This panorama shows the extensive ruins of Wolvesey Castle in Winchester. The ruins are looked after by English Heritage

Wolvesey Castle - Winchester visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Wolvesey Castle' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Hampshire.

The ruins of Wolvesey Castle stands southwest of Winchester Cathedral and next to Winchester College in Winchester. This was once the principle residence of the Bishops of Winchester, and contained an extensive keep and bailey castle built about 1100 on a site in use during the Anglo-Saxon period. The castle was further developed by Henry of Blois, a grandson of William the Conqueror, who was Bishop of Winchester during the Civil War between Queen Matilda and King Stephen (1135-48). He also built the Hospital of St Cross nearby at the same time.

In the following centuries many dignitaries visited the castle, and on 25 July, 1554, Philip II of Spain and Queen Mary of England had their wedding breakfast here before proceeding to the Cathedral for the wedding ceremony. Life at Wolvesey Castle ended in 1680 when the castle was demolished to make way for a new Baroque Palace built on the site. All that now remains of the former castle are ruined walls and the chapel. This new palace can clearly be seen on the satellite view of the Google map of Winchester.

Winchester is about 70 miles from London. Wolvesey Castle is at the southern end of College Street, which comes off Kingsgate Street near Kingsgate