History and interesting facts about Salisbury Salisbury Cathedral Salisbury Cathedral is one of the most recognizable landmarks in England. It houses original copies of the Magna Carta, has the tallest church spire in the country, and displays the oldest working clock. Thousands flock to this location to admire its old Gothic architecture. Read below to learn more interesting facts about this amazing 800 year old treasure. The main body of the cathedral was completed in only 38 years, from 1220 to 1258. World s Oldest Working Clock Salisbury Cathedral houses the oldest working clock which dates back to 1386. It is almost certainly also the oldest working mechanical device of any complexity in the world. Incredibly the clock, which has neither hands nor dial but merely marks the passage of time by the striking of bells, was dismantled and set aside in 1884, replaced by a new mechanism. Happily it was rescued in 1929 and restored in 1956. Construction of the Cathedral 70,000 tons of stone, 3,000 tons of timber and 450 tons of lead were used to construct the cathedral. Due to high water levels in its current location, the Salisbury Cathedral s foundation is only four feet deep into the ground. It consists of a single architectural style: Early English Gothic. Even without motorized equipment, original construction lasts only 38 years. Sunlight Changes Its Appearance Due to the many installation of windows, whenever sunlight directly shines on top of the Cathedral the interior design changes from a dreary gray color, causing the walls to emanate a golden shine. The Original Magna Carta The cathedral is home to one of the most important documents in the world, the Magna Carta, which for the first time gave all 'free men' the right to justice and a fair trial, and created the very idea of human rights. "No man shall be arrested or imprisoned except by the judgment of their equals and by the law of the land. To no one will we sell, to no one
deny or delay right or justice.". Here you can see one of only four remaining original copies of the Magna Carta, remaining there since the 1200s during the initial distribution of the documents. The Spire Did you know that at 404 feet the spire at Salisbury Cathedral is the tallest spire in Britain and its tallest masonry structure? Dangerously weights heavier than the base supporting structure. The tower and the additional spire, added two years after the finishing construction of the Cathedral, piles an additional 6,500 tons to the total mass. Original engineering designs don t properly accommodate the additions, so a multitude of buttresses, bracing arches and iron ties act as solutions to prevent the top structure from collapsing. Still, the spire tilts southeast by 27 inches. Salisbury museum The Museum is located in the King s House (where King James I of England was entertained in 1610 and 1613). The King s House is a Grade I listed building, the history of which stretches back to the 13th Century. It formerly housed a teacher training college and was the inspiration for an episode in Thomas Hardy s novel Jude the Obscure. It houses one of the best collections relating to Stonehenge and local archaeology.
Arundells This was the home of Edward Heath, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, from 1985 until his death in 2005. Arundells, in Salisbury's Cathedral Close, reflects Sir Edward's time in public office and contains his collections of: paintings, (including Wyllie, Singer Sargent, Piper, Churchill, Sickert, Augustus and Gwen John, John Nash, Lowry and many more), sailing and musical memorabilia, Oriental and European ceramics, cartoons, bronzes, Chinese and Japanese artworks, photographs and much more, just as they were when he lived there, along with access to the beautiful two acre garden. The Rifles (Berkshire & Wiltshire) Museum The museum, housed in a splendid Grade 2 listed building, tells the story of the County infantry regiments of Berkshire and Wiltshire.
Mompesson House Mompesson House, The House in The Close, is a perfect example of Queen Anne architecture. Nobody famous owned this house, nor even lived here, but a visit to Mompesson House will send you back in time to the early 18th Century. Given the house's period authenticity, it is no wonder that the 1996 Kate Winslett version of Sense and Sensibility was filmed here. Film buffs will enjoy spotting locations from the film. Built in 1701 by Charles Mompesson, of the same Chilmark stone used to build the cathedral, the house contains an impressive collection of 18th century furniture. People can see the important Turnbull collection of 18th century drinking glasses, fine period furniture and charming walled garden with its garden tearoom. Mompesson House featured as Mrs Jennings London home in the award winning film Sense and Sensibility.
High Street Gate Built between 1327 and 1342 the High Street gate is the main point of entry into the Cathedral Close. High Street Gate, also known as the North Gate, is a reminder that the city and Cathedral Close live two different lives. The 14th century gate is shut every night, marking the boundary between city and church.
The Parish Church of St Thomas and St Edmund The current parish in the heart of the city of Salisbury was formed in 1973 by the joining of the 2 city Parishes of St Edmund s and St Thomas s. The church of St Edmund was then made redundant and became the Salisbury Arts Centre.
Salisbury Arts Centre Based in the St Edmunds Church building in the heart of the city, the history and heritage of the building is an important part of the atmosphere and work. Salisbury Arts Centre was founded in 1975 and, from small beginnings, developed into a fully fledged community arts centre. It s a venue for theatre, music, dance, comedy, family shows, films, exhibitions, and workshops. The Guildhall, Guildhall Square The present Guildhall stands on a site of a building known as the Bishop's Guildhall. It was built between 1787 1795. The new Guildhall was built on the site of the old one. Alterations were then made to the building in 1829 which included the addition of the Grand Jury Room, extensions to the courts and new accommodation for the judges. Since that date, other alterations have been made, including extensive internal alterations. Since 1835 the building has been under the control of local government and is now managed by Salisbury City Council. In 2010 2011 there was a further major refurbishment. Changes were made to improve public access to the building, to bring further rooms into public use and to do necessary maintenance and repairs. Following this refurbishment, the building became the home of Salisbury City Council, with offices in the upper floors and council meetings held in the principal rooms.
Poultry Cross I s a market cross in Salisbury, marking the site of former markets. Constructed in the 14th century and modified in the 18th century, is one of four market crosses which formerly stood in Salisbury. The others were the Cheese Cross, the Linen Cross and Bernewell Cross. The low wall which enclosed this cross was removed in 1853. The present day site is used as part of Salisbury Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.