Car & Van Hire in Winchester
Welcome to the Enterprise Winchester car rental page. Choose from a wide selection of cars ranging from smaller economy cars to larger SUVs and people carriers
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Car & Van Rental in Winchester?
Winchester is a charming, traditional city located on the western border of the South Downs. Its history stretches into prehistoric times and it was an important Roman capital. The cathedral, originally dating from the 11th century, is now one of the largest in Europe; it has been used as a setting for novels and film sets, and has had songs and even a rose named after it, as well as being the final resting place for Jane Austen.
But the city’s true charm lies in combining its impressive heritage with contemporary culture; it boasts a packed calendar of events throughout the year, from film and literature festivals to lantern-lit fireworks night processions and Christmas markets. Along with museums and galleries, the centre has a great range of bars and restaurants including Rick Stein and the impossibly romantic Chesil Rectory.
Our Winchester branch is conveniently located just by Winchester train station in the city centre. You can book online or on site.
Our Vehicles for Hire in Winchester
With Enterprise, you’ll find a selection of vehicles to suit all customers, from small economy cars for zipping around the city, to larger vehicles for business use, or family road trips out to the South Downs. Car hire options start with mini vehicles, such as a Toyota Aygo, and 3 or 5-door economy class vehicles such as Vauxhall Corsa, and the range extends through medium-sized cars, such as Ford Focus, Skoda Octavia and Vauxhall Insignia, to compact and full-sized MPVs, such as Vauxhall Zafira Tourer and SEAT Alhambra. There are also larger 4x4s, vans and executive vehicles available.
Attractions in Winchester
No visit to Winchester would be complete without seeing Winchester Cathedral, of course, and ruined Wolvesey Castle, just next door, can be easily visited at the same time. There are military museums such as the Gurkha Museum, the Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum, the Museum of the Kings Royal Hussars and the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum.
Showcasing the very best of the area’s historical credentials are attractions such as the impressive 13th-century Great Hall, home to King Arthur's legendary Round Table, the charming City Mill working watermill, now owned by the National Trust, and Westgate Museum, a wonderfully refurbished medieval city gate and Grade-I listed building with great views across the city. The Theatre Royal and Winchester College are also worth a visit.
Places to Visit Outside Winchester
There are many other attractions to explore in the wider area, several of which can only be easily accessed by car, which is where a car rental can make all the difference. These attractions include the ever-popular Marwell Zoo, delightful Avington Park with its Georgian manor house, and the intriguing Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Laverstoke Mill, where you can take part in various tours and experiences. Jane Austen’s House Museum is located at Chawton and it was here that she wrote her novels; the house is now a museum packed with portraits, memorabilia, manuscripts and personal items such as jewellery and clothing.
The countryside around Winchester is spectacular, from the rolling South Downs and its many breath-taking walks, rustic pubs and traditional villages to the New Forest where just a short drive will take you into the heart of this area of heathland and forest, famous for its ponies which can frequently be seen from the road.
Families taking advantage of rental options in Winchester may want to visit Paultons Family Theme Park at nearby Romsey, with over 60 rides and attractions in 140 acres. Golden Gecko Climbing, also at Romsey, could be taken in at the same time, and for active kids there is also Go Ape! at Southampton.
Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium is a short drive out of town and well worth the trip for its incredible exhibits – over 100 hands-on displays exploring all kinds of scientific investigations, from brain waves and physiology to mechanics, electronics and music. It’s a great place to visit at any time, with free parking, a café and the country’s largest capacity digital planetarium featuring regular shows.
Airport Car Hire
Southampton airport is just a 30-minute drive from Winchester and visitors arriving by plane may find it more convenient to pick up and drop off their vehicle at the airport. The same extensive range of vehicles is available here as at the Enterprise facility in Winchester.
Parking and Traffic Information in Winchester
While owing to the nature of the historical city some roads can be narrow and congested at times, there are also several car parks to make life easier and visitors can also make use of the four Park-and-Ride sites with buses direct into the city. There are several short-stay pay and display car parks run by the council, for example in Colebrook Street, Cossack Lane, Gladstone Street, Jewry Street, St. Peter’s and the largest at Tower Street. Most of these are for a maximum of four hours, though Tower Street is longer. Long stay car parks include the multistorey Chesil Street and there are three others on Worthy Lane (Cattle Market, Coach Park and Worthy Lane) which are convenient for the cathedral and other city centre attractions.
Cheap Van and Car Hire
From large people carriers to smaller economy cars, Enterprise Rent-a-Car guarantees cheap rates on car hire from our Winchester branch. Our economy cars are renowned for being cheap to hire as well as low running costs with great fuel efficiency. Book online in advance for our cheapest prices, alternatively book in branch and get the car that suits your needs.
Moving house? Moving furniture? Enterprise has vans available at our Winchester branches to ensure that you can get a vehicle to suit your needs. From smaller passenger vans to larger commercial vans – give our branches a call or book online to guarantee you a van hire that will suit your needs. Van hire is cheap and easy through Enterprise online or in branch, we promise to provide a vehicle to suit you for as long as you require it.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What do I need to hire a car with Enterprise?
The essential items you will need to bring to an Enterprise Rent-A-Car branch when hiring a vehicle are a valid drivers licence, valid ID, and a credit or debit card. You will also need to prove you are over 25 years of age, and there may be additional documentation required for international drivers. Learn more about what you need when hiring here.
- Do I need insurance to rent a car or van?
No. At Enterprise you don't need to purchase insurance as we provide a damage waiver within the cost of your hire. You can, of course, take option to purchase additional protection products to reduce the excess further to give you complete peace of mind. Visit our car hire insurance page for further details.
- How old do I need to be to hire a car or van?
All drivers must be a minimum of 25 years old. Only drivers over 30 years old may hire full-size MPVs, premium vehicles/exotic cars and Luton vans. Younger drivers might be interested in Enterprise Car Club. Learn more about age requirements for hiring a vehicle here.
- What are the driver's licence requirements for car hire in the UK & Ireland?
All drivers must present a full valid driving license. If the driving license is written in a language and characters different to those of the country of rental, an International Driving Permit is also required. Learn more about car hire driving licence requirements here.
- Can I hire a car with a debit card?
We accept payment by either a debit or credit card in the name of the renter. A credit card is required if you are renting a People Carrier, Compact Elite, SUV, Premium, Luxury or Executive vehicle. Learn more about our accepted card payment methods here.
For more FAQs, please visit our FAQ page.