Salisbury is a charming city in the English countryside, famous for being the starting point for those who want to visit the Stonehenge region. In addition, its beautiful and famous Cathedral houses a treasure, the Magna Carta! But Salisbury is more than just a city of historical treasures and iconic landmarks, it is also a gateway to the rest of the beautiful country. Whether you're a local looking for a weekend getaway, or a tourist wanting to further explore the English countryside after your Salisbury tour, Wales is a fantastic next stop. Just a stone's throw away, you'll find Pontins Sands Holiday Park http://pontins-sands-holiday-park.hotels-wales.com/en/, a perfect destination for a family trip or a relaxing retreat. Come, find out more about Salisbury and be enchanted by this friendly city, and then let it be your springboard for more unforgettable adventures.
THE CITY OF SALISBURY
Salisbury is a small city of around 50,000 inhabitants located approximately 140 km from the centre of London. It was born in the region of Old Sarum (more on this later), where its first cathedral was founded. However, the cathedral was later relocated to another area and the entire settlement of Old Sar um residents was also relocated. This new area was named New Sarum and became a city in 1227. The name remained the same until 2009, when the town council established a new name: Salisbury. A curiosity is that the town is also crossed by the River Avon, the same river that cuts through and gives its name to William Shakespeare's town, Stratford-upon-Avon.
WHAT TO DO IN SALISBURY
On the interactive map below, we've listed the main attractions in and around Salisbury. The city is cute and the centre is well worth exploring on foot, as it's quite compact.
1. STONEHENGE
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English countryside 13 kilometres north of the city of Salisbury. Archaeologists believe that the Stone Circle, which forms what we know as Stonehenge, was built between 3000 BC and 2000 BC. The stones are up to 5 metres high and weigh up to 50 tonnes. The site has an excellent infrastructure for visitors, with a Visitor Centre with toilets, restaurant, shop and an exhibition telling the history of the site. There is transport to the Stonehenge area and you can download the official app to take a tour of the site with all the details.
Address: Amesbury SP4 7DE
Openingtimes: vary according to the time of year
Admission: £15 - buy online at this link (check out the tourist bus option as it's cheaper for those travelling from London, as there is no public transport from Salisbury to Stonehenge)
Audio Guide: £3
Read more: England: Prehistoric monument Stonehenge
2. OLD SARUM
As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, Old Sarum is the city's ancient settlement and is located 3 km from the centre of present-day Salisbury. It is believed that occupation of the site began in 3000 BC. A fort (around 400 BC) and a castle were built in the area at the request of King Henry I. However, disputes between Sheriff Wiltshire and the Bishop of Salisbury finally led to the removal of the existing church in the area to the nearby plain. New Sarum was born, which grew up around the building site for the new cathedral at the beginning of the 13th century. The buildings of Old Sarum were dismantled and today only ruins can be found in the area.
Address: Castle Rd, Salisbury SP1 3SD
Admission: £4.50 (for those who buy a separate ticket)
Openingtimes: daily from 10am to 6pm in summer (5pm in October) / from 10am to 4pm in winter
3. SALISBURY CATHEDRAL
Salisbury Cathedral was built in just 38 years (1220-1258) in a single architectural style, English Gothic. The Cathedral Tower is the tallest in Britain at 123 metres and weighs 6,500 tonnes! The Cathedral is full of monuments, beautifully carved tombs and regular art exhibitions. However, the main attraction that draws visitors to the Cathedral is the Magna Carta, a document that limited the power of British monarchs. It was signed in 1215 by King John. There are four copies of the Charter and the best preserved is the one in Salisbury, in the Cathedral Chapel. The importance of this document is enormous, as it inspired the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the constitutions of many democratic countries. Read more: England: Where to see the original copies of Magna Carta
Address: 6 The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EJ
Opening times:
Cathedral: from April to October: daily from 9am to 5pm | from November to March: daily from 12pm to 4pm
Magna Carta: April to October: Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm | Sunday from 12.15pm to 4pm | November to March: Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm | Sunday from 12.15pm to 4pm
Price: there is a suggested voluntary donation to enter Salisbury Cathedral of £7.50
Tours of the Tower: £12.50
Read more: England: Salisbury Cathedral and the Magna Carta
4. CITY CENTRE WALKING TOUR
The city of Salisbury is so cute that it's worth spending some time wandering around, discovering charming streets and squares with beautiful architecture. Don't miss Guildhall Square, the city's main square and home to Salisbury Town Hall, and the Old George Mall shopping centre on High Street, one of the city's main streets.
5. TIME LEFT OVER? INCLUDE MUSEUMS IN YOUR ITINERARY!
If you've still got some time left in the city, take the opportunity to learn a little more about the local culture through museums that tell the story of the city and its illustrious residents.
Arundells: a beautiful mansion that incorporates 6 different architectural styles (59 Cathedral Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EN, UK)
Mompesson House: beautiful 18th century mansion (The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EL)
The Salisbury Museum: tells the story of the city (The Kings House, 65 The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EN)
The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum: a museum displaying over 1200 artefacts from the region's infantry regiment (The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EJ)
TOURS IN AND AROUND SALISBURY
Check out some of the many interesting options for enjoying your time in the city. There's a lot to see in Salisbury and the surrounding area.
WHERE TO EAT / DRINK IN SALISBURY
Famous restaurant chains:
Nando's: speciality chicken dishes (1-3 Milford Street)
Côte Brasserie: French cuisine and breakfast (8 St Thomas's Square)
Pizza Express: pizzeria chain - read more at this link (50 Blue Boar Row)
Other restaurants:
Charter 1227: British cuisine (6-7 Ox Row)
Leonardos Ristorante: Italian cuisine (18 Oatmeal Row)
WHERE TO STAY IN SALISBURY
For those who decide to stay overnight in the city, here are some well-located and well-rated accommodation options in Salisbury:
3 STARS
4 STARS
HOW TO GET TO SALISBURY
The easiest way to get to Salisbury is by train. Buy train tickets from London Waterloo. There are trains leaving every half hour and the journey takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes. London Waterloo station can be reached by underground via the Jubilee (grey), Northern (black) and Bakerloo (brown) lines. To buy a train ticket, we recommend the TrainLine website. See more tips for travelling by train in England. See detailed information on transport and getting around in the post "England: How to get to Stonehenge from London".
Read more about travelling from London:
London: Amazing tour of the Harry Potter studios
England: Things to do in Cambridge - 1-day itinerary