Winchester Brew - 11th September '25

A warm welcome to all our new subscribers this week, it’s great to have you with us.

One of the nicest things about putting Winchester Brew together is realising just how much variety there is week to week. Some events are big and buzzy, others are smaller and tucked away, but together they add up to a city (and set of villages) that’s always worth exploring.

As ever, we’ve rounded up a mix of gigs, food, art and family-friendly happenings for the next seven days - and we try to focus on events that still have space so you don’t miss out.

And if you enjoy dipping into Winchester Brew, why not help spread the word? Forward this to a friend, share it with your WhatsApp group, or mention it over a pint…it all helps more people make the most of life here. 😀

One story we think you’ll care about.

What’s going on? Heritage Open Days (HODs) are happening across the country and Winchester is joining in. They provide us all with some amazing opportunities to discover new places and explore Hampshire’s incredible history, architecture, gardens and heritage.

It also gives a real boost to the local economy and enables businesses, charities, educational establishments and heritage organisations to showcase their venues, services and products!

It’s running from Friday, 12th September to Sunday, 21st September. We’ve included a few of these free events in the listings below, but there are many, many more so check out the link to see what you fancy…

https://www.winchesterheritageopendays.org/the-2025-festival

Our featured pick of the events this week.

What: The Worthys Music Festival is a one-day celebration of the local community. Uniquely amongst local Festivals, the Worthys Music Festival is free to enter. Fun and music for all the family.

When: Saturday, 13th September, from Midday

Where: Eversley Park Recreation Ground, Kings Worthy

A curated list of events on in the next seven days in Winchester and surrounding areas. We try to only include events that still have availability, though things can sell out quickly so best to check ahead. Cheapest adult ticket price option shown where available.

PYO Flowers, Stem and Green Flower Farm, Worthy. Pick Your Own (PYO) bucket of our beautiful blooms and to enjoy the surroundings of our three acre flower farm and a cup of tea and cake. Fri 12th 10 AM to 3 PM, Sat 13th 10 AM to 4 PM. https://www.stemandgreen.co.uk/pages/pick-your-own

P&G Wells bookshop history talks, P&G Wells, College Street. P&G Wells is on College Street in Winchester and is (possibly) the oldest bookshop in England. During HODs we will open up the old Bindery & give short talks about the history of the building & the people who worked (and lived) here. Sat 13th 10 AM, 11:30 AM, Sun 14th 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM, 3:30 PM https://winchester-hods.squarespace.com/programme-of-events/2025/6/19/pampg-wells-bookshop-history-talks

Watercress Line’s Engineering Open Weekend, Ropley Station, Alresford. The Open Weekend gives visitors a chance to explore our engineering hub at Ropley Station to view current restoration projects throughout the yard, engineering shed and carriage shop viewing gallery, as well as enjoying a journey along the glorious South Downs National Park by steam & diesel trains. £24 Sat 13th and Sun 14th https://watercressline.co.uk/special-days/open-weekend/

Kevin Quantum: Unbelievable Magic For Non-Believers, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 7:00 PM. Sceptical? Good. We're here to blow your mind right open. In the first ever magic show made for people that don't believe in magic, Kevin dares you to see the impossible, transforming your scepticism to belief, even using science to deceive you… in the way only a former Physics PhD could. £15 https://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/kevin-quantum-unbelievable-magic-non-believers

Backstage Tour: Heritage, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 10:00 AM. Join a 75 minute backstage tour that explores all levels of the theatre – from the stage, 400-seat auditorium and dressing rooms to climbing the fly tower used to hang lighting, scenery and stage effects during a show. This provides a whole new perspective of the stage, rarely seen by theatre-goers. https://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/backstage-tour-heritage

Weapons Talk, Royal Logistic Corps Museum, Kings Worthy, at 10:00 AM. Museum Director Simon Walmsley explores some of the weaponry held in our collections in this engaging talk, enhanced by real examples, and aimed at a non-specialist audience. https://winchester-hods.squarespace.com/programme-of-events/2025/9/12/weapons-talk

