IT is the Hampshire home to one of the biggest relics in English mythology.

The tales of King Arthur, his sword Excalibur, and the Knights of the Round table have been the centre of legend since the 5th and 6th Century.

But now for the first time in its history Winchester’s Great Hall which is home to the famous Round Table which is central to the legend of King Arthur, is charging people to come inside.

The 13th century building is a popular attraction for visitors from across the world.

Many simply come to see the Arthurian Round Table which has hung there since 1348, and the building is also one of the only surviving parts of Winchester Castle.

Adults will have to pay £3, and charges will also mean, children between the age of five and 16, pensioners, students, disabled people and groups will also be asked to pay an entrance fee.

Hampshire County Council who own the building, introduced the controversial charges because they say donation levels were not as expected, and that the charges will secure the long-term future of the hall.

Questions have been raised on how much consultation was done and what this will mean for visitor numbers.

Liberal Democrat Hampshire County councillor for Winchester Westgate, Martin Tod said: “With the brutal cuts pushed through centrally we are going to see a lot more of this sort of thing with charges increasing across the board being put up and what we get in return is going down.

“I think it is disappointing no consultation about this, Winchester businesses and residents benefit from having a good offer for people when they come here.”

“I think the fact lots of people are surprised shows it is not properly communicated or thought through.”

“When people are paying to visit something they expect more, is the council providing a good enough experience for a family that has paid £8?

“What does it do to the number of visitors and what does it do to the revenue for the shop?”

Executive Member for Culture, Recreation & Countryside Andrew Gibson says the charge is fair but admitted that he was unsure consultation was done.

When asked Hampshire County Council was unable to say how much they expected the charges to bring into council funds although a spokesman did confirmed the Conservative-run authority did two consultations.

Cllr Gibson said: “We have massive budget problems and we are talking about the £140m we have to cut because we are getting less from the government.

“The priority have to be for the elderly, it is an unfortunate situation I would really not like to have to charge for the Great Hall but all these things come up and then we have less money for them.”

Prof Martin Biddle, an archaeologist who has led several digs in Winchester over the last 50 years, said the charge was inevitable.

He said: “I think it is necessary. I am not surprised that it has to charge and I think the charges are quite reasonable.

The Great Hall as a building alone is very expensive to maintain and it is very popular with tourists and always will be.”

A statement from Hampshire County Council said: “A £3 adult entry fee was introduced to help secure the long-term future of the Hall, as unfortunately donation levels were below expectations for supporting visitor talks, activities and the maintenance of the 13th century building.

“We were proactive in consulting Great Hall visitors over two, two-week periods, and the £3 entry fee was the option that received the greatest support.

“Partner organisations and stakeholders such as Winchester Tourist Information, Visit Winchester, Hampshire Cultural Trust were also informed before the entry fee was introduced on July1 .

“It was also highlighted on the Great Hall website along with the entry fee of £2 per child.

“The entry fees are in line with similar County Council visitor attractions, and visitor feedback has been positive.”