, U3A, various garden societies, and many other interested parties.
Tour Charge: £5 per person for each guided tour (in addition to the admission fee payable on the day) with a minimum total fee of £20 per tour (Standard Adult £7.50pp, Adult Gift Aid/Donation £8.00pp).
Group Tour Times: 11.00am and 2.00pm, Brothers provide tours twice a day. On Saturdays, 2pm only. No TOURS, Wednesday mornings and Sundays:
TO BOOK: To Book a Group Tour, please ring our Porter: Roger Ossa Trivino: 01962 851375 or e-mail porter@hospitalofstcross.co.uk.
tour description
The Tour: Visitors will be guided around our breath-taking medieval site; you’ll first, step into our magnificent Norman chapel; then enter our 14th century Brethren’s Hall, with its Minstrels’ Gallery; take a perambulate down our Tudor Ambulatory; nose around our Georgian Kitchen and enter our eerie beer cellars; whilst listening to historical gems, legends and delicious half-truths. As well as breathing in the beauty of the grounds including the secret sanctuary of our Master’s Garden.
The Tour Guide: Our Hospital tour will be delivered by one of our Brothers; wearing his traditional gown and trencher hat.
Tour Time: Over an hour in length; covering the history and architecture of this superb medieval site. Wonderful rich stories will be shared. Please allow more time for the regrouping at each stage of the site.
Wayfarer’s Dole: Anyone visiting The Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble Poverty may request our unique & ancient tradition of the “Wayfarer’s Dole” . This is a small cup of ale and a morsel of bread.
DISABLED ACCESS: We are delighted to announce we now have disabled access to all parts of the TOUR
Gift Shop: Located in the Porter’s Lodge Shop, our shop holds unusual, stylish and attractive small gifts. https://hospitalofstcross.co.uk/visiting-st-cross/porters-lodge-gift-shop/
REFRESHMENTS
The Tea Room: Our Hundred Men’s Hall Tea Rooms are open all day for coffee and afternoon tea in the spring and summer months, serving delicious cakes and hot and cold beverages https://hospitalofstcross.co.uk/visiting-st-cross/opening-times/. We advise groups to pre-book.to avoid disappointment.
TEA ROOMS Please note: Due to volunteer staffing levels and availability of provisions, for refreshments parties of 20 people or more (max capacity 50) are advised to pre-book, and paid for in advance.
Other Places to Visit in Winchester, to make a combined day: Winchester has so much to offer for a day out; we suggest the especially enjoyable walk along the Water Meadows to:
- Winchester Cathedral www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk
- The NT Winchester City Mill www.nationaltrust.org.uk
- The Great Hall & Round Table www3.hants.gov.uk/greathall
- Winchester College www.winchestercollege.org.uk
