Winchester Tourist Information
Westgate Museum
Located at the upper end of the High Street and close to the Great Hall, the Westgate is one of two surviving fortified gateways in Winchester. The structure shows evidence of 12th century construction, with modifications in the 13th and late 14th centuries. The portcullis and two early gun ports, for use with hand-held cannon, in the western façade were part of the later remodelling.
During the the 16th to 18th centuries it was used as the city's lockup prison and as a debtors' prison. You can see graffiti of prisoners on the walls dating from 1570. There is also graffiti from a John Barton. He was in prison for debt in 1738 and we know that he was a cobbler from the marks he left on the wooden floor; he scratched two hands, the right hand has a 'palm' which was a piece of leather worn by cobblers. The prison closed in 1745 and became a smoking room for the Plume of Feathers pub next door.
The gate now houses a museum and its displays include the famous collection of pre-Imperial weights and measures, and a fine painted ceiling from Winchester College which was made on the occasion of Queen Mary I's marriage to Philip of Spain in Winchester in 1554.
There is access to the roof for extensive views along the High Street and towards the Great Hall of the castle.
Admission is free.
Opening times
April - October
Monday - Saturday 10-5
Sunday 12-5
February & March
Tuesday - Saturday 10-4
Sunday 12-4
Telephone: 01962 848 269
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