Salisbury
the tallest spire in britain
A cathedral with the tallest spire in Britain, free water meadows and the Constable view. Stonehenge and Old Sarum are up the road if you want them.
Free to visit · Salisbury · Wiltshire · Waterloo → Salisbury · SP1 2EJ
Salisbury is a proper medieval city built around the cathedral with the tallest spire in Britain. The grand close, the water meadows made famous by Constable and the riverside walks are all free, and the cathedral itself only asks a donation.
Just north sits Old Sarum, the vast iron-age and Norman hill fort where the original city stood. English Heritage charges to go inside the inner ring but the approach and the views are free, and Stonehenge is half an hour up the road if you want the big ticket. You can have a full free day on the city and the meadows alone.
Getting there from London: Waterloo to Salisbury, 1h30 direct, advance singles from £18 each way. The city, the water meadows and the cathedral close are free, the cathedral asks a donation. Stonehenge and Old Sarum are the paid extras up the road.
Getting there: Salisbury station is a ten minute walk from the cathedral. Old Sarum is a short bus or a couple of miles on foot to the north.
Best time to go: A clear day for the Constable view of the spire across the water meadows. The close is quietest midweek.
Official site: https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/salisbury
More free day trips from London · Free things to do in London