5th May
By Tilly Jones
Content Editor
Coming to Winchester?
Winchester is a picturesque city situated in South-East England.
People retreat to Winchester to discover all its historical secrets and to explore the nature and grand architecture the place has to offer. It really is a 'feast for the eyes.'
©WinCathedral on Twitter
As a student applying to the University of Winchester, you could be wondering "what is there for me to do?" Or as a current student, you may have gotten tired of the same trips out in the city and be seeking something new. Maybe you haven't explored every nook and cranny?
I am going to make it simple by listing 3 of my favourite places to eat and drink, 3 of my favourite shops to have a mooch in and 3 of my favourite nature walks or adventures to go on when I get bored.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“THE PURPOSE OF LIFE IS TO LIVE IT, TO TASTE IT, TO EXPERIENCE TO THE UTMOST, TO REACH OUT EAGERLY AND WITHOUT FEAR FOR NEWER AND RICHER EXPERIENCE.”
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
Moving away from home can be scary, especially if you're moving to somewhere you have never been before. I've managed to do it though I will admit, looking back, I almost felt more excited for a new chapter of life before I went rather than once I'd arrived. Luckily I didn't have to travel too far; the nerve-racking experience is all about learning to live in a new environment, venture to places and find which ones make you happy and just trying your best to surround yourself with people who make you feel comfortable in expressing your true self.
It can be daunting as you will feel pressure to meet lots of people. The first people you're going to meet will likely be your flatmates and you may feel a bit more pressure to get along; at first, you could all love each other and rely on one other during fresher's week up until one day you drift apart and realise it is okay to make other friends.
From personal experience, my flat got on all but too well until we realised some of us didn't exactly gel as well as we thought. However, that's all part of being an adult, if you think some relationships aren't working as well as you'd hoped it is better to make a mutual agreement - be patient and civil with one another in each other's space. No hard feelings then :)
If you have trouble finding your feet I recommend trying out some societies or sports teams and attending events - such as the Fresher's Fair, parties (if that's your thing or to give them a go) and Recharge Day activities. You can get to know like-minded people and choose your crowd. By the way, this isn't instantaneous.
©Holly Sawyer at whatuni.com
Some past uni goers swear that your uni friends are your 'for lifers' and that you'll be together forever. To be honest, I cannot justify that yet, all I can say is it took me until almost the second semester of my first year to really hold on to a good circle of people and these friends were made from the Swim Team, the Busking Society, housing options and my subject degree. Funnily enough, not one of my friends was made during a night out, such as BOP - the University's Student Union weekly club night, though I have been a few times.
So, 3 of my favourite places to eat and drink (excluding Spoons - every student is probably guilty of that being their favourite) would have to be:
In the top spot is MOOBOO BUBBLE TEA
©Mooboo Winchester 2021
They are the winner for me because where I am from, they didn't have a bubble tea place before moving away and I absolutely love how refreshing and fun the drinks are.
If bubble tea is a drink you like then this is the place for you. It isn't exactly a budget-friendly option for students on a regular basis at any bubble tea chain, however, I am considering that because Winchester is one of the most expensive cities to reside in the UK, most purchases here are going to be pretty expensive anyway. As of early 2022, according to carcrashpointuk, Winchester takes the top spot as the most expensive residential city in the UK. If you're lucky some Mooboo chains offer a 5% student discount. I've asked at the till before and sadly Winchester's chain doesn't.
Mooboo's menu is just amazing and I really recommend you take a trip or two there. As a one-off, spending the money is fine and I guarantee your bank account won't die. If you're a student with an alcohol habit then I feel you'll struggle big time :(
My second place goes to JOSIE'S
Located along Jewry Street, a 5-minute walk from the Railway Station, Josie's is an easy to get to, independent family-run coffee shop that offers a smashing menu!
©wintask 2021
All I can do is be honest and say I am yet to go here, however, I still rate it second. Just about every student I know here has been to Josie's. They offer dine-in and Click & Collect service, priding themselves on serving high quality, handmade, locally sourced food and drink.
