Salisbury Cathedral and the Magna Carta

Salisbury Cathedral is the building that gives the city its profile and a good part of its fame. Begun in 1220 and substantially complete within about forty years, it is unusually consistent in style, a pure example of Early English Gothic, and its slender spire, added in the fourteenth century, rises to about 123 metres, making it the tallest church spire in Britain. Inside, the long nave is lined with dark Purbeck marble shafts against pale stone, and the famous Prisoners of Conscience stained-glass window and the font that reflects the whole nave in its still water are modern additions that sit well in the medieval space. The Chapter House, reached through the cloisters, is the other great draw. Its walls are decorated with a medieval stone frieze of Old Testament scenes, and it houses one of only four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta of 1215, displayed with an exhibition explaining why a charter sealed by King John at Runnymede matters in the history of law and liberty. The cathedral also holds one of the oldest working mechanical clocks in the world, dating from the fourteenth century. A standard ticket includes the cathedral, the Chapter House and the Magna Carta. The cathedral remains a place of worship, so opening times vary and there are occasional closures, and choral evensong is a sublime way to hear the building at its best.

Going further: the Tower Tour is the best extra in the city. It runs several times a day and takes about an hour and a half, climbing 332 steps, some narrow and without handrails, to the foot of the spire at a height of around 68 metres, where you see the medieval timber scaffolding and the extraordinary structure of the spire, with views over the city and the plain. Booking in advance is essential, tours often sell out, and there are age and height limits for children. The ticket also covers same-day entry to the cathedral and Chapter House. A Magna Carta guided tour runs on a weekly schedule and goes into the document story, including how it came to Salisbury.

Making the most of the visit: allow two hours for the cathedral, cloisters and Chapter House, and more if you take a tour. Arrive soon after opening to see the Magna Carta before the main crowds, and give yourself time to walk the Close, the largest cathedral close in Britain, with its Georgian houses and lawns, and to see the spire from the Water Meadows beside the River Avon, the view painted by Constable. Residents of Salisbury postcodes are admitted free with proof of address, and children under twelve are free. The building is accessible, with wheelchairs available to borrow, and parking in the Close is limited and expensive, so use a city car park.

Know before you go: check the opening times page, because the cathedral closes to sightseeing for services and special events. In late November it closes early on the 27th and 28th and is closed to sightseeing on Sunday 29th. Cold stone makes it chilly in winter, and in December the Advent and Christmas events bring a special atmosphere but extra crowds. Because the ticket includes the Chapter House and the Magna Carta, do not skip it on the way out.