Discover over 750 years of history, including Britain's tallest spire, the world's best preserved original Magna Carta and Europe's oldest working clock, on a tour with one of our volunteer guides. Built between 1220 and 1258, in one architectural style, Salisbury is Britain's finest 13th century Gothic Cathedral.

A beautiful and historic building, Salisbury Cathedral is an impressive stage for concerts and major services, yet also a place for private prayer and reflection. The Cathedral and the Close are visited by over 500,000 people a year. Many come as tourists or to worship, while others attend some of the many events taking place here. The Cathedral is open to all and seeks to provide facilities for, and a warm welcome to our many visitors.

What is special about Salisbury Cathedral?

• Britain's finest 13th Century Cathedral.
• Britain's tallest spire (123m/404ft).
• The best preserved of only four surviving original Magna Carta (AD1215).
• A unique 13th century stone frieze of bible stories in the Chapter House.
• Europe's oldest working clock (AD1386).
• The largest Cathedral Close in Britain (80 acres).
• Britain's largest Cathedral Cloisters.
• The largest and earliest set of Quire stalls in Britain.
• Boy and girl choristers continue a tradition of worship that goes back nearly 750 years.
• Participates in Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service.

Facilities

Guides

There are volunteer guides on duty most days. They will be pleased to provide free guided tours of the cathedral and answer questions. Or to help you explore the cathedral at your own pace there are self-guiding leaflets available in English with supplements in other languages.

Some guide teams include foreign language speakers. Subject to availability, these may be requested for visiting groups. The Cathedral also has a special children's leaflet, please ask a guide for a copy when you arrive.

Explore the spectacular roof space, accompanied by a fully trained guide. Climb 332 steps in easy stages, by narrow spiral staircases and interior roof walkways, to reach the base of the Spire, 69m (225ft) above ground level. For further information, prices and safety restrictions click here.

Accessibility and facilities for those with disabilities

You may like to download and print our leaflet "Access for All", from here.

• The Cathedral floor, Chapter House, Cloisters, Refectory Restaurant and Shop are wheelchair accessible.
• Toilets for wheelchair users.
• Two wheelchairs available for use during your visit.
• Assistance dogs welcome.
• "Touch and Feel" model with linked commentary for those with sight difficulties.
• Special leaflet for those with hearing difficulties.
• Large print leaflet and service books.
• Hearing loop available during services.

Cathedral Shop and Refectory Restaurant

Housed in a modern glass roofed building with views of the spire soaring above the Cathedral Shop and Restaurant are open every day of the year except Christmas Day. Click here for further information.

Photography

You are welcome to take videos and photographs for your personal use during your visit to Salisbury Cathedral, except in the Chapter House and during services.
Commercial photography within the Cathedral and Close is not permitted without prior arrangement with Visitor Services tel: 01722 555 118.

Opening Times

Salisbury Cathedral is open every day of the year, usually 7.15am - 6.15pm.
The Chapter House, Shop and Restaurant are open every day except Christmas Day.
Services take place daily and opening times can vary at short notice depending on services and events - especially around Easter and Christmas.
To check opening times for your planned visit please click here.
For information regarding closures and restricted access, click here.

Chaplains

You will usually find a volunteer chaplain on duty. Prayers are said most days, on the hour, between 11am and 3pm.

Group Visits

Visitor Services provides a dedicated group booking line, please telephone (01722) 555 124 or email groups@salcath.co.uk . We recommend that all group organisers advise us of possible visits, so that, should a service be arranged at short notice, we will be able to let you know of any changes to opening times.

Donations

The Cathedral receives no subsidies or financial help from the Government or from the Diocese.
To cover the £4m it costs to run the Cathedral each year, we ask visitors to make a suggested voluntary donation. Please note there is no charge for the tours of the cathedral floor provided by the guides.

If you are a UK taxpayer, please ask for a Gift Aid form. (Through Gift Aid we can reclaim from the government the tax you have already paid on this donation, which represents an additional 28% on top of what you give during your visit.)

Special rates are recommended for groups, please click here for details.

Tour Operators featuring Salisbury Cathedral

Day trips out of London

Golden Tours - visit the Cathedral year round as part of their "Bath, Stonehenge and Salisbury" package. First stop of the day is Stonehenge, then a visit to Salisbury Cathedral and time for lunch in the city, after that it's on to the city of Bath for the afternoon and a visit to the Roman Baths and Pump Rooms. www.goldentours.co.uk

Other places to visit in and around Salisbury

There are four other attractions within the historic Close of Salisbury Cathedral. Click here to download a Special Offer voucher for some of these attractions.

Mompesson House - A perfect example of a Queen Anne style town house. Notable plaster work and an elegant carved oak staircase. Fine period furniture and collection of 18th Century drinking glasses. Charming walled garden and tea room. National Trust Property.
Open 24 March - 28 October 2007 Sat - Wed 11am - 5pm. Last admission 4.30pm. Closed Thursday and Friday. Tel: (01722) 335 659. Information line: (01722) 420 980. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum - Award winning museum with archaeological collections of National importance. Home of the Stonehenge Gallery, Warminster Jewel and Monkton Deverill Gold Torc. Displays of pre-history, Romans, Saxons, the medieval history of Old Sarum and Salisbury, the Pitt Rivers collection, ceramics and costumes. Pictures throughout including Turner watercolours. Temporary exhibitions all year round. Gift and coffee shops. A friendly museum in a Grade 1 listed building.
Open all year Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm (July/Aug Sun 2pm - 5pm) Tel: (01722) 332 151 www.salisburymuseum.org.uk

The Rifles (Berkshire & Wiltshire) Museum - The museum, housed in a splendid Grade 2 listed building, tells the story of the County infantry regiments of Berkshire and Wiltshire. Riverside garden gives views across the watermeadows. Bernières licensed tearoom.
Open: 10am - 5pm Daily: Apr-Oct and Tue - Sun: Feb, Mar & Nov. Last admission 4.30pm. Tel: (01722) 419 419 www.thewardrobe.org.uk

The Medieval Hall - An historic 13th Century banqueting hall.
Open: All year for pre-booked groups. Occasionally open to the public. Tel: (01722) 412 472

Things to see in the area

Salisbury and South Wiltshire - with world famous attractions such as Stonehenge, Stourhead and Wilton House there are plenty of things to see and do within the Salisbury area.
Visit www.visitsalisbury.com for further information or call (01722) 334 956

If you're planning a visit, then these maps may be useful.