Wolvesey Castle is the ruined remains of the 12th-century palace of the Bishops of Winchester — for centuries the wealthiest bishops in England and among the most powerful men in the kingdom. The building was largely demolished after the Civil War, but substantial walls and towers still stand to considerable height, and the ruins have a haunted quality enhanced by the sound of the River Itchen rushing past.
The remains are in the care of English Heritage and are open to visitors in summer. Adjacent to the ruins stands the surviving Wolvesey Palace, the current residence of the Bishop of Winchester (not usually open to the public). The location, just outside Kingsgate in the quiet cathedral close area, makes it easy to combine with a visit to the cathedral and a walk along the water meadows. Entry to the ruins is free.