The Arc Winchester
WHERE
Winchester
What it’s like
Live music, comedy, family theatre and art classes under one roof, with a café and flexible spaces for parties.
This is a venue built around watching and making things, comedy nights, family theatre, live music and art exhibitions, plus classes for anyone who fancies having a go rather than just sitting in the audience. There's no single headline attraction here, it's more a programme that changes week to week, so what you actually do depends on what's on when you turn up.
That makes it a good one to check the listings for rather than just rocking up expecting a fixed show. Art classes run for all ages, which is handy if you've got a child who'd rather paint than sit still through a performance, and the exhibitions give you something to wander round if you're early or waiting for a session to start.
Opening hours are generous, 9:30am to 5pm most days and from 11am on Sundays, so there's room to build a visit around a coffee and cake first. The café does light lunches and fresh food alongside proper coffee, and there's a licensed bar for evening events if you're there for something later on. Blue Badge parking is free in Jewry Street car park, right opposite the accessible entrance, and wheelchairs are available on site if you need one.
If you're planning a birthday, the party spaces are flexible and catering can be arranged, which takes one job off your list. It's a ten-minute walk from Winchester railway station.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Free Blue Badge parking in Jewry Street car park
- Food
- Café with coffee, cakes, light lunch and fresh food
- Wheelchairs
- Available to use for customers with mobility restrictions
- Getting there by bus or train
- Winchester railway station, 10-minute walk
- Parties
- Children's parties available. Flexible spaces for hire with catering available
- The programme changes week to week, so check what's actually on before you go
- Blue Badge parking is free in Jewry Street, right by the accessible entrance
- There's wifi if you need to keep working while the kids are in a class
- The bar is for evening events rather than daytime visits
Plan your visit
What can kids actually do here?
There's family theatre, live music and comedy on the programme, plus art classes and exhibitions for all ages. What's running changes week to week.
What are the opening hours?
9:30am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 5pm on Sundays.
Is there parking?
Free Blue Badge parking in Jewry Street car park, opposite the accessible entrance. Otherwise it's city centre car parks or park and ride.
Can we get food there?
The café does coffee, cakes and light lunches, with items from The Homemade Brownie company. There's also a licensed bar for events.
Do they do birthday parties?
Yes, in flexible event spaces with catering available. Worth asking early since the spaces get used for other events too.
Is it accessible?
There's a hearing loop, wheelchairs available on site, and wheelchair access throughout. It's also a ten-minute walk from Winchester railway station.
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