Arundells
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Bringing together six architectural periods, Arundells is one of the finest houses in Salisbury’s Cathedral Close, with parts of the property dating back to the 13th Century. It was acquired in 1985 by Sir Edward Heath KG MBE, Prime Minister, Statesman, sailor and musician, who bequeathed Arundells to the Charitable Foundation set up in his name following his death in 2005. Arundells is presented today as it was when Sir Edward lived here, with gifts from leaders such as Nixon, Chairman Mao and Fidel Castro sitting alongside beautiful collections of ceramics, glassware and sculpture. Arundells hosts a number of events and exhibitions throughout the year, including outdoor theatre, historical and political talks and intimate concerts. We are also available for private events and parties. Please visit our website or Facebook page for more details.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- John SHorsham, United Kingdom122 contributionsAn enlightening visitOne of best house visits we have ever done. All the volunteers were friendly and very knowledgeable, and obviously loved their jobs. To see this lovely house as Ted Heath lived in it made it special and provided insights into the less well known aspects of his life. Don’t miss this if you are visiting SalisburyVisited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 8 October 2023
- Madeline B30 contributionsArundells a must seeArundells presents a moment frozen in time--at the end of the life of former PM Ted Heath. His many and varied interests are evident throughout the house (sailing, classical music, Japanese art, etc.) and offer an insight into the life of the former PM. Each room has a volunteer docent to explain and answer questions, and each room offers a different perspective. I loved Heath's office, with its view of the back gardens; and I loved the gardens stretching down to the river. I imagine the gardens in bloom in spring would be spectacular, but even in late September, there were enough blooms to enjoy. I visited Arundells after visiting the nearby Museum, which had a collection of photos from the local newspaper; taken together, I deepened my understanding of life in England during the 20th century.Visited September 2023Travelled soloWritten 20 October 2023
- Anne STaunton, United Kingdom149 contributionshomely stately houseLovely to see around a house with 'recent' history, people places and events that were within living memory. This fascinating house had several inhabitants but most recently, UK's ex-prime minister, Ted Heath. Very homely and comfortable house with many of his possessions, some great photos and cartoons. Knowledgeable and unobtrusive volunteers in each room gave an extra insight. Worth a walk around the garden, down to the river (in full flow at the time of visiting, after heavy rains!)Visited March 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 24 March 2024
- lincolnhatterLincoln, United Kingdom800 contributionsMore interesting than I thought it would beVisited here simply because we had HHA membership (not sure I would if had to pay), and I'm so pleased we visited, far more interesting than I thought it would be. I'm of an age that I can remember Ted Heath's premiership very vividly (and Mike Yarwood's awful impressions of him), so walking into his house and seeing all the photos and memorabilia took me right back to the seventies (great decade, great music). The stewards/guides were all very informative and friendly and full of stories, and I learnt a lot about Ted for example his war record, his links with China, I was fascinated by his eclectic book collections, but I think my highlight was probably all the framed cartoons about him, some of which I remember from the day. Shocking day weather wise so never got to explore the gardens and the river bank. If you are in Salisbury, its well worth a visit, especially if you an HHA member, and Wilton House is part of HHA as well, so its a bargainVisited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 May 2024
- Shirley L1 contributionBrilliant time at ArundellsThe visit was brilliant. The staff were very friendly and full of information which was enthusiastically shared with us. The rooms on show were lovely and the information about the history of the house and Edward Heath was excellent. We learnt so much about Edward Heath, his life before, during and after his parliamentary careerVisited July 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 4 July 2024
- Lis BBristol, United Kingdom69 contributionsBeautiful house filled with treasues and tranquil gardenVisited yesterday afternoon with a group of 33. We had plenty of time to explore the tranquil and very beautiful garden with the river running past at the bottom. The little nooks, particularly the one about Morning Cloud, were pretty and seats scattered around to take it all in. The house itself is still Sir Edward’s home, with his beautiful and varied collections depicting his various areas of expertise such as art, music and sailing, not to mention his vast knowledge of politics and world history. Such a shame we weren’t able to visit on a day when a guided tour was available as there was so much more to have learned about his life. Highly recommend a visit here, the volunteers are so knowledgable and the staff are great.Visited July 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 5 July 2024
