Name: Old Sarum
Rating: 5.0

Old Sarum

Castle Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 3SG, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

Old Sarum is one of the most historically important sites in southern England. You can walk right round its mighty prehistoric outer ramparts, raised by Iron Age people in about 400 BC. At the centre, you’ll find the huge Norman inner mound and ditch, founded by William the Conqueror. Climbing onto the mound, you can trace the ruins of the Norman royal castle. Around it, a bustling new city sprang up.

But the city’s glory days were numbered. Soldiers and priests quarreled, and the settlement migrated downhill to Salisbury, where a new cathedral was founded in 1220. By Tudor times there wasn’t a single inhabited house left on the hilltop.

Price starts from £6.50 for Adults, £3.50 for Children(5-17 years) and £10.00 for Family(1 adult, up to 3 children). If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Things To See and Do: Enjoy walking around the lost city of Old Sarum, and soaking up the history of this prehistoric and Norman site. Here are the highlights of Old Sarum to look out for.
Explore the Iron Age Hillfort: Rising up from the Salisbury plains, the Iron Age Hillfort of Old Sarum is hard to miss. The impressive ramparts consist of two earth banks separated by a ditch.
Step into the Royal Castle remains: Cross Old Sarum's wooden bridge and step into the heart of a once-bustling medieval castle. Built around 1070, it was here in 1086 that William the Conqueror gathered all the powerful men of England for a ceremony to assert his royal authority.
Trace Salisbury's First Cathedral: Stand in the footprint of Salisbury's original cathedral in the outer bailey of Old Sarum. The first cathedral was a modest building damaged by a violent thunderstorm just five days after its consecration in 1092. It was later massively extended by Bishop Roger.
Walking and views: With 29 acres of beautiful, rare grass chalkland to discover, and far-reaching views across the Wiltshire countryside, Old Sarum is the perfect place to explore on foot. Take one of the many footpaths criss-crossing the ramparts and look out for the tall spire of the cathedral in New Sarum (Salisbury).
Discover magical creatures: Looking for an adventure with your little ones? Uncover English folklore with our Folktale Creature Trails, where children can discover magical creatures from English myths and legends.
Gardens: Old Sarum covers an area of approximately 29 acres of beautiful, rare grass chalk-land.

Facilities

Parking: Parking is 200m from the site. Parking free for English Heritage members displaying a valid car sticker; non-members must pay. The car park is situated on a slight slope on the outer bailey, approximately 200 metres from the shop and admission point. There are 30 spaces on tarmac and 30 in the grass overflow car park. Additional parking can be organised on the site if necessary (please arrange before your visit). During the winter season one coach bay is available on site, or it is possible for the coach to drop off in the car park and then park in the lay-by next to the main road. During the summer, the site can accommodate up to four coaches, as long as the weather is dry. Unfortunately spaces cannot be booked.
Food And Drink: There’s no café at Old Sarum, but a vending machine offers tea, coffee and hot chocolate as well as sweet and savoury snacks like crisps, flapjacks and ice creams. Directly opposite the site is a Harvester pub, and The Wheatsheaf (a staff favourite) can be found in the picturesque Woodford Valley, five minutes' drive from Old Sarum.
Toilets: There are two female toilets with a baby-changing table, one disabled toilet and two male toilets. These are next to the car park.
Dogs: Dogs are allowed in the castle on a lead and off the lead on the outer bailey, as long as they are kept under control. There are four dog bins on the outer bailey and one in the car park itself. Water bowls are available outside the shop.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Advance online tickets:

Adult: £6.50 with donation & £5.90 without donation.
Child (5–17 years): £3.50 with donation & £3.10 without donation.
Concession: £5.50 with donation & £5.00 without donation.
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £16.50 with donation & £14.90 without donation.
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £10.00 with donation & £9.00 without donation.
Member: Free.

On the day tickets:

Adult: £8.00 with donation & £7.20 without donation.
Child (5–17 years): £4.50 with donation & £4.00 without donation.
Concession: £6.50 with donation & £5.90 without donation.
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £20.50 with donation & £18.40 without donation.
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £12.50 with donation & £11.20 without donation.
Member: Free.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/old-sarum/prices-and-opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open Daily: 10am - 4pm (last entry at 3.30pm)

Address: Castle Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 3SG, UK

Post Code: SP1 3SD

Council: Wiltshire

County: Wiltshire

Road Access: Old Sarum is 2 miles north of Salisbury off the A345.
Bus Access: Salisbury Reds service X5 (Stagecoach 5 on Sundays), 8; Stagecoach Hampshire 8; Wiltshire Buses 501 Park and Ride service and Stonehenge Tour service.
Train Access: Salisbury 2 miles. Book tickets online at Great Western Railway.
Bicycle Access: Find your cycling route to Old Sarum at The National Cycle Network. There are bike racks at this site.
Parking: Parking is 200m from the site. Parking free for English Heritage members displaying a valid car sticker; non-members must pay. The car park is situated on a slight slope on the outer bailey, approximately 200 metres from the shop and admission point. There are 30 spaces on tarmac and 30 in the grass overflow car park. Additional parking can be organised on the site if necessary (please arrange before your visit). During the winter season one coach bay is available on site, or it is possible for the coach to drop off in the car park and then park in the lay-by next to the main road. During the summer, the site can accommodate up to four coaches, as long as the weather is dry. Unfortunately spaces cannot be booked.