Visiting Salisbury Cathedral was such a lovely experience. With 800+ years of history, it's home to Britain's tallest spire, the world's oldest mechanical working clock, and best preserved original 1215 Magna Carta. When I came it was a bit dreary, so I started the day with tea and a slice of vegan fruit cake from the cafe, which I enjoyed outside sitting on the stone wall of the Cloisters overlooking the courtyard. I got a map for a self-guided tour, and it was lovely to wander and explore at my own pace. The map is really thoughtfully put together with 21 key locations to visit around the church; those locations themselves had signs with more information for a deeper dive on the topic (I appreciate the use of QR codes for even more information!). You'll learn about how to check the water level under the cathedral, take a peak inside their smallest chapel, stand at the font and wonder at the reflections, learn about the Amnesty International candle burning for oppressed people around the world, and more. The docents here are all so lovely and excited to share their knowledge with you, please talk to them and ask questions. I was lucky enough to be here for both a prayer from the priest on the hour, followed by a lengthy demonstration about how the clock works. Visiting the room that houses the Magna Carta, I got a 1:1 with a docent after asking a (silly, but unanswerable) question about the lighting in the recently renovated/updated display box that prevents the document from fading and increases its overall security. Lovely morning here; absolutely worth visiting! read more

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Salisbury Cathedral is a magnificent building and it is sometimes hard to imagine it was built when it was. Both inside and outside are impressive. What makes the cathedral stand out from others is that the Magna Carta is on display. To be able to see such a historic artefact is special. read more

This gorgeous cathedral was a notable highlight of my first visit to England. I was glamping outside the town and had read in a blog this was an interesting spot to visit, so stopped by on an "adventure" day. Amazing does not even begin to describe my experience. Not only is the architecture and history mind-blowing, it also houses one of four remaining copies of the Magna Carta. Also, the oldest working clock in the world is found inside the cathedral and it is the tallest cathedral in the UK. Although I chose a self-guided tour, the attendants were more than willing to chat and educate guest on the various features and history. As I recall, the entry fee was a suggested 10GBP, which I was more than happy to give. It was so amazing, I added a few more pounds to a donation box after lighting a candle for love ones lost. Highly recommend, take your time and appreciate the details. The South Tower is home to a next box with a pair of Peregrine falcons that you can stream live from the website! Take lots of photos and read up on things you may have missed during your visit. It was truly beautiful and a highlight of my trip. read more

Quality/Quantity - When we were in Europe, we visited many churches and Cathedrals. This one is more beautiful than the others. Huge welcome and info station. Cafe. Atmosphere - Huge Cathedral. Not sure if there is an active school here...? I saw many kids in uniform. Clean and large cafe. Parking, see picture for rates. Service - What a nice find. Friendly team when we checked in and asked questions at the info desk. Group and school visits. Price - 11 pounds per person, free if you are a local. Owner Comment - Cut and pasted from you website: "Enjoy the serenity and splendour of this stunning Cathedral, gaze up at Britain's tallest spire, explore Britain's largest Cathedral Close and Cloisters, see the world's oldest mechanical clock and the best-preserved original 1215 Magna Carta." read more

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Very beautiful and historical. The architecture of the church is still in amazing condition. People were sitting outside on the grass and was very peaceful. read more

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Salisbury has a magnificent Gothic cathedral. It is important in part because it has the tallest church spire in the UKand it houses one of the original copies of the Magna Carta, which is on display in the Chopter House. It also is home to a 14th-century clock which is reputedly the oldest working clock not only in the UK but also the world. Unlike the clock in Wells Cathedral however, it does not have a clock face. It has lovely grounds and they offer tours to the roof and top of the tower, which provides excellent views. One can and should book the tower tour online in advance. read more

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What an awe inspiring cathedral. It is one of the main attractions in Salisbury, and rightly so. The cathedral is huge and impressive and set on a nice green area. The exquisite details on on the stone work is breathtaking. I felt very moved whilst walking around, as did my husband, This is the type of cathedral that makes you want to start to attend church again! I really loved the stained windows. Apparently it took 38 years from start to finish to build this masterpiece. There was a beautiful black font in the centre of the main aisle with water permanently running, which I have never seen before. read more