- Michael O11 contributionsGreat value for a tenner . A fascinating house and a beautiful garden with a superb view of the Cathedral.So glad I visited Arundells. The guides were very friendly and helpful with some fascinating information about the history of the house and about Edward Heath. I am not a Tory so hesitated when I saw this after visiting the Cathedral. As others have said, it is the knowledge of the guides that adds so much to a visit to Arundells. I remember the Heath and Wilson era so I was fascinated to have a wander around the the house of Edward Heath with its interesting mementos and artwork.The wonderful garden was a bonus. It was a lovely sunny day when I went and I was the only one in the beautiful , peaceful garden . A tip - don’t turn back to face the house when exploring the garden until you reach the river. That view of the Cathedral from the river is just breathtaking and so memorable.Visited July 2024Travelled soloWritten 12 July 2024
- CAMERON P2 contributionsWonderful place; an oasis of calm and history.Wonderful - very special. The staff made us feel so welcome in every respect and our great thanks to the lovely and insightful guide, who even let my ten-year old daughter play on Sir Edward's piano. Gorgeous gardens too, and one had a real sense of the home of a serving and former Prime Minister.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 23 July 2024
- Jon123186338London, United Kingdom151 contributionsFascinating house for its architecture, history and collectionsA lovely house which is fascinating at so many levels: its architecture and development, the collections within the house, and the life of its last owner: Sir Edward Heath. What really makes the experience are the volunteers who run the place. They are all so enthusiastic and knowledgeable and really go the extra mile to make you, as a visitor, feel welcome and leave with more than you arrived with. We would have, for example, not known that the garden had to be remodelled to prevent the IRA getting a clear shot at Heath from across the river … and so many more interesting facts. The one page information sheets for each room are good too for describing the art and other collections. Just the right about of detail to engage without overwhelming. So much interesting stuff to see from the photos of Heath with world figures to model ships made by Napoleonic prisoners of war to paintings by Winston Churchill. Definitely worth a visit.Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 22 September 2024
- Joe 67100 contributionsA fascinating and beautiful house filled with interesting historical artefactsIf you are interested in history or current affairs and you are visiting Salisbury, you must visit Arundells, This beautiful house was the home of the UK Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath, and is kept in pretty much the same state as it was when he lived there. The house is filled with interesting photos of Sir Edward with other world leaders like US Presidents and Chinese leaders, and with members of the royal family, and famous musicians and artists. Look out for some charming artwork by Augustus John, and Sir Winston Churchill. There are well-informed guides in each room who are very interesting and informative to talk to. There are lots of interesting talks and music recitals that take place in the house during the year. This is the closest thing that the UK comes to a US Presidential library. There is a beautiful garden too. A must visit!Visited September 2024Travelled soloWritten 23 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
421 reviews
Excellent
325
Very good
76
Average
16
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Georgia
Stoke-on-Trent, UK2 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
A must see! We arrive today just as they were closing the gates however we still let in. This is the most beautiful house and with the most wonderful people. Every single person was so knowledgeable and helpful and friendly. We cannot thank them enough. We also found out we were the last visitors to enter before they shut until March. Absolutely stunning place and full of history. We are a young couple of were asked by a few members of staff about our interest and the be all and end all is history like this needs to stay alive and should be shared and enjoyed by everyone! Thank you once again to everyone there for making our experience so amazing!!
Written 1 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
plymouth
Plymouth, Devon 1,390 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Well worth a visit. Excellent introduction to the life of Sir Edward Heath in stunning surroundings. The artefacts really bring his life and times into perspective. If possible, take a curator tour.
Written 16 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda Teague
5 contributions
May 2023
My husband and I were absolutely mesmerised by Ted Heath's home and garden. The staff volunteers were enthusiastic and an absolute joy to chat with as they were amiable and knowledgeable about his well-lived life. The house has a wonderful display of Heath's yachting memorabilia, music career, and much else. The whole house held one's interest. We could have spent much longer there than the time we had available to us. Indeed, we immediately ordered a copy of his inspiring autobiography. We would highly recommend it!
Written 20 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon123186338
London, UK151 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
A lovely house which is fascinating at so many levels: its architecture and development, the collections within the house, and the life of its last owner: Sir Edward Heath.
What really makes the experience are the volunteers who run the place. They are all so enthusiastic and knowledgeable and really go the extra mile to make you, as a visitor, feel welcome and leave with more than you arrived with. We would have, for example, not known that the garden had to be remodelled to prevent the IRA getting a clear shot at Heath from across the river … and so many more interesting facts.
The one page information sheets for each room are good too for describing the art and other collections. Just the right about of detail to engage without overwhelming.
