Mompesson House

Mompesson House, set on Salisbury’s elegant Cathedral Close, is a textbook example of early‑18th‑century Queen Anne architecture: calm, symmetrical and quietly confident. Built in 1701 for the Mompesson family, it later became known as the “house of cards” after appearing in the 1995 film adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. Its façade of warm Chilmark stone and fine sash windows sets the tone for the refined interiors that follow. Inside, the house feels lived‑in rather than grand. The oak staircase, with its beautifully turned balusters, is one of its most admired features. The drawing room showcases delicate plasterwork and period furniture that reflects the lifestyle of prosperous Georgian residents. A highlight is the Turnbull Collection of English drinking glasses, an exceptional display tracing three centuries of craftsmanship—from heavy baluster stems to the feather‑light elegance of later styles. The dining room, with its mellow panelling and views onto the garden, evokes the rhythm of genteel domestic life. Upstairs, the bedrooms retain a sense of intimacy, furnished with textiles and objects chosen to reflect authentic 18th‑century taste. The walled garden offers a peaceful end to the visit, with clipped lawns, roses and a sense of seclusion that contrasts beautifully with the vastness of the nearby cathedral.