Parks & Recreation in Salisbury

Salisbury is home to several parks and green spaces, making a perfect place to relax after a busy day’s sightseeing or if you simply want to escape with a picnic. Many of our parks offer play areas for children, and some offer additional facilities including parking and/or toilets. 

The closest parks to the city centre include:

Queen Elizabeth Gardens

Sitting alongside the River Avon, enjoy Cathedral views from this park. Children will love the large play area which also has facilities for children with disabilities. It is a great park for spotting wildlife as it overlooks the water meadows, see if you can spot a kingfisher or other wetland birds. 

There are large areas of planted flowers with pretty displays plus plenty of lawn areas and benches to sit with a picnic. 

There is parking alongside Queen Elizabeth Gardens at Lush House Car Park (pay and display) and toilets also located here. During the summer months, or on warm days there is usually and ice cream van parked up within the gardens. 

The Greencroft 

The Greencroft is located close to the Bourne Hill Council offices. There is a small play park here and a sports wall. The park offers an attractive avenue of trees and beautiful displays of daffodils in the spring months. 

Bourne Hill Gardens

Located opposite the Greencroft, Bourne Hill Gardens fringe the Bourne Hill Council offices. These mature gardens have some grand trees, and historic features including part of the medieval ramparts that once surrounded the city.
 
Look for displays of crocuses and daffodils in the spring. 

Tucked alongside Bourne Hill Gardens is the ‘Secret Garden’ which is now managed by Salisbury Garden Volunteers. Here, you will find a small pond area, fruit trees and some benches. It is a popular place for workers at the adjoining council offices to escape to on their lunch breaks. 

Churchill Gardens

Approximately 10 minutes’ walk from the city centre, these gardens are home to pleasant riverside paths, two play areas and a large skate park. Churchill Gardens are also home to the weekly Parkruns (Saturday mornings for the general Parkrun and Sunday mornings for the children’s Parkrun).

There is a pay and display car park and toilet block at the Southampton Road entrance to the gardens. 

Victoria Park

Located north of the city centre, just off the A345 Victoria Park is Salisbury’s oldest park, dating back to 1887. 

The southern part of the park houses floral beds with pretty displays in the summer months whereas the northern part of the park is home to tennis courts, a football pitch and a play area. 

There is free parking (time limits apply), toilets and facilities within the tennis club. 

Hudson’s Field

This large grassy field can be found alongside Old Sarum. It is the home of Salisbury Rugby Club as well as several outdoor fitness clubs. Hudson’s Field is sometimes used as a large events area and in 2019 will be where the national Armed Forces Day celebrations will be held. 

Middle Street Meadow

Located in the Harnham area of Salisbury, Middle Street Meadow is a hidden gem that’s popular with nature lovers. Grasses in much of the meadow are kept long to encourage wildflowers and subsequently invertebrates. There are beautiful views across the river and ponds where wildlife thrives. At one end of the meadow there is a football pitch. 

Harnham Recreation Ground

Also set in Harnham, the Recreation Ground offers stunning views across to Salisbury Cathedral. A popular spot for ball games and during the summer the setting for cricket matches. There is a small car park on site as well as a cricket pavilion. 

Avon Valley Nature Reserve

Alongside Five Rivers Leisure Centre, there is a large nature reserve area that’s popular with walkers, dog walkers and nature lovers.

Enjoy walks along the boardwalks beside the River Avon. See if you can spot kingfishers, other wildlife or simply take in the views from one of the benches along the way. The walk can be extended up to Old Sarum.