You’d be forgiven for thinking that Winchester doesn’t have much to offer on a rainy day with kids. But, think again. I can honestly say that I never get bored with the kids here. I have a little girl of two and a boy of four so often take them on mystery tours around the city with a bunch of old keys, a few coins and a spooky story as props.

The first stop is the little military museum and cafe for a nose around. They get to try on the uniforms, play a few games and ask a million questions about the soldiers. Next door is the Great Hall and this is where I give the kids the keys and ask them to find the secret door that needs unlocking. There isn’t one but they never give up trying to find it! Whilst they are running around, I often plant some coins and then ask them to look for the ‘treasure’. I sit by the trap door in the floor and tell them a spooky story about dungeons and if the guard is in a good mood he often let’s us have a little peek – the door leads to an underground staircase.

Next we head towards the old tunnel by the law court. I kid them that all the naughty children in Winchester live here. They don’t believe a word of it but it makes them chuckle. Then it’s off to City Museum for the treasure hunt. I’m amazed how much my kids love it in there. They never get bored of doing the same treasure hunt over again! They get to dress up, and are fascinated by the ‘old Winchester’ maps and working out where we live.

We’re members at the cathedral (it’s only £10 for the year) so that’s up next. There’s so much to see and do but I always try and focus on one thing. Once we just sat and talked about kings and queens, another time we counted candles, and another time it was gargoyle hunting. There is often a choral practice which makes the place even more enchanting. We also like to head towards the children’s church near the library to make rubbings of the inscriptions on the old gravestones – it’s such a lovely thing to do!

While in this part of the city, I also thoroughly recommend a visit to the fantastic children’s department at P&G Wells – one of the best and least known bookshops in Winchester. It’s like stepping back in time. Afterwards we finish up with a well deserved cuppa and cake at the extremely child friendly Cathedral Café.

Photo courtesy of Neil Alderney on Flickr