Cathedral Close


Salisbury's medieval cathedral close, a hushed enclave surrounded by beautiful houses, has an other-worldly feel. Many of the buildings date from the 13th century, although the area was heavily restored during an 18th-century clean-up by James Wyatt. The close is encircled by a sturdy outer wall, constructed in 1333; the stout gates leading into the complex are still locked every night.

Just inside the narrow High St Gate is the College of Matrons, founded in 1682 for the widows and unmarried daughters of clergymen. South of the cathedral is the Bishop's Palace, now the private Cathedral School, parts of which date from 1220.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Magna Carta

0.03 MILES

Magna Carta on display in Salisbury Cathedral's Chapter House is one of only four surviving original copies. A historic agreement made in 1215 between…

2. Bishop's Palace

0.04 MILES

Parts of the former Bishop's Palace date back to 1220; it's now the Cathedral School.

3. Salisbury Cathedral

0.06 MILES

England is endowed with countless stunning churches, but few can hold a candle to the grandeur and sheer spectacle of 13th-century Salisbury Cathedral…

4. Salisbury Museum

0.16 MILES

The hugely important archaeological finds here include the Stonehenge Archer, the bones of a man found in the ditch near the stone circle – one of the…

5. College of Matrons

0.17 MILES

An ornate facade and elaborate crest distinguish the College of Matrons, which was founded in 1682 for the widows and unmarried daughters of clergymen. It…

6. Rifles

0.19 MILES

Collections include a cannonball from the American War of Independence, Victorian redcoat uniforms, and displays on 19th- and 21st-century conflicts in…

7. High St Gate

0.19 MILES

One of the narrow, ancient gates leading into Cathedral Close.

8. Mompesson House

0.19 MILES

Magnificent plasterwork ceilings, exceptional period furnishings and a sweeping carved staircase grace this fine Queen Anne (1701) building. All that made…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "england/southwest-england/salisbury/attractions/cathedral-close/a/poi-sig/1218207/359033",
      "position": "superzone"
    }