Things To Do in Salisbury On A Sunny Day

If the sun is shining you’ll probably want to be outside and exploring all that’s on offer here in Salisbury and the surrounding area. 

Here, we’ve put some ideas for sunny days in Salisbury, helping you make the most out of the sunshine. 

Explore our local parks, gardens and the Cathedral Close

On a sunny day in Salisbury there’s no better place to be than in one of our local parks or gardens. Families will love Queen Elizabeth Gardens, a short walk from Salisbury Cathedral, with a large play park and riverside walks and a great spot for a picnic. The gardens, which are affectionately known by the locals as ‘Lizzie Gardens’ are also the starting point of the Town Path walk to Harnham, across the water meadows. It is from here that you get the views of Salisbury Cathedral from where John Constable once painted. 

Enjoy a game of tennis at Victoria Park, or join in with the free Parkrun events that take place at Churchill Gardens.

For a tranquil spot, away from the bustling city centre the gardens of the Rifles Military Museum, within the Cathedral Close offer a peaceful haven. Backing onto the River Avon, you can easily forget you are in a bustling centre when you make a visit here.  

Next door to the Rifles Museum is Arundells, the former home of Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath. The gardens of Arundells open to the public at various times and like the Rifles, these also offer riverside views. Take a stroll around these gardens and soak up the views of the Cathedral spire. 

Also within the Cathedral Close, Mompesson House has a small walled garden complete with tea room. Try a spot of croquet on the lawn or simply enjoy a drink and some National Trust cake! Look out for the beautiful colours of the tulips in spring and the wisteria adorning the house which blooms in May. 

Just three miles from Salisbury, you will find the large gardens of Wilton House. Here you can easily while away time exploring the rose garden, Japanese water garden and the various features within the grounds. Children will also love the adventure playground that can be found here too! 

With large lawned areas, beautiful architecture and sculpture, stroll around the Cathedral Close and soak up the atmosphere of this special place. There is plenty to discover and some great spots for an outdoor cup of tea, including the Bell Tower Tea Rooms (open during the summer months) and the King’s Café at The Salisbury Museum. 

Look out for walks organised by Salisbury City Guides that encompass the history of the Cathedral Close and events as part of the Salisbury International Arts Festival which take place here too. 

Enjoy some alfresco dining

Sit out in the Market Place at one of our pubs or cafes – many of which offer alfresco dining, perfect for sunny days and also great for people watching! 

There are riverside gardens at The George and Dragon, The Avon Brewery and the Old Mill at Harnham. Plus, riverside gardens at the two Harnham hotels; The Legacy Rose and Crown and Grasmere House. 

Alternatively, why not pick up some picnic items from some of our shops, or even our market and head to one of our top picnic spots for an informal lunch? 

Embark on one of Salisbury’s walks

Whether a short stroll is what you are after or perhaps something that involves endurance, there are plenty of walking routes available in and around Salisbury for all abilities. 

Popular walks include the riverside walk to Old Sarum, the Town Path, or for those that are looking for a long-distance trail then the Clarendon Way or Avon Valley Path. Plus, both of these walks can be broken down into segments should you not fancy walking the entire route. 

Check out some of our outdoor attractions

On a sunny day, there’s nothing better than a visit to Old Sarum, the original site of Salisbury. From here you can see for miles over the city and the surrounding countryside, as well as take in the ruins of the castle and original cathedral. 

Stonehenge is another great day out, this World Heritage Site is so rich in both history and mystery and of course, its very existence is believed to be related to sunrise and sunset. 

If you love to spend time in nature then pop along to one of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s local nature reserves, Langford Lakes, for example makes for a great nature walk, with several lakes, a riverside area and bird hides from which you can spot various species of bird. Equally, River Bourne Community Farm is great fun for younger visitors with its resident cows, sheep, alpacas and more. 

Browse our things to do listings to take inspiration from all that you can see and do here. 

Tags: Salisbury Sunny Day Ideas, Things To Do In Salisbury On A Sunny Day