Old Sarum
Old Sarum, perched on a windswept hilltop just outside Salisbury, is one of Wiltshire’s most atmospheric ancient sites. Its story spans more than 2,000 years, beginning as an Iron Age hillfort before becoming a Roman settlement, a Norman stronghold and, later, the original location of Salisbury Cathedral. One of its most intriguing facts is that Old Sarum once sent Members of Parliament to Westminster long after the town had vanished, making it one of Britain’s most famous “rotten boroughs”. Inside the earthworks, visitors can explore the ruins of the Norman castle, built for William the Conqueror, with its massive ramparts and commanding views over the surrounding countryside. The foundations of the first Salisbury Cathedral lie nearby, offering a rare chance to walk through the footprint of a vanished medieval church. Interpretation panels and models help bring the site’s layers of history to life, from Roman roads to royal intrigue. The sweeping landscape itself is part of the experience: the concentric rings of the hillfort remain clearly visible, and the elevated position reveals why Old Sarum was once a strategic powerhouse.
Salisbury United Kingdom
You will find it at Castle Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 3SD. It is about two miles north of Salisbury city centre, just off the A345. The site is managed by English Heritage and sits on top of huge Iron Age earthworks where you can see the remains of the original Norman castle and the foundations of Salisbury's first cathedral. Because it is so close to Salisbury, you have a lot of great places nearby. The big one is Salisbury Cathedral itself, with its famous spire and Magna Carta. It is only a short drive down the hill. Right in the Cathedral Close you also have Salisbury Museum and Arundells, the former home of Prime Minister Edward Heath, both lovely to wander around. If you like castles and grand houses, Wilton House is just a few miles away, a beautiful stately home with gardens and art collections. And of course you are in Stonehenge country, the world famous stone circle is about 20 minutes away by car and makes a perfect combination with Old Sarum for a day of history. In Salisbury itself there is plenty of charm too, with the old market square, medieval streets, and The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum. It is a really nice spot where you can mix ancient ruins with a proper English cathedral city right on your doorstep.
Manor House
Museum
Museum