Winchester has always had strong connections with the British Army and, not surprisingly, the Peninsula Barracks are the home to no less than four military museums: the Gurkhas, King's Royal Hussars, Light Infantry and Royal Green Jackets. However, the parade ground has gone, replaced by beautiful formal gardens, and the elegant winged building is now occupied by private apartments.

The present building dates from 1900, but look carefully at the columns and decorative masonry of the main portico: they are the work of Sir Christopher Wren (1683), taken from the 'King's House' which stood on this site until burnt out and demolished in 1894. This was the only completed part of Wren's vast design for a magnificent Baroque Palace to rival Versailles. Unfortunately, Charles II died before the plans came to fruition and subsequent monarchs ran out of money.

Next Stop: Hyde Abbey