St Mary Magdalen Hospital Alms-houses, Winchester

Historic Building in Winchester

St Mary Magdalen Almshouses sit in one of Winchester’s most soothing pockets, right by the River Itchen and the riverside path locals call The Weirs. You’re not coming here for a ticketed “attraction” so much as a lived-in historic streetscape: warm brick façades, tidy boundaries, and the sense that Winchester’s old charitable traditions still have a real presence in the city today.

It's a lovely, low-effort stop on a walking tour of Winchester, especially if you're already wandering between Wolvesey, the Cathedral, and the water meadows. The setting is half the point: the river sound, the footbridges, and the gentle flow of walkers make this spot one of the things to see in Winchester when you want something quieter than the main monuments.

History and Significance of the St Mary Magdalen Almshouses

The story begins outside the city walls, on the eastern downs: St Mary Magdalen's medieval hospital was founded in the late 12th century to shelter people suffering from leprosy and other chronic illness, part of a wider network of “hospitals” that were as much about care and refuge as medicine. Over centuries, the institution's buildings were repeatedly altered, repurposed, and eventually dismantled, reflecting the changing realities of health, poverty, and urban life in Winchester.

What makes the Winchester almshouses compelling is the way the charity's history didn't simply end with the medieval site's disappearance. Materials from demolished buildings were reused around the city, and later almshouse provision continued in Winchester, including new builds in the 20th century. The riverside almshouses you see today represent that continuation: the same underlying civic idea-dignified shelter and support-translated into a calmer, domestic architecture that still feels part of everyday Winchester.

There's also a subtle “map of Winchester history” effect here: this area sits close to routes that have linked city, river, and religious life for a millennium. Standing by The Weirs, it's easy to picture how Winchester's practical needs-water management, travel routes, charity, and church influence-overlapped in real, physical space.

Things to See and Do in the St Mary Magdalen Almshouses

Start with the setting: approach via The Weirs riverside path and you’ll get the best first impression, with the river level, bridges, and trees framing the almshouses and their boundary walls. It’s a particularly good stretch for a slow wander because it feels “behind the scenes” compared with Winchester’s headline sights, yet it’s only minutes from the centre.

Look for commemorative details as you pass-tablets and small cues that hint at the site’s charitable identity-then use this as a connector walk. A very satisfying mini-route is to pair the almshouses with nearby historic stops (Wolvesey and the Cathedral quarter) and finish with a café back toward the High Street, letting the river path do the scenic work in between.

If you enjoy photography, this is a place for textures and atmosphere rather than big façades: brickwork, ironwork, river reflections, and long perspectives along the path. Early morning can feel almost village-quiet here, while late afternoon tends to bring a gentle stream of walkers that gives the riverside a lived-in warmth.

How to Get to the St Mary Magdalen Almshouses

For flights, Southampton Airport is the closest option, with London Heathrow and London Gatwick workable if you're coming from further afield. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Winchester on Booking.com.

By train, Winchester Station has frequent services (including fast trains to and from London Waterloo), and from the station it's an easy walk or quick local bus/taxi into the Cathedral and riverside area. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

Local buses run through the city centre, and once you’re near the Cathedral quarter you can reach The Weirs on foot in minutes via well-used pedestrian routes.

By car, the M3 gives straightforward access to Winchester; park centrally (Colebrook Street is convenient for this riverside area) and walk down to The Weirs.

Practical Tips on Visiting the St Mary Magdalen Almshouses

  • Entrance fee: Free.
  • Opening hours: 24 Hours
  • Official website: https://stjohnswinchester.co.uk/
  • Best time to visit: Aim for early morning for the calmest riverside atmosphere, or late afternoon for warmer light and a gentle “local stroll” vibe.
  • How long to spend: 15-30 minutes is ideal as a standalone look, or longer if you’re using The Weirs as part of a wider riverside loop.
  • Accessibility: The route is mostly flat, but surfaces can be uneven in places and may feel narrow by walls and railings; after heavy rain, riverside paths can be damp or muddy.
  • Facilities: There are no visitor facilities specifically at the almshouses; plan to use cafés, public toilets, and benches around the Cathedral/High Street area before or after your walk.

