Chesil Theatre, Winchester
Chesil Theatre, nestled within the heart of the historic city of Winchester, boasts a rich history and serves as a cultural gem for enthusiasts of the performing arts. Formerly known as St Peter's Church, Chesil, or St Peter upon Chesille without Eastgate, this establishment has undergone a remarkable transformation from a parish church to a vibrant theatrical space.
The church itself, a testament to Winchester's architectural heritage, features elements dating back to the 12th century and subsequent periods. Constructed with a harmonious blend of flint and stone, the building showcases a belfry turret and roofs adorned with tiles, encapsulating the charm of medieval craftsmanship. Among its historical treasures, the church once housed a small one-manual pipe organ, offering a musical backdrop to its sacred surroundings.
After falling into disuse following the Second World War and facing structural challenges, St Peter's Church found new life and purpose. In 1960, the Chesil Theatre company, originally known as the Winchester Dramatic Society, took ownership of the space. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for the building, which was transformed into an intimate and versatile 75-seat studio-style theatre.
Chesil Theatre, with roots dating back to 1863, continues to captivate audiences within the evocative confines of this medieval listed structure. The former church, now a dynamic performance space, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of cultural expression and community engagement in Winchester.
The church itself, a testament to Winchester's architectural heritage, features elements dating back to the 12th century and subsequent periods. Constructed with a harmonious blend of flint and stone, the building showcases a belfry turret and roofs adorned with tiles, encapsulating the charm of medieval craftsmanship. Among its historical treasures, the church once housed a small one-manual pipe organ, offering a musical backdrop to its sacred surroundings.
After falling into disuse following the Second World War and facing structural challenges, St Peter's Church found new life and purpose. In 1960, the Chesil Theatre company, originally known as the Winchester Dramatic Society, took ownership of the space. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for the building, which was transformed into an intimate and versatile 75-seat studio-style theatre.
Chesil Theatre, with roots dating back to 1863, continues to captivate audiences within the evocative confines of this medieval listed structure. The former church, now a dynamic performance space, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of cultural expression and community engagement in Winchester.
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Chesil Theatre on Map
Sight Name: Chesil Theatre
Sight Location: Winchester, England (See walking tours in Winchester)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Winchester, England (See walking tours in Winchester)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Winchester, England
Create Your Own Walk in Winchester
Creating your own self-guided walk in Winchester is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Winchester's Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Are you an explorer at heart and with a keen interest in history? If you answer yes to both of these and happen to be in Winchester, Hampshire, then you've hit the right spot! There are several historical locations in town, including time-honored buildings, monuments, and palaces, through which you can learn much about its glorious past.
The abundance of such sites makes a walk around... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
The abundance of such sites makes a walk around... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Winchester Introduction Walking Tour
Winchester, the county town of Hampshire, England, is a charming place with a great deal of history.
The name, Winchester, is traced back to its Old English origins, derived from "Wintan-ceaster" which means "Fort Venta". The city itself emerged in Roman times when it was known as Venta Belgarum, in which Venta was a common Celtic word for a "tribal town" or... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
The name, Winchester, is traced back to its Old English origins, derived from "Wintan-ceaster" which means "Fort Venta". The city itself emerged in Roman times when it was known as Venta Belgarum, in which Venta was a common Celtic word for a "tribal town" or... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Winchester Cathedral Close Walk
Winchester Cathedral, originally built in 1079, is the longest Gothic cathedral in Europe. It contains much fine architecture spanning the 11th to the 16th centuries and is the place of interment of numerous Bishops of Winchester (such as William of Wykeham), Anglo-Saxon monarchs (such as Egbert of Wessex), and later monarchs such as King Canute and William Rufus. It was once an important... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles