Salisbury

This settlement sits where five rivers meet in southern Wiltshire, forming a cathedral city with a grid of medieval lanes. The center clusters around a broad market square lined with timber-framed houses, narrow alleys branching off in several directions toward the towering spire.

The current settlement began in 1220 when Bishop Richard Poore relocated the population from Old Sarum and started building the new cathedral. The streets followed a planned grid that still shapes the layout of the center today.

The name comes from Sorbiodunum, a Roman designation later transformed into Searoburg by Saxon settlers. Visitors walk through streets where market traditions continue twice weekly, connecting the city to centuries of trade and community gathering.

The center is easy to explore on foot, with most points of interest clustered in a compact area around the cathedral. The market square serves as a central reference point from which the main streets radiate outward.

The cathedral spire reaches 123 meters and is the tallest church spire in the United Kingdom. Inside, Europe's oldest working clock from 1386 operates without a face, marking time for centuries with its mechanical chimes.

Location: Wiltshire

Website: https://salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk

GPS coordinates: 51.07400,-1.79360

Latest update: December 4, 2025 14:20