We thought we would compile a list of best venues in Winchester, in no particular order. Please add any you would like to in the comments below.

We plan to add to this list for possible family photoshoot venues in Winchester. We are spoilt for choice as Winchester is nestled in beautiful countryside as well as historic and impressive buildings. All means we can really get some wonderful, memorable pictures!

Wolvesey Castle

This is a great venue in town – with loads of cool ruins to run about in, for kids to hide behind, and for the camera to pick up lots of wonderful textures of the castle walls. We love this one and the English Heritage Trust

Farley Mount

A firm favourite of many families in Winchester is Farley Mount. It seems like it should be a bit of a secret spot, but everytime we go there, there are plenty of families also in the know enjoying the woods, the bluebells and the play park. This one is great as it is completely possible to get away from other people and go off in secret for a photoshoot. With the trees, the flowers, the playpark, this venue is great!

Abbey Gardens

The Abbey Gardens behind the Guildhall are fab, there are lots of lovely landmarks to take photos by, the Abbey House looks stunning, the views over to the Cathedral can look cool. The only thing to watch out for here when planning a photoshoot is the busy-ness in Summer is likely to get higher, and that means we have to work harder to not have lots of other people in your photos!

Dean Garnier Gardens

Where? I hear you ask! But you probably all know it – it’s those gardens out behind the cathedral, up the steps. Really quite small, but still lovely for a little family photoshoot as it is nice and central, with plenty of flowers, trees and shrubbery to use in photos

Your Garden

Plenty of us spend lots of time out in our gardens, and this can be a great place to do a photoshoot. Kids are most comfortable there, you have put the effort into tending your garden, and the sheer availabilty of multiple props in your own home make choosing your own garden a great idea!

St Catherine’s Hill

There are some really great shot opportunities up St Catherine’s Hill. One to try with older kids that are able to climb up the hill themselves perhaps – we think the space and airiness of this venue make it a great place to take photos.

The Great Hall

There is a lot that marks the Great Hall out as a fabulous photo venue. The historic building, the colours of the brickwork, the pillars to hide behind, the garden out the back, the steps to the law courts out the front.. Fun, fun, fun!

Mottisfont Abbey

A Natural Trust property cannot fail to be a photographer’s dream venue – so much going for it really. Outstanding shrubbery and flowers, interesting buildings, arches and fountains. We love this!

BlueBells

We just love bluebells. So when it is that time of year, then get out there and run around in the bluebells. We love getting down low and having a carpet of bluebells in our pictures. Just gorgeous!

Peninsula Barracks, Winchester

Who can resist a bit of military history, and the red bricked, straight angles of the Peninsula Barracks in Winchester are a great background for a family photoshoot. In addition to buildings full of flats to die for and the site of the Winchester Military Museum, there are plenty of fun things in the courtyard to use for a photography session. Well-manicured bushes and shrubs, fountains, monuments, benches etc. It’s a great venue as it’s so local and can be easily tied in with pictures around The Great Hall in Winchester too.

Micheldever Woods

Just 5 miles north of Winchester up the Magic Road (aka A33) there is a fantastic wooded area. It borders the M3 and infact has the M3 going through it at some points, although don’t let that put you off. There are lots of different paths, tree houses and trunks. Bluebells are abundent in April and May which make this a fantastic choice. It is now managed by the Forestry Commission.

Hinton Ampner

Smaller than Mottisfont but still with plenty of great photo opportunities, Hinton Ampner is also a great choice for a photoshoot!

Royal Victoria Country Park

Down Southampton way, and with plenty of scope for children and pets to run around, we like this park for its size, parking and cafe!

The Vyne, Basingstoke

Another National Trust place (we can’t get enough of them) with a backdrop of a beautiful house and fields, what is not to love?

Lainston House

A private hotel, but with some lovely grounds to take a wander around, this can be a really nice photoshoot location, particularly with younger children

Lavender Fields

Similarly to bluebells, lavender flowers at a certain time of year (June) and catch it right, and you’ve got a wonderful scene for your photographs.

Manor Farm 

Not just a farm, but also plenty of woodland and lake to walk around, and easy parking!

Kingsgate Village

This pretty area around Winchester has tons of lovely photo opportunities. Old doors, stony walls, Jane Austen’s garden, cobbled streets. Perfect!

Highclere Castle

Not just good for Downton Abbey fans, it’s also a great location for a photoshoot. Just 30 minutes up the A34 from us, and a £7 entry fee to enter the grounds, it’s a lovely place to get a very English stately home feel to your pictures!

Abbot’s Barton Playground

There’s a lovely playground out the back of the newish set of houses at Abbot’s Barton, and it’s a really lovely, secluded venue for a photoshoot. Also, get there in the right time of year and there are some FANTASTIC wild flowers with pathways cut into them. Perfect for games of hide-and-seek!

Winchester Cathedral

If you’re looking for a shoot that really shows off the highlight of Winchester, then the grounds around the cathedral are perfect. Beautiful architecture, and lots of little places to play hide and seek and get some spectacular photographs

Romsey Abbey

On a similar theme, Romsey Abbey is gorgeous and a great place to spend some time as a family. It’s also likely to be a bit quieter than Winchester Cathedral grounds…. we think!

Hilliers Gardens

It’s a lovely place to visit – large grounds, and a cafe to get tea afterwards!

Fruit Picking

In the summer it is great fun to head out to a fruit picking farm (e.g. Bourne Valley) and take some shots of children doing what they love (picking and eating berries!)

Poppy Fields

Get the time of year just right, and find a field you can access, and poppies are a brilliant backdrop for a photoshoot.

Pumpkin Patch

In the run up to Halloween it’s a lovely morning out to visit a pumpkin patch in Hampshire and explore the fields of pumpkins to get everyone excited for Halloween!