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This was a lovely cathedral to visit! The staff were all so kind and willing to help us! We were late for our tower tour and were unable to reschedule. We had resigned ourselves to just looks around when Ina Miles was so kind and radioed multiple folks and ended up getting us on the tour. It made our trip to Salisbury! The tour was very interesting and it was great to see the town from above. I highly recommend it! read more

Simply beautiful cathedral! There's no admission fee, but there is a suggested donation to tour the cathedral - runs to 3£ per person which is not bad at all. We visited on a Sunday and as it is a fully functioning church, they had just finished services and were having a coffee and cake session with the local parishioners afterwards - quite charming like something out of Father Brown. The cathedral itself of course, has a lot of historical significance, including holding one of the original copies of the Magna Carta, but in and of itself, it's a wonderful piece of architecture and artwork. Well worth visiting, especially if you've made the hike out to see Stonehenge, as it's very close by. Salisbury Village itself is very photogenic and a good place for lunch after seeing Stonehenge and the Cathedral. There are many cafes, restaurants, and pubs to choose from, as well as quaint stores and markets. A delightful spot to stroll around the neighborhoods and beautiful streams meandering through town like something out of Wind in the Willows or Beatrix Potter. (Yet there was a dose of reality as the village park was closed to the public, cordoned off by police tape and warded by bobbies, as it was the site of the suspected Novichok poisoning! That's one souvenir I can do without!) read more

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Salisbury Cathedral is absolutely a must-see during your travels through England. Aside from the stunning architecture, the cathedral also houses one of the 4 remaining copies of the Magna Carta. There is a suggested donation of 15GBP, which were happy to pay. We were greeted by a friendly and knowledgeable guide who gave a brief history of the cathedral as we entered. I walked around stunned and wide-eyed the entire time. It's such a beautiful building whose beauty simply can't be captured with a camera. When I think of my top 3 highlights of my recent trip to England, Salisbury Cathedral ranks in the top 3. It's worth a spot on our itinerary. The Cathedral provides a cafe and very clean, modern water closets. Tip: There's parking close to the cathedral for 7 GPB. We parked nearby at the Old George Mall Car Park for 1.50 GBP. read more

Salisbury Cathedral - Churches Near Me - Salisbury, WIL

Salisbury's Cathedral is hardly a well-kept secret, but both the building and setting are stunning all the same. Celebrating the 750th anniversary of its completion in 2008, Salisbury is the finest 13th century Cathedral in the UK. Unusually built 'all in one go' between 1220 and 1258, it is a classic of the Early English gothic style. And the setting - famously painted by Constable - is incomparable (and thankfully now preserved from intrusive development). The list of superlatives for Salisbury goes on and on: At 404ft (123m) it has Britain's tallest spire, Europe's oldest working clock (1386), the best preserved copy of Magna Carta (1215), the largest Cathedral Close, the largest Cloisters... ..and that's not to forget the music and worship. I would strongly recommend you try to attend a service or concert: the acoustics are superb, the organ is recognised as one of England's finest, as is its 750-year old Choir School. Whether you are religious or not, you'd be hard pressed not to be moved by the haunting impact of its music. Truly magnificent. **************************** Photographs added 28 January 2008. read more

Salisbury Cathedral is the prime example of high gothic architecture in Great Britain, and houses one (and the best preserved) of 4 copies of the Magna Carta. Thankfully, and unlike many overpriced attractions in London (incl. Westminster Abbey), Salisbury cathedral does not charge and entrance fee, and solely asks for donations. Even during church service, visitors can remain inside the cathedral, though are politely asked to remain in the front part of the ship, further from the altar. I highly recommend taking a trip there, exploring the lovely city, or even venturing just 20 minutes south to close-by Stonehenge. read more

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This is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in England and definitely worth a visit if you are visiting Stonehenge. The intricacy of the stone work is impressive. Salisbury cathedral is the repository of one of the few original copies of the Magna Carta. There is an informative display around the Magna Carta. read more

