Winchester (archaically known as Winton and Wintonceastre) is a historic City status in the United Kingdom and ancient capital of Wessex and the Kingdom of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of the River Itchen, Hampshire. At the time of the 2001 Census, Winchester had a population of 41,420.
Winchester developed from the Roman Britain town of ''Venta Belgarum''. Winchester's major landmark is Winchester Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the distinction of having the longest nave and overall length of all Gothic architecture cathedrals in Europe. The town is also home to Winchester University and Winchester College - famous Public School. Winchester railway station is served by trains running from Waterloo station, Weymouth, Dorset, Portsmouth, Southampton and the North. The city's architectural and historic interest, and its fast links to other towns and cities have led Winchester to become one of the most expensive and desirable areas of the country. A person who is from or resides in Winchester is locally known as a Wintonian.
