I have been working in Salisbury today. Last time I was here, I didn't had time to look around so this time round, I spent my lunchtime walking around the city (and tried to eat lunch in 10 minutes!)
Many many year ago, the location was chosen for a settlement because of the abundance of water. Rive Avon still run very close to the city today and it is surrounded by beautiful parks and recreational areas. I think this is a great city for people with young children.
Many many year ago, the location was chosen for a settlement because of the abundance of water. Rive Avon still run very close to the city today and it is surrounded by beautiful parks and recreational areas. I think this is a great city for people with young children.
Salisbury is a beautiful city. The city itself is a mix of brick, stone and timber framed buildings dating from medieval and Victorian times. It is almost a town, except that it has a cathedral and that makes it a city.
High Street Gate.
The other side of the gate.
The gate leads to the Cathedral Close, which has some very grand and beautiful homes! I was told that the former British prime minister Sir Edward Heath had a home here.
The tallest building in this photo is the Mompesson House. It is an example of architecture from the Queen Anne period and it was built for Charles Mompesson (a local Member of Parliament) in 1701. It is now in the hands of the National Trust.
The fields belong to the Cathedral and they are not going to build anything on it. So, these homes effectively have the best views! The building on the right is the North Canonry. It is largest Tudor domestic building in the city and the only building directly fronting onto the West Walk.
Here is the Great West Front of the Salisbury Cathedral. The cathedral is the only English cathedral built in one style. It was also built within one century with no substantial additions later on (which is quite rare!) The Cathedral also houses the best preserved Magna Carta (AD 1215) and Europe’s oldest working clock (AD 1386).
The beautiful cloisters.
The Chapter House on the right and the South transept on the left.
The Cathedral celebrates the 750th anniversary in 2008 (completed in 1258). I am really quite impressed by its history. However, according to my taxi driver, it has been undergoing restoration for more than 10 years, so it has had scaffolding around it for a long long time.
The 404 foot spire is the highest in Great Britain.
The weather was wonderful today and it was a nice walk around the city. The people are all very nice. This city is within short distances to the Stonehenge so if you are ever visiting Stonehenge, you might want to drop by.
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