We visited this beautiful Cathedral when we were in Salisbury - apparently this is one of the main attractions in this town. It was a cold dreary rain day and the perfect time to visit this magnificent church. We were in awe with the beautiful stained glass and architecture. i understand that Salisbury tries to maintain the medieval look and feel to the town.....well they certainly do. As an American, i am not accustomed to graves/tombs in churches. This cathedral (as well as the beautiful one in London) has tombs of past priests etc. A must visit if you are in Salisbury! read more

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Glad we took advantage of the free guided tour. We had a wonderful visit made even better by our tour guide Tricia-- everyone loved her! Her informative and upbeat commentary made our day. read more

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When we arrived, it was too late to go inside the cathedral, but we were at least able to walk around the outside a bit. It has the tallest church spire in the United Kingdom, and it has the best surviving of the four original copies of the Magna Carta. read more

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It appears I have a string of overly excited sounding Brit reviews but who cares here comes another one!! Wow. One out of four of the original Magna Carta copies?? Ok I'll be frank. When someone said Magna Carta I was imaging some type of rock or maybe the Declaration of Independence of Britain. And my silly American brain really could not remember what it was. But once I got there, the exhibit did a great job of filling me in! I learned so much and the cathedral itself is beautiful! I loved how the grounds are large and there is plenty of space to move around. The copy of the Magna Carta is well kept and very moving to see. It was inspiring to see a document used by both sides to argue their point of view, and a document that defines so much of history. read more

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One of the greatest, best-preserved early British cathedrals, on the "Brit cathedrals A-list", so to speak. A must-see for anyone even remotely interested in religious architecture. Since I'm not religious, churches for me are "just" splendid examples of the achievements of civilization, and splendid Salisbury Cathedral truly is! The town of Salisbury may not be as picture postcard pretty as Canterbury, but it is certainly worth a visit (a 1.5h train ride from London for about UKP 41, single day return ticket). The cathedral is a 12-15 minute walk from the train station. Not only is Salisbury more "genuine" a medieval cathedral than most others (there have been very few additions), but the inside is marvelously detailed and intriguing, too (see my photos). One thing that did bother me were the "fundraising volunteers" at the entrance (the *only* entrance to the cathedral). There was a "suggested" donation of UKP 7.50 - which, given the fact that you could not get past these ladies unnoticed, was in fact a mandatory donation. Most cathedrals either handle these affairs more discreetly (with donation boxes inside), or demand an entrance fee without the pretense of being a free attraction (like Canterbury Cathedral). I don't mind paying for these wonderful churches, but they should just call it an entrance fee. The cathedral is certainly worth the donation. Photography (flash or non flash) is allowed everywhere unless there's a church service going on. When you enter you will be given a map (available in several languages) of the building, and there are free guided tours by volunteers. There's a tower tour available, which supposedly is great, but which I did not book (it reportedly takes up to 2 hours). Expect to spend at least 1.5 hours at the cathedral. read more

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Absolute stunner! This is a must visit when I. Salisbury. The cathedral is a knock out. And to top it all off, there's some surviving documents from the Magna Carta here. read more

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Possibly the greatest cathedral I have ever visited, including St. Peter's Basilica. The cathedral is currently under a $30 million rehab, but what we saw was utterly stunning. The condition and history of this cathedral is outstanding. Also being the home of one of the four original Magna Cartas (and the best condition), one can see why free men are free men. If you get an opportunity to come this way (we did by taking the train from London to go see Stonehenge), I would highly recommend it. read more

Culture and History on the Square Our tour group leader books this hotel for his groups. While this is an older property that could use some updated touches, the key here is the location. Right in the center of town, which has very limited parking, near the cathedral and the town shopping center. Yes, you don't get all of the modern touches in the rooms, no A/C could be an issue late in the summer season, but, the location is center city and the hotel has it's own parking lot. This hotel, for it's age is clean and well maintained. One additional note: The hotel staff was very attentive, Morning and evening meals were included for our group. Our salmon dinners were excellent as well as the mushroom soup and that was a surprise given the nature of so many hotel restaurants. read more

