Staycations in Salisbury - A Cultural Trip
We might be slightly biased but we believe that Salisbury is the perfect city for a staycation. With its impressive heritage, vast range of independent businesses and stunning architecture, there's plenty to see and do in our modern medieval city. But, this Salisbury Staycation Guide is specifically for those looking to immerse themselves in the various cultural experiences on offer. Below you'll find recommendations for things to do, where to eat, where to stay and where to drink...
💡 Things To Do
🗺️ Guided City Tour [Salisbury Information Centre]
Take a guided walk around Salisbury with a fully qualified Blue Badge guide who is passionate about sharing the city’s history, myths and legends. With so much to see in Salisbury, one of the Blue Badge guides will help you to make the best use of your time here. Their daily Salisbury City Walk introduces the main highlights of the city. They explain the history of the medieval city centre, showcase the cathedral and St Thomas’ church with its world-famous Doom painting and even the store where the Duke of Buckingham’s ghost haunts the Blue Boar Inn.
✝️ Visit Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral has been a place of worship, welcome, and hospitality for over 800 years. Its Spire, the tallest in the country, rises to a breathtaking 404ft/123m, guiding travellers, merchants, and pilgrims to the historic city. You can also view one of only four surviving original 1215 Magna Carta and hear the tick of the oldest working mechanical clock in the world.
🎭 Theatre [Salisbury Playhouse]
Salisbury Playhouse is one of the UK’s leading producing theatres with an annual audience of more than 100,000. They've a busy programme of events from plays to pantomimes, musicals and youth theatre. It has a national reputation for home-grown work of the highest quality that attracts audiences from across the region. The Playhouse also hosts touring productions and a variety of events as part of the Salisbury International Arts Festival.
🎤 Live Music & Comedy [Salisbury Arts Centre]
Also part of Wiltshire Creative, this atmospheric and historic venue is home to a fantastic programme of performances including live music and comedy. Based on Bedwin Street, the church was designated as Grade II listed in 1952 then, after it was declared redundant in 1974, it was converted for use by the Arts Centre in 1975. Today it hosts a wide range of brilliant performers.
🖼️ Wander Salisbury's Galleries
Salisbury is a city with a rich and diverse art scene, offering something for art lovers of all tastes and interests. It's home to a number of galleries and exhibitions that showcase the work of local and international artists. Fisherton Mill [108 Fisherton Street] is the largest independent art gallery in the South West, whilst contemporary art lovers come far and wide to visit The Vanner Gallery [45 High Street]. Salisbury is also home to Gallery 21 [20 Queen Street] a multi-award-winning independent art dealership as well as The Young Gallery [3 Market Walk], a free art museum.
🍽️ Where to Eat
📍 Cafe Diwali [90 Crane Street]
Founded by Rasheed, a seasoned chef with a lifetime of experience, Cafe Diwali brings the vibrant flavours of Indian street food to Salisbury. He's passionate about serving authentic dishes, prepared and presented in a way that transports you to the bustling streets of India. Dishes on the current menu include delicious thalis, dosas, biryanis, curries and tandoori specials.
📍 Baroushka [90 Fisherton Street]
An authentic Lebanese restaurant serving delicious Middle Eastern mezze, grilled meats, tagine dishes and Lebanese wines. Baroushka have a series of daily offers available including their early evening (pre-theatre) two course menu for £15.
📍 Lah Koh [17-19 Fisherton Street]
Run by siblings Sue and Shaun, alongside their best friend Adam, Lah Koh's mission is to bring the best and most creative dishes from top London restaurants and the street food markets of Asia to Salisbury. Lah Koh brings a taste of Korea and East Asia to Salisbury with its diverse menu including a variety of sushi, sharing platters and tapas.
🛏️ Where to Stay
📍 Sarum College [19 The Close]
Sarum College, with its 40 ensuite bedrooms, offers an exclusive experience of staying in the historic Salisbury Cathedral Close, just steps away from the medieval Cathedral. A stay at Sarum College also includes a delicious buffet breakfast in their dining hall, including both hot and cold options.
🍺 Where to Drink
📍 The Coach & Horses [39 Winchester Street]
Situated in a building full of historic charm, The Coach and Horses is an independent pub with regular live music nights and other events. Their bar is well stocked with a vast selection of locally brewed beers and ciders as well as handmade cocktails. If live music isn't your thing, they've also got a range of books and board games available to immerse yourself in.
For even more staycation inspiration, head to the 'Arts & Culture' section of our website as well as our 'What's On' page for up-to-date event listings!