The Great Hall

Winchester's Great Hall is the real deal - one of the finest medieval civic buildings still standing in England, and it's been here since 1873 when it housed the city's law courts and administrative functions. What you're actually looking at is a proper 13th-century structure with a hammerbeam roof that'll make you crane your neck for a good five minutes. The hall itself is atmospheric without being over-restored; it feels lived-in, which it still is for official events and ceremonies.

Historic England obsessives will find plenty to absorb here - the architectural details are genuinely interesting, and you get a proper sense of how medieval Winchester operated. Kids will manage an hour, maybe a bit more if they're into old buildings, but it's not a theme park. The real draw is standing in a space where actual history happened, surrounded by Winchester's own story.

Admission details are worth checking before you visit, as opening hours can be variable depending on council events. Allow 45 minutes to an hour, longer if you're taking photos or reading the information boards properly. It sits right in the heart of Winchester town centre, so combine it with a wander round the cathedral and the high street.

If you're based at Holden Farm Camping, you're just over five miles out - close enough for a morning trip without feeling rushed. Hookpit Farm puts you even nearer for exploring the city's medieval core. The Great Hall rewards a proper visit rather than a quick glance from outside.