Salisbury & Old Sarum
Home of Saxons, Romans & Normans
Our visit to Wiltshire starts two miles north of Salisbury at Old Sarum. Originally built in the Iron Age, Romans, Saxons and Normans have all left their mark here. William the Conqueror built a great palace and cathedral here - in fact the original Salisbury Cathedral. Part of the Domesday Book was written here. On its completion it was to Sarum that William summoned all the landholders in England to swear their oath of allegiance. Explore the remains of the prehistoric fortress, the Norman palace, castle and cathedral.
Moving three miles south we encounter the "new" Salisbury Cathedral, a masterpiece of Early English style and immortalised in the paintings of John Constable. It's spire is the highest church spire in the United Kingdom and the energetic visitor can enjoy spectacular views by climbing 332 steps by narrow winding spiral staircases to reach the foot of the spire 225 feet above ground level. From here you can see up into the spire through the medieval scaffold, and from the outside you can look over the city and surrounding countryside.
Home of Magna Carta and Europe's Oldest Working Clock
Walk the cloisters and the cathedral close (the oldest in Europe), and visit the chapter house notable for its octagonal shape, slender central pillar and decorative medieval frieze. The frieze depicts scenes and stories from the books of Genesis and Exodus, including Adam and Eve, Noah, the Tower of Babel, and Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The chapter house also displays the best preserved of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta.
Booking this tour
If you would like to enquire about the availability of this tour or, require further information please click here for our online enquiry form where you can also indicate any accommodation you require.
Remember, if you are already staying in the Wessex area and have arranged your own accommodation you can still book any of our tours and we'll collect and return you to your accommodation each day.
