Once a 16^th – century silk mill, the Winchester Royal reads like a well-penned chapter in the Winchester history books. Tucked into the quiet backstreets of the old town, this 4-star hotel enjoys a near-perfect poise, only moments from the high street in one direction and in the other a short hop, skip, and a jump down to the burbling River Itchen.

Behind the Georgian façade you are met with period charm and a kind of relaxed modern sensibility.  There’s a well-equipped bar, comfortable lounge, and the Hampshire Room, with high ceilings, tall windows and those big cast-iron radiators that warm you up just by looking at them!

The Jane Austen suite is our bed and breakfast favourite, complete with antique four-poster, and if you wanted something to call your own, the Bakehouse is a cosy 4 bedroom pad just down the street, complete with everything you would expect from a tastefully furnished period home.

The Winchester Royal makes the perfect digs for the discerning fly fisher visiting the county capital of Hampshire.

Winchester is perhaps one of the most historically important destinations of any fly fishing pilgrimage. Just like the great chalkstreams of Hampshire, it is a town that has been immortalized in the writings of many great fly fishing pioneers.

The great 17^th-century author of the Compleat Angler, Izaak Walton,  was buried in the Silkstede Chapel and is commemorated in a stained-glass window that still floods light into the Cathedral today. The city itself is built on the River Itchen, the queen of the chalkstreams, and there are many famous fly fishing beats within a 10 minute drive of the hotel. Just 30 minutes west lies the king, the famous River Test, and the buzzing fly fishing capital of Stockbridge. Beyond that is Salisbury, then Stonehenge with nothing in between but the rolling hills of rural Hampshire.

We are delighted to have partnered with the Winchester Royal to offer a bespoke fish and stay package for our readers. This clever all-inclusive buys you an all expenses paid one-night stay in one of the hotel’s cosy doubles, a full english breakfast, followed by a full-day private fly fishing experience in the the company of a friendly, knowledgeable and fully qualified fishing Guide. Click the special offer link to find out more and book today!

This Winchester Royal commands a fittingly regal position in the centre of Winchester. Sheltered from the crowds by a secret walled-garden, it avoids the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but remains conveniently close to the cathedral square, the land of fresh breads and coffee houses.  Just 5 minutes from Winchester station, with direct lines to London and beyond, this is undoubtedly your first port of call when arriving by train, but there are also two free car parks that make traveling by road a relief. Step back in time with a visit to the Great Hall, and King Arthur’s Round Table, or take the road out of town and try your hand at some of the finest trout fly fishing anywhere in the world.

As far as character is concerned, what the Winchester doesn’t have, isn’t worth having. On arrival you are greeted in the stone-floored atrium, and welcomed into the reception with open plan views into the lounge area and beyond that, the walled-garden outside. The restaurant is a little ‘round the houses’ but once you get there, you are greeted with the gorgeous and aptly named Hampshire Room, where breakfast is served in the mornings. On the top floor, there is a beautifully renovated room for large functions, with enormous wooden beams and painted brickwork on every wall. Above that lies the remnants of the old silk mill, complete with the very same beams and spindles that threw silk all those centuries ago.

Service is warm and professional without being overbearing, and the staff seem genuinely pleased to help, whether arranging your taxi, or recommending a walk along the Itchen Way.

Rooms are a mixed bag. There are 81 in total, many of which extend into the aft wing, but the main house definitely has the most character. Some come as compact singles tucked under the eaves, others are airy doubles with garden views.

Our favourite is the four poster-adorned Jane Austen suite where the great author wrote her beloved novels, or so the hotel marketing director, Elaine, likes to tell her American guests much to the amusement of the locals.

The décor is simple and elegant, majoring on gentle hues and the occasional nod to local heritage. Every one has generous spreads and a spacious en-suite. Bring your pups, dogs are welcome in all of them!

The restaurant, set beside the walled garden, offers classic British cooking done with care: well-sourced meats and fish, and fresh vegetables are at the center of every dish. Our favourites are the roasted beetroot salad to start, followed by pan-fried sea bass and crushed new potatoes served with a romesco sauce, finished off with a white chocolate and raspberry panna cotta. Breakfasts in the Hampshire room are generous, with proper coffee and a classic full English. The bar is bright and friendly, serving all the local ales, a good handful of wines by the glass, and If you’re lucky, the cocktail guy will shake up a storm. In summer, the terrace tables are some of the most peaceful spots for a drink in the city.

For a hotel in the centre of one of England’s most visited cathedral cities, we reckon the Winchester Royal offers good value. Rooms are sensibly priced, particularly out of season, and the combination of  location, history, and comfort makes it an appealing alternative to pricier options. Whether you’re in town for a weekend of fishing, or quiet indulgence, the Winchester Royal makes a convenient inner city bolt hole.