Salisbury & Stonehenge

This historic city in south Wiltshire is best known for it's cathedral, which boasts Britain's tallest spire.

Salisbury is also a popular base for travellers visiting the nearby Stonehenge stone circle.

Practical information

Salisbury Tourist Information Centre

Fish Row, Salisbury

Tel (01722) 334956

Open Jan-Apr Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm; May Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 10.30am-4.30pm; Jun-Sep Mon-Sat 9.30am-6pm, Sun 10.30am-4.30pm; Oct-Dec Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm

Coming & going

Although the centre of Salisbury is small enough to walk around, buses are essential for getting to outlying attractions such as Old Sarum and Stonehenge. Wilts & Dorset buses operate most bus services in the Salisbury area with services to towns and attractions such as Avebury, Old Sarum and Stonehenge.

The Explorer ticket is a great value pass that gives you one day unlimited bus travel in Wiltshire and parts of Dorset and Hampshire for just £7.50. This pass will take you as far as Bristol, Bath, Bournemouth, Southampton and Winchester and is ideal for a day trip encompassing Stonehenge and Avebury.

You can also buy a Salisbury DayRider ticket, which gives you one day of unlimited bus travel within the Salisbury area for £3.70.

Hostel accommodation

Salisbury YHA

Milford Hill, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 2QW

Bus 63, 64, 66

Tel (01722) 327 572

Cholderton (Stonehenge) YHA

Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm, Amesbury Road, Cholderton SP4 0EW
Tel (01980) 629438

Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions

Old Sarum Castle

This ancient site dates from the Iron Age and was used by the Romans, Saxons and Nomans. It is an ideal add-on to Stonehenge for a day trip out of Salisbury.

Castle Road, Salisbury

Bus 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Tel (01722) 335398

Website www.english-heritage.co.uk

Admission £3.30

Open Jan-Mar 10am-4pm daily; Apr-Jun 10am-6pm daily; Jul-Aug 9am-6pm daily; Sep 10am-6pm daily; Oct 10am-5pm daily; Nov-Dec 10am-4pm daily

Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury's famous cathedral boasts England's tallest spire (123m) and it is home to the best-preserved copy of the Magna Carta (dating from 1215AD). The cathedral also has Europe's oldest working clock, dating from 1386.

33 The Close, Salisbury

Tel (01722) 555120

Website www.salisburycathedral.org.uk

Admission £3.80 donation

Open Jan-Mar Mon-Sat 7.15am-6.15pm, Sun 12.30pm-2.30pm; Apr-Aug Mon-Sat 7.15am-7.15pm, Sun 12.30pm-2.30pm; Sep-Dec Mon-Sat 7.15am-6.15pm, Sun 12.30pm-2.30pm

Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum

This museum features exhibits on local history and archaeology including an exhibit about Stonehenge.

The King's House, 65 The Close, Salisbury

Tel (01722) 332151

Website www.salisburymuseum.org.uk

Admission £6

Open Jan-Jun Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm; Sep-Dec Mon-Sat 10am-5pm

Stonehenge

This mysterious stone circle is considered to be one of the greatest prehistoric monuments on Earth. It dates from between 3000 BC and 1600 BC is is aligned with the rising sun at midsummer solstice. It is located 15km northwest of Salisbury

Corner A303 and A344/A360, 3km west of Amesbury

Bus 3

Tel (01980) 624715

Website www.english-heritage.org.uk

Admission £6.60

Open 2 Jan-15 Mar 9.30am-4pm daily; 16 Mar-31 May 9.30am-6pm daily; 1 Jun-31 Aug 9am-7pm daily; 1 Sep-15 Oct 9.30am-6pm daily; 16 Oct-31 Dec 9.30am-4pm daily

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Destination guides > Europe > England > Southwest England > Wiltshire > Salisbury & Stonehenge