Attractions in Salisbury
Known as 'The city in the countryside', the magnificent medieval city of Salisbury has it all: historic streets and alleyways, charming half-timbered buildings, traditional English eating houses and characterful shopping streets, not to mention a superb range of attractions, including the UK's finest medieval cathedral.
Salisbury Cathedral offers one superlative after another, from the tallest spire in Britain and Europe's oldest working clock to the world's best-preserved Magna Carta. It stands in the largest medieval close in Britain, where you will also find award-winning museums and a superb National Trust property.
Salisbury's individual shops are complemented by regular street markets (including Tuesday the 27th, Expo day!) and there's a great choice of arts and cultural venues too.
Salisbury Cathedral
Built between 1220 and 1258, the Cathedral has over 750 years of history including the world’s best preserved original Magna Carta and Europe’s oldest working clock. The Cathedral is a record holder for having the largest Cathedral close, the largest Cathedral Cloisters and the tallest spire in the Kingdom; rising 404 feet into the air.
Guides can take you on a free tour of the Cathedral or there are self guiding leaflets in English and other languages. If you want to see the tallest spire at close hand then the Tower tour will take you up the 332 steps in easy stages to reach the base of the Spire.
To find out more: http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/
Mompesson House
This is an elegant and spacious 18th-century house, which has been in the ownership of The National Trust since 1952, is located in the Cathedral Close which was featured in the award-winning film Sense and Sensibility. Inside, it boasts magnificent plasterwork and a fine oak staircase. Outside, the delightful walled garden has a pergola, traditional herbaceous borders as well as tea rooms where locally baked scones and cakes are served.
To find out more: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-mompessonhouse
Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum
The award-winning Museum is located in the King’s House, situated in the glorious setting of the Cathedral Close. The King’s House is a Grade I listed building, the history of which stretches back to the 13th Century. It formerly housed a teacher training college and was the inspiration for an episode in Thomas Hardy’s novel Jude the Obscure.
The main strength of the Museum rests in its archaeological collections: these include prehistoric material from South Wiltshire, including Stonehenge; the Pitt Rivers' Wessex collection; and a fine medieval collection including finds from Old Sarum, Clarendon Palace and the city itself.
To find out more: http://www.salisburymuseum.org.uk/
The Charter Market
Salisbury’s colourful market takes place in the ancient Market Place right in the heart of the city between 8am and 4pm every Tuesday and Saturday. With up to 100 stalls (including 12 farmers’ stalls) this is one of the biggest open-air markets in the south of England – and one of the best!
The market attracts people from far and wide as they come in for their regular fruit and veg shop or to look for the things that you just can’t find anywhere else. The stallholders are mainly from Wiltshire and Hampshire and sell the very best of local and organic produce.
To find out more: http://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/salisbury/what-to-do/salisbury-charter-market-p438893
Salisbury Playhouse
Salisbury playhouse, located just a short walk from the Cathedral was built in 1976 and is one of Britain’s leading building-based theatres with an enviable reputation for producing work of the highest quality. It produces and presents a wide-ranging programme of local, national and international theatre and is developing a national touring programme.
To find out more: http://www.salisburyplayhouse.com/
Salisbury Arts Centre
Salisbury Arts Centre is a community arts venue near the centre of the city. Housed in the beautiful Grade 2 listed St Edmund’s Church building, the centre presents work including touring theatre, dance, world music, rock gigs, film screenings and exhibitions, with regular workshops for all ages in subjects as diverse as pottery, felting, dance, animation, yoga and sculpture. The Arts Centre Café serves a variety of wholesome, home-cooked light meals, cakes and snacks, along with a selection of teas, coffees, soft and alcoholic drinks. For more information about what’s on at the Arts Centre, please call the Box Office on 01722 321744 or log onto www.salisburyartscentre.co.uk. Administration Tel: 01722 343020
To find out more: http://www.salisburyartscentre.co.uk/
Arundells - Home of Sir Edward Heath, Former Prime Minister
Arundells is a beautiful house in the Cathedral Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire. It was home of Edward Heath, Prime Minister 1970 – 1974, who moved to Salisbury in 1985. Most of the house dates to the early eighteenth century reign of Queen Anne. Since Heath’s death in 2005, Arundells has been maintained as a museum to the former prime minister.
To find out more: http://www.arundells.org/
Walks in Salisbury – Salisbury’s Historic Trail
http://www.theaa.com/walks/salisburys-historic-trail-421199
Salisbury's Historic Trail is an AA-recommend walk with full walking directions and descriptions of places of interests along the walk. It is 3 miles in length but this can be easily shortened if so wished. This gentle urban stroll tours the streets and ancient pathways of the beautiful city.
Queen Elizabeth Gardens
Situated on the other side of the River Avon from Salisbury city centre, Queen Elizabeth Gardens is one of Salisbury’s most cherished and celebrated parks.
With famous views of the cathedral to the east and the River Avon to the south, Queen Elizabeth Gardens is perfect for those looking to appreciate the scenery or to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city centre; continuing this, the park also provides access to the Town Path and a pretty walk past the water meadows out to Harnham. To complement these features, the creation of a sensory garden just off Mill Road has added further variety to the landscape.
To find out more: http://www.salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=330&catid=38
© TWA 2011