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Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury Cathedral © British Tours Ltd. Panoramic photography by Mark Stephens

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Salisbury Cathedral, boasting the tallest spire in Britain, can be seen with Stonehenge, Bath or Winchester on our personally guided Day Tours - and several of our Overnight Tours including The Best in Britain.

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Bath & stonehenge tour, salisbury, winchester & stonehenge.

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After crossing the channel we circled over Pegasus Bridge and then east along the coastline over the landing beaches. Rod provided a great overview and was a wonderful guide/host. The pilots and aircraft were top notch as well ... an outstanding day

Kirk and Tammy Shaw

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Our guides are personable educated men and women, chosen for their knowledge, special interests, backgrounds and personality. They will collect you by car from any central London location and guide you inside places of historic importance

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Salisbury Cathedral Tower Tour

• Salisbury Cathedral, 6 The Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EF
• 11:15 and 14:15 Monday to Saturday
• 01722 555150
• [email protected]

For many people, the Tower Tour is the absolute highlight of their visit to Salisbury Cathedral.

Wind your way up narrow spiral staircases climbing 332 steps in easy stages into our ancient roof spaces to the foot of our iconic spire, 68 metres above ground level. On your tour you will enjoy spectacular sights -an uninterrupted aerial view of the inside of the Cathedral, the inside of the spire supported by medieval wooden scaffolding and panoramic views of Salisbury and surrounding water meadows. Our experienced guides will tell you all about the construction of this architectural masterpiece.

Tours are scheduled daily Monday - Saturday at 11:15 and 14:15 and includes admission in to the Cathedral and Chapter House with Magna Carta on the day of your tour.

• From £90 for a group of up to 6

Booking information:

Advance booking is highly recommended This tour runs daily all year round Tours may be restricted or cancelled in the event of high winds We regret that children under the age of 7 or anyone under the height of 1.2m cannot participate in this tour due to health and safety regulations Each child aged 7-10 must be individually accompanied by a responsible adult. For 11-17 year-olds, there must be at least one adult for every five children Dogs are not permitted on this tour Some of the stone spiral staircases date back to the 13th century and have no handrails, so care must be taken Sensible footwear is essential – no high heels, bare feet or flip flops. Sandals must be securely fastened Tickets cost £90 for adults for up to 6 people. (Group bookers please click here to enquire) Tour lasts around 105 minutes, but timings can vary.

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Salisbury & Stonehenge Guided Tours

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Salisbury & Stonehenge Guided Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Safeguarding

Guided Art Tour

Join our Livestreamed Services

Explore the Tower

Support the Cathedral

Discover the current art exhibition 'To Be Free'

Join our Visual Art Curator, Beth Hughes , on a special tour of  ‘To Be Free’ (included with Cathedral entry).

The next Curator Tour will be held on:

Thursday 31 August 14:00 – 15:00

Art tours are also led by Cathedral Art-expert Guides (included with Cathedral entry) on the following dates:

Friday, 28 July 14:00 – 15:00

Monday, 31 July 14:00 – 15:00

Wednesday, 9 August 14:00 – 15:00

Friday, 11 August 14:00 – 15:00 – CANCELLED

Friday, 18 August 14:00 – 15:00

Saturday, 19 August 14:00 – 15:00

Thursday, 24 August 14:00 – 15:00

Saturday, 26 August 14:00 – 15:00

Wednesday, 30 August 14:00 – 15:00

Friday, 1 September 14:00 – 15:00

Monday, 4 September 14:00 – 15:00

Privacy Overview

History tours of medieval castles and cathedrals

Reserve your spot today!

Historian, Dr Geoff, PhD Oxford, leads you on Single or Multi-Day historic tours of England.

All tours begin and conclude in London.

Take a private tour of Salisbury Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral, The RAF Museum, Dover Castle, Hever Castle or even Highclere Castle - made famous by Downton Abbey.

multi-day tours

Expert guides, unique boutique hotels breakfast and dinners included.

Expert guides will lead you throughout your tours. 

Tours are limited to a group of twelve so that we keep the personal touch for your needs.

Explore areas of outstanding natural beauty - what England is famous for in your private air conditioned chauffeured coach.  

Join us at fabulous boutique hotels throughout England well off the beaten path.

Enjoy full English breakfasts and dining at our hotels (Marquis of Granby Hotel room pictured above) or great local pubs.  

Experience! Live England's History

History & old pubs can life get any better.

 We will bring you to exciting places where you can watch knights in jousting tournaments, watch a trebuchet (catapult) fire a projectile, learn about stone carving from master masons at Salisbury Cathedral, test your own skills in archery and hear the sounds of WW2 Spitfires and P51s overhead. On our tours you live English history!

We visit some of England's oldest and most famous pubs like, The Eagle in Cambridge, and Nottingham's  Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem built in 1189!

Castles & Cathedrals - 3 tours

Medieval castles, experience history.

We offer three Castles and Cathedrals tours, East, Cotswolds and South. The East tour heads from London to Kent where we visit the castles at Leeds 'the loveliest castle in the world', Hever (13th c. and home of Anne Boleyn) and Dover (11th c. origin and perhaps the most important castle in England's history. 

The Cotswolds tour heads west visiting the castles at Thornbury (Henry VIII stayed here), Berkeley, and Oxford (both from and after 11th c.), and with time permitting we will also visit the Tower of London.  The South tour visits impressive castles at Bodiam, and Arundel - the ancestral home of the Dukes of Norfolk.  

