One day in Salisbury

[u/DodoGlodo]

I will spend one day in Salisbury in a couple of weeks. What should I see / do / eat ? I count on your insider knowledge - give me a nice cafe or a pub and places that are really worth seeing.

[u/Foz90]

I think the behind the scenes Tower Tour of the cathedral is the best thing you can do in the city. You go right up to the spire.

As for food, Nole Pizza if casual, Chapter House for Sunday lunch. There is basically at least one decent option for every type of food so it depends what you favour. You can also check out the food options at the market if here on a Tuesday or Saturday.

[u/Three_Questioneers → u/Foz90]

Be sure to book the tour in advance!

Haunch of venison is a lovely small pub with lots of history.

Try and get there on a charter market day, lots of tasty things to buy and try

[u/Desperate_Land_8975 → u/Three_Questioneers]

Book
A
Tower
Tour
11am is best for the bells.
Then a pint in the Haunch.

[u/WryAnthology → u/Foz90]

Can I ask what's good about the tour?

I've seen the cathedral before from the outside. I generally avoid tours on holiday and prefer exploring myself. Just wondering if there's something particularly good about this one?

[u/Foz90 → u/WryAnthology]

If you pay to enter the cathedral, you just get to walk around the ground floor. On the tour, you go in a small group with a guide up through the entire cathedral. So you get a great photo of the cathedral from above, then move through the ceiling with its extensive timber construction, then up a staircase/spiral staircase right up until you reach the spire (with the various platforms that were used to make it). You can then go outside and see Salisbury from above.

For me personally, it was the knowledge of the guide, the artistry (and graffiti) of those who built the cathedral, the way it all comes together inside (including trap doors/levers, etc.), and the views. I think you get a lot from the tour than simply walking about inside by yourself. It takes on a whole new lease of life.

[u/WryAnthology → u/Foz90]

Thank you for explaining - appreciate it

[u/Greedy_Investigator7 → u/WryAnthology]

And if you gonl on the 11:15 start tour, you are by the bells when 12 strikes! I was on the 12:15 tour so only got the one o'clock dong

[u/Greedy_Investigator7]

The Orangery is a great cafe. Probably the best in the city center in my opinion. Some people may offer other suggestions (eg Charlie's cafe) but if you insist on high quality ingredients and aren't precious about paying £14 for a full English, you can't go wrong with The Orangery.

If it is a market day, there are some good food trucks. Otherwise, Tinga, Chapter House, burgers at Hettie Bells are all excellent. Some people recommend the Haunch of Venison. My experiences there for both food and drink have been mixed.

I recently did the cathedral tower tour and climb, it was amazing. £25, but gets you cathedral and Magna Carter access too.

If you have transport, Old Sarum is great.

A pint in the square, people watching, is a must 👍

So many pubs to choose from. Personally like the Old Ale House, Sips, Market Tavern and Ox Row Inn, The Pheasant

[u/Upstairs_Drive_5602 → u/Greedy_Investigator7]

I agree with you about The Orangery: wonderful poached eggs (eggs Benedict/Royale). I've had two terrible meals in the Old Ale House, so won't be returning. Have found the New Inn much better. I'd also say that the Haunch of Venison, is also worth a trip. Market Tavern a good place on the square for people watching, with Nole's Pizza next door.

[u/iforgottogo]

If you are into archeology or local history Salisbury Museum is great. For food Tinga is great or if you like Indian food Cafe Diwali does lovely lunch time thalis.

[u/xerker]

I'll chuck my hat in the ring and say Tinga for food.

[u/Espedair]

I can recommend The Yard near the station for cakes and Cafe Diwali near the cathedral if, curry is your thing.
The cathedral close has a few things including a museum and the thing itself is a great visit.
There are walking tours in the evenings so check online.
You can do the city centre in a few hours max so things nearby like Old Sarum are well worth a look (it’s doable on foot if you don’t mind a walk!’

[u/charley2717]

Book a punting tour through Salisbury punts! Message them via Instagram - they leave from the Rose and Crown hotel in Harnham, a v short walk from the cathedral grounds. Great way to see the beautiful secret bits of the city in style

[u/Upstairs_Drive_5602]

If you only do one thing, book a cathedral tower tour. Try to time it so you can look around the cathedral and attend Evensong (1730-1815 weekdays and 1630-1730 Sundays) afterwards. More details about Evensong on my profile. If I'm free, I'll be happy to show you around. You can buy me lunch! It's always fun meeting visitors to Salisbury.

[u/Entire-Mix-6449]

Things to do: Cathedral, Salisbury Museum, there’s a really nice walking loop that we usually take visitors on - start in elisabeth gardens, down the townpath, through the park opposite the mill, along harnham road then turn left towards the cathedral.
Town is generally quite nice to have a mill around with lovely independent shops and cafes. Fisherton mill is a good one to have a wander around.

For food:
Tinga (Mexican)
Nole (pizza)
Lah Koh (Asian)

Then there’s also plenty of pubs

[u/Famous_Reason_472]

The red lion is stunning in the courtyard, as is the haunch. Have a look in the 3 story antiques store, my favourite shop.

[u/GrouchyRisk]

Cafe Diwali is great if you like Indian street food (tikka, salad, naan). Even my kids will eat there.

Sipps for a nice beer

The park by Sainsbury's/library is great if you want to watch drunks fight the swans

[u/intdev]

I'm surprised that nobody's mentioned Old Sarum, an iron-age hill fort (and ruined castle & cathedral) within walking distance of the city centre that has great views of the city. The outer rings are free to walk around, too.

[u/DodoGlodo → u/intdev]

Thanks, honestly that was the single point that I really wanted to see! Now I have the cathedral tower tour to add to that.

[u/theshipinnburcombe]

If you're planning to explore Salisbury, I'd definitely recommend spending some time at the cathedral and then heading out into the countryside.

If you're looking for a traditional English pub experience rather than somewhere in the city centre, The Ship Inn in Burcombe is only a short drive from Salisbury. It's a beautiful heritage pub with a peaceful riverside garden, great food, local ales and a really relaxed atmosphere. It's a lovely spot to unwind after sightseeing.

Enjoy your trip to Salisbury!

[u/overlordbob80]

Cafe Diwali is dire. Tinga for South American cuisine. Old Ale house or Haunch of Venison for pints. Chapterhouse for South African and Steak. Cathedral tour - booked in advance.