Compare Winchester car hire

Historic Winchester was the capital of England from 927 CE until the Norman Conquest in 1066. It’s best known for its cathedral, which dates back to 1079, and its famous public school, Winchester College. These days, Winchester is home to plenty of shops, cafés and pubs, as well as charming, old world architecture.

It's easy to fill your days mooching around Winchester, but hire a car and you can explore more of the area, including the south coast of England and the New Forest National Park.

With many attractions just a short drive from Winchester, renting a car is a great way to see more of this beautiful area of the UK. You can pick up a vehicle from Enterprise, which is conveniently located at the railway station. Sixt, Avis, Budget and Europcar are at Southampton Airport, less than half an hour away by car.

Driving in Winchester is straightforward, but it’s best to avoid rush hour, especially around the A272 junction near Winnall. There are several car parks in the city, most of which use the RingGo app for cashless payment, but those nearest the cathedral fill up fast. Alternatively, use a park-and-ride from the outskirts to avoid city centre parking.

The M3 motorway passes Winchester on its way from London to Southampton. To venture beyond Southampton into the New Forest National Park, take the M3, then the M27. There are more than 130 car parks in the park, so pull over wherever you fancy to cycle, walk and explore the area’s pretty towns and villages. Bear in mind that wild ponies and other animals roam here, and they can be tricky to spot when driving after dark.

Drive the half-hour to Southampton Port from Winchester, and you can take a ferry to the Isle of Wight with your rental car in tow. There are some fantastic drives on the island, and you’ll discover plenty of pubs for a fabulous lunch stop. The Downs Road is a very popular route, with views across the island.

North of Winchester, you can take the A34 through the sweeping North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, to Newbury, Oxford and beyond. In Newbury, you could catch a show at the intimate Watermill Theatre, or head further north to see the ancient Uffington White Horse, which was carved out of chalk on the edge of the Downs some 3,000 years ago.

If you’re fond of Downton Abbey, a visit to Highclere Castle is a must. This large estate was the filming location for the hit TV series, and is only half an hour’s drive from Winchester.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.