It has been a while since the last Window Wednesday but with me taking more photos now I thought it might be time to bring it back so I can share some of the pics I have taken recently. This is one of my faves from recently, from St Cross Hospital in Winchester
St Cross isn’t a hospital in the way we think of them today. It was founded in the 12th century by Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester, as a place to care for older men who could no longer work, and to feed travellers who passed by. That spirit of hospitality is still alive — you can still ask for the “Wayfarer’s Dole”, a simple piece of bread and a sip of ale, given out at the Porter’s Lodge. There’s something quite wonderful about a tradition like that surviving almost 900 years.
From the outside, it might look like a sleepy old collection of medieval buildings tucked away by the River Itchen, but step through the gates and it feels like you’ve wandered into another time. The Norman church, which has often been described as a “cathedral in miniature” is magnificent. Standing inside with the light streaming through that glass, you can see why so many people find it awe inspiring. It’s a space that feels both grand and intimate at the same time. And when you come outside again and turn around to close the door you’re struck by just how worn down that step is and what it signifies.
The site grew in later centuries, with Cardinal Beaufort adding new buildings in the 15th century, including the striking Beaufort Tower. Today, the Brothers still live here — a small community of men who wear traditional black or red gowns — so St Cross is very much a living foundation, not just a museum piece. This makes it the oldest continuously occupied sets of Almshouses in England.
It’s also just a beautiful place to wander. The Brethren’s Hall, the cloisters, and the gardens are all open to visitors for a small fee, and it’s surprisingly quiet given how close it is to the bustle of Winchester. You can take the Keats Walk along the river to get there, which feels like the perfect prelude before stepping into the calm of the quadrangle.
For me, though, it always comes back to the windows. Centuries of people have stood in front of them, watching the same light filter in, and it’s a reminder that some things endure quietly, even as the world outside changes.
If you ever find yourself in Winchester with a spare hour, St Cross is worth seeking out. And when you do, don’t forget to look up — the windows tell as much of the story as the stones that frame them.