On the Eastern tour we visit the cathedral at Canterbury, the most important church in England and the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is also the site of the brutal murder of St Tomas Becket in 1170. We also visit Westminster Abbey, England's most famous landmark, the burial places of famous Kings and Queens of England and others including Sir Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, and Charles Dickens. On the Cotswolds tour we see the cathedrals at Salisbury, Gloucester, Bath, and Oxford (within the grounds of Christ Church College).  The Southern tour brings us to Chichester, Winchester, and Salisbury.

Our tours are not sit back and listen. Are you brave enough to get close up to a bird-of-prey, or walk Salisbury Cathedral's external parapet 75 feet up with its master masons? Or is descending into a medieval dungeon more your thing? Why not walk the ramparts of Medieval York then shop in its world famous Shambles followed by a classic English afternoon tea at Betty's. All of these are possible on our Castle and Cathedrals tours.

Great Ambiance

Pubs and great dining.

Our tours are limited to a small group of twelve. We believe that this allows us to really get to know one another on our tour and to share our love of history, great food, hotels and English pubs.

Fabulous Shopping

We will definitely have many shopping opportunities in all of the locations we visit. Highlights include Canterbury, Bath,  and Oxford.

Have a pint where King Richard the Lionheart assembled his court in Nottingham. The first round is on us at 

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem 

that dates from 1189! 

Learn more about our 2024

Castles and Cathedrals Tours

Wars of the roses - august 15-18, 2024

Richard iii, battlefields.

Villain or Noble King?

Did Richard murder the Princes in the Tower? Let us track the Wars of the Roses and maybe find answers to the Great Medieval Whodunnit

We visit the most important Wars of the Roses battlefield and museum at Bosworth Field. Here you can follow a guided walk on the battlefield and explore the weapons and armour used on the fateful day of August 22, 1485. The tour ends with the Bosworth Medieval Festival for an entire day at Bosworth Field. This is not to be missed!

Cathedrals, Abbeys and Churches

Our tours take you to some of the most important castles in the Wars of the Roses. We visit Warwick Castle, one of the best preserved castles in England and the home of Neville, Earl of Warwick a great baron in the Wars. We also visit castles at Berkeley, York and time permitting at Nottingham.

Our tours head to Tewkesbury Abbey which was the site of a battle inside the church! We also proceed to York, the heart of Richard III's powerbase. We visit York's cathedral, as well as the smaller churches where Robert Beauchamp, the Earl of Warwick is buried.

Incomparable York

York retains much of its medieval charm. The Shambles is its famous shopping area within yards of the cathedral. There is so much to see in this gem of Yorkshire. We will take a guided tour along the castle walls then stop for a traditional English afternoon tea at the famous Betty's.  

Incredible Pubs

The pubs along this tour are exceptional. Starting with Ye Olde Starr Inne built in the early 1600s, The Abbot's Table in Tewkesbury,  and The Old Coffee Tavern steps from Warwick Castle.

Wars of the Roses Tours

britain at war 1939-1945 - June 27- July 1, 2024

Ww2 air show - duxford.

Perhaps the highlight of the tour is the Duxford Air Show. The July aerial extravaganza is dedicated to The Americans. The 2022 exhibition showed many classic WW2 planes including the B17G, P51D, P47D, P40F and others. It is not to be missed and is always sold out. 

Tanks in Action

No student of WW2 can miss the incredible Bovington Tank Museum. Its collection is second to none. Its WW2 collection includes, Tiger I, Tiger II, Jagd-Tiger as well as the M4 Sherman, M26 Pershing and Soviet tanks. The museum also has tanks of WW1 and the Cold War.

The Ultra Secret

Breaking Germany's codes, the Ultra Secret, played an enormous role in the victory over Nazi Germany. Alan Turing (played by Benedict Cumberbatch in The Imitation Game 2014) was central to this battle. We visit Bletchley Park and see where he and the famous Bletchley girls helped win the war.

Blenheim Palace

Winston Churchill held Britain together in its darkest hour. We visit the underground Churchill Cabinet War Rooms in London. See where he conducted the war 'safe' from the bombs and rockets fired in the Blitz. 

We also visit one of England's treasures, Blenheim Palace. Built in 1705-22 it was the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough. The 1st Duke was John Churchill the victor of the Battle of Blenheim. His more famous descendant, Winston Churchill was born here in 1874.

D-Day Museum

The greatest amphibious invasion in history left the ports and airfields of England on June 6, 1944. We discover more about the invasion at the D-Day Museum in Portsmouth, a major port and embarkation point for the armada heading to Normandy. If time permits, we may also visit HMS Victory, Lord Nelson's 104 gun Ship-of-the-Line flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar 1805. 

Britain at War Tours

important terms and conditions - full terms are on the link below

Deposits and Payment

• Multi-Day Tour Price is based on double occupancy of hotel rooms.
• Single travellers will be required to pay a supplement of 35% of the Tour Price. 
• A Deposit of 10% of the value of the Multi-Day Tour Price or £50 per person on a Single Day Tour is required to confirm your reservation.
• The Deposit is refundable if a cancellation request is delivered and confirmed by return email at least 120 days prior to the Tour Date.
• The Deposit will not be refundable within 120 days of any Tour Date. 
• The Balance of Payment is due 90 days prior to any Tour Date.
• Payment may be made via PayPal, or accepted credit card, to Historic Tours of England Limited.

Hotel and Room Availability

• All hotels and rooms selected are subject to availability.
• In the unlikely event that a chosen hotel(s) is not available, an alternate hotel(s) in a similar category will be substituted as required.  

