Most people know Salisbury because of the Novichok incident in 2017; other people know Salisbury because of its amazing Cathedral that holds 1 of the four original copies of the Magna Carta, signed by King John on June 15th, 1215 in Runnymede. It is widely accepted as the first constitutional document that formed the basis of modern democracy; it is also the first written constitutional document in European History.

Then there are those who know Salisbury due to its connection to the Author Sir Terry Pratchett. Who lived just on the outskirts with his wife and daughter, he was often seen in different coffee shops in and around Salisbury drinking coffee and working on his latest novel. 

Then there is everyone else! All the ones that know Salisbury for one reason only….STONEHENGE!

The massive stones that sit in the middle of a grassy knoll, nobody really knows how they got there, and yet they are perfectly aligned to catch the rising and setting of the sun, drawing thousands of people to them yearly and not just for the winter and summer solstice. 

It is a wonder of the world that has been seen in countless blockbuster films and, thanks to the power of CGI, blown up countless times by aliens, transformers, and wars. 

The latest attack to bestow Stonehenge wasn’t through CGI but through the power of a paint gun. When on June 19th, 2024, Just Stop Oil Activists decided that the best way to get their message across was to spray orange powder paint over three of the stones. Apart from the activists getting arrested and it being reported on the news, the attack was pointless! The stones were cleaned off, and the summer solstice was seen by 6,000 people.

Of course, Salisbury has more to offer than mentioned above it is Woodhenge and it has a similar structure to Stonehenge. Archaeologists have dated this around 2,500 years old, around the same age as Stonehenge. Old Serum the remains of what used to be the original cathedral, it is believed this is where the Kings Steward, Elias of Dereham bought a copy of the Magna Carta to Salisbury. He would later become a priest there and oversee the construction of the current cathedral in 1220.

We have Military Museums and the Salisbury Museum, which surround the gardens around the Salisbury Cathedral, giving you loads to do in one area. 

From the train station, you could get on the Stonehenge bus, which will take you right to the visitors’ center; on the return journey, if you wish, you can get off at Old Serum from here, you can either wait for the next returning bus or make your own way back to the center. If you would rather drive, there are clear signposts up around for Woodhenge, Stonehenge, and Old Serum. There are only a few parking spaces around the Cathedral, so your best bet would be to park in the center of Salisbury and walk down to the Cathedral; this way, you can explore the center at the same time.  

NEED SOMEWHERE TO STAY? 

There are plenty of places on offer; within the Salisbury center itself, there are loads of hotels to bed and breakfast. 

If you’re visiting just for the solstice, then I would suggest staying closer to Stonehenge in villages such as Amesbury and Durrington, both are just on the outskirts of Salisbury but only a ten-minute drive or forty-five-minute walk from Stonehenge and on the solstice, this makes all the difference. In Amesbury, you have the George Hotel; this 16th-century coaching inn is a cozy place to stay, with friendly and welcoming staff; centered right in the middle of Amesbury village center, you are surrounded by shops, restaurants, and pubs, there is also history center you can visit. Over in Durrington, there is The Stonehenge Inn, a family-run, dog-friendly pub that has a choice of rooms or Shepard’s huts to let. It’s a cozy place to stay with friendly and welcoming staff; it also has its own perfectly aligned mini replica of Stonehenge that sits right outside the front of the pub. Kids won’t be disappointed either with the double-decker fun bus to play on.

For those of you looking for something different, there is always Salisbury Races. Whether you’re into betting on the horses or just looking for something different to do, a day at the races is a great activity for adults to go off and do. 

If you fancy a day away from Salisbury, there are some great day trips all within driving distance and for those that don’t drive a short train or bus journey away.

Bath Spa is a beautiful city, home to some amazing tourist sites, the most famous being the Roman baths, a great place for shopping, and a wide variety of food places to choose from. One hour and thirty minutes by train and one hour and eleven minutes by car. 

Portsmouth, if you want to take the kids to something different, I suggest the Historic Dockyards. This dockyard holds some of the most famous ships ever sailed on throughout history and even has what remains of the Mary Rose; the kids will love being able to board the ships and explore them.

I would also suggest going to Gunwharf Quays, a modern mall with stores including designer fashion retailers, bars, cafes, and restaurants; while you’re there, you can check out Spinnaker Tower, where you are able to go to the top with a purchase of a ticket for £13. One hour and thirteen minutes by train and 58 minutes by car. 

Bournemouth has a beautiful beach with a lovely pier with fun things for the kids. It also has theatres, museums, an Oceanarium and lots of activities, with plenty of restaurants to choose from its a great day out for the whole family. One hour and fifteen minutes by bus, 45 minutes by car.

Winchester has plenty of historical sites, such as The Great Hall and The Hospital of St. Cross. There is also the fantastic Science Centre and Planetarium, and don’t forget to check out Marwell Zoo, which is one hour away by train and forty-six minutes by car. 

Longleat Safari and Adventure Park this is a great day out for all the family as you can explore Longleat house and drive around the safari park a must-see when visiting the area. It is fifty minutes away by car.

This was written by our contributing writer, Leah Palmer.