Salisbury Cathedral - Salisbury Cathedral - Churches Near Me - Salisbury, WIL

Salisbury Cathedral is a lovely place to visit when sightseeing in Southern England. I would strongly advise taking one of the free docent-led tours (which seem to start every 15 minutes or so) after paying the admission donation. Do ask if there's any special services going on, as that might affect your visit. Also, be sure to be around at the top of the hour when the clock chimes. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the cathedral and the different items located within it - medieval and modern graves, parts of the architecture (the church has been changed and expanded throughout the ages, including the introduction of a modern reflecting font). She pointed out all sorts of neat things in the cathedral, highlighting different parts of British history, as well as answered a lot of different questions posed by our group of tourists. In the adjoining chapter house, they have an original copy of the Magna Carta on display - no pictures allowed in that room, which also has some nice biblical friezes. The cathedral also has a decent gift shop (specializing in cathedral stuff, Salisbury and Stonehenge stuff, and general English historical stuff) and airy cafe/tea room. It's an easy walk from the downtown shopping streets of Salisbury, so park in town and walk. One odd thing: partway on our tour, a voice on the loudspeaker invited us all to stop and pray (or for those who don't pray, to sit in silence) - while it was a good reminder that this is still an active house of worship, it may seem off-putting to non-Christians (or those who will get shushed if they talk during the prayer). read more

Salisbury Cathedral - Salisbury Cathedral - Churches Near Me - Salisbury, WIL

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5*p Salisbury Cathedral Anglican, Gothic, tallest spire in England The Chapter House holds one of the four copies of the Magna Carta - very cool read more

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Amazing piece of sacral architecture. Historic exhibit inside surprisingly captivating. Can explore the history of the cathedral when visiting during non-mass hours. A nice and picturesque cloister inside as well. Contains one of the 4 remaining copies of the Magna Carta, and allegedly the most preserved one (going to have to take their word on that one) that is open for viewing which is awesome. Well worth a visit if you're in the area. read more

Salisbury Cathedral - 360 Panorama of the Salisbury Cathedral. - Churches Near Me - Salisbury, WIL

I think this might be my favorite cathedral I visited. It was simply amazing on the inside, and the outside architecture is equally amazing with it's soaring spire (interesting historic side note: Salisbury was not bombed in The Blitz because of the spire. The Luftwaffe didn't want to run the risk of destroying it because they used it as a landmark to find their way around a blacked out Britain). To me this has become the quintessential cathedral I think of now, and it even has an original Magna Carta as well (although no pictures allowed). It's 5 pounds to get in if you go through the main entrance, and I'm of the opinion that religious buildings should be free to enter... but this one was very nice. read more

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Great tours and guides to answer questions. Loved the experience and the opportunity to see the Magna Carta. Restaurant was very good as well. read more

Salisbury Cathedral - Churches Near Me - Salisbury, WIL

Visited April 2015: "Incredible Medieval Architecture" When we arrived, we were told that the church was closed all day due to it being Good Friday. I remember looking at their facebook page, and nothing was stated about them being closed. Neither did their website. We were also too late to see the Magna Carta. We took some pictures of the grounds. There is a few for the tower (about $17) but not to see the Cathedral. read more

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What is special about Salisbury Cathedral? Britain's finest 13th Century Cathedral. Britain's tallest spire (123m/404ft). The best preserved of only four surviving original Magna Carta (AD1215). A unique 13th century stone frieze of bible stories in the Chapter House. Europe's oldest working clock (AD1386). The largest Cathedral Close in Britain (80 acres). Britain's largest Cathedral Cloisters. The largest and earliest set of Quire stalls in Britain. Boy and girl choristers continue a tradition of worship that goes back nearly 750 years. -tombs inside! =BEING CATHOLIC AND ALL.....THIS WAS AWESOME. read more

One of the original copies of the Magna Carta lives here and it is awesome. Entrance is free but a donation of x amount is recommended. We scuppered past the welcome desk as tourists on a budget hoping the staff didn't judge us. As well as being an absolutely beautiful cathedral, the museum-like qualities (displays, info, exhibits) were great and of course seeing the Magna Carta was incredible. I came out feeling like I'd learnt a lot. Definitely head there whilst you're in Salisbury! read more