Special Food and/or Mobility Requirements

• Please let us know at the time of booking if you have mobility or dietary requirements.
• A modest surcharge may be required based on your particular needs, please see our Reservation Form for more details. 

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For small group tours, we can customize an itinerary to emphasize your interests. If you have a special request, send us a message, and we will be sure to get back to you soon.

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Page last updated; Thursday, September 21, 2023

Tours of Salisbury

Ahhhh Salisbury – we love this beautiful medieval city. It’s known as the ‘city in the countryside’ and ideally located near rolling fields, water meadows, iron age forts, castle ruins, and the mysterious Stonehenge. We’ll show you the quaintest streets, the prettiest historic buildings…. and the best places to get a decent cuppa. There’s lots to see here, including the UK’s finest medieval cathedral, which still holds one of the original copies of Magna Carta, one of the most famous political documents in English history.

Salisbury Cathedral

No tour of Salisbury is complete without a visit to the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral , which boasts the tallest spire in Britain. If you're feeling fit, you can even climb up the spire’s 13th century steps, to admire the views over Salisbury! The building is a gothic masterpiece, built in just 38 years from 1220.

The remarkable iron age fort of Old Sarum is where the Cathedral used to stand. We’ll take you on a tour that encompasses five thousand years of history… then enjoy an English ice cream as you admire the fantastic views over the Wiltshire landscape.

Historic pubs

The tour guides certainly know their pubs – and they’ll take you for a traditional pie and chips, ploughman’s, or whatever you fancy. There are many historic watering holes in the city, some dating back hundreds of years, but don't worry, the salt and vinegar crisps have been restocked many a time since then!

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Free, Self Guided Walking Tour of Salisbury, Wiltshire

As one of England’s heritage cities, Salisbury is an ideal destination for both history and archaeology enthusiasts. There truly is a lot to see and do in and around this quintessential English city. You will not be able to miss the tell-tale signs of a fascinating and prosperous Medieval past. So set aside a few hours to explore this history with Sarah’s self guided walking tour of Salisbury. Who better to point out the must-see features than a local devotee?

• Last Checked and/or Updated 15 December 2021
• No Comments
• England , History Walks , Itineraries

The cathedral city of Salisbury often crops up under travel headlines such as the loveliest town in England (Telegraph) or one of the Top Ten cities to visit in the world (Lonely Planet) as well as the best place to live in England 2019 (Sunday Times). With accolades like this, and famous as the home to Salisbury Cathedral with the tallest spire in England, and the nearest city to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Stonehenge, it is no surprise that the city receives many tourists throughout the summer season.

There is more to Salisbury than the Cathedral and its Close, with other historic sites dotted around the town, particularly Medieval ones. We have put together a one day itinerary for those looking to see the best that Salisbury has to offer for the history enthusiast, all of which are free to visit. The itinerary focuses on the historic centre of the city, avoiding some of the places where city planners have not been kind to the area.

Directions between the venues are given using What3Words. This is a free navigation app where each three metre square in the world is given a unique, three word identifier that never changes. You can download the app to your smartphone, then all you do is enter the three words into the app’s search field app and it will give you the directions to where you want to go.

Start your morning at the church of St. Thomas and St. Edmund, which is about a 3 minute walk away from the central car park, or 9 minutes walk away from the train station.

Church of St Thomas Beckett

Cost: Free but please do leave a donation if you can

The church is as old as the city, with a wooden structure on the site to serve as the place of worship for the builders of the cathedral. The current church mostly dates from the 15th century, and although the interior has undergone some changes over the years, you can still see the medieval wall paintings showing the badges of the guilds. There are some fascinating objects in the church, but what stands out the most is the Doom Painting above the chancel, which is the largest and best preserved one in England. It was painted around 1470 and has recently been restored. Doom paintings were once a common feature in churches, an ever present reminder to the congregation as to what the afterlife has in store for them. Read all about St. Thomas’s Doom painting >>

When you leave St. Thomas’ turn left out of the church, walk around the corner to the Haunch of Venison.

The Haunch of Venison

Cost: Free unless you buy food or drink here

One of the regions oldest hostelries, the pub dates back over 700 years with its first recorded use being in 1320 to house workmen who were working on the cathedral’s spire. The huge oak beams throughout the pub actually pre-date the building by several hundred years and come from sailing ships. At the front of the pub is a ‘horsebox’ bar, called a ‘Ladies snug’ as it dates back to when women were not allowed in public drinking houses. The pewter top of the bar counter is one of only six left in the country, and the arch of gravity fed spirit taps are one of only five left in the country. It was here that Churchill and Eisenhower are said to have met to plan D-Day in 1944, when nearby Wilton House was Southern Command for the invasion.

The pub also has a former bread oven which houses a smoke preserved mummified hand holding 18th century playing cards, which was found when the building was undergoing some modifications in 1911. Reputedly the hand of a card player who was caught cheating and had it chopped off and thrown in a fire, it has been stolen several times from the pub, but always found its way back, where it is now under lock and key. The pub has a secret tunnel which leads to St. Thomas’ church, which is said to date from the days when the pub was a brothel, as well as a secret bar that is only occasionally opened to the public. It is also said to be one of the most haunted pubs in England, haunted by the ‘Demented Whist Player’ as well as several other ghosts.

As well as a fascinating historic place to stop for a drink, there is a restaurant that serves some excellent food.

Opposite the Haunch of Venison is the Poultry Cross, less than a 30 second walk away.

