Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury Cathedrals roots go back to the 1075 site at Old Sarum that grew up under the leadership of Bishop Osmund, who was later canonised and is now buried at the new cathedral.

By the late 12th century, Old Sarum was becoming an  increasingly unsatisfactory location and in 1219 work began on the new site around which the city subsequently grew up. A romantic story claims the site was chosen by firing an arrow from the ramparts of Old Sarum, although a more likely explanation is that the bishop owned suitable land.

The new cathedral was completed on March 25, 1266. The spire, which at more than 400 ft high is a masterpiece of medieval engineering, was not added until the late 13th century.  The original scaffolding used to build it is still visible inside.  However the cathedral has had its problems, most notably in 1559 when the spire was struck by lightning, leaving a 60ft tear. It was also plundered by parliamentarian troops during the Civil war and there was fighting in the Close.

Despite all this, the building remains a beautiful example of gothic architecture. It also contains the oldest working clock in England, built in 1386, and one of only four surviving copies of the Magna Carta.
Come to see this remarkable building from a distance and you'll understand why Constable and Turner wanted to immortalise it on canvas. For more information telephone 01722 555120.

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Things to do in Wiltshire - Bradford on Avon, Castle Combe, Devizes, Cotswold Water Park, Kennet & Avon Canal, Lacock Abbey, Malmesbury, Salisbury, Cathedral, Savernake, Stonehenge, Marlborough, Salisbury Plain, Stonehenge & Avebury, Stourhead, Swindon, Warminster, White Horses, Longleat