Last Updated on June 15, 2020 by Sophie Nadeau
If you’re planning a trip to the historic city of Salisbury then you can expect a fun-filled weekend of fantastic foodie experiences, plenty of historic attractions worth visiting, and some pretty stunning architecture. However, as when visiting the rest of the UK, there is always a pretty high chance of rain, and so you’ll perhaps want some indoor activity ideas to have at hand in case of bad weather. Here’s your ultimate guide on how to spend a rainy day in Salisbury.
Visit Salisbury Cathedral
As one of the most important and historical ecclesiastical buildings in the UK, Salisbury Cathedral should be at the top of your list of things to do in Salisbury, rainy day or not. Formerly known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the cathedral was constructed in the 13th-century and took close to forty years to build.
As well as boasting the highest church spire in the UK, the Cathedral was the first grass lawn cathedral built in England and is the third Cathedral to have been constructed in the city (the original two cathedrals were built on a grassy mount some miles away which is now known as Old Sarum).
Other highlights of a visit to Salisbury Cathedral include being able to stroll through historic well-preserved cloisters and the chance to view the best-preserved copy of the four remaining original copies of the Magna Carta. Of all the things to do on a rainy day in Salisbury, a trip inside Salisbury Cathedral is an absolute must!
Wander through Salisbury Museum
If you’ve already enjoyed strolling through Salisbury Cathedral and wish to discover more about the two millennia worth of history of the city, then a visit to Salisbury Museum is an absolute must. Situated on the fringes of the historic Cathedral Close, the museum comprises of room upon room of exhibitions. The museum is open from Monday through to Saturday and under 5s go for free.
Visit Mompesson House
For those looking for even more history on a visit to Salisbury, it’s worth noting that another building of historical importance in Salisbury Cathedral Close, you need to look no further than Mompesson House. A beautiful Queen Anne period townhouse, the former home was constructed at the end of the 17th-century for an MP.
Today, the beautiful house is owned and managed by the National Trust. Free to visit for members of the National Trust, other members of the public can visit for a fee. Highlights of the former home turned museum include plenty of 18th-century furniture and the house was even used as the backdrop to film part of the 1995 film adaptation of Sense and Sensibility.
Enjoy a meal in a historic pub
Thanks to its sheer historical nature, Salisbury is home to a wonderful range of pubs, taverns, and inns. On a rainy day there is perhaps nothing better than cosying up by a roaring fire under wooden beams and enjoying a hearty home-cooked meal or a warming drink.
Some of our top picks for the best pubs in Salisbury include the Haunch of Venison (which is an authentic wooden-beam filled dining establishment) and the Old Ale and Coffee House, which is a dog-friendly eatery serving delicious food and drinks and is open every day of the week.
Go shopping!
One of the best things about Salisbury is its wealth of independent shops and retailers, many of which sell the kinds of quirky clothing and gifts you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. From shops selling delicious fudge to stores selling rare and antiquarian books, there’s no shortage of retail experiences to be had in the cathedral city.
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