The Poultry Cross

Poultry Cross is a Grade I listed market cross, one of four which once stood in Salisbury, the others being a cheese cross, Barnards Cross (livestock) and a wool cross. They all marked the venues of the markets in the city. Salisbury was granted a market charter in 1227 and there has been a market cross on the site since 1307. The structure you see today dates back to the 15th century with some 19th century additions. On Tuesdays and Saturdays it is still surrounded by market stalls; otherwise it is used by locals as a meeting place or a good place to sit for a rest, or shelter if it is raining.

The Market Square

Salisbury’s Market Square has been in continuous use since about 1269, and was larger than it currently is, as Fish Row, Ox Row, Butcher Row and Oatmeal Row have crept into the original space, probably built to hold permanent shops to replace the temporary stalls. The lime trees you see around the market square were planted in 1867 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. The square now is fronted on two sides by an eclectic mix of building styles and shops, many of which are cafes or pubs with large outdoor seating areas.

The Guildhall Square

Next to the Market Square is the Guildhall Square, which contains the Guildhall and the war memorial. Erected after World War I in 1922, it was unveiled by TE Adlam, a Salisbury resident who was awarded the VC for his bravery in battle. It is Grade II listed and is somewhat unusual for war memorials as it is horizontal in style, with a bronze sculpture. The names of the fallen in World War II were added later. The memorial is still the focal point for rememberance services within the city. Behind the memorial is the Guildhall, Salisbury’s civic building. There are a couple of rooms which are usually open to the public and which display works of art, the city’s silver, and an impressive oak court room. Unless there is an event on, you can just walk inside and ask to look at the rooms which are open to the public. Read more about the Guildhall and what there is to see >>

When you leave the Guildhall, turn right. Opposite you is Queen Street. It is less than a ten second walk away.

Queen Street

No. 8 Queen Street, the double gabled medieval house was built in 1425 and restored in 1930. The house is known as the House of John A’Port, a wool merchant who was Mayor of Salisbury six times and is one of the rich merchants houses which overlooked the market place. Now a clothing shop, it still has a few original features, but has sadly covered up much of its wattle and daub walls.

For these, you need to go next door to No. 9 Queen Street. Now a Cotswold Outdoor shop, go inside if it’s open and walk up to the first floor. Here, there are some magnificent examples of original wattle and daub on display, the timber beams and brick walls showing the craftsmanship involved in the work. It is really worth a look.

Head south down Queen Street and turn right onto New Canal. Over the road you will see the Odeon. It is less than a 2 minute walk.

The House of John Halle/the Odeon Cinema

Cost: Free unless you choose to watch a film

Built in 1470, this building was once the home to John Halle, a local wool merchant, mayor and Member of Parliament for Salisbury. The frontage that you see is actually mock Tudor and was added in 1881, you need to go inside to see the Grade I listed medieval hall. You don’t need a ticket to go in and see the hallway, so it is worth popping in for a minute to admire the medieval fireplace, beamed ceiling, stained glass windows and swords and spears which decorate the walls. The cinema also runs free guided tours once a week, or you could even book a ticket to see a film there. Read more about the history of the building and the guided tours >>

As you leave the Odeon, turn right and walk two minutes up New Canal Street.

The Red Lion

Cost: Free unless you buy food or drink

The first thing you will notice about the Red Lion Hotel is the stunning entrance. Through the coaching doors you can see a small stone courtyard with ivy draped down the medieval walls, wrought iron tables and chairs dotted around and an abundance of plants. The effect is spectacular. The Red Lion has the distinction of being the longest running, purpose built hotel in the country. Built to house the draughstmen and stone masons working on the cathedral, when the cathedral was finished, the ‘White Bear Inn’ was then used to house visitors to the cathedral and the city of Salisbury.

The building has been altered and embellished throughout the years, with the south wing being the oldest part, full of timbered beams and some wattle and daub and a medieval fireplace. Outside the inn was the local Cage and Ducking stool, as one of Salisbury’s watercourses ran outside. This was a way of punishing short-changing shopkeepers, scolds and ‘disorderly women’, who would be dunked in the sewage filled water. The building became The Red Lion in 1769, when the local postmaster took over the inn, and it became the main entrance for all of the mail coaches travelling to and from the city. The carvings on a clock in the main reception were carved by Spanish prisoners in Dartmoor Jail following the 1588 defeat of the Armada.

When you leave The Red Lion Hotel, turn left and then left again onto Catherine Street. Walk down Catherine Street then turn left into Ivy Street. Walk on, cross over at the crossroads and into Trinity Street. About halfway down on the left is the next destination, the Trinity Almshouses. It is about a four minute walk.

Salisbury City Almshouses, Trinity Street

Cost: Free but please do leave a donation

Trinity Hospital is a Grade I listed building, opened as an act of penance by Agnes Bottenham, who you saw in the Doom Painting at St. Thomas’ Church. Opened in the 1370s as a refuge for the sick and needy of the city, the building you see now was a rebuild from 1702. If the large black door in the centre of the building is open, then you can go into the small courtyard, at the far end of which is the Trinity Chapel. The chapel is small but charming, refurnished in 1908, and is free to visit, although they are very grateful for any donations you can give, as it is still a charity for the old and needy of the city. The courtyard has a cast lead sink dating to 1809, doric columns and wooden signs telling of the money bequeathed to the charity over the centuries.

Turn right out of Trinity Hospital and walk up New Street (ironically the oldest street in the city). On the corner with Brown Street is the Rai d’Or (What3Words: curry.calms.gates), which was once the brothel owned by Agnes Bottenham who bequeathed Trinity Hospital to the city as penance. There is a blue plaque on the wall. You will also pass The New Inn (What3Words: choice.matter.tend), which was built around 1380 and is a traditional British pub full of wooden beams. Turn right into the High Street, it is about a five minute walk.

