Wiltshire Tourist Guide - Articles

Salisbury Cathedral Wiltshire is one of the finest Medieval buildings in Britain today. Set in 80 acres it is unique in having the largest cloisters in England.



Dating back to 1220 the building work commenced on the city’s water meadows with the Foundation Stone laid by Bishop Poore.



It took just 38 years to build using 60,000 tons of Chilmark Stone and 10,000 tons of Purbeck Stone. The spire and tower is the tallest surviving medieval structure in Britain (123metres or 404ft) the spire being added to the existing tower between AD1310 – 13333. The Spire now leans 27.5 inches to the South and 17.5 inches to the West.



Of only 4 surviving original Magna Carta, the best preserved is on display in the Chapter House. Magna Carta is Latin for “The Great Charter” the famous agreement made between King John and his barons at Runneymede in 1215. It is beautifully written in Latin on vellum (animal skin) and contains some 3,500 words, many of which have been abbreviated.

Since the Spire Appeal was founded in 1986, there has been a major repair program.

To date nearly £16million has been spent but there is still much work to be completed. Work continues to this day and scaffolding often encloses many parts of the cathedral. This process of essential renovation and conservation is an ongoing, no doubt for many years to come, and ensures that future generations will have the opportunity to appreciate and worship within this magnificent building.

Salisbury Cathedral Wiltshire has well and truly stood the test of time with thousands of people regularly coming to worship, in addition to the 500,000 visitors a year.

One can spend many hours in the Cathedral and surrounding grounds and Close and not exhaust all it has to offer. It truly is a very enchanting and memorable place to visit.

Salisbury Cathedral Wiltshire