Remains Of City Wall At Rear Of No 11 And No 12 And Nos 16 To 23

The remains of the Winchester city wall, originating from the late 3rd century AD, are located at the rear of properties numbered 11 and 12, and 16 to 23. The wall's history includes repairs and rebuilding throughout the Saxon and medieval periods, with significant work carried out from the 12th century onwards. It was partially dismantled in the 18th century when its defensive role ceased, and subsequently became integrated into the city’s houses and boundaries. The wall is constructed of flint and limestone rubble, originally bonded with lime mortar, but later repairs include brick. The visible remains represent the core of the original wall, lacking its facing stones, and now largely serve as a property boundary or garden wall. A section of the wall forms the south wall of the house at number 12, and a fragment extends into the garden of number 23 St Swithun Street. The wall’s significance lies in its survival as evidence of the development of defended towns in Britain, the construction methods employed, and the rarity of such surviving structures. Its presence significantly influenced the development of this area of Winchester, including its incorporation into a listed building.