Old George Inn/boston Tea Party

Cost: Free unless you order food or drink

What is now a Boston Tea Party coffee shop is a Grade I listed building which dates back to the early 1300s. The Old George Inn, as it once was, was built in 1314, and had some notable guests. Shakespeare and his players stayed there in 1608, on their way to nearby Wilton, and are said to have rehearsed As You Like It in the back garden (sadly now a concrete clad shopping mall). Oliver Cromwell spent a night there in 1645, Samuel Pepys in 1668 and Charles Dickens in 1845, where it is believed he wrote some of Martin Chuzzlewit. Inside is now an eclectic mix of wooden floorboards, leaded windows, beamed ceilings and comfortable sofas.

As you leave Boston Tea Party, have a quick look at the clock over Waterstones next door. Often missed by many visitors, this vibrant clock is actually a WH Smith clock, as WH Smith used to own these premises from 1924. The weathervane is of a newspaper boy and the numbers are replaced by the letters WH Smith.

Now walk back on yourself up the High Street, towards the High Street gate and the Cathedral.

Salisbury High Street

Mitre house.

As you approach the gate, you will notice a building on the corner which has a bishop’s mitre painted on the side. This is Mitre House, said to be the first house built in Salisbury and is where Bishop Richard Poore is said to have lodged to oversee the building of the cathedral. Although now a clothes shop, it is still also used for its original purpose of being the location where a new Bishop of the city will put on his robes. Traditionally, new bishops dismount from their horse in nearby Bishopdown, hence the name, and walk into the city as pilgrims. They then put on their robes in Mitre House, before entering the Close.

As you get closer to the gate, you will see the shop on the left hand side of it has a model of a ram above the door. This dates from the early 20th century, when the shop was used for Stonehenge Woollen Industries, a charitable organisation aimed at revitalising the rural woollen trade. The ram, a traditional breed of Wiltshire Horn, fell into a state of disrepair over the years and the one you see today was put there in 2015 by the Salisbury Civic Society.

The High Street Gate (North Gate)

The High Street Gate was built between 1327 and 1342 and housed the lock up for those convicted of misdeeds within the Cathedral Close. A portcullis used to be lowered every night to lock the gate, which has since been removed, but the gates are still locked between 11pm and 6am. Next to the gate is a porters lodge, the position of Porter to the Close being much sought after by nobles during the middle ages. The north side has the Stuart Royal coat of arms, which were added in the 17th century between two stone-mullioned windows and the south side has a statue of Edward VII which was added in 1902 and which replaced a statue of Charles I who had replaced a statue of Henry III.

The College of Matrons

After you walk through the gate, on your left is the Grade I listed College of Matrons. Erected in 1682 as almshouses for the widows of clergy and paid for by Bishop Seth Ward, it is still part of Salisbury almshouses. The College was built by a local Harnham builder and it is rumoured that Christopher Wren had some involvement in the style. Above the door is a cartouche in Latin, the translation of which is “Seth, Bishop of Salisbury, most humbly dedicated this College of Matrons to God, most good, most great, in the year of our Lord 1682”. Above that is the coat of arms of Charles II, flanked by scrolls and drapes of fruit. A lead domed roof lantern topped by a golden ball sits on top of the roof along with six chimney stacks. The brick wall and gates are Grade I listed separately to the rest of the building.

The cathedral is ahead of you. Entry to the cathedral is free although there is a suggested donation of £7.50 per adult, which they really do appreciate as they get no external funding. If you don’t want to spend any money at all, you can still go in through the main entrance, walk around the Cloisters and see the Magna Carta without any charge.

The Cathedral Close is a beautiful place for a leisurely walk, with some incredible old buildings, or you can just sit on the lawns and admire the views. Read more about Salisbury’s Cathedral Close >>

If you have the time and the weather is good, then a visit to Salisbury’s Water Meadows is a must. Go back out of the High Street Gate, turn left onto Crane Street and walk across the bridge over the River Avon, turning left after the car park, into Queen Elizabeth Gardens.

‘Lizzie Gardens’ as it is known to the locals, was opened in the 1960s to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. With famous views over the cathedral, from here you can access the Town Path, which takes you along the Harnham Water Meadows. It is a lovely place to walk and has a playpark, free musical events in the summer and prime paddling spots for hot days. Walk through the park to reach the entrance to the Town Path and the Water Meadows.

Harnham Water Meadows

The best known meadow irrigation system in England, the 84 acres of beautiful water meadows once provided the grazing, hay, and craft materials that helped make Salisbury a prosperous market town. Now designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the meadows are a thriving site for wildlife within the city. From the walk alongside them, you can see one of the most iconic views of the cathedral, as painted by John Constable in his famous 1831 painting, ‘Salisbury Cathedral from the Water Meadows’.

At the end of the Town Path is a pub called The Old Mill, a Grade I listed, 15th century building, with some features which date back to 1250. Originally an ecclesiastical building, it was transformed in the 16th century to be the largest paper mill in the country. It is the perfect place to end your day of exploring Salisbury, with a restaurant in the oldest part of the building, a riverside garden and a large mill pond.

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A SELF GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF HISTORIC SALISBURY

As one of England’s medieval cities, Salisbury in Wiltshire is an ideal destination for culture enthusiasts. We have put together a walk of all of the free heritage sites in this market town, which you can complete in a few hours, or in a day if you want plenty of time for relaxing, dining and further exploration.

