10%

off when booking online!

The experience

Bringing history to life, from the pages of history to the streets of Winchester

Single ticket

Save up to 20% with our family discounts!

Multi attraction ticket

Extend your adventure and save 30%

What's on?

Seasonal events for all the family

I found the experience so engaging and the living history actors were great at setting the scene and making the whole visit informative and engaging!

The actors inside were talented and engaging. Great sights, sounds and even smells. A very interactive experience - we had an amazing family day out.

Went with our 9 year old granddaughter, she wants to go again. The actors were brilliant and really made it interesting. We did the walk with the app after and the virtual reality stuff was excellent!

I was very impressed with the high standard of all the displays and thought the inclusion of real objects alongside sophisticated graphics was an excellent and contemporary way of bringing the past to life.

The exhibition is the perfect balance of informative without being too overwhelming, and the immersion with the actors makes it especially enjoyable and brings it all together.

The indoor experience:

In the shadow of the vikings

The year is 878 AD, and the fate of England sways on a sword’s edge. Join the Anglo-Saxons as they face the fate of the Vikings – or victory.

Experience the tension at the brink of the battle as you stand shoulder to shoulder with King Alfred’s brave defenders – our real, costumed actors – and get a feel for life in the shadow of the Vikings. A fascinating story of European significance, made accessible for the whole family.

Immerse yourself in the stunning visual world of Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, made suitable for families through the detailed reconstructions of Discovery Tour: Viking Age.

Book today
Enjoy seasonal events

The indoor experience:

Prepare for a battle for the crown

  • Live performance: Hear from the townsfolk of Anglo-Saxon Winchester and discover life from within the city's walls, from the swordsmith to the bard, in engaging, live scenes
  • Real artefacts: Come face-to-face with authentic treasures, each crafted by people over 1,000 years ago - including the famous, Winchester Reliquary
  • Activities and play: Challenge friends and family with our authentic, Anglo-Saxon games, explore with our children's rune trail and enjoy scavenger hunt-style activities with our Side Quests!
  • Hands-on learning: Discover hands-on learning with our educational, interactive podiums

The outdoor experience:

The dawn of the new age

Dive into Britain’s transformation following the Battle of Edington, and explore the lasting legacy of Alfred the Great, with unique insights available through your own companion app exclusively available for download via 878 AD.

Discover history at your fingertips with 878 AD: Winchester Revealed. Embark on a unique, outdoor adventure on Winchester’s bustling streets.

An engaging experience where history comes alive for families seeking adventure – from 5 to 105!

The outdoor experience:

Explore King Alfred's lasting legacy

  • Explore: Enjoy a self-paced tour of the city of historic Winchester and unearth iconic landmarks - past and present
  • Unearth: Reveal Alfred's vision for the city as you uncover hidden gems through your interactive, buddy app, 878 AD: Winchester Revealed
  • Adventure: Pick up collectables as you roam Winchester's historic paths, enjoying audio-visual storytelling as you go, brought to life through Ubisoft's spectacular visuals
  • Interact: Experience an engaging, augmented reality (AR) journey with activities, games, riddles and facts and more!

Did you know?

AR combines real-world surroundings with impressive digital enhancements

What's on

Make your mark on history

Leave a legacy and mint your own Anglo-Saxon coin!

Discover the ancient art of coin making!

Explore our Anglo-Saxon forge as you witness the traditional process of crafting currency.

Imprint your very own coin and seize the opportunity to take home a tangible piece of history!

£2.50 per person (please note a valid admission ticket is required)

Bake or Burn?

A Story of King Alfred's Legacy

You might already know the story of King Alfred burning the cakes, but did you know there’s more than one way of telling it? Most Anglo-Saxons couldn’t read or write, but there were many other fun and interesting ways of communicating.

Intriguingly, the story may or may not be true… Come along and decide for yourself!

5-21 April (closed on Easter Sunday)

Included in Admission

Ways of the Warrior

A May Half-Term Event

It’s the eve of the Battle of Edington and Alfred’s bootcamp is back!

Learn to hold a seax, raise a shield wall and even insult your enemies like a Saxon. Hone your skills to prepare to take on the Vikings!

24 May-1 June

Included in Admission

Snarky Saxons Insult Battle

At Winchester City Museum

The Anglo-Saxons of 878 AD have taken over City Museum and are practicing insults to use on the Vikings! Watch as the Saxons fight with their words in a hilarious battle of wits. Join an insult battle yourself, or dare an Anglo-Saxon to play against you at one of their intriguing board games.

20 April

Included in City Museum admission

Please note that 878 AD will be closed on this day.

Plan your visit

As you prepare to step back in time and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of 878 AD, discover more about our opening times, accessibility information and more on our Plan your visit page.

Plan your visit