Alfred the Great made Winchester England’s first capital in 871, and the Hampshire city long remained at the centre of the action. Narrow streets of medieval and Georgian buildings hint at its past.

One of the only surviving parts of Winchester Castle is The Great Hall, which is home to the legendary Arthurian Round Table which has hung there since 1348.

Merdon Castle near Winchester, Hampshire, had become overgrown Credit: Historic England/PA. Elspeth Faulkner, Historic England architect, said: “Merdon Castle has spent many years on the ...