The cathedral city of Salisbury often crops up under travel headlines such as the 'loveliest town in England' (Telegraph) or one of the 'Top Ten Cities to visit in the World' (Lonely Planet) as well as the Best Place to live in England 2019 (Sunday Times). With accolades like this, its fame as the home to  Salisbury Cathedral with the tallest spire  in England, and the nearest city to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Stonehenge, it is no surprise that the city receives many tourists throughout the year.

There is more to Salisbury than the  Cathedral and its Close , with other historic sites dotted around the town, particularly medieval ones. We have put together a one day itinerary for those looking to see the best that Salisbury has to offer for the history enthusiast, all of which are free to visit. The itinerary focuses on the historic centre of the city, avoiding some of the places where city planners have not been kind to the area.

Locations of the venues are given using  what3words .

Start your tour at the church of St. Thomas and St. Edmund, which is a 9 minute walk away from the train station.

THE CHURCH OF ST. THOMAS BECKETT

what3words:   speak.caked.cross Cost:  Free, but please do leave a donation if you can

The church is as old as the city, with a wooden structure on the site to serve as the place of worship for the builders of the cathedral. The current church mostly dates from the 15th century, and although the interior has undergone some changes over the years, you can still see the medieval wall paintings showing the badges of the guilds.

There are some fascinating objects in the church, but what stands out the most is the Doom Painting above the chancel, which is the largest and best preserved one in England. It was painted around 1470 and has recently been restored. Doom paintings were once a common feature in churches, an ever present reminder to the congregation as to what the afterlife could have in store for them. 

Read more about the Doom painting and what it means here >>

When you leave St. Thomas’ turn left out of the church, walk around the corner to the Haunch of Venison.

THE HAUNCH OF VENISON

what3words:   quarrel.prime.heave Cost:  Free unless you buy food or drink here

One of the regions oldest hostelries, the pub dates back over 700 years with its first recorded use being in 1320 to house workmen who were working on the cathedral’s spire. The huge oak beams throughout the pub actually pre-date the building by several hundred years and come from sailing ships.

At the front of the pub is a ‘horsebox’ bar, called a ‘Ladies snug’ as it dates back to when women were not allowed in public drinking houses. The pewter top of the bar counter is one of only six left in the country, and the arch of gravity fed spirit taps are one of only five left in the country. It was here that Churchill and Eisenhower are said to have met to plan D-Day in 1944, when nearby Wilton House was Southern Command for the invasion.

The pub also has a former bread oven which houses a smoke preserved mummified hand holding 18th century playing cards, which was found when the building was undergoing some modifications in 1911. Reputedly the hand of a card player who was caught cheating and had it chopped off and thrown in a fire, it has been stolen several times from the pub, but always found its way back, where it is now under lock and key.

The pub has a secret tunnel which leads to St. Thomas’ church, which is said to date from the days when the pub was a brothel, as well as a secret bar that is only occasionally opened to the public. It is also said to be one of the most haunted pubs in England, haunted by the ‘Demented Whist Player’ as well as several other ghosts.

As well as a fascinating historic place to stop for a drink, there is a restaurant that serves some excellent food. It is independently owned and so perfect for the Slow Traveller. Find out more >>

Opposite the Haunch of Venison is the Poultry Cross, less than a 30 second walk away.

THE POULTRY CROSS

what3words:   goods.woods.times Cost:  Free

Poultry Cross is a Grade I listed market cross, one of four which once stood in Salisbury, the others being a cheese cross, Barnards Cross (livestock) and a wool cross. They all marked the venues of the markets in the city. Salisbury was granted a market charter in 1227 and there has been a market cross on the site since 1307.

The structure you see today dates back to the 15th century with some 19th century additions. On Tuesdays and Saturdays it is still surrounded by market stalls; otherwise it is used by locals as a meeting place or a good place to sit for a rest, or shelter if it is raining.

Walk through the narrow lane between buildings to reach the market square, it is less than a 30 second walk.

THE MARKET SQUARE

what3words:   t race.ropes.ashes Cost:  Free

Salisbury’s Market Square has been in continuous use since about 1269, and was larger than it currently is, as Fish Row, Ox Row, Butcher Row and Oatmeal Row have crept into the original space, probably built to hold permanent shops to replace the temporary stalls. Salisbury’s Market is still held on Tuesdays and Saturdays, as it has been for over 700 years.

The lime trees you see around the market square were planted in 1867 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. The square now is fronted on two sides by an eclectic mix of building styles and shops, many of which are cafes or pubs with large outdoor seating areas.

The Market Square has a statue to Henry Fawcett, husband to Millicent Garret Fawcett, author, politician and Postmaster. Read about his connection to Salisbury >>

THE GUILDHALL SQUARE

what3words: ports.lost.royal

Next to the Market Square is the Guildhall Square, which contains the Guildhall and the war memorial. Erected after World War I in 1922, it was unveiled by TE Adlam , a Salisbury resident who was awarded the VC for his bravery in battle. It is Grade II listed and is somewhat unusual for war memorials as it is horizontal in style, with a bronze sculpture. The names of the fallen in World War II were added later. The memorial is still the focal point for remembrance services within the city.

Behind the memorial is the Guildhall, Salisbury’s civic building. There are a couple of rooms which are usually open to the public and which display works of art, the city’s silver, and an impressive oak court room. Unless there is an event on, you can just walk inside and ask to look at the rooms which are open to the public. 

