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Pictures of Salisbury

a Cathedral City in the county of Wiltshire

Salisbury, near the Cathedral

About Salisbury

The soaring grace of Salisbury Cathedral's slender spire rises majestically over the town. Higher than any other in the land, at 404 feet, the spire can be seen against the skyline from all over Salisbury. The cathedral was begun in 1220 and was completed in just sixty years, its style is Early English Gothic and its magnificent west front with its rows of niches filled with statues of saints, remains just as it was in the 13th-century. The only addition since completion is the spire which was built in 1334. The chapter house is one of the most perfect of any cathedral, it is 58 feet wide, with graceful columns of Purbeck stone. These exquisite columns are a feature of the cathedral, and are most dramatic seen in the Lady Chapel. This is a church to be viewed and enjoyed, it has many historic treasures including a spectacular brass to Bishop Wyville, this dates 1375 - the Bishop is shown standing in a castle.

Many of the towns fine buildings can be seen near to the cathedral which is said to have the finest cathedral close in England. It is entered through medieval gateways, with medieval buildings inside, particularly the Bishop's Palace and the Deanery. An important painting of the cathedral painted from the Bishop's Palace gardens by John Constable, this is in the possession of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Bordering the streets beyond the cathedral close, is a fine clutch of timbered houses and inns. Peer above the bay windowed shops for a glimpse of delightful overhanging gables. The House of John A'Port in Queen Street (he was once Mayor of Salisbury) is an outstanding timber-frame black and white house of the 15th-century, as is the 16th-century Joiners Hall in St.Ann Street. The atmospheric Haunch of Venison is one of the town's oldest inns. It dates from around 1320 when it was a house, it is reputed to have a somewhat chequered history, having once been used as a brothel. The charming riverside Rose and Crown is from the 13th-century and is little changed since the time of Constable's famous masterpiece.

Salisbury's former prosperity came from its involvement with the wool and cloth trade, it has also had periods when agriculture was the backbone of its livelihood. Today, this fine town depends largely upon tourism and offers excellent leisure and pleasure facilities. There is a racecourse for flat racing to be found in the stunning surrounding countryside, and Stonehenge renowned world-wide for its towering mystic stones is one of life's "must see" experiences that has amazed and puzzled folk for thousands of years. The rural charm of Ackling Dyke lies on the Roman road from Salisbury to Dorchester.

With five attractive rivers to explore, museums to see, the splendid shopping centres of the Maltings and Wilton Village which opened in 1998, this is a town with something for everyone. It makes an idyllic destination for a romantic weekend, or for a longer stay to explore the wider landscape which includes the New Forest, Longleat and the Roman town of Bath.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Salisbury

Salisbury Cathedral(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)Pictures
Mompesson House(0.7 miles, 1.1 km)Pictures
Wilton House(2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction W)Pictures
Breamore House(6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction S)Pictures
Stonehenge(7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction N)Pictures
Fovant Badges(8.1 miles, 13.1 km, direction W)Pictures
Mottisfont Abbey & Gardens(11.8 miles, 18.9 km, direction E)Pictures
Old Wardour Castle(12.9 miles, 20.7 km, direction W)Pictures
Thruxton Motor Racing Circuit(13.0 miles, 21.0 km, direction NE)Pictures
Paulton's Park(13.2 miles, 21.2 km, direction SE)Pictures
Ower Country Park(13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction SE)Pictures
The Hawk Conservancy, Weyhill(13.7 miles, 22.0 km, direction NE)Pictures
Romsey Abbey(13.8 miles, 22.2 km, direction SE)Pictures
King John's House(13.9 miles, 22.4 km, direction SE)Pictures
Furzy Gardens(14.0 miles, 22.6 km, direction SE)Pictures

All attractions in Salisbury
All attractions in Wiltshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Salisbury

Wilton in the county of Wiltshire (3.2 miles, 5.2 km, direction W)
Wilton was once a county town, it has also been a bishopric, a Royal residence and is one of the oldest boroughs in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Downton in the county of Wiltshire (5.5 miles, 8.8 km, direction S)
It is one of Wiltshire's loveliest villages, with the River Avon forming a division between the ancient village and the new.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Amesbury in the county of Wiltshire (7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction N)
Amesbury is a town near to stonehenge and is one of Wiltshire's most attractive little towns.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Breamore in the county of Hampshire (7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction S)
Breamore is one of those beautiful New Forest villages which is populated almost entirely by houses of the Tudor period.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Fovant in the county of Wiltshire (8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction W)
Fovant is most noted for its dramatic hillside where huge regimental badges are carved into the chalk downs and clearly seen from the road.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Fritham in the county of Hampshire (11.5 miles, 18.5 km, direction SE)
Fritham is an idyllic New Forest village, which was mentioned in the Doomsday Book. It is quite off the beaten track in an area where visitors can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere amongst lovely natural surroundings.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Sixpenny Handley in the county of Dorset (12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction SW)
Sixpenny Handley is set in the lovely countryside of Cranbourne Chase.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Tisbury in the county of Wiltshire (12.4 miles, 20.0 km, direction W)
Tisbury is a picturesque village set amidst delightful Wiltshire countryside where you will find friendly villagers and a calm, peaceful atmosphere.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Moyles Court in the county of Hampshire (13.4 miles, 21.6 km, direction S)
Open forest surrounds this quiet hamlet which is only a few minutes drive from Ringwood, a busy market town at the western end of the New Forest.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Minstead in the county of Hampshire (14.4 miles, 23.2 km, direction SE)
This is a delightful New Forest village which was once described as "the place where Mint grew" it is a beautiful unspoilt place with a church which looks as though it is shaped from a collection of cottages.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

East Knoyle in the county of Wiltshire (16.5 miles, 26.5 km, direction W)
East Knoyle is situated where the Wiltshire countryside blends into Dorset. The landscape is quite stunning, it has a dramatically changing face of sweeping pastures and hillsides.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Lyndhurst in the county of Hampshire (16.6 miles, 26.6 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Totton in the county of Hampshire (16.6 miles, 26.7 km, direction SE)
Totton is a small town lying close to Southampton Water with easy access to the picturesque New Forest National Park, making it a desirable place to stay for anyone wishing to explore both coast and countryside.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wherwell in the county of Hampshire (16.7 miles, 26.9 km, direction NE)
This enchanting little village boasts a host of thickly thatched, black and white, half timbered cottages,and has a bit of a bloody history.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Burley in the county of Hampshire (17.4 miles, 28.0 km, direction S)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Wiltshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby events

23rd May to 8th June 2008Salisbury International Arts Festivalin Salisbury, Wiltshire, England

Nearby travel help

Salisbury Station(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
Dean Station(7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction E)
M27 Junction 1(13.5 miles, 21.8 km, direction SE)
M27 Junction 2(14.2 miles, 22.9 km, direction SE)
Bournemouth Airport(19.9 miles, 32.0 km, direction S)
Southampton Airport(21.0 miles, 33.7 km, direction SE)
Salisbury to London(78.4 miles, 126.2 km, direction NE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Salisbury

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Salisbury center
The White Horse Inn(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
Mercure White Hart Salisbury(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
Milford Hall Classic Hotel & Restaurant(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
Rokeby Guest House(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)
The Old Mill Hotel And 12Th Century Restaurant(0.7 miles, 1.1 km)
Grasmere House Hotel(0.7 miles, 1.1 km)
Legacy Rose & Crown(0.7 miles, 1.1 km)
Pembroke Arms Hotel(2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction W)
The Pelican Inn(6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction NW)
George Hotel(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction N)
All hotels in Salisbury


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