Where to Stay Close to the St Mary Magdalen Almshouses

For a culture-heavy itinerary, base yourself around Winchester Cathedral and the High Street; if your priority is easy arrivals and departures, stay closer to Winchester railway station and walk into the centre when you're ready.

If you want to be walkable to the Cathedral quarter and close to riverside routes like The Weirs, Hotel du Vin Winchester is a strong choice for character and convenience. For a classic, central base with a “step out and explore” feel, Winchester Royal Hotel puts you in the middle of historic streets with an easy walk down toward the river.

If you’re arriving by train or prefer a practical, straightforward stay with quick access in and out, The Winchester Hotel & Spa sits close to the station and keeps the Cathedral area within an easy walk.

Is the St Mary Magdalen Almshouses Worth Visiting?

Yes-if you enjoy the quieter layers of a city, where history shows up in lived-in streets rather than roped-off interiors. It's not a “destination” in the ticketed sense, but it's a rewarding stop that adds texture to Winchester, especially when you pair it with the Cathedral quarter, Wolvesey, and a riverside wander.

If you’re short on time, think of it as a scenic connector: a place you pass through slowly rather than a place you schedule. That said, the calm of The Weirs and the sense of Winchester’s charitable past make it an unusually memorable few minutes.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

Saint Mary Magdalen on Colebrook Street in Winchester is a church visitors describe positively for its welcoming atmosphere and active community; reviewers note it as a pleasant place for worship and quiet reflection, and its location on Colebrook Street makes it easy to find within the city.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

This works best as a “movement break” rather than a long stop: kids can reset with fresh air, bridges, and river views while you keep the walk gently moving. Build it into a simple loop that includes a more kid-focused highlight nearby (like a museum visit or open green space), so the almshouses become part of the story rather than the main event.

It’s also a good moment to introduce an easy, human-scale history theme-how cities looked after people, and how those traditions shaped neighbourhoods. Keep it light, focus on the river and the walk, and you’ll get the benefit without needing a long attention span.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

The Weirs route is made for unhurried couple-walking: quiet corners, soft river sound, and a feeling of being tucked away from the busier streets. Visit in the morning for a calm, almost private atmosphere, then drift back toward the Cathedral quarter for coffee or a slow lunch.

For a more romantic rhythm, pair this with golden-hour light and a simple plan: riverside stroll, historic lanes, and an evening meal in the centre. It’s the kind of small, atmospheric stop that makes a city feel personal.

Budget Travelers

This is an excellent budget-friendly addition because it’s essentially a free, scenic heritage walk that still feels distinctive. Use it as part of a self-guided day that leans on Winchester’s walkability: you can connect multiple major sights with very little transport spend.

If you're managing costs, time your visit to avoid needing taxis (Winchester is compact) and treat The Weirs as your “paid attraction alternative” moment-quiet, photogenic, and genuinely local, without the ticket counter.

FAQs for Visiting St Mary Magdalen Almshouses

Getting There

They’re beside the River Itchen on the quiet riverside stretch known as The Weirs, close to the Cathedral quarter. It’s an easy walk from central Winchester once you reach the riverside paths.
Head toward the Cathedral area, then follow signs/paths down to the River Itchen and join The Weirs riverside walk. Once you’re on the river path, it’s a calm, direct stroll.
Walk straight into the city centre toward the Cathedral quarter, then continue down to the river paths at The Weirs. If you’d rather not walk, a short taxi hop gets you to the Cathedral area quickly.
Parking is better handled in central car parks rather than trying to get close to the riverside itself. Driving can make sense if you’re day-tripping, but once parked, this is best done on foot.

