Winchester

Winchester district in Hampshire sits in South East England and centres on the city of Winchester, the county town. The River Itchen, a chalk stream, runs north–south through the district and supports trout fisheries and traditional watercress beds around New Alresford. Much of the south and east of the district falls within the South Downs National Park, with rolling chalk downland and public footpaths. The Mid Hants Railway, known as the Watercress Line, operates steam services from New Alresford along part of the former main line.
The city contains Winchester Cathedral, which preserves the 12th-century Winchester Bible and the medieval Great Hall where the painted Round Table hangs. Local government is provided by Winchester City Council; the University of Winchester occupies buildings in the city centre. Outside the city, settlements such as Bishop's Waltham, Denmead and Colden Common form market and village communities with parish councils, agricultural land and commuter links to the wider region.