It’s a rare occasion when I feel the need to share my thoughts over the internet, but having just returned from one of the best UK city breaks I have been on, I felt the need to do just that.
When I was first told I was to be spending my hard earned time off work in Salisbury, I must admit I felt a little annoyed. It hardly seemed an equal to some of the great city destinations such as London, Brighton or Edinburgh. However when my friends and I arrived, we soon learned that Salisbury has much to offer.
One of the main reasons for choosing Salisbury was for its Cathedral, which boasts Britain’s tallest spire, proudly standing at 123 metres high. An impressive sight, which can be seen from miles away along most of the roads approaching the city. The 13th century Cathedral is steeped in history, and the free guided tours available make the visit much more enjoyable. Not only was the building itself an amazing spectacle, but the grounds it sits in are equally beautiful.
www.salisburycathedral.org.uk
The other obvious place to see is Stonehenge. I would recommend purchasing their audio tours to enjoy this remarkable place to its fullest, however if you are pushed for time, you can see the stones very clearly from the main road running past it.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge
Aside from the infamous two sightseeing giants mentioned above, there are plenty of other places that will make a trip to Salisbury fulfilling. The following sites are some of the main places that my friends and I decided where worthy of note:
Old Sarum – an Iron Age fort that boasts amazing ruins and panoramic views. Great for dog walkers. www.english-heritage.org.uk/oldsarum
Wilton House – a beautiful stately home which showcases the finest 17th century staterooms in England. There is also plenty to keep children entertained here. www.wiltonhouse.com
Museum of Army Flying – a great display of military aircraft starting from pre-World War 1. www.flying-museum.org.uk
Longleat – If you have the time to travel there (we went on our journey home), you will find it a brilliant day out for all ages. There is so much to see and do, that I am sure to return soon. www.longleat.co.uk
Other than the sightseeing, Salisbury is home to some fantastic restaurants, pubs and bars. The Haunch of Venison is infamous locally for its mummified hand that was chopped off during a card game, and also offers a high quality but affordable restaurant and a charming pub bar. The Coach and Horses was also a favourite of mine, as it provided great food, excellent service and a beer garden that has leather sofas! There are also a variety of late night bars and clubs to keep the young crowds entertained as well as a theatre and cinema.
There are several bed and breakfasts available in and around the city centre, and whilst I can’t comment on the ones I did not stay in, I simply have to commend Byways House, which surpassed my (usually pessimistic) view of guest houses. Being in a quiet residential area but only 5 minutes away from the very centre of Salisbury made it an ideal location, and having free wi-fi was a welcome change to most establishments. The rooms were spacious and extremely clean, the breakfasts were cooked perfectly and the staff were extremely friendly. When I next visit Salisbury (as I am most definitely going to), I will unquestionably be staying at Byways. www.bywayshouse.co.uk
All in all, Salisbury is now in my top three uk destinations, and I would urge anyone to take the time to visit.
