2026 has arrived with a burst of tour requests.
After the excitement of Christmas, many people are looking for something new to do in January and February – and this can be a wonderful time to explore home territory or venture further afield.
The photo is of Peninsular Barracks in Winchester – the site originally that of William the Conqueror’s castle, before seeing the building of King Charles II’s magnificent royal palace. The city of Winchester has such a fabulous history to delve into, with its royal connections and historic buildings including those of Winchester College, dating back to the 14th Century, and the house in which Jane Austen died in 1817.
My first Winchester public tour is on Saturday 7 February 2026 and can be booked online through Eventbrite or in person at the Winchester Visitor Information Centre (tickets £12).
Tickets are also £12 (obtainable from Eventbrite or via the Salisbury Information Centre) for walking tours of the beautiful city of Salisbury. Particularly famous for the 13th Century cathedral with the tallest spire in the country (at 404’, 123m), the city is still laid out as in medieval times, lined with timber-framed and later grand Georgian buildings. My next Salisbury tour is Sunday 25 January 2026.
And public tours of Southampton resume in February. Many people know Southampton only for the West Quay shopping centre – and people on the tour are always amazed at the wealth of history to be discovered in the city – such as that there are more medieval walls still standing than in any other city in the country. Plus, there are medieval vaults to explore, and the stories of our port heritage to discover, including those of the famous ships the Mayflower and the Titanic. My first tour of the year is 21 February 2026 and tickets are currently £10, bookable through the See Southampton website or can be bought on the day (cash or card payment).
I do hope to see you on one of my city tours – or do get in contact if you’re a group and would like a private tour or have a particular theme in mind to be explored, whether in Winchester, Salisbury, Southampton – or somewhere else within the Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset area – or perhaps a Windsor tour takes your fancy.
Caroline Wigley 