Read more about the Guildhall >>

When you leave the Guildhall, turn right. Opposite you is Queen Street. It is less than a ten second walk away.

QUEEN STREET

what3words:   minus.hint.legal Cost:  Free

No. 8 Queen Street, the double gabled medieval house, was built in 1425 and restored in 1930.

The house is known as the House of John A’Port, a wool merchant who was Mayor of Salisbury six times and is one of the rich merchants houses which overlooked the market place.

Now a clothing shop, it still has a few original features, but has sadly covered up much of its wattle and daub walls. For these, you need to go next door to No. 9 Queen Street. Now a Cotswold Outdoor shop, go inside if it’s open and walk up to the first floor.

Here, there are some magnificent examples of original wattle and daub on display, the timber beams and brick walls showing the craftsmanship involved in the work. It is really worth a look.

Just a couple of shops down is the entrance to Cross Keys Mall. Go inside.

Ahead of you is a wonderful 17th century wooden Jacobean staircase. This is all that remains of Salisbury's rather exotic Turkish Baths, which were built in 1874. This Mall was once the yard of a popular pub, The Plume of Feathers, and the entrance to the baths was through a narrow passageway and up the stairs.

They were once the height of fashion and consisted of " Three hot rooms, maintained at 130°F, 170°F, and 230°F, and a shampooing room, all led off the cooling-room located on the first floor of the building. Additionally, there were hot baths and a range of spray, wave, and rose showers which could also be used by those not wishing to have a Turkish bath, and by those separately attending for hydropathic treatment or massage." ( source )

The baths closed in 1912, the building demolished in 1974, and all that remains is the wonderful stairs and the balcony you see ahead of you.

Head south down Queen Street and turn right onto New Canal. Over the road you will see the Odeon. It is less than a 2 minute walk.

THE HOUSE OF JOHN HALLE/THE ODEON CINEMA

what3words:   police.merit.hosts Cost:  Free unless you choose to watch a film

Built in 1470, this building was once the home to John Halle, a local wool merchant, mayor and Member of Parliament for Salisbury. The frontage that you see is actually mock Tudor and was added in 1881 by Pugin; you need to go inside to see the Grade I listed medieval hall.

You don’t need a ticket to go in and see the hallway, so it is worth popping in for a minute to admire the medieval fireplace, beamed ceiling, stained glass windows and swords and spears which decorate the walls. The cinema also runs free guided tours once a week, or you could even book a ticket to see a film there. 

Read about doing a tour behind the scenes of the Odeon >>

As you leave the Odeon, turn right and walk two minutes up New Canal Street.

THE RED LION

Photograph ©  The Red Lion Hotel

what3words:   marked.modern.fakes Cost:  Free unless you buy food or drink

The first thing you will notice about the Red Lion Hotel is the stunning entrance. Through the coaching doors you can see a small stone courtyard with ivy draped down the medieval walls, wrought iron tables and chairs dotted around and an abundance of plants. The effect is spectacular.

The Red Lion has the distinction of being the longest running, purpose built hotel in the country. Built to house the draughstmen and stone masons working on the cathedral, when the cathedral was finished, the ‘White Bear Inn’ was then used to house visitors to the cathedral and the city of Salisbury.

The building has been altered and embellished throughout the years, with the south wing being the oldest part, full of timbered beams and some wattle and daub and a medieval fireplace. Outside the inn was the local Cage and Ducking stool, as one of Salisbury’s watercourses ran outside. This was a way of punishing short-changing shopkeepers, scolds and ‘disorderly women’, who would be dunked in the sewage filled water.

The building became The Red Lion in 1769, when the local postmaster took over the inn, and it became the main entrance for all of the mail coaches travelling to and from the city. The carvings on a clock in the main reception were carved by Spanish prisoners in Dartmoor Jail following the 1588 defeat of the Armada.

When you leave The Red Lion Hotel, turn left and then left again onto Catherine Street. Walk down Catherine Street then turn left into Ivy Street. Walk on, cross over at the crossroads and into Trinity Street. About halfway down on the left is the next destination, the Trinity Almshouses. It is about a four minute walk.

SALISBURY CITY ALMSHOUSES, TRINITY STREET

what3words:   burns.robots.riches Cost:  Free but please do leave a donation

Trinity Hospital is a Grade I listed building, opened as an act of penance by Agnes Bottenham, who you saw in the Doom Painting at St. Thomas’ Church. Opened in the 1370s as a refuge for the sick and needy of the city, the building you see now was a rebuild from 1702.

If the large black door in the centre of the building is open, then you can go into the small courtyard, at the far end of which is the Trinity Chapel. The chapel is small but charming, refurnished in 1908, and is free to visit, although they are very grateful for any donations you can give, as it is still a charity for the old and needy of the city. The courtyard has a cast lead sink dating to 1809, doric columns and wooden signs telling of the money bequeathed to the charity over the centuries.

Turn right out of Trinity Hospital and walk up New Street (ironically the oldest street in the city). On the corner with Brown Street is the Rai d’Or (what3words: curry.calms.gates), which was once the brothel owned by Agnes Bottenham who bequeathed Trinity Hospital to the city as penance.

There is a blue plaque on the wall. You will also pass The New Inn (what3words: choice.matter.tend ), which was built around 1380 and is a traditional British pub full of wooden beams. Turn right into the High Street, it is about a five minute walk.

OLD GEORGE INN/BOSTON TEA PARTY

what3words:   rams.risk.races Cost:  Free unless you order food or drink

What is now a Boston Tea Party coffee shop is a Grade I listed building which dates back to the early 1300s.

