The original city of Salisbury - Old Sarum - was situated on an old Iron age hillfort to the north of the present city. A cathedral and castle were built on the hilltop following the Norman Conquest in 1066. Relations between the castle authorities and the clergy were uneasy and by 1200, the Bishop made the decision to move.

It took another 20 years to obtain permission from both the King and the Pope to allow a new cathedral to be built. Legend has it that the site for the new cathedral was chosen by where an arrow fired from Old Sarum landed in the meadows below - a distance of some 1 ¾ miles!

Salisbury Cathedral from the Close.

Work on the new building started in 1220 and it was consecrated in 1258. In the early 1300's a spire was added which at 404 feet high is the tallest in England. What we have today is one of the finest examples of an Early English Gothic medieval cathedral which is largely unchanged except for some 'improvements' made as style and taste changed.

Salisbury Cathedral is surrounded by the Close and both are set in the picturesque Harnham water meadows. The whole idyllic setting has inspired artists, most notably, John Constable to paint the scene which can now be seen in the National Gallery in London. The gates to the Close are still locked every night. The Close has many fine buildings originally built by the Canons of the cathedral, but now occupied by religious and educational bodies, museums, and some private residences.

Within Salisbury Cathedral can be found, one of the four remaining copies of the Magna Carta signed by King John in 1215,and the oldest working mechanical clock in the world. The light airy space inside remains one of the most magnificent sights to be found in any cathedral.

A Tower Tour available which will show you how the cathedral was built. It is extremely popular and numbers are strictly limited. Early booking is essential. Please see below.

Tours of the Close are also available.

For further details please Contact Us.

SALISBURY CATHEDRAL OPENING TIMES 2007

Salisbury Cathedral opens daily throughout the year at 7.15 am and closes at 6.15 pm except between 11th June and 24th August when it stays open until 7.15 pm. It is a very busy cathedral with many services especially on Sundays, at Easter and at Christmas and access to some parts will be restricted. It is a great place to visit after a trip to Stonehenge.

CHAPTER HOUSE OPENING TIMES

The Chapter House, contains the best preserved of the four copies of the Magna Carta still in existence. It opens at 9.30 am to 5.30 pm ( slightly later in summer) from 1st March until 31st October. From 1st November to 28th February it is open from 10 am until 4.30 pm.

On Sundays it is opens at 12 noon until 5.30 pm, but closes an hour earlier between 1st November and 28th February.

There is a restaurant and shop available.

*********** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED **********

TOWER TOUR

You can take a trip up the tower of Salisbury Cathedral to the base of the spire. It takes about 1 1/2 hours and you will see how this magnificent Cathedral was built. There are fine views over Salisbury and up towards Old Sarum. The times of the tour are daily from January to November at 2.15 pm, with a morning tour at 11.15 am and afternoon tour at 3.15 pm throughout the spring and summer.

For further details and to make a booking, telephone

01722 555156. The tour costs £5.50 in addition to the entrance donation

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