"You can’t come to Winchester Cathedral without hearing the story of the diver,” our guide Stephen said excitedly as we neared the end of our hour-long tour.

He proceeded to tell us about William Walker, who single-handedly saved the cathedral from sinking by diving to its flooded foundations and putting bags of concrete down every day for six years, starting in 1906. The small statue of him on display clutching his diving helmet doesn’t seem to do this extraordinary feat justice.

The tale was just one of many interesting points of the tour, which was well worth taking as it didn’t cost any extra on top of the £7.50 entrance fee.

We also discovered the origins of the mosaic-style stained-glass window at the front of the cathedral and learned why bad weather on St Swithun’s Day is said to cause rain for 40 days. We then descended the steps into the cold, slightly eerie crypt, where we saw Antony Gormley’s – of Angel Of The North fame – Sound II sculpture.

The cathedral, with its rich history, is one of the main draws of Winchester, so it seemed like a good place to start a weekend break.

We stayed at the recently refurbished Winchester Royal Hotel in a spacious double room overlooking a pretty walled garden. It was an ideal location from which to explore the city on foot.

After our cathedral visit, we wandered along the River Itchen and stumbled upon the ruins of Wolvesey Castle, which transported us back to medieval England. We carried on exploring, passing Winchester College, and nearly walked straight past the house Jane Austen lived in when she died, as it was covered in scaffolding.

We’d seen the Pride And Prejudice author’s grave in the cathedral and it was interesting that her gravestone makes no mention of her novels – most likely because writing was not considered a ladylike pursuit at the time – but a plaque was later added to recognise her literary achievements. Two members of our tour group had travelled all the way from Virginia, USA, to visit her grave, a testament to her success.

We also walked up to the Great Hall to see the Round Table, famous for its links to the legend of King Arthur. With an accompanying free exhibition, it was worth trekking up the hill for.

After a day of sightseeing we retreated back to the comfort of the hotel and sat soaking up the sunshine in the peaceful garden for a while, before heading for the restaurant.

Cosy and contemporary, it had a relaxed atmosphere and a varied menu. I chose the spinach and ricotta ravioli, light and delicious, while my partner opted for the hearty chicken, ham and leek pie. We even treated ourselves to desserts – chocolate fondant and lemon syllabub.

The next morning the restaurant was busy for the help-yourself breakfast, with seemingly endless options of cereal, fruit, juices, pastries, bread, yoghurts or a full English.

Afterwards we set off for a wander round the shops – the usual high street stores but also some independent boutiques and a street market. On Saturday there are stalls selling everything from leather handbags to an array of fresh produce, while Sunday is a haven for vintage-lovers with clothes, accessories and furniture all on sale.

Before we left we made the most of the weather with an ice cream on the cathedral green, buzzing with groups of teenagers, families and other couples enjoying the sunshine.

As I glanced over at the cathedral, I saw it in a new light and with an appreciation for the history it contains.

And to think we have deep-sea diver William Walker to thank for its existence.

  • Sheralyn stayed at the Winchester Royal Hotel, which has recently undergone a multi-million-pound refurbishment under new owners. Double rooms start from £89 per night, with a £10 discount if prepaid a week in advance
  • Special offers include a weekend walking break based on two sharing for £125 per person, including two nights bed and breakfast, three-course dinner on both nights, an afternoon cream tea and a walking tour with a guide
  • Visit www.akkeronhotels.com or call 01962 840840
  • For more information on things to do in Winchester, visit www.visitwinchester.co.uk