Old Sarum, Salisbury (must see)

Old Sarum is one of England's most important archaeological sites, preserving more than 5,000 years of history in a single location. First established as an Iron Age hillfort around 400 BC, it later became a Roman settlement before developing into a Norman royal castle and medieval town after the Norman Conquest of 1066. William the Conqueror used the site as a key royal stronghold, and Eleanor of Aquitaine was later held here under house arrest by Henry II.

Visitors can walk along the impressive defensive banks and deep ditches while enjoying wide views across the surrounding countryside. Within the earthworks are the remains of the royal castle, including the central motte, sections of the curtain wall, foundations of royal apartments, and a deep well that once supplied water during sieges. Information panels show how the fortress once looked and functioned.

Old Sarum was also home to the original Salisbury Cathedral, begun in 1075. Just five days after its consecration in 1092, the cathedral was struck by lightning, damaging much of the building. Ongoing disputes between the military garrison and the clergy, together with limited space and poor access to water, eventually led to the cathedral's relocation in the early 13th century. Stone from the old cathedral was reused in the present cathedral and its surrounding Close walls.

By the mid-14th century, the settlement had been abandoned, leaving Old Sarum as a medieval ghost town. Even so, it continued to elect two Members of Parliament despite having virtually no residents, becoming Britain's most famous "rotten borough" until the Great Reform Act of 1832 ended the practice. Today, English Heritage manages the site, with trails, tours, and seasonal events.