Guildhall Winchester

Up to 550
Exclusive Use
Wedding Licence

About Guildhall Winchester

In the heart of the enchanting city of Winchester, the Guildhall stands as a beacon of design, history and art. Overlooking the lively Broadway with views of Abbey Gardens and St Giles Hill, this Victorian masterpiece offers couples a wedding venue steeped in history and romance. For those seeking something uniquely English, there’s simply no better setting than this iconic gem in one of the country’s most historic towns.

Built in 1871, the Guildhall exudes Gothic charm, from its soaring arches and intricate façade to its statues that tell the tales of Winchester’s storied past. Imagine stepping onto the grand limestone staircase as newlyweds, with the stunning Broadway and Abbey Gardens as your backdrop - a moment you’ll want to immortalise forever in your wedding photographs.

Inside, the Guildhall offers a mix of spaces with different capacities fit for your celebration. The Bapsy Hall, with its sweeping Victorian architecture, abundant natural light, and a built-in stage, can accommodate up to 550 guests for a reception. Its grandeur ensures every wedding feels like a regal affair. For those seeking an intimate yet equally majestic space, the King Charles Hall provides oak-panelled walls, a hammer-beamed ceiling, and stunning portraits of King Charles I and II.

Beyond its stunning interiors, the Guildhall partners with The Little Kitchen Company to deliver seamless wedding coordination and bespoke catering. From the first enquiry to the last toast, every detail is thoughtfully managed to ensure your day is perfect.

Winchester, with its cobblestone streets, spectacular cathedral, and quaint charm, feels like a storybook come to life - and the Guildhall is its crown jewel. A wedding here isn’t just a celebration; it’s a chapter in history. For couples who dream of romance, elegance, and a setting unlike any other, the Guildhall Winchester is where love stories begin.

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Good to know

Wedding Facilities
Bridal changing facilities
Essentials
Alcohol Licence, Confetti permitted, Disabled access, Exclusive Use, Late Night Extension , Wedding Licence
Type of Venue
City venue , Historic, Landmark , Large capacity wedding venues
Venue Style
Traditional

This venue also offers

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Guildhall Winchester Rooms

Bapsy Hall

Bapsy Hall

Seated Wedding Breakfast Capacity: 300

Reception Capacity: 550

Unavailable until July 2025 An elegant Victorian hall retaining many of its period features. One of the largest event spaces in Hampshire, affording natural daylight and a purpose built stage, with attached green room suitable for any performance. The Bapsy boasts flexible floor space for a range of seating and tables as well as an upper balcony with fixed seating. A truly magnificent venue for any event.

Enquire about this room


King Charles Hall

King Charles Hall

Seated Wedding Breakfast Capacity: 120

Reception Capacity: 150

Named after the stunning portraits of King Charles I and II which adorn the walls of this truly magical hall. From the hammer beamed ceiling to the oak panelled walls, this hall has a broad spectrum of uses, from an enchanting wedding venue to a large second room in order to accommodate large scale gigs across the entire first floor. The Keats Room is an adjoining space to the King Charles Hall, via partition wall giving extra space to break-out or Catering.

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Wintonian

Wintonian

Seated Wedding Breakfast Capacity: 70

Reception Capacity: 120

Beautiful arched windows, original to the period of the building, provide wonderful natural daylight to this room. A polished wooden floor, subtle décor and contemporary styling make it ideal for drinks receptions and private dining. Flexibility by dividing the room using a removable partition wall.

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The Courtyard

The Courtyard

Seated Wedding Breakfast Capacity: 130

Reception Capacity: 150

Our atmospheric Courtyard room boasts original Victorian brick archways and reputably once housed the police holding cells for the district. The Courtyard has a built-in bar and makes an intimate space ideal for parties, workshops, creative fairs or wedding receptions.

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Walton Suite

Walton Suite

Seated Wedding Breakfast Capacity: 80

Reception Capacity: 120

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Mayor

Mayor's Parlour

Seated Wedding Breakfast Capacity: 20

An elegant room, adorned with many of the Mayors of Winchester from the past 100 years.

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Location for Guildhall Winchester

The Broadway, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9GH

01962 840 820

Website


FAQs

What's the maximum capacity?

550 guests

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What kind of events can the Guildhall be hired for?

We offer a range of rooms to suit different events; Conferences, Parties, Weddings, Exhibitions, Networking Events and many more.

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How do I hire one of the Guildhall rooms?