An Evening of Pink Floyd, Winchester Cathedral, at 7:30 PM. Witness the iconic sound of Pink Floyd's vast and ethereal catalogue of music, performed live by the acclaimed Let Me In House Band, alongside the Mike Nowland String and Brass Ensemble - featuring a total of 17 musicians, embodying the timeless songs of one of the most popular artists of all time. £27 https://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/event/an-evening-of-pink-floyd/

MANIA: The ABBA Tribute, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 7:30 PM. Direct from London's West End, MANIA is accepted as the world’s number one ABBA tribute show. A special concert which celebrates the music of ABBA in a respectful and enjoyable way, this production revives memories of when ABBA ruled the airwaves. £32 https://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/mania-abba-tribute

Outdoor Cinema Experience - Back to the Future, Winchester Royal Hotel, at 7:30 PM. Join us for a night under the stars watching Back to the Future at our Outdoor Cinema Experience! £10 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/outdoor-cinema-experience-back-to-the-future-tickets-1261177218009

Nick Parker Solo, The Railway Inn, at 7:30 PM. Glastonbury based Nick Parker started gigging in his early teens playing mandolin and singing in folk/rock/skiffle band ‘Why?’, and spent the next 10 years bouncing around on stages at hundreds of venues and festivals around the UK and Europe. £12 https://railwayinn.pub/shows/nick-parker-solo-2025-09-12

Cello & Piano Concert, St Mary’s Church, Winchester, at 8:00 PM. Local professional musicians Erlend Vestby and Tom Jesty invite you to an evening of beautiful music for cello and piano. £15 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cello-and-piano-recital-tickets-1458597718039

Pink Floyd: Wish You Were Here at the Planetarium, Winchester Science Centre, at 8:15 PM Sit back and relax to the sights and sounds of the fulldome Planetarium visualisation of Pink Floyd's critically-acclaimed album, Wish You Were Here. Celebrating 50 years to the day since the album was released. £20 https://www.winchestersciencecentre.org/whats-on/pink-floyd-wish-august1

Ride and Stride Fundraising Event, Winchester Cathedral. Discover the rich heritage of historic church buildings, see beautiful countryside, get some exercise travelling between the churches and have fun with friends and family, all whilst raising money! https://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/event/rideandstride/

MG Owners at The Great Hall, The Great Hall, from 10 AM As part of their annual participation in the Heritage Open Days festival, Winchester MG Owners’ Club will be arranging a display of classic and sports cars at The Great Hall. Come and marvel at stunning classic and sports cars of various makes displayed by passionate local owners. https://winchester-hods.squarespace.com/programme-of-events/2025/9/13/mg-owners-at-the-great-hall

Yoga Social Club Sunrise & Stretch, Tichborne Arms, at 10 AM. Yoga Social Club are hosting a Sunrise & Stretch yoga class on our lower lawns on Saturday 13th and 27th September. Our garden really is the perfect setting and backdrop for a morning of wellness. Coffee and pastries with beautiful views after the session. https://www.tichbornearms.com/whatson

Chinese Calligraphy Lessons by CultureEx, The Arc, at 2 PM. Come join CulturEx for a fun and interactive Chinese Calligraphy Workshop at The Arc Winchester. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, this workshop is perfect for anyone interested in learning the art of Chinese calligraphy. £27 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chinese-calligraphy-workshops-winchester-hands-on-experience-tickets-1511105159209?aff=oddtdtcreator

Family friendly craft activities, Winchester College, at 2:00 PM. Join us for some sustainable, family-friendly craft activities for children aged 5-11. https://winchester-hods.squarespace.com/programme-of-events/2025/9/13/family-friendly-craft-activities-winchester-college

Stories in the Dark, The Arc, at 2:00 PM. Come with us into the unmapped terrain of stories told in absolute darkness, shot through with enchantment, transformation, things lost, things found, grown-up fairytale and weird myth. Adults only. £11 https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/crickcrackclubstorytelling/stories-in-the-dark/e-yjqlrv

Winchester City FC vs Portishead Town, Hillier Way, at 3:00 PM. Come and support the Citizens in their next home match. £13.5 https://www.winchestercityfc.co.uk/whats-on

