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Welcome to Salisbury鈥檚 Market Square and Guildhall鈥攖he historic heart of the city. For centuries, this place has buzzed with life, hosting markets every week since the Middle Ages. When you wander through here, you鈥檙e treading the same ground as medieval merchants, Victorian traders, and the modern-day locals who come to buy everything from fresh produce to unique crafts.

Back in 1361, Tuesdays and Saturdays became official market days. And just like now, you could get almost anything. Each type of good even had its own street name: Fish Row, Silver Street, Oatmeal Row, Ox Row, Butchers Row. It was a medieval shopping mall before shopping malls existed.

At the square鈥檚 northern end stands the Guildhall, a stately Georgian structure completed in 1795. With its neoclassical facade and six grand Doric columns, this building has been the backdrop for civic ceremonies, elegant banquets, and lively public meetings for over two centuries. Inside, you鈥檒l find richly paneled rooms, intricate plaster ceilings, and portraits that tell the city鈥檚 story through the ages. Notable visitors have included King George III, Lord Nelson, Princess Diana, and Queen Elizabeth II.

These days, the Guildhall still serves as a hub for local government but also hosts exhibitions, concerts, and community events. Make sure to spot the historic coat of arms on the facade and step inside to marvel at the grand staircase and elegant interior. If you鈥檙e lucky, you might even catch a special event or artisan fair happening right in the square.

Saint Ann鈥檚 Gate, built around 1331, is one of the gateways to Salisbury Cathedral鈥檚 sprawling Close鈥攖he largest in Britain. Spanning a green and tranquil 80 acres, the Close offers an escape from the busy city streets. Originally called 鈥淣ew Sarum鈥� by Bishop Richard Poore, the area鈥檚 history is steeped in legend. One tale claims the bishop fired an arrow over the River Avon, hitting a deer, and chose that spot to build. While that makes for a great story, the reality was more practical: the bishop wanted a diocese of his own.

Fast forward to the 14th century, and Edward III gives the thumbs-up for a fortified stone wall around the Close, using stones salvaged from Old Sarum鈥檚 abandoned cathedral. Saint Ann鈥檚 Gate, with its central stone arch and two-story height, was part of this grand effort to protect the clergy. Over the centuries, the Close evolved. In the 18th century, architect James Wyatt controversially reimagined it鈥攑ulling down the bell tower, moving gravestones, and altering the cathedral鈥檚 interior.

The Close, once entirely ecclesiastical, now houses not only the clergy but also the well-heeled. Visitors can admire several public buildings, while others remain private, their moss-covered roofs and mullioned windows peeking through wrought iron railings. Narrow alleyways invite exploration, and grassy lawns with benches provide the perfect spot to soak up the history.

All in all, the Close is a intriguind patchwork of architectural styles, but also a peaceful haven where you can easily lose yourself in centuries of beauty and intrigue.

At Salisbury鈥檚 Cathedral, superlatives flock together like birds on a wire. The tallest spire in Britain? Check: 404 feet. One of only four original copies of the Magna Carta鈥攑reserved better than a mummy in a museum? Check. The oldest working clock in Europe, ticking since 1386? Check again. Add to that the largest cathedral cloisters, the biggest cathedral close in Britain, the earliest complete set of choir stalls, and the highest vault in the land. It鈥檚 a record-breaking masterpiece, built in just 38 years, from 1220 to 1258鈥攏o cranes, no bulldozers, just raw medieval ingenuity.

What set Salisbury Cathedral apart is that it was built on a fresh, empty site. No ruins to work around, no half-finished foundations. The builders had a blank canvas and a clear plan, creating a cohesive design that tied the entire complex together. Begun just five years after the main cathedral was finished, the cloisters mirrored its style with pointed arches, elegant patterns, and matching materials. It was the big debut of Early English Gothic architecture, using narrow stone piers instead of chunky rubble-filled columns. The result was a lighter, brighter interior that let the sun pour in through those lancet windows.

Sure, the structure had its share of 鈥渕akeovers鈥� over the centuries. James Wyatt and Sir George Gilbert Scott could not resist tweaking things, and some original decorations and chapels did not survive. But Salisbury鈥檚 graceful lines and clean symmetry remain intact鈥攕till polished, still stunning.

Outside, the cathedral close is now a serene, green expanse. The gravestones are gone, leaving open lawns with benches and shade trees where visitors can picnic or simply admire the view. Just remember, no bikes, booze, ball games, or drones. Instead, enjoy the occasional outdoor art exhibit, or just take in the tranquil atmosphere. It鈥檚 history, beauty, and a touch of peace, all wrapped up in one iconic site.

Originally built around 1291 as a canonry, this historic house comes with a splash of medieval intrigue鈥攊ts last canon, Leonard Bilson, found himself behind bars in 1562, accused of dabbling in magic and sorcery. Since then, the building has been repeatedly reimagined, each century adding another twist to its story.

The current Georgian facade is the handiwork of John Wyndham, who called it home from 1718 to 1750. The house gained its 鈥淎rundells鈥� name when James Arundell, son of Lord Arundell, moved in from 1752 to 1803. By the 19th century, it became a school, later serving as a library and wool depot during World War II. After the war, it fell into disrepair until a 1964 restoration brought it back to life.

The most notable resident, however, was Sir Edward Heath, who bought Arundells in 1985. The former British Prime Minister ( from 1970鈥�1974) lived here until his death, turning it into a vibrant social hub. Hosting esteemed guests and grand parties, he filled the house with his favorite things: an impressive art collection featuring political cartoons, paintings by Winston Churchill, and works by Augustus John, LS Lowry, and John Singer-Sargent. A Steinway grand piano and Lloyd George鈥檚 writing desk add gravitas, but the quirky touches鈥攍ike the 鈥渢eapot鈥� chair for enjoying music鈥攔eveal his personal side.

Today, Arundells is preserved much as it was during Sir Edward鈥檚 lifetime. With beautifully landscaped gardens that sweep down to the River Avon, it鈥檚 a delightful glimpse into a storied past filled with music, sailing, politics, and more than a few colorful characters.

Located in Salisbury鈥檚 historic Cathedral Close, the Rifles Museum offers a comprehensive exploration of the disti