Salisbury England Travel Sights To See in Salisbury

Salisbury is a wonderful quaint English town. It's location makes it easy to get to; less than a day by train from London, and within striking distance of cities like Brighton & Hove and Bradford-on-Avon and Castle Comb.

Salisbury is also very close to Stonehenge, one of the most well-known landmarks in all the world. The strange thing about Stonehenge is that it has been surrounded in mystery for a long time, and that no one really knows what it is! Some say an ancient temple, some say an ancient burial site, or even an observatory of some kind. The stones themselves are thought to date back some 5,000 years, with most coming from Wales. It is also believe that the structure was not built all at once but over a long period of time, perhaps as long as 1,500 years (starting around 3,000 BC). At any rate, it is definitely a worthwhile visit, and will give you excellent views of the Wiltshire countryside.

Salisbury Cathedral is probably the second most famous attraction in town. The Church was built between 1220 and 1258. Aside from the famous spire, there really have been no major additions, which is somewhat unique among the ancient Cathedrals. This spire was constructed between 1285 and 1315, and is the tallest in all of England at 404 feet. There are several interesting tombs within the Cathedral; those of William dr Longespee (a general who died in the Crusades), St. Osmund (who was the second Bishop of Old Sarum, the original city of Salisbury) and the Earl of Hertford. The oldest part of the Cathedral is called Trinity Chapel, which houses one of the 4 remaining original copies of the Magna Carta, issued by King John in 1215. Quite an impressive structure. There is some crumbling of the exterior decoration, but overall is very well-preserved. Do not miss the opportunity to visit this unique structure.

Old Sarum is also worth a visit. This is the oldest part of the area, thought to be a settlement that dates back to the iron age, possibly as early as 300 BC (it is believed a Hill Fort was founded on this location and soon became the center for trade). Old Sarum is located about 2 miles north of Salisbury, but can be easily reached by car, bus or taxi. What you will see now on your visit is a ruin of an old settlement that William the conqueror built during the 1000's. You will see remains of the old Norman fortifications and the foundations of the old Cathedral. This is a must see on any visit to the area.

Other points of interest includes museums and old houses and estates. You can learn much about the history of Salisbury and Old Sarum from the Salisbury Museum, including much about Stonehenge (such as why it may have been built and what it was used for). Also, the Wilton House and the Malmesbury House are neat places to visit. Also plan on visiting the Market Square. Especially if you are there on Tuesday or Saturday, when the market is actually open. In fact, it has been in almost continuous operation since the 12th century.

This is only a taste of what you can expect to find in Salisbury. There are many more things to do and see including Salisbury Arts Center, theater at City Hall and Salisbury Playhouse. Also, you may wish to visit Elizabeth Gardens, Salisbury Racecourse, and the Old Sarum Flying Club.

I sincerely hope you enjoy yourself as much as I do whenever visiting Salisbury!

Joseph Carducci is a lover of all things English and a frequent traveler to the UK. For more information about visiting England or the UK, please visit his sites at: Brighton England Travel Salisbury England Travel New Forest England Travel

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