Straighten’ Out (Tribute to The Stranglers), The Railway Inn, at 8:00 PM. STRAIGHTEN OUT are the world’s premier Stranglers tribute band with an extensive set-list that spans two solid hours as they re-create the ‘early years’ sound of The Stranglers, complete with a Hammond organ and Minimoog synth! £15 https://railwayinn.pub/shows/straighten-out-tribute-to-the-stranglers-2025-09-13

Free Bus Ride Bonanza, St Catherine’s Park & Ride. Free rides on King Alfred buses from Winchester Broadway, and special guest bus 1929 Leyland Titan TD1 giving its first public rides since complete restoration. https://www.kingalfredbuses.org.uk/

Street Photography & Architecture Workshop with Simon Bray, The Colour Factory, at 10:00 AM. Within the session, we will explore the theme of street photography and architecture, finding inspiration in example images and photobooks, before working both individually and in pairs/groups to create new work and inform broader discussions about photographic techniques and ideas. £55 https://www.thecolourfactory.org.uk/events/6lzy0ed2wz8484fsekkvo4jjlu3a5n

Rat Pack Live, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 7:30 PM. They were the definition of cool during their Fifties and Sixties Vegas heyday – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr. Rat Pack Live invites you to be part of the gang and features all the patter and razzamatazz of their infamous live shows. £24 https://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/rat-pack-live

Just Like Clay, The Railway Inn, at 7:30 PM. Just Like Clay is an indie-folk-pop band that combines virtuosic instrumental skills with compelling songwriting to take their audiences on a cathartic journey, overcoming self-doubt and delivering a strong message of community. £13 https://railwayinn.pub/shows/just-like-clay-2025-09-14

Hidden Heritage Craft: Faking Jewels, The Arc, at 10:00 AM. Inspired by the counterfeit jewels on the former Shrine of St Swithun at Winchester Cathedral and its infamous destruction by Henry VIII's men, Alison will share some of the latest research from her new book The Jewel Forger of Winchester: A Composition of Sources. https://www.winchester.gov.uk/events/45893/21282/45893

Read It and Weep book club, The Railway Inn, at 7:00 PM. Join us on the third Tuesday of every month in Platform 2 for The Railway Inn’s new book club, Read It and Weep, as we sink our teeth into a juicy book (and probably enjoy a glass of wine or three!) https://railwayinn.pub/shows/read-it-and-weep-book-club-2024-10-15/2025-09-16

Sevens, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 7:30 PM. Sevens, a triple bill of Bharatanatyam and Kathak dance with live music from one of the UK's leading choreographers Nina Rajarani MBE. £12 https://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/sevens

Speed Dating for 20s and 30s, The Winchester Stable, at 7:30 PM. Looking for love in Winchester? Join us for a fun-filled night of speed dating exclusively for singles in their 20s & 30s! £22 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/speed-dating-in-winchester-for-20s-30s-tickets-1410884315969

Film Society: The Last King of Scotland, Cabinet Rooms, at 6:30 PM. Shhhh... don't tell everyone but we show films downstairs in our Foreign Office. You'll have to hurry if you want to book though. There's only ten seats and spaces can sell out fast. Over 18s only. Book in advance £14 https://cabinetrooms.com/blogs/events/film-society

Kevin Ashman: Life in Quizzing, Abbey House, Winchester, at 7:00 PM. We’re delighted to welcome Kevin Ashman, one of Britain’s most celebrated quiz champions, for a special talk titled ‘Life in Quizzing’. Whether you’re a quiz lover or just curious, this promises to be an entertaining and insightful evening. £15 https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mayor-of-winchester/kevin-ashman-life-in-quizzing/e-gpqpzl

Got an event we should feature in the Winchester Brew? Click the button below and add your event details!

Could your home be their happy place?

Every week we’ll recommend a walking or cycling route in or near the Winchester area.

Some fun to end on…

Did You Know? Winchester College, founded in 1382 has the longest, continuous history of any school in England.

Riddle Me This: The more you take, the more you leave behind. What are they? Last week’s answer: A coffin

Number Puzzle: I am a three-digit number. My second digit is four times bigger than the third digit. My first digit is three less than my second digit. What number am I? Last week’s answer: F-O-R-T-Y

Till next time,