The Guildhall is pleased to offer a wide range of rooms available for Private-Hire, catering for meetings through to multi-room conferences, exhibitions and large-scale festivals. The Guildhall offers a venue and services hire which means. Room hire and any services you may require as part of your booking are arranged by us using our approved suppliers. Furniture is available as part of the hire and can set-up by the Venue. It must be planned by the hirer and room layout plans provided. Access to the venue, not just the room must be considered by you to ensure safe entry for your guests/attendees. Room and services hire offers a different level of client management, and The Guildhall does not operate a Sales & Marketing team. As there is not an Events Management Service at present, we will be keen to understand who will be ‘leading’ on your meeting or event in order to ensure it is a success. Sadly, the Guildhall is not able to event-manage your booking with us.

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Is any furniture included when hiring a room?

Some smaller rooms have ‘meeting style’ furniture included. Our larger spaces will depend on your enquiry. 

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Are any audio visual equipment included with the room hire?

Some smaller meeting room have equipment as standard, however most services are supplied by our approved AV company. Please ensure you include information in your enquiry form.

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Do the hire prices differ on weekends?

Our hire rates are the same all days of the week, and all times of the year, but minimum room hire timings do apply.

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Is the venue accessible?

We have lift access available up to all floors. The majority of our rooms have disabled access, apart from the Mayor’s Parlour, Wykeham Room, Kingsgate Room and The Green room (at the back of the Bapsy Hall).  There is access onto our Bapsy stage via a stair-lift at the rear of the stage, but not the front (front of house).

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Is Wi-Fi access available to guests?

Guildhall offers standard Wi-Fi throughout the venue. Please contact the team to ensure your service demands can be met.

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Are there hotels within walking distance?

We are based in the centre at the bottom of the high street, and many hotels are located within walking distance or a short taxi ride away. More information can be found through the Tourist Information Centre located on the ground floor of the Guildhall.

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Is there public transport close to the venue?

The Bus Station is located opposite the Guildhall, and the train station is a 15 minute walk away. There is a taxi rank located outside of the Guildhall.

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Can I bring my dog inside of the venue?

Only Guide Dogs are allowed within the venue.

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Can children attend events?

With regards to private hire events, children may attend, although they must be supervised by an adult at all times. As a hirer, there is guidance to adult to child ratio in our Terms & Conditions.

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Is there a cash point on site/can I pay by card?

Our recommended suppliers only operate cashless outlets, so you will need a card or contactless payment for licensed bars. Some events may take cash so it is best to check with the events organiser first. Unfortunately we don’t have a cash point on site, but there are many located up the high street.

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Will other events be held on the same day as mine?

Other events can be held on the same day, unless you hire the venue exclusively. Please speak to a member of our  team, if you wish to exclusively hire the venue.

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What is your payment and cancellation policy?

First, the initial deposit invoice of £500 + VAT to secure your booking – please settle this within 14 days. Six months before your event we will send you another invoice for 50% of the remaining known costs - please settle this within 14 days. Six weeks before your event we will send a further invoice for the remaining known costs - please settle this within 14 days. Failure to settle all invoices within 4 weeks prior to the event could lead to cancellation. A post event invoice will be sent should any costs be incurred during the event (including any damages) - please settle this within 14 days.

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Do you have any outdoor space?

Our Courtyard room has outdoor space included in the hire subject to your events risk assessment. Abbey Gardens, or the Cathedral Grounds are located nearby, should you wish for outdoor photographs.

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Do you supply catering or bar services?

As a dry-hire venue, we do not supply any catering or bar services. Please get in touch to receive a list of our recommended suppliers. You are more than welcome to use your own suppliers, but we insist on having the relevant documentation for them (e.g. PLI certification).

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What documents are required to hire out a space at the Guildhall?

We require you to complete a Risk Assessment for your event, which we can supply you a template for. We also require you to have PLI certification. This is something that you can supply yourself, or we can supply for you at an added cost.

Helpful? 0

Is there parking at the Guildhall Winchester?

We can usually offer hirers up to 6 parking spaces, depending on what else is happening on the day of your event. Please note that this is not always a guarantee, and it is best to check with the team first.

Helpful? 0

Is hired Security a requirement at the Guildhall?

We do require some events to have hired security during their hire, something we judge on a case-by-case basis. This is something that we, as the venue, hire, and later invoice the client for. Please check with the team if your event requires security.

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