Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire manages the rare feat of being both architecturally pure and historically significant. Built in just 38 years (1220–1258), this incredible European cathedral remains the finest example of Early English Gothic architecture in Britain, with minimal later additions muddling its original vision. The 123-metre spire — England’s tallest — was added around 1330, and inside the Chapter House sits the best-preserved of only four surviving original copies of Magna Carta from 1215.
Quick overview
How much does Salisbury Cathedral cost? £11 in advance (£13 on the day) for adults. Children under 12 free.
Opening hours: Winter (until March 2026) Monday–Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 12:30pm–4pm.
Tickets valid for: 12 months for unlimited return visits.
At a glance
How much does Salisbury Cathedral cost?
Standard adult tickets cost £11 if bought online in advance, or £13 on the day at the door. Students (17+ with valid ID) pay £8.50 advance/£9.50 on the day. Young people aged 12–16 pay £7.50 advance/£8.50 on the day.
Children under 12 enter free. Local residents in SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, and SP5 postcodes also get free entry with proof of address (excludes large groups and school parties).
| Ticket type | Advance price | On-the-day price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | £11 | £13 | Standard admission |
| Student | £8.50 | £9.50 | Ages 17+ with valid student ID |
| Young person | £7.50 | £8.50 | Ages 12–16 |
| Child | Free | Free | Under 12 |
| Local resident | Free | Free | SP1–SP5 postcodes with proof |
| Friends member | Free | Free | Current Friends of Salisbury Cathedral |
All tickets include Cathedral and Chapter House entry (where Magna Carta is displayed). Crucially, tickets remain valid for 12 months, allowing unlimited return visits within that period. Keep your original ticket — printed or on your device.
What time does Salisbury Cathedral open?
Winter hours (until 31 March 2026): Monday–Saturday 10am–5pm (last bookable slot 4pm), Sunday 12:30pm–4pm (last bookable slot 3pm). The Chapter House opens 30 minutes after the Cathedral itself.
Entry operates via 15-minute time slots throughout the day. You can arrive up to 15 minutes after your booked slot time.
The Cathedral closes on Christmas Day. Check the official website for other occasional closures — services, weddings, and special events can restrict access at short notice. The Cathedral is a working church, so expect choir rehearsals, organ tuning, and service preparations during visits.
Do I need to book Salisbury Cathedral tickets in advance?
Not strictly required, but advance booking saves £2 per adult ticket and guarantees entry. Walk-up tickets risk disappointment during busy periods (Easter, summer holidays, weekends).
The timed slot system manages visitor flow — booking ahead means less queueing. If you’re planning a Tower Tour or behind-the-scenes experience (stonemasons, graffiti tours), book those separately as they fill quickly and aren’t included in standard admission.
Parking advice
Parking in the Cathedral Close is extremely limited — 20-odd spaces at £10 for the day, including disabled bays. These fill by mid-morning most days. Arriving before 9:30am improves your chances.
Public car parks offer better availability. Lush House car park (SP2 7TD) and Old George Mall (SP1 2PH) both sit five minutes’ walk from the Close. Rates hover around £1.50–£2 per hour, with all-day parking costing £8–£10.
Central car park (Castle Street, SP1 3WB) is ten minutes’ walk and similarly priced. Park and Ride services operate from five locations around Salisbury — buses run to the city centre every 15–20 minutes. For groups arriving by coach, note the Close has height restrictions preventing coach entry — drop passengers at public car parks instead.
History
Salisbury Cathedral’s story begins with a relocation. The original cathedral stood at Old Sarum, two miles north, from 1092. Tensions between cathedral clergy and soldiers garrisoned at the adjacent royal castle made the hilltop site untenable. Water scarcity compounded the problem.
In 1219, Bishop Richard Poore obtained permission to move. Foundation stones were laid in 1220 by Bishop Poore and William Longespée (3rd Earl of Salisbury, named in Magna Carta). Construction progressed with unusual speed — the nave, transepts, and choir were complete by 1258. In total, 70,000 tons of stone, 3,000 tons of timber, and 450 tons of lead went into the building.
The cathedral was built on marshy ground with foundations only four feet deep — a decision that later caused structural problems when the tower and spire were added around 1330. The 6,500-ton spire caused the four supporting pillars to deflect noticeably inward. Medieval builders installed internal tie bars and buttresses to prevent collapse.
Elias of Dereham, present at Runnymede when King John sealed Magna Carta in 1215, became a canon at Old Sarum and supervised the new cathedral’s construction. He likely brought Salisbury’s Magna Carta copy to Old Sarum initially, before it moved to the new Chapter House in 1263.
The cloisters (Britain’s largest) were added in 1240. The octagonal Chapter House followed in 1263. Remarkably little has been added since — making Salisbury the most architecturally consistent of England’s medieval cathedrals.
Inside Salisbury Cathedral: What to see
The nave stretches 70 metres with slender Purbeck marble columns creating vertical emphasis. Early English Gothic lancet windows — narrow, pointed, without tracery — define the style throughout.
The font near the entrance is a modern addition (2008), designed by water sculptor William Pye. Water flows continuously over the font’s edges into a cruciform base, creating reflections of the vaulted ceiling above.
