The nave takes up the main area of any church and Winchester's is particularly long, having some twelve bays. The present architecture is late 14th century, the original Norman structure having been completely remodeled by William of Wykeham following plans laid down by his predecessor as Bishop of Winchester, William Edington.

At first the old Romanesque columns were ingeniously recarved in situ to form the elegant perpendicular versions we see today. This, however, was highly time-consuming and, after the eight westernmost pillars had been completed a new strategy was adopted whereby the old columns were slimmed down and re-clad with work executed elsewhere.

Next Stop: Transepts