FAQs / Useful Information

Is the Guildhall open to visit?

The Guildhall is currently closed, other than to those who are hiring a room or attending a meeting or event.

Where is the Visitor Information Centre?

The Visitor Information Centre is located on the ground floor of the Guildhall accessing the centre via there own set of doors off the Broadway pavement. Their opening times can be found here.

Please click here here if you would like to go on a guided tour of Winchester.

What kind of events can the Guildhall be hired for?

We offer a range of rooms to suit different events; Conferences, Parties, Weddings, Exhibitions, Networking Events and many more. Please visit our room hire pages here.

How do I hire one of the Guildhall rooms?

The Guildhall is pleased to offer a wide range of rooms available for Private-Hire, catering for meetings through to multi-room conferences, exhibitions and large-scale festivals.

The Guildhall offers a venue and services hire which means.

• Room hire and any services you may require as part of your booking are arranged by us using our approved suppliers.
• Furniture is available as part of the hire and can set-up by the Venue. It must be planned by the hirer and room layout plans provided.
• Access to the venue, not just the room must be considered by you to ensure safe entry for your guests/attendees.

Room and services hire offers a different level of client management, and The Guildhall does not operate a Sales & Marketing team.

As there is not an Events Management Service at present, we will be keen to understand who will be ‘leading’ on your meeting or event in order to ensure it is a success. Sadly, the Guildhall is not able to event-manage your booking with us.

Please see full details here of how to Hire

Is any furniture included when hiring a room?

Some smaller rooms have ‘meeting style’ furniture included. Our larger spaces will depend on your enquiry.  Please visit our Hire page with full information on what is included in your hire.

Are any audio visual equipment included with the room hire?

Some smaller meeting room have equipment as standard, however most services are supplied by our approved AV company. Please ensure you include information in your enquiry form.

Do the hire prices differ on weekends?

Our hire rates are the same all days of the week, and all times of the year, but minimum room hire timings do apply.

Is the venue accessible?

We have lift access available up to all floors. The majority of our rooms have disabled access, apart from the Mayor’s Parlour, Wykeham Room, Kingsgate Room and The Green room (at the back of the Bapsy Hall).  There is access onto our Bapsy stage via a stair-lift at the rear of the stage, but not the front (front of house).

Is Wi-Fi access available to guests?

Guildhall offers standard Wi-Fi throughout the venue. Please contact the team to ensure your service demands can be met.

Do you have a car park, or where is the nearest parking facility?

We have 6 spaces which we can hire out to event clients, on a first come first served basis. We recommend parking in any of the city centre car parks, as we are located at the bottom of the high street. We also recommend using the East Park and Ride service as it drops right outside the Guildhall.

Are cloakroom facilities available?

We have a cloakroom which can be hired for your event, but you will need to provide staffing and a ticketing system.

Are there hotels within walking distance?

We are based in the centre at the bottom of the high street, and many hotels are located within walking distance or a short taxi ride away. More information can be found through the Tourist Information Centre located on the ground floor of the Guildhall.

Is there public transport close to the venue?

The Bus Station is located opposite the Guildhall, and the train station is a 15 minute walk away. There is a taxi rank located outside of the Guildhall.

Can I bring my dog inside of the venue?

Only Guide Dogs are allowed within the venue.

How do I book tickets for events held at the Guildhall?

All events that take place in the Guildhall are not operated by us, and so there are no tickets or further event information available from us.  Please visit our what’s on page to find out where to buy your tickets.

The event listing by the Hirer/Promoter who is operating the event should have all the relevant information, but please contact us at guildhall@winchester.gov.uk if you have a concern.

Can children attend events?

With regards to private hire events, children may attend, although they must be supervised by an adult at all times. As a hirer, there is guidance to adult to child ratio in our Terms & Conditions.

It’s always best to check in advance with public events, as the age range can differ with each event, so please check before you buy a ticket.

Is there a cash point on site/can I pay by card?

Our recommended suppliers only operate cashless outlets, so you will need a card or  contactless payment for licensed bars.

Some events may take cash so it is best to check with the events organiser first.

Unfortunately we don’t have a cash point on site, but there are many located up the high street.

I’ve lost an item at the Guildhall, do you have a lost property section?

We do have a lost property section, just get in touch, and we can let you know if your item has been handed in, or take your details in case we find the item.

How can I give feedback, or make a complaint?

If hiring one of our rooms then we will send out a survey at the end of each month to the hirer. If you wish to make a formal complaint this can be done by email, over the phone, handing in a letter, or speaking to a member of staff.

As per the Guildhall’s Feedback & Complaints procedure, all complaints must be acknowledged within 7 days of receiving the complaint. For further details of how we process complaints, please request the procedure.

Will other events be held on the same day as mine?

Other events can be held on the same day, unless you hire the venue exclusively. Please speak to a member of our  team, if you wish to exclusively hire the venue.

What is your payment and cancellation policy?

Please find this in our terms and conditions located here.

Can we bring our own food/drink to events?

No. When hiring any of our spaces, catering and drinks must be provided by our approved suppliers., however corkage on wine and champagne is allowed at a fee. Please speak to the supplier about this option.

Do you have any outdoor space?

Our Courtyard room has outdoor space included in the hire subject to your events risk assessment. Abbey Gardens, or the Cathedral Grounds are located nearby, should you wish for outdoor photographs.

Technical Specification

This document contains the technical specification for the Bapsy Hall.

You can download the document using the link on the right.