Cathedral Close Tour (Self Guided), Salisbury

Salisbury Cathedral, apart from being renowned as the holder of Britain’s tallest spire, the world’s best preserved original copy of Magna Carta (1215) and Europe’s oldest working clock, is also famous for its Close, the largest in the country, measuring 80 acres (or 32 hectares).

The areas surrounding cathedrals' grounds, sometimes extending for hundreds of meters from the main building, were rather commonplace in Medieval Europe. Such territory normally had gates that were locked at night or during unrest in the city, hence the name “Close”. It usually included buildings housing diocesan offices, schools, free-standing chapels, and the palace of the bishop and other clergy houses associated with the cathedral.

Sometimes, but not necessarily so, the territory was arranged in a sort of square around a courtyard, as is the case of Salisbury Cathedral. Laid out in 1220, the Cathedral's Close offers a marvelous setting for it, reflecting architectural styles spanning 800 years.

Here, alongside spacious lawns and shady trees, making for a pleasant break from the busy streets of the city, you will find 21 listed buildings, a couple of museums and a number of gardens, all steeped in history. Several buildings within the Close are open to the public; others you can only stand by and look at through the wrought-iron railings and admire their moss-covered gabled roofs, mullioned windows and beautiful gardens.

Among the particularly notable attractions here are: High Street Gate, built between 1327 and 1342, located next to the College of Matrons (1682); Mompesson House, featured in the award-winning movie “Sense and Sensibility”; The Rifles (Berkshire & Wiltshire) Museum; Arundells, home of the former UK Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath; and several other buildings.

To discover more about the Salisbury Cathedral Close landmarks and appreciate their stunning architecture and craftsmanship, take this self-guided walking tour.