The Old George Inn, as it once was, was built in 1314, and had some notable guests. Shakespeare and his players stayed there in 1608, on their way to nearby Wilton, and are said to have rehearsed As You Like It in the back garden (sadly now a concrete clad shopping mall).

Oliver Cromwell spent a night there in 1645, Samuel Pepys in 1668 and Charles Dickens in 1845, where it is believed he wrote some of Martin Chuzzlewit. Inside is now an eclectic mix of wooden floorboards, leaded windows, beamed ceilings and comfortable sofas.

As you leave Boston Tea Party, have a quick look at the clock over Waterstones next door. Often missed by many visitors, this vibrant clock is actually a WH Smith clock, as WH Smith used to own these premises from 1924.

The weathervane is of a newspaper boy and the numbers are replaced by the letters WH Smith.

Now walk back on yourself up the High Street, towards the High Street gate and the Cathedral.

SALISBURY HIGH STREET

Mitre house.

what3words :   pepper.hero.cried

As you approach the gate, you will notice a building on the corner which has a bishop’s mitre painted on the side. This is Mitre House, said to be the site of the first house built in Salisbury and is where Bishop Richard Poore lodged to oversee the building of the cathedral.

Although now a clothes shop, it is still also used for its original purpose of being the location where a new Bishop of the city will put on his robes. Traditionally, new bishops dismount from their horse in nearby Bishopdown, hence the name, and walk into the city as pilgrims. They then put on their robes in Mitre House, before entering the Close.

what3words:   pigs.lend.quest

As you get closer to the gate, you will see the shop on the left hand side of it has a model of a ram above the door. This dates from the early 20th century, when the shop was used for Stonehenge Woollen Industries, a charitable organisation aimed at revitalising the rural woollen trade. The ram, a traditional breed of Wiltshire Horn, fell into a state of disrepair over the years and the one you see today was put there in 2015 by the Salisbury Civic Society.

The High Street Gate (North Gate)

what3words: state.slime.picked

The High Street Gate was built between 1327 and 1342 and housed the lock up for those convicted of misdeeds within the Cathedral Close.

A portcullis used to be lowered every night to lock the gate, which has since been removed, but the gates are still locked between 11pm and 6am.

Next to the gate is a porters lodge, the position of Porter to the Close being much sought after by nobles during the middle ages. The north side has the Stuart Royal coat of arms, which were added in the 17th century between two stone-mullioned windows and the south side has a statue of Edward VII which was added in 1902 and which replaced a statue of Charles I who had replaced a statue of Henry III.

The College of Matrons

what3words:   alien.perky.pumps

After you walk through the gate, on your left is the Grade I listed College of Matrons. Erected in 1682 as almshouses for the widows of clergy and paid for by Bishop Seth Ward, it is still part of Salisbury almshouses. The College was built by a local Harnham builder and it is rumoured that Christopher Wren had some involvement in the style.

Above the door is a cartouche in Latin, the translation of which is “Seth, Bishop of Salisbury, most humbly dedicated this College of Matrons to God, most good, most great, in the year of our Lord 1682”. Above that is the coat of arms of Charles II, flanked by scrolls and drapes of fruit.

A lead domed roof lantern topped by a golden ball sits on top of the roof along with six chimney stacks. The brick wall and gates are Grade I listed separately to the rest of the building.

The cathedral is ahead of you ( what3words:   zooms.caring.late ). Entry to the cathedral is £8 per adult, which gives you access for a whole year. If you don’t want to spend any money at all, you can still go in through the main entrance, walk around the Cloisters and see the Magna Carta without any charge.

Read about a visit to the Cathedral >>

The Cathedral Close is a beautiful place for a leisurely walk, with some incredible old buildings, or you can just sit on the lawns and admire the views.

Read about a self-guided walk around Salisbury's Cathedral Close >>

If you have the time and the weather is good, then a visit to Salisbury’s Water Meadows is a must. Go back out of the High Street Gate, turn left onto Crane Street and walk across the bridge over the River Avon, turning left after the car park, into Queen Elizabeth Gardens.

‘Lizzie Gardens’ as it is known to the locals, was opened in the 1960s to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Read more about Lizzie Gardens >>

With famous views over the cathedral, from here you can access the Town Path, which takes you along the Harnham Water Meadows . It is a lovely place to walk and has a playpark, free musical events in the summer and prime paddling spots for hot days.

Walk through the park to reach the entrance to the Town Path and the Water Meadows.

HARNHAM WATER MEADOWS

what3words:   custom.mint.limit Cost:  Free

The best known meadow irrigation system in England, the 84 acres of beautiful water meadows once provided the grazing, hay, and craft materials that helped make Salisbury a prosperous market town. Now designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the meadows are a thriving site for wildlife within the city.

From the walk alongside them, you can see one of the most iconic views of the cathedral, as painted by John Constable in his famous 1831 painting, ‘Salisbury Cathedral from the Water Meadows’.

At the end of the Town Path is a pub called The Old Mill , a Grade I listed, 15th century building, with some features which date back to 1250. Originally an ecclesiastical building, it was transformed in the 16th century to be the largest paper mill in the country.

It is the perfect place to end your day of exploring Salisbury, with a restaurant in the oldest part of the building, a riverside garden and a large mill pond.

If you have the time, why not try this? Constable and Salisbury - The Harnham and Water Meadows Trail >>

VISITING SALISBURY

See our Salisbury City Guide for details on how to get to Salisbury, where to stay, eat, shop and other places to visit in the area.

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