Grayson Perry Tapestries, Winchester

View towards The Great Hall, Winchester

There's nothing like having an exhibition mostly to yourself. Such is often the case with out of London exhibitions. A name like Grayson Perry would attract lots of people, wouldn't it? Well, apparently I was the only one booked for that time! No crowds. A chance to get up close to the exhibits without a slow shuffle and often a wait. Nothing hurried.

The Arc in Winchester always has good exhibitions, and as I love this city, it was a good excuse for a short train ride to spend the day there.

The exhibition Essex House Tapestries was different from anything I have seen before. Do check out the website for more information. The room consists of lithographs forming parts of the two tapestries following the life of Julie, a fictional character. Grayson Perry reads The Ballad of Julie Cope a 3,000 word narrative to accompany the pieces. There are places to sit to listen and to look at the tapestries. And the longer you look at them and listen to Perry speaking, the more you see in the tapestries.

I wasn't sure what to expect of this exhibition, but Grayson Perry always amazes me with his talent. This exhibition appealed to me not only for the art work, but for the storytelling. It is always interesting to me to see the imagination of artists and writers, and the more I know about an artist, the more I understand where they are coming from.

As well as the exhibition, The Arc had a local photography exhibition on the same floor. This is also the place of the library and there is a cafe and toilets.

Westgate Museum (this has a roof-top viewing platform)

Horse & Rider - Elizabeth Fink

Winchester shops off the High Street

Buttercross, High Street

I entered Winchester from the top end this time, not my usual way. This meant I entered through West Gate by the Westgate Museum, close to the courts and the famous Great Hall. I visited The Close by the Cathedral, along with the Deanery Secondhand Bookshop, Cathedral shop and took my regular look at St Swithun's Church, Kingsgate. I had a fruitful visit to the Tourist Information Centre (books bought), one of only a few such places surviving these days, due to most people obtaining their information online. Bucking the trend, this one is now open on Sundays too.

There is always something new to see in Winchester and I am always discovering new places to explore, even if it's a road I've not walked down before. There is always too much to do in one day, and I keep promising myself a longer visit. Until then, I shall have to make do with odd day visits.