Old Sarum

Old Sarum, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6RR.

Occupied from Neolithic times, the present structure was built by Iron Age peoples C. 500bc, it was later occupied by the Romans, the Saxons and, most importantly, the Normans. It has long been known as Old Sarum. In 1070, William the Conqueror paid off his army here and, in 1085, demanded loyalty from his nobles.

A castle, palace and cathedral were built inside the earthwork, but disputes between soldiers and priests, plus inadequate water supplies, proved to be huge obstacles to life there. With the founding of New Sarum (the city we know as Salisbury) in 1226, this settlement began to fade away. However, although the old cathedral was dismantled and a magnificent new one built in the valley, the castle at Old Sarum remained in use until Tudor times. Today, the remains of the prehistoric fortress and of the Norman palace, castle and cathedral evoke memories of thousands of years of history, and of many momentous landmarks in history.

Opening Times:

1st Mar-31st Mar	10:00-16:00	Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
1st Jul-31st Aug	9:00-18:00	Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
1st Sep-30th Sep	10:00-17:00	Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
1st Oct-31st Oct	10:00-16:00	Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
1st Nov-29th Feb	11:00-15:00	Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
24th Dec-26th Dec	Closed	Christmas holidays
1st Jan every year	Closed	New Year