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, Highlight Tours and Introductory Talks
Duration 10 - 60 minutes (depending on the tour)
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
Digital guide available from Spring 2026: German, French, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, Swedish, Hindi Danish, Czech and Mandarin.
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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 10:30-12:30 Cloisters (April - October)
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 – Friday 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.
Stories from the Archives
Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:30 in North Quire Aisle
A 10-15 minute talk showcasing a selction of fascinating items from the Cathedral's Archive.
Opus Anglicanum Demo
Mondays between 13.30 -16.30
Our sewing volunteers are taking part in a major project to produce an original textile called ‘The Circle of Life’ and you can add your own stitch to our Visitor’s Frame. They are using a famous style of English needlework called ‘Opus Anglicanum’, dating back to the 13th century.
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SPECIALIST SMALL GROUP TOURS
The Cathedral offers a range of private ‘backstage’ tours for small groups. Tickets can be booked online or via groups@salcath.co.uk 01722 555120
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.
Groups up to 10.
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 60 minutes
Groups up to 8
Stonemasonry Works Yard Tour
A behind-the-scenes visit to the Works Yard led by an expert guide who will show you around our Stonemasonry Works Yard, one of only ten English Cathedral work yards in the country. Learn how 150-million-year-old blocks of Jurassic limestone weighing up to 5 tons are transformed into carved stone for the Cathedral. You’ll visit the Drawing Office where the conservators and stone specialists carry out conservation planning. And you’ll witness astounding hand-carving skills that have been practiced here since the 1200s.
Duration: Around 90 minutes
Groups up to 10.
Graffiti Tour
The Cathedral walls are covered in historical graffiti. On this fascinating tour you will discover who made these marks and what they mean. Our expert guides will explore hexafoils and curses, gaming boards and music, symbols of religion, heraldry and pilgrimage, as well as design drawings left behind by the stonemasons. Discover hidden stories of the people who worked, worshipped and visited the cathedral over the past eight hundred years.
Duration around 60 minutes
Groups up to 8
Textile Treasures
A unique opportunity to discover more about the history of Salisbury Cathedral through its collection of beautiful and intricately stitched ecclesiastical textiles. Featuring altar frontals, kneelers and wall hangings, some dating back as early circa 17th century.
A knowledgeable guide will reveal the history and fascinating stories behind our collection while also, offering an opportunity to get up close, to fully appreciate the skills of the embroiderers who created them.
Duration around 75 minutes
Groups up to 8
Magna Carta: Our Salisbury Story
A new tour which will tour the cathedral exploring the history of Magna Carta- how it came to Salisbury, stories of its time at the cathedral and why it remains here, including a lovely story of how the wartime librarian cycled home with the document for safekeeping. This tour will also cover the documents significance to democracy, links to the US constitution and continuing legacy.
The tour ends with a rare opportunity to view a facsimile of the document along with learn of other items usually hidden in the cathedral’s archive.
Duration around 75 minutes
Groups up to 8
Wealth, Power, Passion (women’s tour)
Learn more about some of the remarkable women whose lives have been intertwined with the Cathedral’s history. Wealth, Power, Passion tours will look at Ela Longespée, who laid one of the foundation stones of the Cathedral in 1220, Alice Brewer, who gifted Purbeck stone from her quarry in Dorset to decorate
the new Cathedral, and Katherine Grey, the younger sister of Lady Jane Grey.
Duration around 60 minutes
Groups up to 10
For rates and booking information please contact groups@salcath.co.uk
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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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Name of trade contact: Millie Elgar and Kate Saykouk
Trade email address: groups@salcath.co.uk
Trade Tel: 01722 555120
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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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