Peninsula Barracks

Image: © Marathon Taken: 19 Feb 2024

On this site, William the Conqueror built Winchester Castle which was extended by King Henry III. In 1645, during the Civil War, the Castle was besieged by Oliver Cromwell and, after the Royalists had surrendered, the castle was largely demolished in 1651. In 1683, King Charles II chose the site for a palace overlooking Winchester Cathedral. It was designed in the manner of Versailles by Sir Christopher Wren but, following the death of King Charles II, it was never completed. Opposite here is the King's House which was the main building of the palace. During the 18th century, it was used to house French, Spanish and Dutch prisoners-of-war. In 1796, the site was leased from the Crown as the site for a military barracks. In 1894, the King's House was destroyed by fire and was then rebuilt in a slightly different position but in a similar style to Wren's original design. From 1856 to 1986 the barracks were used as a recruits' training depot and the area in front was a parade ground. In 1943 - 44 the barracks housed American troops preparing to take part in the D-Day landings. In 1994, the Ministry of Defence relinquished its occupation of most of the site for residential use and the area in the centre was landscaped and named Peninsla Square - see peninsulasquare.org.uk/home/

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