The medieval clock in the north aisle dates from 1386, making it one of the world’s oldest working mechanical clocks. It has no face — medieval clocks simply struck the hours for monastic services. Restored to working order in 1956, it still ticks.
The Chapter House holds Magna Carta in a climate-controlled display. The octagonal room features a central column supporting the vaulted ceiling, with a medieval frieze depicting Genesis and Exodus scenes running above the stone seats. Information panels explain Magna Carta’s context and legacy.
The spire can be climbed via Tower Tours (separate ticket, £20). You’ll ascend 332 steps through medieval scaffolding and roof spaces to the base of the spire, 225 feet up. Tours run regularly but book ahead — groups limited to six people.
The Cloisters offer quiet contemplation. At 181 by 181 feet, they’re the largest in Britain. Walk the covered arcades and admire tracery patterns in the stonework.
What’s included with your ticket?
- Full Cathedral access including nave, transepts, and choir
- Chapter House entry with Magna Carta display
- Access to the Cloisters and Cathedral Close
- World’s oldest working mechanical clock (c.1386)
- Medieval stained glass windows including the Prisoners of Conscience Window
- 12-month validity for unlimited return visits
- Free guided floor tours (subject to volunteer availability)
- Viewing of the modern font by William Pye
- Access to the medieval frieze in the Chapter House
Things to do near Salisbury Cathedral
Old Sarum (3km, 10-minute drive) — The original cathedral site, now an English Heritage property with Iron Age hillfort remains, Norman castle ruins, and the outline of the 12th-century cathedral. Views across Salisbury Plain. Entry around £8 for adults.
Stonehenge (13km, 20-minute drive or Stonehenge Tour bus from station) — The world’s most famous prehistoric monument, with stones dating to around 3000 BC. Visitor centre with exhibitions. Book timed tickets in advance and work out your Stonehenge parking strategy.
Mompesson House (in Cathedral Close, 2-minute walk) — An elegant 18th-century townhouse owned by the National Trust, featuring period furniture, fine plasterwork, and a walled garden. Featured in the 1995 film Sense and Sensibility.
Salisbury Museum (in Cathedral Close, 2-minute walk) — Housed in the medieval King’s House, displaying Stonehenge-related archaeology, local history, and a collection of Turner watercolours. Entry around £9 adults.
Arundells (in Cathedral Close, 3-minute walk) — Former home of Prime Minister Edward Heath (1970–1974). The Grade II listed house contains his art collection, political memorabilia, and musical instruments. Open spring through summer.
Other Wiltshire attractions include the mischievous monkeys of Longleat and Malmesbury Abbey.
Practical tips
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How do I get there? | Salisbury station is a 15-minute walk via Mill Road through Queen Elizabeth Gardens. Regular trains from London (90 minutes), Bath, Southampton, and Bristol. Cathedral postcode: SP1 2EJ. |
| How long do I need? | Allow 90 minutes for the Cathedral and Chapter House. Add 30 minutes for the Cloisters. Tower Tours take an additional 75 minutes. |
| Can I take photos? | Yes, photography permitted for personal use. No flash, tripods, or commercial filming without permission. |
| Is there a dress code? | No specific dress code, but this is a working church — dress respectfully. Shoulders and knees covered for services. |
| What about accessibility? | Wheelchair access throughout the Cathedral floor, Chapter House, and Cloisters. Three wheelchairs available to borrow. Large-print maps and water bowls for assistance dogs at the Welcome Desk. |
| Are there facilities? | Refectory Restaurant (Monday–Saturday 9:30am–4:45pm, Sunday 10am–3:45pm), gift shop, and toilets including accessible facilities. Bell Tower Tea Rooms seasonal (closed winter, reopening spring 2026). |
| Can I attend services? | Yes, services are free to attend. Daily services at 7:30am and 5:30pm Monday–Saturday, plus Evensong and Sunday services. The Cathedral may restrict tourist access during services. |
FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I visit during a service? | You’re welcome to attend any service free of charge. Tourist visiting may be restricted to certain areas during worship. Check the services schedule online before visiting. |
| Are dogs allowed? | Yes, well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome inside. Water bowls available in the Cloisters. Clean up after your dog. Only assistance dogs permitted in the Refectory Restaurant. |
| Do I need to be religious to visit? | No. The Cathedral welcomes visitors of all faiths and none. It functions as both a working church and a historical monument. |
| Is the ticket really valid for a year? | Yes. Keep your original ticket (printed or digital) and return as many times as you like within 12 months from purchase date. Some special events may require separate tickets. |
| What’s the best time to avoid crowds? | Early mornings (10–11am) and weekdays outside school holidays. Sundays are quieter for general visiting as most tourists visit on Saturdays. |
More South-West England travel
Other South-West England travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Practical guide to visiting Shepton Mallet Prison.
- Key details for visiting No. 1 Royal Crescent in Bath.
- Visitor guide to the Jane Austen Centre in Bath.
- What to look out for at Wells Cathedral.
- Learn the witch legend at the Wookey Hole Caves.
