Mompesson House is the finest townhouse in the Cathedral Close, and a visit gives you a glimpse of how well-off families lived in Georgian Salisbury. It stands on Choristers' Green, a few steps from the cathedral's north gate, and was built in the early eighteenth century for a prominent local family, in the restrained Queen Anne style, with a symmetrical brick and stone front and tall sash windows. Inside, the ground-floor rooms keep their period character, from the elegant plasterwork ceilings to the carved oak staircase with its delicate balusters, which is one of the glories of the house. The rooms are furnished with period pieces and paintings, and the house holds a well-known collection of eighteenth-century drinking glasses, a delight for anyone who enjoys decorative arts. The house has also been used as a film location, and fans of costume drama may recognise its rooms from the 1995 film of Sense and Sensibility. Outside, a walled garden with traditional herbaceous borders and a pergola offers a peaceful corner of the Close, and the tea-room in a former summerhouse serves cakes and light lunches with views across the lawn. The house is run by the National Trust, so members get in free, and it is a good wet-weather choice because it is compact, calm and comfortable.
What to look for
Begin with the staircase, which rises through the centre of the house and is the finest feature of the interior. The plasterwork in the main rooms is exceptional for its date, with ceilings that show the skill of the craftsmen who worked in the Close, and the proportions of the rooms are those of a house designed to impress without ostentation.
Look closely at the cabinets of glasses, because the collection traces changes in shape and decoration across the century and includes pieces with delicate twisted stems. Upstairs areas may be used for temporary displays, so what you see can change from visit to visit.
Making the visit
The house and garden are small, so an hour or so is plenty, and they sit comfortably between the cathedral and the Salisbury Museum, which are both a short walk away. The ground floor of the house is accessible and the garden has level paths, but the upper floors are reached by stairs.
Only assistance dogs are admitted, and the tea-room is a pleasant stop even when the weather is poor. Opening is seasonal and varies by day, so check the National Trust page before you go, and note that no advance booking is generally needed.
Why include it
Salisbury is known for its prehistoric monuments and its Gothic cathedral, but Mompesson House shows a quieter side of the city, the Georgian elegance of the Close, and it is especially welcome on a wet or cold day. It also makes a good break between the heavier sights, since it requires no climbing and no queuing.
Visit in the morning and then walk across the Close to the museum, or finish the afternoon with a cup of tea in the garden before evensong. Garden lovers will find the borders at their best in the late spring and summer, while the interior is lovely in every season.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit of the ground-floor rooms and staircase, then the walled garden and tea-room, in the Cathedral Close.
Best time
Mornings for a quiet visit, late spring and summer for the garden, and any wet day when you want to be indoors.
How long
About an hour, a little more with tea in the garden.
Tips
Check the opening days before you go, note that only assistance dogs are admitted, and combine it with the cathedral and the museum.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who enjoys historic houses, plasterwork and decorative arts.
- Families
- Compact and calm, with a garden to explore, though young children may prefer the museum next door.
- Couples
- Tea in the garden, then a stroll around the Close at dusk.
- Pair with
- Salisbury Cathedral and The Salisbury Museum, both a few minutes away.
- Time needed
- An hour or so.
Good questions
Where is Mompesson House?+
It is on Choristers' Green in the Cathedral Close, a few minutes' walk from the cathedral and close to The Salisbury Museum.
Do I need to book?+
Booking is not usually needed, so you can turn up on the day. Check the National Trust page for the days it is open.
Is there a café?+
Yes, the tea-room is in a former summerhouse and serves cakes, hot drinks and light lunches, with indoor and outdoor seating.
Can I bring a dog?+
Only assistance dogs are admitted to the house and garden.
Is it accessible?+
The ground floor of the house and the garden are accessible, but the upper floors are reached by stairs. Contact the property about parking and wheelchair loan.