Tickets & Entry

You can enjoy the streetscape and riverside setting as part of a public walk. The buildings are private homes, so visiting is about viewing respectfully from public paths.
Think of it as a short heritage moment: a riverside walk, historic architecture, and the atmosphere of a quieter Winchester lane. Most people combine it with nearby landmarks rather than treating it as a standalone “attraction.”
No booking is needed for an exterior visit as part of your walk. If you’re hoping for special access beyond public paths, that’s the sort of thing that’s only available on occasional arranged events, not day-to-day touring.

Visiting Experience

A quick 10-15 minute pass-through still feels worthwhile because the riverside setting does most of the work. If you have longer, slow down and use it as a connector walk between nearby sights.
Yes, as long as you treat it as part of a sensible route rather than a detour. It’s a low-effort “add-on” that enriches a day built around the Cathedral quarter and riverside walks.
Pair it with Wolvesey and the Cathedral area, then follow The Weirs toward City Mill and the water meadows. That combination gives you ruins, river, and classic Winchester streets in one compact loop.
Light rain can actually make the river feel atmospheric, but heavy rain can make riverside paths less pleasant. If the weather is rough, keep it as a brief look rather than a long riverside wander.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

It’s often included informally because it sits on such a natural pedestrian route along The Weirs. Even self-guided walkers tend to pass this way when linking major sights.
Independent works perfectly because the experience is mostly about place and atmosphere rather than interior interpretation. A guide is more useful if you want the deeper charity-and-hospital history woven into your wider Winchester story.
Start around the Cathedral area, walk to Wolvesey, drop down to The Weirs by the almshouses, then continue toward City Mill and back through central streets. It’s compact, scenic, and easy to adjust based on time.

Photography

Yes, especially if you like subtle “travel detail” shots-brick textures, river reflections, and long riverside perspectives. It’s more about atmosphere than big postcard façades.
Morning is calm and uncluttered, while late afternoon tends to bring warmer light along the river. Overcast conditions can also work well for soft, even tones on brick and water.
You can photograph from public paths, but remember these are homes, so avoid intrusive angles into windows or private gardens. A respectful, street-photography approach is the right fit here.
The most satisfying shots usually come from the river path itself, using the curve of The Weirs and the bridges to create depth. Try framing the almshouse walls with the river in the foreground for a clear “Winchester riverside” feel.

Accessibility & Facilities

The wider area is mostly flat, but some riverside sections can feel narrow or uneven. If you’re unsure, approach via the easiest, most level routes from the Cathedral quarter and keep the walk short.
Not at the almshouses themselves. Plan to use facilities around the Cathedral/High Street area before you head down to the river.
Benches and informal pause-points are more common closer to the main riverside routes and nearby landmarks. If you need a guaranteed seat, aim for a café back in the Cathedral/High Street area.
Yes as part of a walk, provided you’re comfortable with occasional narrow path sections. A stroller-friendly approach works best if you keep to the most open routes and avoid muddy patches after rain.

Food & Breaks Nearby

Head back toward the Cathedral and High Street area, where you’ll have the densest choice of cafés and bakeries. It’s close enough that you can treat the riverside walk as your “appetite builder.”
Winchester’s central food options cluster around the High Street and side lanes, which are easy to reach after your riverside loop. Plan this stop before lunch so you can drift naturally back into the city centre to eat.

Safety & Timing

It’s generally a calm residential-feeling area, but it can be quieter later on because it’s riverside. If you’re visiting after dark, stick to well-lit routes and keep your walk purposeful.
Early morning feels peaceful and almost private, while later in the day brings a gentle local energy along the river paths. Choose morning for quiet reflection, afternoon for a livelier “Winchester at ease” feel.

Nearby Attractions to the St Mary Magdalen Almshouses

The St Mary Magdalen Hospital Alms-houses appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Winchester!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Hours:

24 Hours

Price:

Free.

Winchester: 0 km
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