Everyone on campus I've spoken to about Josie's has recommended I try one of their Biscoff Milkshakes, made with Jersey soft scoop, their Stack Pancakes or their toasties and wraps, specifically the Chicken Wrap. Honestly, their whole menu looks 'to die for' and I will definitely be going ASAP. The prices there are what top it all off, everything on their menu is super cheap and reasonable as far as coffee shops go. Very impressed!
In third place has got to be FORTE KITCHEN
During my first few weeks at Winchester University, I was exploring the city centre for a place to eat. At just under 10 minutes walk from the railway station and right in the heart of the city, like most cafés and restaurants here, it was ultra-convenient.
This entrance is part of The Hatch, along Parchment Street. Though you may end up walking past it so keep your eyes peeled.
©Peter Guberg 2017
A Breakfast menu highlight for me would have to be the Scotch Pancakes - Blueberries, Yogurt, Jam and Maple Syrup. At only £9 I wasn't mad at the price, I got 2 pancakes and alongside a Green Tea, I was filled up for my lunch as I am a small eater. The Breakfast menu is served between 10 am and 12 pm, though they also serve a hearty lunch menu, classic afternoon teas and delightful treats at reasonable prices.
3 of my favourite shops so far are:
First is the one and only PRIMARK
Primark is the very best, hands down. In my hometown, I didn't have a Primark and had to pay a fair amount of money to travel to reach one. For me, this nailed it.
Located within The Brooks Shopping Centre, Primark sell a range of clothing, accessories and items you don't really need until you get there (house decor, towels, candles, bedding and more). They are a discount fashion chain so as a student on a budget, what more could you possibly want? Outside there are bus stops that go right towards the University and many other shops are nearby, including Coffee Shops should you need a refreshment break.
I like going in there to try on random outfits I see styled on the mannequins. Trust me, it is a very fun activity and you don't have to spend any money.
TK MAXX
You could be thinking "why is this not first?"
Situated only a few buildings away from the main entrance of The Brooks Shopping Centre and right near Mooboo, the location is also perfect for accessing during your time outside of uni work. They have the same opening hours as Primark, open 9 am - 6 pm every day except Sundays (10:30 am - 4:30 pm) and are similar in the sense you can grab a deal, however, they specify on selling branded items (including those more high-end for a classier look) at amazing prices. TK Maxx has a jumble sale type of feel, so do expect to go on a bit of a treasure hunt when you're inside (hence they have a loyalty card called Treasure). It isn't a 'grab in and go' type of experience.
Taking the final spot is SUNFLOWERS EMPORIUM
©IAN GRODY 2020
I could have chosen another typical fashion chain such as White Stuff, FatFace or even The White Company. Those don't sound as budget friendly do they?
Just a 4 or 5-minute walk from the Cathedral, Sunflowers Emporium is a Charity Gift Shop, offering accessories, lifestyle products, some quirky clothing and much more. I remember stumbling across the shop once and going inside not realising what it was called. The lovely little shop has a range of prices suited to your budget and caters for a variety of people. It's worth a trip.
When I get bored, 3 of my favourite nature walks or adventures are:
St Giles Viewpoint - 20-minutes walk from the King Alfred Campus (located at the very end of the city centre's high street). You can see the whole city centre from here!
St Catherine's Hill - 30-minutes walk from the King Alfred Campus.
Winchester River Walks - accessed from Bridge Street (Water Meadows) and near Barfield (the Southampton-Winchester River Itchen Walk).
©THE TIMES (Water Meadows stroll)
If all of the above looks like places you'd want to visit and fancy going to it sounds like you would be happy creating a second life here.
I hope if you have made it this far you feel a bit better about the journey ahead of you. It won't all be unicorns and rainbows so I don't want to put out that it is, moving away from home and starting uni has its ups and downs, however, there are some really lovely memories to be made here.
Remember, it is your jouney, no one else's.
Good luck! #yourwinchjourney #blogger #student #universityofwinchester
Until next time, Tilly x
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