Exclusive deals, discounts and offers are available including 10% off tickets to the Cheese And Chilli Festival, coming to Guildford and Chichester
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In addition to train travel, SWR Business Direct users can access a wealth of deals via SWR Rewards.
South Western Railway has teamed up with a multitude of partners to offer discounts, giveaways and special rates on services and attractions across its network and beyond.
To test this out, we packed an overnight bag and took a trip to Winchester to coincide with the ancient city’s less historic Cheese And Chilli Festival, tempted by the promise of dairy treats, eye-watering spice and discounted entry.
While the foodie event was the main draw, it’s impossible to visit Winchester without at least dipping a toe into the place’s extraordinary history.
In fact walk from the station to the festival ground at the North Walls Recreation Ground and you’ll pass through Hyde Abbey Garden, a monument built in 2003 to mark the last known resting place of King Alfred The Great, who rebuilt the city and made it his capital.
The cathedral is home to a great many tombs including the bones of St Swithin (a ninth century bishop of Winchester), which sits to the rear of the building.
A humble man, it’s said he asked to be buried outside so passers-by would walk over his grave and that the rain would fall upon it.
When his remains were moved inside in July, 971, he reportedly showed his displeasure by drenching the city with 40 days of torrential rain, leading to the superstition that if the weather on July 15 each year is fair or wet, so it shall be for that same period.
This isn’t, of course, true.
Fortunately, in any case we’re ahead of the deadline and the skies remain clear for the festival, which turns out to be an extensive affair, easily worth the entry fee.
Popular on the Sunday we went, the show starts with a snaking gauntlet of mostly foodie stalls with traders eager to fill their audience with samples.
As expected, there are many cheesemongers offering unusual creations laced with truffle, garlic and, naturally, chilli.
On the spicier side, condiments, sauces and oils are the main offering, although chilli plants and seeds are also up for grabs.
There are a number of independent drinks brands selling everything from cider to mead and the inevitable gin too.
Notwitstanding the odd chartered accountant or landscaping firm selling resin-fixed gravel, the overall flavour is focused and broad, with the gauntlet of stalls opening out into what might best be described as a festival playground.
Here there’s a stage, a wide selection of street food traders, bars and a succession of rides for the kids to enjoy.
There’s also entertainment for youngsters – Punch And Judy and a kind of Heath Robinson-adjacent clown called Thingamabob, who proves himself a skilled juggler.
The main stage is dominated by an energetic, slickly tight set from Blink Daze – a band specialising in the music of Green Day, Blink 182, Sum 41 and many more.
In many ways their punchy set with the people of Winchester happily singing along summed up the experience – a feast for the senses served up with fire and flavour – exactly the kind of thing its worth getting on a train out of London for and the ideal excuse for a trip to an historic city.
- While the Winchester event has passed, readers can visit the Cheese And Chilli Festival 2026 as it stops at Chichester (June 20-21) and Guildford (July 18-19) on its 2026 tour. Use code SWR10 to get 10% off tickets (normally £14) with SWR Rewards.
Find out more about the Cheese And Chilli Festival here
top tips for a visit to Winchester
dine at The Chesil Rectory
>> This independent restaurant is located in Winchester’s oldest commercial building, dating to around 1420.
It’s been feeding people for 85 years.
Today, sheltered by bent beams it houses a cosy interior with curios on shelves and delicate sketches of horses on its walls.
Its food is generous, finely cooked and gently priced (starters from £11.95 and mains from £21.95).
We start with a Jane Austen-inspired Pride And Prejudice cocktail before sampling the likes of Sea Bream Ceviche and Oven Roasted Lamb Rump.
Executive chef Damian Brown’s plates arrive pumping with flavour.
The acidity of the fish is offset beautifully with a punchy nduja mayo and plenty of olive oil, while the meat comes with crispy belly and sweet, refreshing Jersey Royals.
Sinking into a soft chair and kicking back with glasses of Dancer In Pink – a dry rosé from Hampshire vineyard Black Chalk – there’s little doubt that dining in this Winchester institution is a pleasure as sweet as its exceptional Spiced Bramley Apple Sponge.
stay at The Westgate
>> As places to stay in Winchester for those travelling by railway go, this takes some beating.
It’s six minutes’ walk from the station, offers 10 characterful rooms and is located right opposite the city’s Great Hall at the top of the High Street.
Downstairs it’s a popular, busy pub run by Young’s, that offers a range of snacks including excellent cheese straws and breakfast for guests.
Our tip, if you’re looking for something light, is the Avocado On Toast with a pair of poached eggs. Expect to pay about £200 per night.
must-visits in Winchester
>> In addition to Winchester Cathedral, which is a must-see for its architecture and to pay homage to Jane Austen (who’s buried in its North Nave), visitors should call in on the extraordinary Great Hall.
Dating to 1222, it’s all that’s left of the city’s castle and houses an Arthurian Round Table, rebranded by Henry VIII, that for hundreds of years many thought was the real thing.
a quick bite at Dim-T
>> There are plenty of options in central Winchester for a quick bite to eat on an evening, but our pick is this Asian micro chain.
Pleasantly decorated, the feel is of a Wagamama with slightly better taste and a menu that takes in a host of classic dishes.
For a plate that throws up forkfuls packed with pep, however, the Nasi Goreng is the stuff to sample.
on track with Joe Thurgood
I understand when I purchase tickets through SWR Business Direct I am able to get access to SWR Rewards. What kinds of offers does it include and how do I go about accessing them?
Whenever you use SWR Business Direct it gives access to our SWR Rewards and Rewards + schemes.
So whether you are booking a ticket to meet a client in London or tickets for a team-building exercise in Exeter, there’s an offer just for you.
Whatever the reason the rewards cover a number of great deals and discounts for you like a free hair and body set from Grüum worth £24 or tickets to Mamma Mia and a two-course meal at Bocconcino for just £89.50 per person.
SWR Rewards has scores of exclusive incentives for all our Business Direct users.
- Food And Drink: Score up to 20% off at top spots like Gordon Ramsay restaurants, plus deals on afternoon teas and group dining.
- Theatre And Cinema: Get cheap tickets for major West End shows (often bundled with dinner) and big discounts on ODEON cinema tickets.
- Big Days Out: Grab up to a third off or two-for-one entry to major attractions like the London Eye, Thorpe Park and the London Dungeon.
- Shopping And Extras: Save money at premium spots like Gunwharf Quays or get discounted trips on Uber Boat By Thames Clippers river bus services.
Getting your hands on these deals is quick and completely free. Simply book a ticket via the SWR Business Direct platform and head over to the SWR Rewards website to browse what’s available.
Then click on the offer you want to generate a digital promo code for, or download a voucher.
Use the code online when booking your event, or just show your voucher alongside your valid SWR train ticket at the venue.
Rewards+ is also free to sign up for and enters you into exclusive prize draws and gets you freebies at the station
key details: SWR Rewards
SWR Business Direct is free to use and allows companies to book, plan and manage business travel across the whole of Britain.
There are no hidden fees or charges and no booking fees on tickets purchased via the service.
Full details of SWR Rewards can be found on its website.
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