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Salisbury Cathedral & Magna Carta
About
We are delighted to confirm that worship and visiting are resuming at Salisbury Cathedral with worshippers returning first, on Sunday 5 July, and general visitors and tourists welcome to visit from Wednesday 8 July. For more information visit the website.
Salisbury Cathedral offers one superlative after another, including Britain’s tallest spire (123m) and the world’s oldest working mechanical clock, dating back to 1836.
Visible from miles around, the Cathedral sits within an 80-acre walled Close with rolling green lawns fringed by historic houses. It is one of the finest examples of Early English Gothic architecture, built in just 38 years between 1220 and 1258.
Visitors can stroll around the Cloisters that enclose a landscaped Garth, shaded by two large cedars planted by Queen Victoria. The Cloisters are the largest in the country and afford fabulous views of the Spire. Wooden crosses dedicated to soldiers who fought and died in the First War line the West Cloister Wall.
The Cathedral is home to the finest surviving copy of the 1215 Magna Carta, one of only four remaining in the world. The priceless document is UNESCO protected and sits within a permanent Magna Carta exhibition in the Chapter House, a beautiful space in its own right that boasts a magnificent 13th century carved frieze depicting sixty Old Testament scenes.
The Cathedral has two restaurants serving fresh, made-on-the-day cakes, snacks and lunches – plus fair-trade teas and coffee. The Refectory is open year round and the Bell Tower Tea Rooms are seasonal, opening at Easter and closing at the end of October. The Cathedral shop sells a wide range of gifts, books and jewellery and has a policy of locally sourcing where possible.
Free guided tours of the Cathedral floor are available alongside a number of specialist behind the scenes tours. You can book through our Visitors & Groups Department (groups@salcath.co.uk or 01722 555 120) or online via our website.
Tower Tours
‘An awesome experience and the very best way to appreciate the magnificence of the Cathedral and the most impressive view of Salisbury.’ – TripAdvisor review.
For an unforgettable experience, take a Tower Tour to the base of our famous spire 225 feet above ground, which offers the most spectacular views of both the inside and the outside of the Cathedral. At the same time, you can take in the remarkable architecture and fascinating history of this medieval masterpiece. Find out more about Tower Tours on the website.
Stonemasonary Works Yard Tours
‘It was a fascinating tour and I learnt so much’ – TripAdvisor review.
Go behind the scenes of our Works Yard, one of only nine remaining in the country, and witness the incredible hand-carving skills of our talented stonemasons. Book onto one of tours on our website.
Graffiti Tours
‘An excellent tour, highly recommended… social history at its best’ – TripAdvisor review.
Climb to triforium level on a medieval Graffiti Tour to view ancient Arabic carpentry markings, believed to be amongst the earliest in the country, and enjoy a photo opportunity looking down the full length of the Nave. Learn more about Graffiti Tours on our website.
Library Tour and Tea
‘An excellent tour, very informative and educational. Very well presented!’ – Dave, December 2016 tour.
Visit the Cathedral’s 15th century Library which contains over 10,000 books dating as far back as the 9th century, then enjoy a delicious cream tea in our Refectory Restaurant. Tickets £22 per person. (Due to access restrictions this tour may not be suitable for some). Discover more about our Library Tours on the website.
Salisbury city centre, is a short stroll away via the High Street gate.
Guide Prices
Pricing
Our iconic building costs a massive £14,000 a day to run and we receive no funding from the government or Church of England towards our work. In order to maintain the marvellous building, we ask visitors to make a voluntary donation and suggest the following amounts here.
All donations are gratefully received and help to maintain this special place. Donations can be made at our Welcome Desk or donation boxes inside at any point during your visit.
If you are a UK taxpayer and choose to Gift Aid, the Cathedral can gain an additional 25 per cent on top of your donations at no additional cost to you. It’s well worth doing because we can claim back 25p for every £1 donated from the government.
Opening Times
| Summer Opening Times (28 Mar 2020 - 30 Oct 2020) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday - Saturday | 09:00 | - 17:00 |
| Sunday | 12:00 | - 16:00 |
* **COVID-19 UPDATE - Please check direct before visiting. Opening times may vary and are subject to change**
Please note that the Bell Tower Tea Rooms will begin its Winter Opening Times from Thursday 26 September 2019 and fully closes for the winter from Sunday 3 November. It will re-open again in the New Year during the summer months.
As a living church, access is restricted during services and opening times may vary at short notice especially at Easter and Christmas. Please remember to check for last minute changes prior to your visit as some events, such as funerals, are only arranged at short notice.
Further information about our opening times for Worship, The Magna Carta, the shop, restaurant and tea rooms can be found on our website.
Video
- Visit Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP1 2EJ
Call direct on:
Tel01722 555120
TripAdvisor
Certificate of Excellence 2019
- Excellent4984
- Very Good1345
- Average193
- Poor24
- Terrible16
