Winchester Cathedral vs. Salisbury Cathedral

Been to both and both are great, but if I could only go to one I'd opt for Salisbury. No specific reasons, just my preference.

Winchester has perhaps the better history, but for me Salisbury is more spectacular visually, especially given the park setting.

Salisbury looks much better from the outside.

You will probably have to buy rail tickets for each leg of your journey. www.nationalrail.co.uk
It may be possible to get a London > Portsmouth return ticket and stop off at Winchester on the way back? You need to check.
I think trains operate on 2 routes between London & Portsmouth Harbour.

My pick would be Winchester. Salisbury looks much better from the outside but IMO Winchester much more interesting inside.

Katy

Thanks for all the responses. It seems that (unsurprisingly?) personal interests/feelings may be the deciding factor for most people and that neither is the clear cut favorite over the other.

I've actually got a car and driver, so maybe I'll get lucky and have time for both! If I don't have to wait on trains and buses, maybe Portsmouth in the morning and each of the cathedrals for a few hours in the afternoon. I've got the car for 12 hours and can get an early start.

Neither places are particularly car-friendly - all the more difficult to squeeze in both.

If you have a car and driver at your disposal, it would be easy to be dropped off at the Cathedral in Winchester and the driver could hang about for an hour at the Brooks Shopping Centre. You could also visit the Cathedral gift shop/cafe as you wait for the driver to return.

Even the getting in and out can be troublesome at times ... Salisbury is worse if anything.