Salisbury Cathedral

The spire of Salisbury Cathedral is a landmark for miles around. At 404 feet (123 m) high, it is the tallest in Britain. The first cathedral, however, was completed in 1092 at the now deserted site of Old Sarum, about 3 miles to the north of ‘new Sarum’ – modern Salisbury. Work on the present cathedral began in 1220 and was substantially complete by 1320; it is the only English cathedral built during the Middle Ages in one go – except for the spire, which was added in 1334. The result is a soaring Gothic masterpiece, more formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Salisbury Cathedral also boasts the largest cloister and cathedral close in Britain – 80-acres, with rolling lawns used for picnics and wandering around soaking up the atmosphere. The close is still entered through medieval gateways and many of the houses in the close date from the Middle Ages. The Cathedral has an extensive library, founded in 1445, the world’s oldest working clock, dating from 1386 and holds one of four surviving copies of the original 1215 Magna Carta. Not everything about it is ancient, however; there is a unique ‘water font’, designed by William Pye. It has been – famously – painted by John Constable and, among its notable burials, is ex-Prime Minister Edward Heath (1916-2005). Finally, the Cathedral boasts nesting peregrine falcons at the top of the tower. Their progress can be watched via a livestream.