Salisbury, Wiltshire
Cathedral city in Wiltshire, south west England
(Photos/words © urban75, Aug 2007)

Located in the south-east of Wiltshire at the edge of Salisbury Plain, Salisbury sits at the confluence of the Nadder, Ebble, Wylye and Bourne, which are tributary to the mighty Avon.

With all that fresh water sloshing about, it's not surprising that the area was settled quickly, with the city's origins dating all the way back to the Iron Age.

The Romans were soon along to set up shop, calling it "Sorviodunum" and after they'd buggered off, the settlement was known as "Searoburh" for a bit.

When the Normans rocked up into town, they fancied a name change, building a castle and calling it "Searesbyrig" or "Seresberi".

Come 1086 when the Domesday Book boys were nosing around the country, the town's name had mutated into "Salesberie," a mere nadger's widget from its current name. Which is Salisbury, in case you've forgotten.


A scene on Fisherton Street showing two ladies passing the Timeless Ink Tattoo Studio.


A lone browser outside Water Lane Bookshop, situated off Fisherton Street at Summerlock Bridge.


The imposing architecture of the Kings Head Inn (formerly the County Hotel) at 1 Bridge Street.


The Mill at The Maltings, Salisbury.

Now in use as a restaurant and pub, the current building dates dates from the 18th Century, but it's probably built on the site of a mill owned by the Bishop of Old Sarum, which is namechecked in the Domesday Book.

The mill was later rebuilt by Salisbury's founder, Bishop Richard Poore, and was more commonly known as Bishop's Mill until recently.


Salisbury holds a market on Tuesdays and Saturdays and there's been regular markets around this site since 1227.

This attractive building was designed to give shelter to traders and dates back to the 15th Century (although the flamboyant stone flying buttresses were added in 1852).




Shoppers relaxing in the shade of the Poultry Cross. There used to be loads of these shelters back in Ye Olde Merry Times.


A view of the corner of Silver Street and Minster Street from Poultry Cross.


Close up of the half-timbered architecture.


Another view of Poultry Cross. The structure originally marked the area of the market trading in poultry.


North gate, High Street, Salisbury. The Cathedral's spire in just visible in the background.

Built in 1327, the gates are still locked every night - this one once had a portcullis too.




Ornate decoration on an old building near Salisbury Cathedral.

The sign reads, "Collegium Hoc Matronarum Do Oo Mo Humillime Dedicavit Sethus Episcopus Sarum Anno Domini MDCLXXXII."

Applying all the skills learnt during my Latin classes (and judicious use of Google), I can tell you that this translates into something like, " This Matrons' College is humbly dedicated to each of them by Bishop Seth, AD 1682."

Bishop Seth Ward was the generous dude who shelled out for the freehold and construction of the college, which was used to provide sheltered accommodation for up to ten widows of clergy from the Diocese of Salisbury and Exeter.


A view of the south entrance to the City Gate. Inside is the porter's lodge, which retains original 14th-Century features.


Built over seven hundred and fifty years ago, the Red Lion Hotel was originally constructed to house draughtsmen working on the design of nearby Salisbury Cathedral.

Believed to be the oldest purpose built hotel in Britain, the hotel had become a flourishing coaching Inn by the 1700s, doubling up as an important stop for the regular mail coach services between London and the West Country.

Used as a temporary Army Corps Headquarters in WW2, the hotel played host to hotshot cabinet ministers, VIPs and American generals planning the D-Day mission.


The old fashioned frontage of Pritchett the Family Butcher. Home made sausages are just £5 for 15! (no good for us as we're veggie!).


Another look at the shop's facade.




Delightful half timbered buildings.


'Steam Printing Works, Wilts County Mirror, South Wilts Express.'


W. Carter & Son, Jewellers. Est 1817.


Salisbury is blessed with several almshouses that certainly improve on modern sheltered housing.


A view of Blue Boar Row on the north side of the Market Place, which took its name from a 15th century inn.




The General Infirmary on Fisherton Street was one of the first hospitals built and run on modern principles, with permanent medical staff.

Lettering across the top of this surprisingly modern looking four-storey building proudly records that it was built entirely by voluntary contributions.

Opening for business in 1767, wings were added to the John Wood-designed building in Victorian times, with the building surviving as a hospital until 1990. It has now been divided up into flats for old folks.


The stunning green tile frontage of Knight and Company, A Game Mart and purveyors of Poultry & Fish.

Sadly, the shop now seems to be only used for storage, and seemed to have suffered recent damage to the facade. Surely this fine example of a Victorian/Edwardian shopfront deserves better than this?


Salisbury station.





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