Salisbury reminds me of the great Agatha Christie mysteries we see on A&E. The town seems very peaceful & friendly where all the locals know each other; the houses are lined by red brick walls, or gates or what-have-you; all surrounding a park of lush greens, magnificent trees, & the most elaborate grandiose medieval Church ever seen Towering spires, magnificent Stained Glass & a newly dedicated "mirror" fountain welcome us inside the church & prepared us to be awestruck Salisbury is also of special note b/c it houses the MAGNA CARTA. That's right - the actual, original Magna Carta can be viewed at Salisbury Cathedral read more

This cathedral is absolutely amazing. Although I found Norwich Cathedral to be a little more elaborate on the inside, Salisbury surpasses Norwich on overall design due to its insanely high steeple -- I believe it's the tallest one in the UK? Maybe I'm wrong, but someone told me that and I believe everything I hear. Anyway, the outside of the building is covered in detailed carvings including all the saints....and there are even empty spaces left for anyone else who happens to be canonized later on (I'm sure they'll add my own stone effigy once I take a dirt nap, right??). The vaulted ceilings inside are ornate and impressive, and the stained glass and general architecture are just so beautiful. The fact that this place could have been built so long ago and is STILL standing just blows me away. And....I overheard one of the church officials telling another visitor that the floors are only 4 feet thick -- the people who built it didn't create a "real" foundation to support the place, and that right there either demonstrates amazing luck or some seriously sophisticated knowledge of bedrock and geology. There are a bunch of highly elaborate tombs throughout (I think I posted some photos) as well as incredibly old ones (12th century, OMG). Plus the medieval clock -- the world's oldest fully operational timepiece. Crazy! OH -- and in a back room, there is an original copy of the Magna Carta. The Magna Freaking Carta!!!! Unfortunately you aren't allowed to take photos in that room....but wow. I thought seeing the U.S. Constitution was cool when I was younger, but this shit blows that out of the water hands down. The only things I didn't like: 1) the bathrooms suck, they're in a gross little trailer about 400 miles around to the back of the building, and 2) there was some really weird-ass art exhibit going on throughout the chapel and its grounds -- creepy modern sculptures of people which were not only disturbing to look at, but just seemed really out of place and honestly kind of inappropriate when surrounded by all the beauty and REAL artistry of the cathedral itself. I mean, I wanted to take a photo of the whole lovely courtyard, but one of those atrocities was smack in the middle of it and ruined the shot. Gross. I'm no art critic, but....wait, as of now, yes I am. That shit sucked. No admission required, however donations are encouraged. read more

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Absolutely stunning cathedral located on a wide green expanse of gardens. Beautiful architecture and history. The most fascinating aspect of the cathedral visit was being able to see 1 of the 4 remaining copies of the Magna Carta. It was easily accessible in the very welcoming museum which was staffed with very knowledgeable docents. While the cathedral itself if beautiful and quite a moving experience to be inside, viewing the Magna Carta was also quite powerful. So much history involved with that document and so many governments today are influenced by it. Salisbury Cathedral is not to be missed if you find yourself in this part of England. Truly worth the visit. read more

The cathedral can be spotted from anywhere in the town due to its spire (it's the tallest in Britain) which made navigating the area super easy. We parked about a five minute walk away (paid car park) and just gravitated toward that spire. The grounds around the cathedral are huge, with sculptures and plenty of green for running around or taking in the architecture. I bet it's a popular spot for picnics in the summer. The cathedral is free with suggested donations of £7.50 for adults; but there is a manned kiosk you have to walk past to get in. This makes it feel like much more than a 'suggestion' so we gave them all the cash we had on us - £10 for two adults. It felt super awkward but everything we had read said it was free so we didn't think to get cash out. The cathedral is very well maintained, my favorite part being the lovely and uniquely decorated prayer alcoves themed around specific saints. There is a nice central courtyard surrounded by outdoor corridors, which is how you get to the magna carta, which is held in a small circular room and within a tent-like drape (to protect it from light I'm guessing). There is a volunteer stationed in the tent and he was more than happy to tell you anything and everything about the document, how it was made, signed, the history, the language, EVERYTHING. In fact, all volunteers were friendly and helpful and knowledgeable. Plenty of cool interactive stuff to keep kids interested and to explain the history of the signing of the document, and the impact it holds to this day. We spent about 2.5 hours in Salisbury and that was more than enough time to walk around the town popping into various charity shops and get coffee (though A LOT of stuff was closed due to it being a Sunday), as well as take in the Cathedral and Magna Carta. Worth a side trip on your way to/from Stonehenge or Bath, but not sure how much of a destination I'd make it. read more

