Guide to Winchester and the local area

Winchester famously topped a poll of the best places to live in Britain. With its attractive town centre made up of historic old buildings and fantastic shops surrounded by miles of rolling Hampshire countryside, it's not hard to see why.

WINCHESTER FARMERS' MARKET: chef Rick Stein considers Winchester's farmers' market to be one of the finest in the country. One thing's for sure, the crowds get here early every other Sunday to load up on home-made preserves, artisan breads, hand-made cheeses and succulent sausages, all made with love and care by passionate food producers from across Hampshire. Click on the Hampshire Farmers' Markets Ltd link on the left-hand side to visit their website. Dates for 2012 (second and final Sunday of every month): January 8, 29; February 12, 26; March 11, 25; April 8, 29; May 13, 27; June 10, 24; July 8, 29; August 12, 26; September 9, 30; October 7, 14, 28; November 11, 25; December 9. Winchester Cathedral will also host events on the following Saturdays: April 14, May 19, June 16, July 14, August 18, September 15, October 6 (and Sunday 7); October 20. Venue: Middle Brook St, 9am-2pm.

HAMPSHIRE FOOD FESTIVAL 2012: a month-long celebration of local food and farming, 1-31 July 2012, with an exciting schedule of events covering pubs, cookery schools, farms, restaurants and town-centre attractions. The Old Vine will be serving "gastropub classics with a local twist" throughout the festival, using the best of local produce. Contact us directly for dishes available at the time, and visit Hampshire Fare for more details about the festival.

ALRESFORD WATERCRESS FESTIVAL: an annual celebration of this delicious local crop, held on the third Sunday of May. For details of the festival visit www.watercressfestival.org

MID HANTS RAILWAY - THE WATERCRESS LINE: a popular local attraction, this heritage railway operated by passionate volunteers relives the excitement and nostalgia of the steam age, and covers miles of stunning Hampshire countryside between Alresford and Alton. For details visit www.watercressline.co.uk

SHOPPING: Winchester town centre has plenty to keep dedicated browsers busy: from big high-street names and upmarket boutiques to one-off, independent stores and cutting-edge art galleries. Some of Winchester's most unusual shops can be found in the streets around the Old Vine, and also a short walk away in Parchment Street and the Cathedral Close.

WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL has its origins in the 7th century, when a Christian church was first built on this site. Since then it has played a fundamental part in the daily life of this ancient city, and an important role in the history of our nation: it is the burial site of kings, bishops, saints - and novelist Jane Austen. More recently it has appeared in the film adaptation of The Da Vinci Code, and also houses a work by the contemporary sculptor Antony Gormley. The Inner Cathedral Close also houses the famous Pilgrims' School, surrounded by delightful gardens which contain sculpture by Dame Barbara Hepworth.

SOUTH DOWNS WAY: England's newest national park, the South Downs, stretches eastwards from Winchester's St Catherine's Hill, where an energetic climb is rewarded with a magnificent view of the city. Walkers, cyclists and horse riders can explore 160km of lovely countryside along the South Downs Way, which stretches from Winchester cathedral to the white chalk cliffs of Beachy Head near Eastbourne in East Sussex. Reserves at Old Winchester Hill and Beacon Hill are home to wild flowers and rare butterflies, and offer a tranquil haven for nature-lovers. For more information see www.visitsouthdowns.com

THE GREAT HALL: This fascinating 13th-century building contains perhaps the greatest symbol of medieval mythology: King Arthur's Round Table.

JANE AUSTEN'S HOUSE: Close to Winchester College is the house where novelist Jane Austen came to convalesce until she died in 1817. She is buried in Winchester Cathedral. The house where she lived for most of her life, and where she completed some of her most famous novels, including Pride and Prejudice, is at Chawton near Alton. Now housing a Jane Austen museum, the house is some 20 minutes drive from Winchester.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS: The Winchester Christmas market and accompanying ice-rink (look out for our chalet selling mulled wine and mince pies!), the quarterly French market, July's Hat Fair street festival and the year-round programme of concerts in the cathedral. Please contact Winchester tourist information office for details: (01962) 840 500 or follow this link to their website.