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There is a lot of history to this site. It has invited occupation because it is easily defended, it is surrounded by good farmland, it is on the intersection of ancient trading routes, and it is near some of Ancient Britain's most sacred sites - Avebury, Silbury Hill, and Stonehenge. On the site has been settlement, hill fort, castle, and cathedral - in its later years, the pressure of containing castle, cathedral and town in a cramped location became too much, and the cathedral and town moved a short distance away to Salisbury - and that town (cathedral city) can be seen from Old Sarum. A free visit would involve a walk around the outside of the castle remains, a look at the outline of the old cathedral, and perhaps a wander along the low ridge that marks the extent of the hillforts defence. To go inside the castle there is a fee of just under £6 for adults or just over £15 for a family. English Heritage members enter for free. There is not a lot left of the castle, and a visit inside doesn't take long. There is a shop, which is available to everyone, and visiting the shop affords you the opportunity to peek inside the castle and judge for yourself if you wish to pay to look more closely. The staff are very warm and friendly.…
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Date of experience: April 2021
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I've visited Salisbury many times over the years, but never to Old Sarum castle and Cathedral - so a first for us. We were lucky to find that English Heritage had re-opened Old Sarum as one of their 50 outdoor attractions for the Easter weekend. Good Covid precaution in place including hand sanitiser, one way system, couple of rooms closed. Limited numbers of visitors at anyone time with pre-booked tickets only. Lots of benches and picnic tables for a picnic! Helpful and friendly English Heritage staff on duty. Free to visit for us using our CADW membership, so a great cheap day out! Nice hot chocolate from the front shop - though pricey at £2.50 for a very small cup. Lots to explore in the ruins and bankings - though please be careful of the steep drops.…
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Date of experience: April 2021
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It’s quite a nice place to visit, went here after my coffee and cake at Boston Tea Party (which was fantastic). Was cold today and I walked around in a short period of time before I had to go... would deffo be amazing in the summer with a pic nic
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Date of experience: December 2020
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It was great exercise to walk up to Old Sarum from Salisbury town. You have to book before entering the castle which we hadn't done but I did purchase tickets sitting outside the entrance on my SmartPhone. Not the easiest of experiences I have to admit. This visit to the castle doesn't take long but you have a great view of the original cathedral from the top of the castle walls. Where the walls of the cathedral no longer exist, they have laid a pathway so you get a good view of the plan of the cathedral as it was. You need to pay to get into the castle but not to visit the original cathedral.…
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Date of experience: October 2020
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This is a beautiful place to visit! Very impressive with the height! It is such a shame that the remainings are all in ruines but great job from the staff to explaining us how it was! Would recommend!
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Date of experience: October 2020
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