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Salisbury

Centred on a majestic cathedral that's topped by the tallest spire in England, Salisbury makes an appealing Wiltshire base. It's been an important provincial city for more than a thousand years, and its streets form an architectural timeline ranging from medieval walls and half-timbered Tudor town houses to Georgian mansions and Victorian villas.

Explore Salisbury

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Salisbury.

  • Cathedral

    Salisbury Cathedral

    England is endowed with countless stunning churches, but few can hold a candle to the grandeur and sheer spectacle of 13th-century Salisbury Cathedral…

  • Historic Building

    Wilton House

    Stately Wilton House provides an insight into the rarefied world of the British aristocracy. One of England's finest stately homes, it's been the house of…

  • Museum

    Magna Carta

    Magna Carta on display in Salisbury Cathedral's Chapter House is one of only four surviving original copies. A historic agreement made in 1215 between…

  • Museum

    Salisbury Museum

    The hugely important archaeological finds here include the Stonehenge Archer, the bones of a man found in the ditch near the stone circle – one of the…

  • Archaeological Site

    Old Sarum

    The huge ramparts of Old Sarum sit on a grass-covered hill 2 miles north of Salisbury. You can wander the grassy ramparts, see the original cathedral's…

  • Historic Site

    Cathedral Close

    Salisbury's medieval cathedral close, a hushed enclave surrounded by beautiful houses, has an other-worldly feel. Many of the buildings date from the 13th…

  • Church

    St Thomas's Church

    This stately church was built for cathedral workmen in 1219 and named after Thomas Becket. Its most famous feature is the amazing doom painting above the…

  • Historic Site

    Market Square

    Markets were first held here in 1219, and the square still bustles with traders every Tuesday and Saturday (from 8am to 4pm), when you can pick up…

  • Historic Building

    Mompesson House

    Magnificent plasterwork ceilings, exceptional period furnishings and a sweeping carved staircase grace this fine Queen Anne (1701) building. All that made…

  • Gardens

    Wilton House Grounds

    The 22 acres of parkland and gardens of Wilton House are bordered by the rivers Wylye and Nadder, and were largely laid out by the famous landscape…

  • Historic Building

    College of Matrons

    An ornate facade and elaborate crest distinguish the College of Matrons, which was founded in 1682 for the widows and unmarried daughters of clergymen. It…

  • Museum

    Rifles

    Collections include a cannonball from the American War of Independence, Victorian redcoat uniforms, and displays on 19th- and 21st-century conflicts in…

  • Landmark

    Poultry Cross

    Dating from the 15th century, the Poultry Cross is the last of four crosses that once stood on the town's market square.

  • Gate

    High St Gate

    One of the narrow, ancient gates leading into Cathedral Close.

  • Historic Building

    Bishop's Palace

    Parts of the former Bishop's Palace date back to 1220; it's now the Cathedral School.

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Salisbury.

  • Activities