Winchester Brew - 28 Aug '25

Thanks again for joining Winchester Brew. Last week’s first issue got a lovely response, and it’s clear there’s real appetite for a simple way to stay on top of what’s happening here.

This week’s round-up is packed again - from live music in the city centre to family-friendly activities as the end of school holidays near. So grab a coffee, have a scroll, and see what catches your eye.

A spotlight on a new business that’s opened up in the area.

What Do They Do: Following successful openings in Romsey, Basingstoke and Salisbury, and a run at Winchester Christmas Market, owners Helen and Jameshave brought Fig & Fox to Winchester on a permanent basis. The shop is filled with hundreds of house plants, a range of independently sourced gifts and has over 80 seats for you to sit and enjoy coffee or lunch…

If you’re in the area, pop in to say hi and remember to explore the basement lounge!

Where Are They: 52-54 St Georges Street, Winchester.

When Did They Open: Saturday 23rd August

Our featured pick of the events this week

What: Who's ready to feast, drink, and dance - Sausage and Cider style. Get your appetites ready and your dancing shoes on as the Sausage and Cider festival is just around the corner!

When: Saturday, 30th August - 14:00 to 23:00

Where: River Park, Gordon Road, SO23 7DD.

A curated list of events on in the next seven days in Winchester and surrounding areas.

Winchester School of Art MA Degree Show 2025, Winchester School of Art. This free-to-attend show features exhibits from our graduating, Masters-level students on our taught postgraduate programmes. Wednesday 3rd to Sunday 7th https://www.southampton.ac.uk/wsa/news/events/2025/07/winchester-school-of-art-ma-degree-show-2025-.page

Summer family craft workshop, Winchester Cathedral, at 10:00 AM and 11:15 AM. Join the Winchester Cathedral Learning Team for an hour of crafting and story time. At the end of the session you’ll have created your own souvenir and enjoyed a story time in the beautiful surroundings of the cathedral’s North Transept. £5 https://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/event/childrens-summer-activities/

Create a Jane Austen Inspired Candle, The Arc, Winchester, at 2:00 PM. Step into the world of Jane Austen and craft your own beautifully scented candle inspired by the Regency era. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll blend fragrances, pour wax, and design a charming candle perfect for your home or as a gift. With all materials provided, you can simply relax, get creative, and enjoy the process in a friendly setting. £20 https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/thursday-afternoon-crafts-create-jane-austen-inspired-candle

Ukulele Improvers, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 12:00 PM. Simply learn by playing songs in a friendly and relaxed environment and having a lot of fun. £13.50 https://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/ukulele-improvers

Ukranian Classical Music Concert, The United Church Winchester, at 12:00 PM. You are warmly invited to a classical music concert in Winchester featuring Ukrainian musicians. This is a Mayor of Winchester charity event. £15 https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/winchester/the-united-church-winchester/ukrainian-classical-music-concert/2025-08-29/12:00/t-garqrly

Unwritten: Showcase, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 7:00 PM. Playmakers latest Artist Development programme: Unwritten enters its third phase. Through this initiative, two winners were chosen: Alternate Reality by Jonathan Edgington, directed by Alix Cazalet, and Soulmates by Sara Fairclough, directed by Rebecca Godden. Both productions will be developed into 45-minute duologues and performed on our main stage - cabaret style. Don't miss this exciting celebration of fresh, local writing and creative talent! £8 https://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/unwritten-showcase

Moulin Rouge: Outdoor Cinema, Lainston House, at 7:00 PM. Here at Lainston we love a good film and there's nothing like a movie night with family and friends snuggled under the stars. So grab your blanket and either book a ticket to include one of our woodfired pizzas or bring your own picnic. £20 https://www.exclusive.co.uk/lainston-house/things-to-do/outdoor-cinema-nights/

Ibiza Orchestra Experience, River Park, at 7:00 PM. This incredible 26 piece orchestra will be performing some of the greatest hits from the famous white isle. Also featuring Example. £29.45 https://www.ibizaorchestraexperience.co.uk/winchester

Gratton Trust Car Boot Sale, Gratton Recreational Ground, at 10:00 AM. All proceeds go towards maintaining the Gratton Recreation Ground. https://www.grattontrust.org.uk/events/car-boot-sale-6/

Chesil Railway Walking Tour, at 10:30 AM and 1:30PM. A guided walk exploring the route of Winchester's "other" railway, the old Didcot, Newbury and Southampton line operated by the Great Western Railway. £12 https://winchestertouristguides.com/

Kings Rd and Punk TV, The Railway Inn, at 8:00 PM. Local Mod ‘legends’ Kings Road return for the first time with our new line up as headliners, following sell out supports with The Specialised, Blurtones and Who’s Next. Supporting is Punk TV. £10 https://railwayinn.pub/shows/kings-road-2025-08-30

Escape Game at The Hospital of St Cross, The Hospital of St Cross. The Master needs help finding a certain relic before the Bishop arrives. It includes entry to the historic site, including rooms not ordinarily open to the public. In one of these rooms you'll reveal the miscreants and hopefully retrieve the missing artefact! https://cluecapers.co.uk/book-now/

Jane Austen: From page to stage and screen, The Arc. Have you ever wondered how a costume designer uses historical fashion to inspire how they dress Jane Austen’s characters in stage, film, and television adaptations? Join Dr Alex Walker from Hampshire Wardrobe, for an insightful look into the role of a costume designer, how costume creates character, and how Jane Austen’s characters have been brought to life from the page. £18 https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/jane-austen-page-stage-and-screen-talk-dr-alex-walker

Exhibition: 70 Objects 70 Stories, Gilbert White’s House, Selborne. This new exhibition opens on 2nd September and tells the story of the last 70 years through the objects in our collections and the memories of those who visited, worked and supported Gilbert White’s House & Gardens over the past 7 decades. https://gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/event/exhibition-70-objects-70-stories/?event_date=2025-09-02

Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band, The Railway Inn, at 8:00 PM. At the frayed bottom-edge of Indiana – just a moderate bike ride north of Louisville, Kentucky – multi-instrumentalist, artist and songwriter Ryan Davis’ Americana-noir soundwaves have been emanating for years in a myriad of forms. £15 https://railwayinn.pub/shows/ruth-theodore-2025-08-23

Concert by Postgraduate Singers and Pianists from Southampton University, The United Church, at 7:30 PM. Postgraduate Music Students from the University of Southampton share their favourite pieces from their final recital programmes. Virtuoso piano music, beautiful melodies, favourite arias and songs – a late summer feast of music for all music lovers. £15 https://ucw.org.uk/upcoming-events/

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 the Winchester area

Some fun to end on…

Did You Know? King Alfred the Great is credited with laying out Winchester's streets in a new grid pattern in the 9th century to better defend against Viking raids. This design is still visible in the city's street plan today.

Riddle Me This: What is so fragile that saying its name breaks it? Last week’s answer: Fire

Number Puzzle: I have a bunch of coins. If I put them in piles of two, there is one left over. If I put them in piles of three, there is one left over. The same happens with piles of four and five. What is the smallest number of coins I could have? Last week’s answer: was ((4/4)+4)*4 = 20

Till next time,