During my stay at the Wykeham Arms in Winchester I was intrigued by slots in the dining tables which stated ‘for the cathedral’.

You will notice that the pub has a number of historical themes. Most notably that of Lord Nelson and Winston Churchill. Our long bar as you enter through the iconic curved front doors is named after Nelson, and the smaller bar ti its left Hamilton. We also have two bedrooms named after England’s former vice Admiral and his lady love. It is reputed that he stayed here on his way to Portsmouth. Sadly he didn’t sign the visitor’s book, but we will have to stick with the story regardless.

As for Churchill, he was revered by former license couple of the Wykeham arms, Graeme and Ann Jameson. The far dining room is named in Graeme’s memory. The couple tirelessly collected all of the authentic bric-a-brac you see around the house, and also implemented the Cathedral donation slots you will notice in the tables. This was, and still is, to collect funds to restore the cathedral.  In the 1980’s Graeme created this fundraising idea, and in its first year pledged to match each pound collected with a pound of his own. £30000 was pulled from the coin boxes, and Graeme stayed true to his word. A bond was forged with the cathedral that remains to this day.*

*Information quoted from the hotel information book.