Winchester Cathedral is launching a campaign to entice Christmas market-goers to explore the cathedral itself.

The cathedral is aiming to captivate some of the 132,000 expected visitors to its Christmas market, encouraging them to step inside and experience the historical and architectural splendour of the medieval building.

Visitors are invited to take in the 12th-century Bible, a "hidden jewel" consisting of four volumes of beautifully inscribed text, said to be one of the finest in England.

The cathedral also offers an insight into the creation of medieval manuscripts.

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Among the cathedral's attractions are the longest cathedral nave in Europe, a significant collection of in-situ medieval tiles, and a "holy hole" that once housed St Swithun’s bones, which believers used to crawl into for a blessing.

A statue of William Walker, a diver who worked tirelessly for eight years under the cathedral, carrying bags of concrete to shore up the foundations, also stands on the premises.

Other highlights include the medieval wall paintings in the Holy Sepulchre Chapel and the Great Screen between the nave and the choir.

Catherine Ogle, Dean of Winchester, said: "Our cathedral is truly one of the gems of southern England and with so many people visiting our Cathedral Christmas Market in the Close just outside, we would like to invite some of them to come in, while they are waiting to get to the Christmas market, to experience the splendour of this beautiful building."

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Winchester Cathedral is open to the public from Monday to Sunday, with mornings recommended as the best visiting times.

Accessibility features include easy access for wheelchair users and permission for dogs and pushchairs inside the cathedral.

The cathedral also welcomes the public to join in services held in the mornings, at lunchtimes and in the afternoons.

A huge Christmas tree and festive flower arrangements add to the cathedral's charm during the Christmas season.

For more information, visit winchester-cathedral.org.uk.