The Hospital of St Cross in Winchester lets its medieval halls, church and lawns for seminars, lectures, concerts and wedding receptions. The two halls take 50 and 60 seated guests, the church holds 250, and a marquee on the Old Bowling Green can serve a wedding meal for up to 200. It is one of England's oldest almshouses and still a working community, set in the water meadows beside the River Itchen.
Seminars and company events
The Hospital states that it lets buildings and grounds for wedding receptions, seminars and concerts. For a work session, the Hundred Men's Hall is the practical choice. It stands in the Outer Quadrangle near the entrance gate, in buildings from the 14th century, on the site where a hundred poor men were fed each day. It takes 50 seated or 80 standing guests, is heated, and has a large projection screen mounted high on the wall, a stand and power sockets. The site describes it as ideal for lectures, and adds that it is not state of the art.
This hall serves as the tearoom in summer, so it is available for private hire from November to March. Organizers planning a seminar should therefore think of the winter months.
Weddings and receptions
Weddings are a main use. The Norman chapel, recently restored, is licensed for Church of England ceremonies, conducted by the Master or one of the priests of the parish. Receptions follow in one of several settings. The wedding breakfast is held on the Old Bowling Green, an enclosed lawn used only for private functions, big enough for a marquee. The Master's Garden, a walled private garden, can host a drinks reception. For a ceremony and sit-down meal the site gives a maximum of 200 guests, in a marquee or in the Master's Garden. Smaller parties can use the two halls. A specialist marquee provider works with the Hospital.
Rooms and capacities
The Hundred Men's Hall: 50 seated, 80 standing. The Brethren's Hall: 60 seated, 100 standing. This rustic hall is where the Brothers gathered and ate for several centuries; the central fireplace and leather fire buckets remain. It has no heating, power supply or hot and cold running water. The church holds 250 and is offered for weddings and concerts.
Accommodation
The site does not offer guest accommodation for events. Winchester city has hotels within reach, and the site lists none of its own.
Catering
The tearoom in the Hundred Men's Hall serves visitors in the open season. For private events, the pages read do not describe in-house catering. Wedding receptions use a marquee provider, and organizers should confirm catering arrangements with the administrator.
History and setting
The Hospital is described as one of England's oldest continuing almshouses. Its Norman chapel carries almost nine centuries of history, and the Brothers still live on site. The grounds include cloisters, gardens, parkland and water meadows along the River Itchen, below St Catherine's Hill. The Hospital is also let for filming and media work.
Getting there
The address is St Cross Road, Winchester SO23 9SD. Winchester station is on a fast line to London, 60 miles away, and Heathrow is reachable by road. The No 1 Bluestar bus takes about 5 minutes from the city center and stops at the end of the drive, and it is about a 20 minute walk. Parking is very limited. Event parking in the meadow or park is available from March to October and must be booked in advance.
