Winifred Hepplewhite was the licensee of The Black Lion in Weatherfield and one of Annie Walker's socialite friends who inadvertently caused a stir in December 1969 after lending Annie her prized necklace so that Annie could wear it at a Lady Victuallers social function. The following day, Winifred paid an impromptu visit to the Rovers Return to retrieve the necklace, but as Annie was absent at the time, Winifred was aided by barmaid Emily Nugent. Unfortunately, neither woman thought to inform Annie of this, and Annie subsequently accused cleaner Hilda Ogden and barmaid Betty Turpin of stealing it, causing the pair to walk out. On Christmas Eve, Winifred told Annie that she would be stopping by the Rovers, leading a panicked Annie to assume that she was coming to retrieve the necklace, when in fact she was only coming to exchange seasonal greetings. Annie was surprised to learn the truth but tried not to appear annoyed in front of Winifred.
Due to repair work being carried out on the upstairs of the Rovers in November 1970, Annie suggested to her son Billy that he should spend a week at The Black Lion under the care of Mrs Hepplewhite but in the event, he lodged short-term with Minnie Caldwell at No.5.
Annie and Winifred went to a poetry evening at The Flat Iron in December 1971.
- The character was credited as Mrs. Hepplewhite. Her first name was given in dialogue in Episode 939 (24th December 1969).