![Old Sarum, Salisbury](/img/gd_attr/44664.jpg)
Old Sarum, Salisbury (must see)
Old Sarum is a deserted ruin in Wiltshire. It sits on a hill about two miles from modern day Salisbury. A hill fort was erected on the hill around 400 BC. Romans knew of it, but did not occupy it. Saxons occupied the fort in the sixth century. The Normans arrived shortly after 1066.
The Normans erected a motte-and-bailey castle with a curtain wall and a cathedral. Relations between the garrison at the fort and the clergy were never good. Royal approval for the move to what is now Salisbury was given in 1194. In the 1220s. The demolition of the Old Sarum began. Stones salvaged were used in the construction of the new cathedral.
In 1514 Henry VIII transferred what was left of the castle to Thomas Compton. By 1540 the suburbs were gone. Old Sarum curiously retained its representation in Parliament as a "rotten borough" until 1832.
The earthworks of the ancient hill fort, the Norman castle ruins atop the motte, and the bits of the old cathedral remain. The outer enclosure had a single entry point in the east which still is mostly intact. The rampart enclosed a vast area. Within the area is a second rampart built for the 11th century castle of William the Conqueror.
The inner bailey was uncovered in 1909. There is the ruin of a 12th century gatehouse, the shell of a keep, and a courtyard. In the south part there was a two story chapel dedicated to Saints Nicholas and Margaret. The plan of the cathedral was discovered in 1912. It was small; a mere 184 feet in length with three apses and a narrow transept.
The cloister was dug out by 1915. Four walks are visible. There are remains of the bishop's palace, a hall and gardens. Old Sarum is important as an example of a fortified arrangement. Its history covers three distinct periods: the Iron Age, the Roman period, and the period of the royal castle and cathedral. All this ended in 1220.
The Normans erected a motte-and-bailey castle with a curtain wall and a cathedral. Relations between the garrison at the fort and the clergy were never good. Royal approval for the move to what is now Salisbury was given in 1194. In the 1220s. The demolition of the Old Sarum began. Stones salvaged were used in the construction of the new cathedral.
In 1514 Henry VIII transferred what was left of the castle to Thomas Compton. By 1540 the suburbs were gone. Old Sarum curiously retained its representation in Parliament as a "rotten borough" until 1832.
The earthworks of the ancient hill fort, the Norman castle ruins atop the motte, and the bits of the old cathedral remain. The outer enclosure had a single entry point in the east which still is mostly intact. The rampart enclosed a vast area. Within the area is a second rampart built for the 11th century castle of William the Conqueror.
The inner bailey was uncovered in 1909. There is the ruin of a 12th century gatehouse, the shell of a keep, and a courtyard. In the south part there was a two story chapel dedicated to Saints Nicholas and Margaret. The plan of the cathedral was discovered in 1912. It was small; a mere 184 feet in length with three apses and a narrow transept.
The cloister was dug out by 1915. Four walks are visible. There are remains of the bishop's palace, a hall and gardens. Old Sarum is important as an example of a fortified arrangement. Its history covers three distinct periods: the Iron Age, the Roman period, and the period of the royal castle and cathedral. All this ended in 1220.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Salisbury. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Old Sarum on Map
Sight Name: Old Sarum
Sight Location: Salisbury, England (See walking tours in Salisbury)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Salisbury, England (See walking tours in Salisbury)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Salisbury, England
Create Your Own Walk in Salisbury
Creating your own self-guided walk in Salisbury is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Salisbury Introduction Walking Tour
Old Sarum is not as old as neighboring Stonehenge, but it is old. A hill fort occupied the site as early as 300 BC. The ubiquitous Romans did not overly attend to it but it fell to Saxon King Cynric of Wessex in 552 AD. Danes and Norwegians invaded frequently enough until 1066, when William of Normandy settled matters among the parties.
A motte-and-bailey castle was established at the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
A motte-and-bailey castle was established at the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Cathedral Close Tour
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... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
The areas surrounding cathedrals' grounds, sometimes extending for hundreds of meters from the main... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Historical Houses Tour
Founded more than 800 years ago, Salisbury understandably has a great number of historical, architectural, and cultural gems worthy of a visit. The medieval houses, churches, inns, and hospitals blend harmoniously with the modern sites of the city.
Your exploration of these treasures can be started at Trinity Hospital, a picturesque almshouse founded in the 14th century, offering a glimpse... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Your exploration of these treasures can be started at Trinity Hospital, a picturesque almshouse founded in the 14th century, offering a glimpse... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles