The spire of Salisbury Cathedral rises 123 metres above the Wiltshire plain. It is the tallest church spire in the United Kingdom and the fourth tallest in Europe. The cathedral was built in a single architectural period, Early English Gothic, between 1220 and 1258. Most English cathedrals are palimpsests of styles layered over centuries. Salisbury is a pure statement of what the 13th century wanted to say about God, stone, and light.
In This Article
The Spire: 6,500 Tonnes of Stone and Timber
The spire was added between 1310 and 1333, a second phase of construction after the main body of the cathedral was complete. The spire and tower weigh 6,500 tonnes, supported by four 2.5-metre-thick pillars that have bent visibly under the weight. The lean of the cathedral’s east end is 25 inches from vertical, a result of the spire’s weight settling into the foundations. The foundation depth is only 1.5 metres, remarkably shallow for a building of this mass. The scaffolding used for the 2026 conservation project is the largest freestanding scaffold in Europe, wrapping the entire spire.
The Magna Carta: The Best Preserved Copy
Salisbury Cathedral holds one of the four surviving original copies of Magna Carta from 1215. The document was brought to Salisbury by Elias of Dereham, who witnessed the sealing at Runnymede and later became a canon of Salisbury. The copy is the best preserved of the four, the ink still legible. It is displayed in the Chapter House, an octagonal room built between 1260 and 1280, with a central pillar carved from Purbeck marble. The Chapter House also has a 13th century frieze depicting scenes from the Old Testament, running around the walls at a height of 2.5 metres. Entry to the cathedral and the Chapter House is by donation, 12.50 pounds suggested for adults.
The Cloisters and the Close
The cloisters at Salisbury are the largest in England at 55 metres on each side. They were built between 1263 and 1270 and are lined with window tracery that changes colour as the sun moves across the sky. The Close, the green space surrounding the cathedral, covers 80 acres. It is the largest cathedral close in Britain. The houses around the close include Mompesson House (built 1701, National Trust, entry 6 pounds) and the Salisbury Museum, which holds the Salisbury Hoard, a collection of 535 bronze and iron objects dating from 1,000 BC, discovered in 1987. The museum entry is 8 pounds.
What is the one English cathedral you would return to on a quiet weekday with nothing but time, and what would you look at first?
Looking for more British travel inspiration? Check out our other guides to the United Kingdom and start planning your next European adventure!
In the county of Wiltshire, south-west of England, you can find nice and well maintained small city of Salisbury. The pleasant impression was enhanced by the fact that it is not surrounded by skyscrapers and housing estates. There was also implemented an interesting system for the construction of new buildings – none of them can exceed the cathedral tower.
The city was founded in the early 13th century, when the bishopric was moved from Old Sarum, an ancient Iron Age fort, which now stands on the northern outskirts of town, about 3 km from the city centre. This place was inhabited already 5000 years ago. The double ditches of this fort are still visible, however there was nothing left from the city inside the walls. Old Sarum was settled by the Romans, Anglo-Saxons and the bishops of Sherborne. But over time, they seemed uncomfortable, as this place was plagued by drought and strong winds, therefore, they requested the pope to move to Salisbury. This city is still called New Sarum. In the 19th century Old Sarum had been completely abandoned.
Domination of the city is its Cathedral, which is situated in the beautiful and peaceful district of The Close. There are also located schools, hospitals, theological colleges and hostels clerics. Salisbury cathedral, also known as Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was built between 1220 – 1258. Today it is a beautiful example of early English Gothic architecture, characterized by high lancet windows. The uniqueness of the cathedral is primarily in its perfectly uniform architectural concept. The only exception is a majestic tower that was built in the years 1280 – 1310. With its 123 meters it is the tallest spire in the United kingdom. It is quite surprising that the tower still stands, its foundations are only about 2 meters deep and the measurement found that the tower leans up to 77 cm.
But it is not everything that Salisbury Cathedral can offer. You can also see here the oldest working clock in the world from the year 1386, which are exposed on the left side of the cathedral. However the most important monument is the English charter Magna Carta from 1215, which is stored in the Chapter House. It is the best-preserved of the four surviving original copies of Magna Carta.
Salisbury Cathedral is famous also for its organ choir. The List of all Organists sorted chronologically in a row from the very beginning can not be overlooked in the cathedral. I must say that the cathedral has much to be proud of. I was lucky enough to hear the choir which was an amazing experience. I definitely recommend you to listen to (they do practice about 1 hour before Mass).
More info you can find at Salisbury Cathedral official website.
Explore More
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like: