Winchester, Hampshire - A who’s who of screen legends in the city

Winchester isn’t just a city of cathedrals and ancient history – it’s a hotspot of screen magic, celebrity sightings and historic film moments. From high-profile productions to personal memories from local residents of world-famous stars, the city’s links to TV, stage and screen are as impressive as they are diverse.

Let’s take a walk through the streets of Winchester … through the lens of the big and small screen

Blockbusters, biopics and big names

• Michael Keaton, known for Batman and Birdman, was seen lunching at Côte Brasserie in 2019​.

• Elton John stayed at the Wessex Hotel in 1979 while performing in Southampton. A local taxi driver had the honour of chauffeuring him to the Gaumont Theatre each night​.

• Jeremy Irons, a regular visitor thanks to his sister in St. Cross, has dined in Beatties Toy Shop and The Chesil Restaurant​​.

• John Cleese was spotted at Hotel du Vin during Fierce Creatures filming​.

• Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton were regulars in The Square during his Downton Abbey filming​.

Stars who grew up or were schooled in Winchester

• Hugh Dancy (Hannibal, Ella Enchanted) studied at Winchester College​.

• Johnny Flynn, who played David Bowie in Stardust, attended Pilgrims’ School​.

• Hugh Mitchell, aka Colin Creevey from Harry Potter, also attended Pilgrims’​.

• Colin Firth grew up in Winchester, attending Kings’ School and living on West End Terrace during his sixth form years​.

• Juliet Howland (Skins, The Bill, EastEnders) studied at Kings’ and Peter Symonds College​.

• Lucy Pinder, born in Winchester in 1983, starred in Strippers vs Werewolves​.

• Mike Batt (The Wombles) and BBC’s Mark Easton both went to Peter Symonds Grammar​.

Comedy, drama and local legends

• Jack Whitehall filmed scenes for Decline and Fall around Kingsgate and Winchester College​.

• Jack Dee performed locally, and Keith Chegwin stayed at the Royal Hotel during Cheggers Plays Pop​.

• Melvyn Hayes once shopped in Loot Jewellery Store for his wife​.

• Patrick Mower of Emmerdale fame opened Top Shop in the city​.

• Gareth Hunt (The Avengers) was spotted drinking G&Ts at the Eclipse Pub in 1965​.

Winchester on screen

The city has been a filming location for:

• The Crown, Les Misérables, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and Wolf Hall – all featuring Winchester Cathedral and Kingsgate​​.

• The Riot Club and Wolf Hall – inside The Great Hall​.

• Brief Encounter (1974), with Richard Burton and Sophia Loren shooting scenes across Winchester and Shawford​.

• Tezz, a Bollywood action thriller​.

• Stranger in the House (1967), starring James Mason and Geraldine Chaplin, shot at Clifton Terrace​​.

Theatre Royal Winchester; a star attended revival

Saved from demolition in the 1970s, the Theatre Royal was officially reopened in 1978 by Robert Morley, with Maria Aitken, Nigel Davenport, and Angharad Rees in attendance​​​. It remains a vibrant part of Winchester’s cultural scene.

Right next door is a statue of Licoricia of Winchester, a symbol of the city’s deep Jewish heritage, rooted in Jewry Street – once home to a thriving medieval Jewish community​.

Famous footsteps and familiar faces

• James Robertson Justice, of Doctor in the House, lived his later years in Winchester and was often spotted at The Eagle Hotel​.

• James Martin, celebrity chef, co-owned Cadogan & James Deli in The Square and worked at Hotel du Vin​.

• Helen Bonham Carter, as Princess Margaret in The Crown, filmed scenes walking toward the Cathedral​.

• Laura Keene, a Winchester-born actress, was on stage when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated and cradled his head as he died​.

• Hugh Dennis became Chancellor of the University of Winchester in 2024, with deep family ties to the city​.

• Fiona Fullerton attended school in Winchester in the 1960s​.

And even more star connections ....

• Liz Hurley was a teenage punk rocker in Winchester nightlife, famously sitting with friends on the Buttercross​.

• Nell Gwyn, mistress of Charles II, stayed at Avington House when the Bishop of Winchester refused her a bed​.

Final credits

Winchester’s connection to film and television is as rich as its history. Whether it’s Batman having brunch, Downton Abbey cast wandering The Square, or the echoes of Colin Firth’s school days, this historic city continues to surprise with its glittering list of screen credits and celebrity encounters.

Like to comment on this blog? Email hello@experiencehampshire.uk to reach our friendly team

The information in this blog has been curated by Experience Hampshire and the information contained is subject to copyright