About
About
Explore over 800 years of history at Salisbury Cathedral, one of the UK’s most iconic medieval buildings. Discover the world’s best preserved and the finest of only four surviving original 1215 Magna Carta, sealed by King John at Runnymede. The UNESCO protected document is housed in the beautiful Chapter House and is the centrepiece of an exhibition that explores its creation, history and legacy.
The Cathedral is also home to another marvel: the World’s oldest working mechanical clock, which has ticked over 5 billion times since it was built. The clock is situated in the North Nave aisle.
Salisbury’s distinctive Spire, completed by 1329, stands 55m above the tower, making the combined height from ground level 123m (404ft) – the tallest in Britain. Surrounded by rolling lawns and set in the largest Cathedral Close in the country, extending 80 acres, the Cathedral is an Early English Gothic masterpiece. A place to learn, to experience and to relax and enjoy coffee and cake, lunch or delicious cream tea in the Refectory Restaurant or The Bell Tower Tearooms (Open May-October) on the North Lawn.
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Trade Product Information – Cathedral Tours
Salisbury Cathedral’s elegant Gothic interior with its tall polished Purbeck marble columns and end-to-end views is stunning. The William Pye Font in the Nave, the largest working font in any British cathedral, reflects its surroundings and, along with the beautiful Chartres blue Prisoners of Conscience window made by Gabriel Loire, creates a perfect picture. Among the tombs that line the Cathedral aisles is that of William Longespée, half-brother of King John and an adviser to the king during Magna Carta negotiations. Longespée laid one of the Cathedral’s first foundation stones and was the first person to be buried there. A special exhibition in the North Quire Aisle displays a rotating selection of documents from the Cathedral archive and signs include QR codes that allow visitors to view specially created ‘behind-the-scenes’ video.
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Guided Tours and Introductory Talks
Duration of visit – around 60 minutes
Free guided tours are available on request. Alternatively, Cathedral guides would be happy to do a short introductory talk before visitors explore independently. A great way to set up your visit. Guides are also situated at strategic points around the Cathedral and in the Chapter House to help visitors and answer questions.
The Cathedral Shop, Refectory Restaurant and Bell Tower Tea Rooms (May – Oct) are open for visitors. Toilets are available in the Cloisters.
Refreshments for Groups can be booked with the Refectory Manager: 01722 555175 or Refectory@salcath.co.uk
Special behind-the-scenes tours available to groups including Tower, Library and Works Yard
Self-guided leaflets: 5 languages (English, French, German, Italian and Spanish)
Pre-booked tours available in French, German and Italian
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FREE WEEKLY DEMONSTRATIONS AND EXPERIENCES
Free demonstrations, a weekly schedule
Throughout the year visitors can enjoy a range of free, informal demonstrations. No bookings are required just be at the right place at the right time.
Meet the Stonemasons: a living history in stone
Tuesdays 14:00 - 16:00 in South Transept (Winter) and Cloisters (Summer)
A chance to meet Salisbury Cathedral's stonemasons and discover how our Cathedral’s stone is worked by hand, using the same basic tools as the original Cathedral builders over 800 years ago. Questions welcomed - or just come to watch.
Medieval Clock demonstration: marking the centuries
Monday – Thursday after 11.00 prayers in North Nave Aisle
Saturdays at 10.30
See and hear the chiming mechanism of the world’s oldest working clock in action. Thought to date back to around 1386, Salisbury Cathedral’s medieval clock is a large iron-framed 'turret' clock without a dial. In days gone by it would have rung the bells summoned people to worship now it only chimes for demonstrations.
Stained Glass Window Tours
Mondays 12.00 - meet at Cathedral entrance in cloisters
Discover the rich history of our beautiful stained-glass windows. The tour sheds new light on the Cathedral’s history and its community, from the scandal of the medieval glass abandoned in a ditch during the late 1700s, to windows commemorating wars, suffrage and even a Cathedral cat.
Tours last approximately one hour.
Vestments and Vergers: a thousand years of worship in one encounter
Thursdays 11:00 - 13.00 (April-October)
For nearly a thousand years Salisbury Cathedral has been a centre of worship, first at Old Sarum and after 1220 on its present site. In this encounter in the Quire area visitors can view some of the Cathedral’s beautiful vestments, learn about the Sarum Rite, a form of worship created in Salisbury in 1000 and discover the colour code that dictates what the clergy wear to conduct services. Questions are welcome on anything from the Holy Oils used during worship to the origins of the cathedral’s famous processional services such as Darkness to Light.
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SPECIALIST SMALL GROUP TOURS
The Cathedral offers a range of private ‘backstage’ tours for small groups. Numbers are currently limited due to Covid. Tickets can be booked online or via groups@salcath.co.uk 01722 512156
Tower Tours
Climb 332 steps to the base of the Cathedral spire on a tour full of fascinating facts. The climb is taken in easy stages and when you reach the top, wonder at the medieval scaffolding supporting the spire, view the peregrine cameras during breeding season and enjoy unsurpassed views of the city and surrounding countryside
Duration: Around 90-105 minutes. Restrictions apply.
Cost: £150 (up to 10 people)
Library Tour
Visit the historic 15th century library with an expert and view books selected to illustrate the importance and variety of this unique collection. The Library is reached a winding stone staircase above the cloisters leads to our 15th century library. There are 37 uneven stone steps.
Duration: Around 45 minutes
Cost: £150 (up to 8 people)
Stonemasonry Works Yard Tour
A behind-the-scenes visit to the Works Yard where the heritage skills and craftsmanship used to conserve this building can be seen in action. Visit the drawing office where conservation is planned and watch the Cathedral artisans hand-carving, just as their predecessor would have done in the 1200.
Duration: Around 50 minutes
Cost: £90 (up to 6 people) - for larger groups please contact groups@salcath.co.uk
Vestry Tour
Occasional Verger-led tours that take visitors into the Inner Vestry can be organise for six people or less – subject to availability of staff. Learn about the Sarum Rite, a form of worship created and used by Salisbury Cathedral from the 1200s. View the beautiful vestments and chalices used in worship and see the Cathedral’s collection if verges, or sticks held by vergers when they lead processions. In bygone times these verges would be used to beat their way through the throngs gathered in the Cathedral for worship.
Booking: Contact group@salcath.co.uk
Cost: POA
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Booking Information:
Special rates for Groups and Travel Trade FITs are available if pre-booked. Walk ups are charged at the full public individual rate.
The Cathedral is a living church, so please ensure you check the website in case of last minute closures. Travel Trade companies can apply to our Closures Advice Email by contacting groups@salcath.co.uk
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Covid safety:
For the safety and comfort of all visitors the Cathedral is still managing visitor numbers. To help us with this please prebook so that we can schedule entry into the Cathedral effectively.
Name of trade contact: Kate Saykouk and Hannah Paye
Trade email address: groups@salcath.co.uk
Trade Tel: 01722 512156
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2023 Trade Prices
Please check with the Bookings team direct
Public prices available on website
https://bit.ly/3bl6doy
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Coach Parking:
Awarded Confederation of Passenger Transport UK for Coach Friendly City. Drop-off/pick up point on St John Street, SP1 2SB. Main coach parking at Millstream coach park, SP1 3TA overflow at Britford Park & Ride, SP5 4DS.
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Suitable for Corporate / Incentive visits/Education visits: Yes, rates available for Cathedral, Refectory and Cloisters hire from events@salcath.co.uk. For education groups contact groups@salcath.co.uk
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