Salisbury Cathedral is a Gothic church in the city of Salisbury, built between 1220 and 1258 in a single style. It has the tallest spire in Britain, rising 404 feet, and it stands in a Close that is the biggest in Britain. Inside, you can see one of the four surviving 1215 copies of the Magna Carta, the oldest working mechanical clock in the world and a modern font by the sculptor William Pye. Allow time for the cloisters and the Close, and climb the tower if you want a view over the countryside.
From Old Sarum to the Close
The cathedral replaced the Norman cathedral at Old Sarum, an Iron Age hill fort above the city. Work started in 1220, and the main building was finished by 1258, in about 38 years. That short build time is why the church has one architectural style throughout.
The Close around the cathedral covers about 80 acres and is the biggest in Britain. Its historic houses, such as Mompesson House, face the cathedral. Over the centuries, the Close was home to or visited by the composer Handel, the painters John Constable and J.M.W. Turner, and the artist Rex Whistler.
The outer earthworks of Old Sarum can be walked freely and give views over the city and the countryside. John Constable painted the cathedral from the water meadows along the River Avon, and one of his versions dates to 1831.
Inside the cathedral
Inside, the Gothic arches and vaulted ceilings give the building its scale. Stained glass windows, carved tombs and the cathedral's choir stalls add detail throughout. The choir stalls are the largest and earliest complete set in Britain.
The cloisters are the largest in the country. The cathedral's clock is the oldest working mechanical clock in the world, dating to the late 14th century. Volunteer guides explain how its mechanism works.
A modern font designed by the sculptor William Pye stands in the building. Volunteer guides offer free tours inside, and you can also follow a self-guided route at your own pace.
The spire and tower tours
The spire was added around 1320. It rises 404 feet (123 metres), the tallest in Britain, and weighs about 6,500 tons. It leans roughly 75 cm from vertical. Sir Christopher Wren surveyed the spire in 1668, and it has stayed at that angle since.
Tower tours climb over 330 steps to the base of the spire. Guides explain how the cathedral was built and how it has been changed since, including the spire. From the upper level, the views reach over the surrounding countryside.
Tower tours can be booked in advance. Plan them into your visit if you have the time and the stamina.
The Magna Carta in the Chapter House
The Chapter House, a 13th-century room, holds one of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta from 1215. This copy is the best preserved of the four. The Magna Carta is a royal charter and one of the founding documents of English law.
An interactive display in the Chapter House explains the document's history. Volunteer guides can talk you through what it said and why it matters.
Visiting with children
The Chapter House and Cloisters have Magna Carta exhibits for children, including a suit of armour and a set of stocks. Family events, craft sessions and children's trails run over the school holidays.
The cathedral holds a family Christmas service each year, and a donkey often takes part.
A working church
Salisbury Cathedral is the Anglican cathedral of the Salisbury diocese and the mother church of several hundred parishes in Wiltshire and Dorset. Pilgrims have come to it for more than 750 years, and hundreds of thousands of visitors come every year.
Services and events go on alongside visitors. Keep your voice low inside the building and follow the directions of staff and volunteers.
FAQ
Do I need a ticket for Salisbury Cathedral?
Entry is by ticket. Booking online at least a day ahead gives a discounted price, and advance booking is recommended.
How long do you need at Salisbury Cathedral?
Plan on one to two hours for the main cathedral, the cloisters and the Chapter House. A tower tour takes extra time.
How many steps are there to the top of the spire?
Tower tours climb over 330 steps to the base of the spire. The steps do not reach the top of the spire itself.
Can I bring a dog?
Dogs are allowed in the cathedral on a lead, as long as they are well behaved.
Is the cathedral wheelchair accessible?
The entrance, the restroom and the parking area are wheelchair accessible.
