Stairlifts Winchester - the inventor was well known there!

Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Winchester and Hampshire
Your Hampshire 'stairlift hunt' has just taken a break in the town of  - Winchester.  After listening to the founder of Castle Comfort Stairlifts,  Keith above -


 - please take a few moments to read on - whether a visitor to Hampshire - or as a Winchester resident, as there are things here that may surprise you!
But if you are in a hurry to get information on stair lifts, bookmark the page for later, and send in the enquiry coupon  - or call 023 8124 3046  (7am to 11pm)






OK, let's go - Winchester, Hants, is the former capital of England.  It actually grew from the original Roman town of Venta Belgarum which was built on the site of an iron-age fort, so its history goes back a long way. In the 3rd century the city was given stone walls and became the fifth largest Roman city in England. These days its architecture is somewhat  different.  Some 30% of the population of 110,000 are over 70, and according to the sales figures of at least two British stair lift companies - already about a fifth of them own a stairlift!  No coincidence  maybe, that the 'rolls royce' of the stairlifts industry,  Stannah, have their base just  less than fifteen miles away at Andover.


About a third of the Winchester region's local authority electoral roll members live in the town - and the other two thirds in other rural areas,  including many villages. For the stats and demographics students, pay a visit here. One such village is that of TWYFORD which caused a few raised eyebrows of the authors of this blog - some of whom originate from Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, the birth place of the family business Castle Comfort Stairlifts,  that has become known and respected  nationally.   After all, the word 'Twyford' is synonymous with some of the most famous Stoke ceramic products in the world - so some of those 'Potters' have gone to the trouble of finding out just what is the connection. We can tell you now that it's no coincidence.  But right now we are not saying . If you can find out, why not enter the Castle Stairlifts competition of the month? Tell us what  the connection is. You need to email  twfords@castlecomfortcentre.com   All entries will be acknowledged and for each one we'll chip £5 into  the good deeds fund of Stairlift Stephen. We'll add on another £10 for the most relevant correct answer,  and issue the winner with an extra £50 voucher towards a stairlift for themselves or a relative.


The town's most famous landmark is Winchester Cathedral, one of the largest  in Europe with the longest nave of all.  Imagine if you could get to the top of the spire via stairlift!  Nearly all  visitors head there.  But focusing on the obvious is a bit like shopping for a mobility product - especially stairlifts.  There is always a choice of many things to see do and buy in this world. When visiting Winchester, refer to this - it refers to the cathedral first - and then will guide you to other not so famous treasures well worth knowing.  (It's just like searching for  stair lifts Winchester  and then passing the top of the list Acorn, Stannah and Minivator to find....   a  Castle!  Not a Winchester castle, but a family stairlifts supplier that covers the whole of the county of Hampshire. In fact, CCS is an agent for virtually every United Kingdom manufacturer of stairlifts - so as you heard on the MD's video above - there are some pretty good deals to be had by shopping around - and not just heading for the obvious big businesses.  So for all those searching Stairlifts Winchester for a good price on the internet you now know who to call.


Let's come on to the famous from Winchester - those in history - and a few characters from not so long ago

Colin Firth

Jack Dee

Kathy Smallwood-Cook

Kevin Ashman

Terry Paine

Tony Middleton






But the title of this blog is puzzling a few folk. The 'inventor of the stairlift'. Who on earth was that?  It is now  probably the most over-broadcast piece of news  in the chair lift industry that one of our most flamboyant and notorious royals ever,  made for himself   (or rather coerced his servants to do so) -  A STAIRLIFT !   It was in fact vital -  due to his clear obesity as he couldn't lift his own weight up the stairs.  For our video of a bariatric stairlift for obese patients click here.


Without question, Winchester's 'Henry'  started it all - and even the Daily Mail says so. So he was indeed, we are sure,  the founder of the stair lift!   Go to HENRY V111 and see the evidence.

Winchester is of course steeped in history so for anyone with an interest of days gone by will have heaps of fun discovering the facts. For instance, the city’s Saxon Street plan which is still evident today is the work of Alfred the Great and was built over the old Roman Road structure. And William the Conqueror compiled the Doomsday Book here. Winchester Castle Great Hall almost its only remaining structure, house Alfred the Great’s famous Round Table with all the names of the Knights of the Round Table inscribed around it.










Winchester is also home to the University of Winchester and Winchester College. The two couldn’t be more different-  the University was built around 1840 as a Diocesan Training Centre and then becoming a teacher training college to reach university status in 2004 - Winchester College is a boy’s public school established in the 12th century and one of the nine original named public schools in 1868 alongside Eton, Harrow and Charterhouse.


Jane Austen died in Winchester in 1817 and romantic poet John Keats famously stayed in Winchester in 1819 writing some of his fine works Isabella, St Agnes’ Eve, To Autumn, Lamia and more.






Winchester deservedly and currently holds the title of County Town for Hampshire and is a very desirable place to live if you can afford it.  Winchester is also one of the most expensive towns for property in the south after London.  This is mainly due to its proximity to London and other cities which makes it easily commutable,  but also because of its historic and architectural beauty. Hence many retired folk have chosen this town to live in - and with those years going by fast, the need pops at  up at times for a little help in the home to climb those stairs safely- just as Henry V111 found out!  Mind you, the longevity rate these days of those taking care of themselves will be considerably greater than Henry's. We have somewhat more sensible lifestyles! Also, stairlifts grants weren't around in Tudor times - not that 'Hampshire Henry of Winchester' needed a grant -but they may be available for you nowadays -check it out here.

Winchester of course is almost as famous for its rifle as its cathedral. But what has that got to do with getting a quote for a stairlift? Well, to make sure you don't run into snags when getting your stairlifts quotes, pay attention to this. The odd company in our industry may use somewhat 'over enthusiastic' selling techniques. To say the least. To illustrate the point, look at THIS. It's our prize-winning 'spam' tale. And no, it's not the type you eat. Have a look at the stairlift salesman in the cartoon - could he be holding a Winchester Rifle at someone's head?

By contacting Castle Comfort Stairlifts, we assure you that you will not find any hard sales tactics - in fact we, nor our associate companies for whom we act as official agents, don't sell - we help people to buy (if they wish and are ready)- there is a difference. Call 023 8124 3046 now and find out what we mean.

Winchester,  as we have said,  is another area of Hampshire where we supply stairlifts to for those not quite as fit as they used to be. If you would like to know how we can help you assess your property for a stairlift, look at grants, or talk about installation, then please call
Castle Comfort Stairlifts on 023 8124 3046.
Don’t forget to use our '£50 off'' stairlift coupon! And try to win another  - by having a go at the free competition!


Finally, if we have missed off anything really important that deserves a mention  - please 'tick us off 'in the comments box below. We'll put it right.


Happy stairlift hunting!