Chesil History The Chesil Rectory is the oldest house in Winchester and dates back to 1427.
It stands in the district of the city known as the Soke, which was formerly under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Winchester.
Early maps show this area as the village of Chesil, which is a corruption of the old english word "chisol" meaning a shingly beach or bank. The river was much wider then and this area would have been right on its eastern bank.
 The structure of the house is unusual and possibly unique in that the entire weight of the central valley of the double roof rests on the central beam of the downstairs passageway.
The Chesil Rectory was probably originally owned by a merchant but after the Reformation it was adopted as the rectory to St Peter's Chesil.
In the late 1700's it was divided into a number of separate tenements, a family living in each room.
Amongst these inhabitants was a shoemaker who started one of Britain's first Sunday Schools in the large upstairs room.
In the late 1800's it was deemed unfit for habitation and was very nearly demolished but, fortunately, it was bought by Thomas & Co Stores in 1892 and was thoroughly restored.
 Most buildings from this period have been changed beyond all recognition or are preserved in open air museums so it is most unusual to see such an old building still occupied and "working". It is haunted and the ghost can be heard climbing the stairs and walking around upstairs - our staff have all heard him!
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