Bursting with things to see! I've gone to lots of cathedrals all over the world, and while this isn't one of the more impressive ones for scale or how ornate it is, it is stuffed to the gills with little things to read and see all over the place. You could easily spend hours here, but for me, 15 minutes sufficed. We were lucky enough to visit when the choir was singing and it was a lovely, peaceful place. We also walked around the cloisters and went and saw the Magna Carta. It's in a funny little tent to protect it, but even on a busy weekday, there wasn't any wait. The only thing I didn't like about the whole experience was walking in. They have a temporary-looking marquee set up with a desk, staffed by 2 volunteers, where it looks like they're trying to charge £7.50 to get in. It is only a recommended donation but it's really off putting to feel like you're stealing in without paying. We left a donation in one of the containers in the church at an amount we were comfortable with. read more

There's a suggested donation of £6.50, and it's well worth it. The place is well stocked with guides who are bursting to share the history of the cathedral and it's patrons. What's there to see? How about an amazing medieval clock that STILL WORKS. Could be the oldest in existence. So old it literally has no clock face; it simply dings a bell on the hour. Also, the cathedral houses the most well-preserved copy of Magna Carta on the entire friggin' planet. read more

This place was awesome regardless of religious background. Also, the tour to the top of the spire was intense and amazing. The tour guide was so knowledgeable and the sights along the way up and from the top were awesome. It's amazing the work that went into the building of the cathedral before modern building tools were around, and it's still standing! read more

Had big expectations about this Cathedral and with the restoration work. It looked incredibly impressive from far away with the main top spire being completely cleaned and is very prominent from far away. The grounds of the cathedral is kept in perfect condition and the addition of the 'Walking Madonna' sculpture by Elisabeth Frink adds a modern interpretation next to the Cathedral that's construction started in 1220. Salisbury Cathedral is a great place to visit and the main window of the blue glass was my sisters my favourite part of the cathedral. My family and I visited on a hot day so it was a relief to get in the cool environment inside. The restaurant was really well organised and the homemade soft drinks were lovely read more

SALISBURY CATHEDRAL, is one of Great Britain's finest medieval cathedrals and a world class heritage attraction. It was built in the 13th century to replace the Norman Cathedral at Old Sarum. The cathedral which was the favourite of John Constable has been immortalised in many of his paintings. read more

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The Cathedral is really a highlight of the area and after Stonehenge is a must see if you're nearby. The Cathedral Close is a wonderful place to have a family picnic, and the exhibits themselves are well worth the very minimal fee. I went with my children and I wished that I had more time to look at each exhibit and appreciate it, but toddlers are not as enchanted by copies of the Magna Carta as I am. However, they still enjoyed themselves and I enjoyed myself even more. If you're nearby you should make every effort to go visit - it is well worth it. read more

Although I have given it a high rating its not one of my particular favourites I have visited over the years. Its appealing to specific people being a religious landmark of the nation. Its situated in the middle of Salisbury town and the history of the building stands out over the modern shopping areas nearby. Its a breathtaking building with fantastic statues and monuments among the grounds. As you enter the huge Cathedral you notice the very large beautifully designed stain glass windows which engulf the light from outside and pour it throughout the building. Like most historical buildings you do not have to pay to have a look round however they ask for voluntary donations: Requested Voluntary Donations Adults £5.00 Seniors / Students £4.25 Children (5-17) £3.00 Families £12.00 There is a gift shop and restaurant situated on the site providing top quality food at probably a little more expensive prices than the average restaurant/coffee shop yet worth the money. The gift shop is a typical historic building gift shop offering the likes of tea towels, sweets, historic books and those naff but expensive childrens toys. It is accessible with wheelchairs and guide dogs are welcome. It is an excellent place to visit holding the likes of the oldest working clock and 1 of the 4 original surviving magna cartas. A must see yet not recommended if you have small children (not as exciting as your average themepark!) read more