Every May, normally on the second Saturday in the month, the ancient capital of England, Winchester in rural Hampshire plays host to a gloriously colourful festival of Morris Dancing. Morris ‘sides’ from many different parts of the country and celebrating a number of differing traditions of English dance gather around the city and in the environs of the timeless Cathedral Close to celebrate the coming of summer (zummer iz a’comin’ in). Ok it is zany and olde England but it is also tremendous fun to listen, maybe join in and just to bring a picnic and sit to enjoy something that maybe goes way back.
After a glorious morning watching and listening and that picnic lunch, I chose to then follow the water meadow walk down one side if the river, up St. Catherine’s and the over the bridge and back through St. Cross. There are lots of defined walks and the Tourist Information Centre have handy leaflets describing the way to go and telling you how far and how steep you may have to climb. Many of the walks, whilst relatively short are also flat and easy. And there are many many things to see and do in this fascinating city, many of them completely free.
Do come, do take a day if English pleasure and just relax. You will not regret it. “Mayfest web page “:https://sites.google.com/site/winchmayfest/
