Experience Salisbury this summer
Salisbury is a wonderfully intimate city that has been welcoming visitors since 1227.
Set in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, we have wide open green spaces alongside stunning medieval architecture.
Summer is the perfect time to explore our modern medieval city - here are some of the Salisbury attractions to visit as the sunny days continue:
Salisbury's living history
Salisbury Cathedral is a must-see, and with Britain’s tallest spire it’s certainly hard to miss! As well as the magnificent architecture, don’t forget to visit the Magna Carta and the world’s oldest working clock while you are there. If you want to dig a little deeper, take a free guided tour with experts, or head up with spire with their Tower Tour which will give you some of the best views of the city you’ll find.
As well as all that, this summer visitors will also be greeted by the unique works of renowned artist, Grayson Perry. The Vanity of Small Differences showcases six huge tapestries which are all hanging in the Nave.
Local Salisbury residents who live in the SP1, SP2 and Laverstock areas can get in free to the Cathedral with proof of residence.
Head to Salisbury Cathedral this summer
Salisbury Cathedral Close
At 80 acres, Salisbury is home to Britain’s largest Cathedral Close and reflects architectural styles from the 13th through to the 20th Century.
Arundells was the home of former Prime Minister, Sir Edward Heath, before his death in 2005. Today you can take a tour of the house and gardens to explore the imposing property, which is still furnished much as Sir Edward had it. If you are looking for a beautiful location to watch outdoor theatre this summer, look no further! You can see a performance of The Railway Children in the Arundells garden on 18th August. Click here for more details.
Another stunning property to explore this summer is Mompesson House, the largest house on Choristers’ Green and one of the most warm and welcoming! Families visiting this summer will find a trail through the house with toys and games on the lawn. They've also recently opened a second-hand bookshop in the Studio in our courtyard which is worth a look. If you do want to spend time at Mompesson House you will need to pre-book a slot in advance. Booking in advance will be needed until the end of the season (30th October). Find more information about that here.
Visit the impressive Mompesson House in Salisbury this summer
Outdoor summer spaces
Salisbury is lucky to have beautiful outdoor spaces right in the heart of the city. Take a break to sit back in the tranquil settings of Arundells in the Cathedral Close, or the gardens at The Rifles Museum. Take a picnic to Elizabeth Gardens where, on a warm day, it’s a perfect location to paddle in the river. Head to Churchill Gardens for fun play areas for the children or take a walk through the Harnham Water Meadows to see one of the best views of Salisbury Cathedral. There are many other city parks ideal for summer fun. You can find them here.
Enjoy the summer weather at Queen Elizabeth Gardens in Salisbury
See Wiltshire’s prehistoric past
The stone circles of Stonehenge have stood in the Wiltshire countryside for nearly 5,000 years and have become (some would say) the world’s best known prehistoric monument. The visitor centre takes visitors back in time, explaining more about how the stones ended up here and why. During the summer months they are also giving younger children the chance to get involved by unearthing the past in special Stonehenge sandboxes. Plus, over the August Bank Holiday, Gnomus the Caretaker of the Earth will be back to entertain families.
Click here for a full list of Salisbury events
Gnomus is to return to Stonehenge this August
800 years new
If history is your thing, then Salisbury has it in bucket loads! The city grew around the cathedral as it was being built 800 years ago. Sometimes, even those that live in the city, can walk past some of its most wonderous heritage. Do you know where the oldest building is? Where to find a dragon?! Or who was beheaded on Blue Boar Row? Take a trip through Salisbury’s past using The Salisbury Trails App. Download it to you phone and take a leisurely summer stroll to uncover Salisbury's unique heritage and points of interest.
Walking is a great way to explore the city. Her Salisbury Footprint and Memory Walk are two other trails that will help you dig a little deeper into the city’s colourful past.
Salisbury High Street Gate is one of the highlights on the Salisbury Trail App
Salisbury Museum will also help you unearth the past this summer. Located in the heart of the Cathedral Close, the museum houses one of the best collections relating to Stonehenge and local archaeology.
If you’re looking for interesting activities for children over the school holidays, then the museum is offering a ‘kids go free’ deal throughout the month Mondays to Fridays. There will be lots of free stuff to do including a bug safari dressing up and outdoor games. As well as all this, every Tuesday over the summer holidays the museum will be offering family friendly discovery days. Ranging from a climbing wall to art workshops, most of these events will link in with their major exhibitions: Insect Odyssey and Hardy’s Wessex.
Click here for more summer events at Salisbury Museum.
For more intriguing local history, head to Old Sarum. This was the original site of the city, before Salisbury as we know it was born. As well as being one of the most historically important sites in southern England it's also a great spot for picnics and leisurely summer walks!
The countryside around Old Sarum offers great walks for the whole family
Make the most of what Salisbury has to offer by booking a Stonehenge Tour. Operated by Salisbury Reds, you can use their hop-on hop-off tours to get to Old Sarum and through the beautiful Wiltshire countryside to Stonehenge.
Secret Spitfires
It is a story people have only recently become aware of – the spitfires that were built by ordinary men, women and children in Salisbury during the Second World War. A memorial has now been put up at Salisbury Rugby Club to act as a lasting tribute to all those who constructed approximately 2,500 Spitfires in total secrecy in Salisbury between 1940-1945. The full-sized replica Spitfire is definitely worth a look this summer. And, you can find out more information about their amazing story, here.
Salisbury's Spitfire memorial is worth a visit
Escape the school holiday boredom
If you’re looking for a little competition this summer, get the whole family involved in an escape room challenge! There are two brilliant escape rooms in Salisbury to try. At Salisbury Escape Rooms you’ll get to play Death at the Lab or Escape From Space. The latter you can find at their new location on Catherine Steet. Meanwhile, Live Escape Rooms Salisbury has two locations in the city with a science or pirate theme to pick from!
With so much to see and do in Salisbury, you may need a little break from the sightseeing! Luckily, the city has a wealth of family friendly restaurants, historic pubs and cosy cafes where you can re-energise. Find more details on our Taste pages here.
Get ready to Experience Salisbury this summer
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