So much interesting stuff to see from the photos of Heath with world figures to model ships made by Napoleonic prisoners of war to paintings by Winston Churchill.
Definitely worth a visit.
What really makes the experience are the volunteers who run the place. They are all so enthusiastic and knowledgeable and really go the extra mile to make you, as a visitor, feel welcome and leave with more than you arrived with. We would have, for example, not known that the garden had to be remodelled to prevent the IRA getting a clear shot at Heath from across the river … and so many more interesting facts.
The one page information sheets for each room are good too for describing the art and other collections. Just the right about of detail to engage without overwhelming.
So much interesting stuff to see from the photos of Heath with world figures to model ships made by Napoleonic prisoners of war to paintings by Winston Churchill.
Definitely worth a visit.
Written 22 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Organiker
Southampton, UK290 contributions
Oct 2022
Loved this place. The tour was excellent (kind lady with black and white striped top). The house itself, it’s association with Mr Heath and also it’s excellent collection of art and other artefacts made it a great place to visit.
Written 19 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
drkiki2015
Washougal, WA496 contributions
May 2023 • Family
The former home of PM Edward Heath, this stop is definitely worth a visit. It is located across the street from Salisbury Cathedral. There is a nominal admission fee, but the house is unique and a very personal commentary on PM Heath. The gardens are phenomenal and extend a long distance from the house. Walking back to the house, the spire of the cathedral (tallest in England) becomes part of the landscape.
Written 11 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul R
Durban, South Africa96 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
We were invited to Salisbury and after visiting the Cathedral we were advised to view Arundells, the home of the late Prime Minister Edward Heath. It was conveniently situated alongside the Cathedral. Beautiful home with many historic memories. Each area you entered was attended by some wonderful stewards who guided you through the rooms and their personal significance. They also curently have a exhibition on Uganda and Sir Edward Heaths involvement with Idi Amin the then President, and the Ugandan Indian exiles. Worth while and interesting visit.
Written 15 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe 67
100 contributions
Sept 2024 • Solo
If you are interested in history or current affairs and you are visiting Salisbury, you must visit Arundells, This beautiful house was the home of the UK Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath, and is kept in pretty much the same state as it was when he lived there. The house is filled with interesting photos of Sir Edward with other world leaders like US Presidents and Chinese leaders, and with members of the royal family, and famous musicians and artists. Look out for some charming artwork by Augustus John, and Sir Winston Churchill. There are well-informed guides in each room who are very interesting and informative to talk to. There are lots of interesting talks and music recitals that take place in the house during the year. This is the closest thing that the UK comes to a US Presidential library. There is a beautiful garden too. A must visit!
Written 23 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaret J
Salisbury, UK170 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Arundells, the former home of Sir Edward Heath who came from very humble beginnings, his mother was a maid and his father a carpenter. He achieved so much in his life and we left with a new-founded respect for him. I certainly recommend this tour, it took us about two hours to look at both the house and garden.
Written 5 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MegDorset
Dorset588 contributions
Aug 2022
This is the final home of ex Prime Minister Edward Heath. The house has been left as it was when he lived there. Each room tells a story of part of his life. Lavish dinner parties were held in the dining room. The hand painted Chinese wallpaper beside the staircase is amazing. The cartoon hallway is bound to raise a smile.
The beautiful rear garden reaches down to the river side and has views of the cathedral spire.
The guides here were all excellent, welcoming and full of knowledge.
We spent nearly 3 hours here.
The beautiful rear garden reaches down to the river side and has views of the cathedral spire.
The guides here were all excellent, welcoming and full of knowledge.
We spent nearly 3 hours here.
Written 19 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We’d be visiting with an 8yr old and wondering if the guided tour on Tuesdays would hold their attention?
Written 23 October 2023
We did a self-guided tour. There were docents in every room to answer questions. The grounds are very large and parklike so with a parent, taking a child out if necessary should be easy. I doubt the history of the resident would be of interest to most 8 year olds. We did not see any children there in May.
Written 24 October 2023
Do I need to book in advance
Written 9 May 2015
Arundells
Salisbury, United Kingdom
It is preferable for the guided tours so as avoid disappontment. Some days we have large group tours and if you were to turn up you may have to wait. Please call on the day (or before) and we will fit you in to a convenient time or otherwise book online through the website. Looking forward to booking you in and showing off this beautiful house and contents.
Written 10 May 2015
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