Winchester has always been a place proud of its vibrant pub scene, with some pubs still open today dating back hundreds of years.

In Victorian times the city boasted more than 100 licensed premises and the last century has seen a gradual decline in the number, as people have far more choice in how to spend their leisure. In recent years cheap alcohol in supermarkets has also harmed many.

Many have not been been able to keep their heads above the water and closed with others being demolished.

We have compiled a list of seven locals which may have closed their doors, but they left a legacy and many happy memories inside and are still greatly missed by the Winchester people.   

The Dolphin Inn

The Dolphin Innwas situated on the corner of the High Street and St Thomas Street. Built in 1882, and closed almost 100 years later in 1981. The building is now functioning as Hamptons Estate Agents however, etched into the stone on the buildings entrance reads: ‘The Dolphin Inn’, leaving its legacy behind.

The Stanmore Hotel

The Stanmore Hotel pulled its last pints in 2009 and has since been demolished and replaced by a large care home, specialising in dementia care, on the top of Stanmore Lane. Locals campaigned to ‘Save the Stanmore’ in 2008, but they were unsuccessful, and the pub shut in January 2009. The mock-Tudor pub had opened in the 1920s to serve the then-new Stanmore estate.

The Chimneys

The Chimneys was originally built as the Weeke Hotel in the 1950s but later was converted into a conventional pub, where it got its name, The Chimneys. The pub shut its doors in 2004 and was demolished to make room for Aldi, on Stockbridge Road. Like the Stanmore Hotel, rising property values made the sites too valuable for developers.

Hampshire Chronicle: The South Western by the train station

South Western Inn

The South Western Inn was located on Station Road, and still stands to this day outside Winchester Train Station. The building was erected in the 1860s, and was named the South Western pub in the 1920s. It stayed this way until 1992 when the pub eventually shut. For many years it was the register office and so will be remembered by thousands for different reasons.

First in Last out

The First in Last out, or ‘FILO’ as regulars called it, has not been in operation since 2017. Located in Wales Street, on the edge of Winnall, this 17th century building is waiting on major refurbishments before opening back up for the public.

Hampshire Chronicle: The Talbot Hotel, High Street

The Talbot Hotel

The Talbot Hotel was built in the 18th century but got the name ‘The Talbot House’ in 1929. Famous for its jukebox, the Talbot Hotel remained open until 1975, the building still stands today but now operates as an estate agent.

The Rising Sun

The last pub on our list is also the pub which closed most recently in Winchester. The Rising Sun, located in Bridge Street, called last orders for the last time just last year in 2023 after struggling financially following Covid and the cost of living crisis. Widely known as the Riser.

Photos from City of Winchester Trust

Do you remember these pubs? Or others that you think should be on our list? Send in your memories to be published on our letters page by emailing newsdesk@hampshirechronicle.co.uk.

We’d also love to see your old photos. Send us your old photos to feature on our weekly Bygone Hampshire page. Email newsdesk@hampshirechronicle.co.uk