Ancient buildings in Salisbury

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Ancient buildings in Salisbury

February 23, 2021 by notjustagranny

Good morning 😃😃 So, here we go. Over the last few days I’ve done some extensive walking, all round Salisbury to find you the oldest and most interesting of the buildings. Some of them date back to medieval times, circa 13th century, and certainly the inns date to the 15th and 16th centuries, with lots of renovations, repairs and restoration I’m sure.

I’ve not listed them in order of age, that would take a fair amount of time and I’m short on that atm, so I’ll just post them as I saw them over the last 3 days.

But I will say, there’s something quite extraordinary to be able to touch a wooden post that dates back to 1500!!! I mean seriously…think about how much has happened in the last 500+ years, and how many people have passed by or visited these buildings.

Without doubt I have to start with the Cathedral. Possibly not the oldest building in the area, but certainly the most famous. I know from reading many of the information posts dotted around, especially at the churches, that there are Saxon and Norman remains in some buildings, but mostly that is limited to the churches.

What I really appreciate about Salisbury is that pretty much wherever you are in the city, you can see the spire of the cathedral…no tall buildings compete.

‘Salisbury Cathedral is the most beautiful structure in England, and the Close around it the most beautiful space’. (‘Notes from a Small Island’ Bill Bryson.)

Starting off with what I do know, this building was part of a larger set of buildings all linked to the Bishops of the Cathedral which if course dates back to the early 13th century; started in 1220. I can recommend reading this article about The Close and its history. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol6/pp72-79

The Wardrobe housing The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum. The original building on the site was constructed in 1254. It was rebuilt in the 15th century and was used to store the robes of the Bishop of Salisbury; hence it was known as the “Bishop’s Wardrobe” or “The Wardrobe“.

The Salisbury Museum – The King’s House; the house was referred to as the Court of the Abbott of Sherborne in 13th-century documents. The Abbot of Sherborne Abbey used this house as his prebendal residence in Salisbury prior to 1539, when Sherborne Abbey was decommissioned during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. At that time the house was known as Sherborne Palace

This is the top floors of a house that stands alongside St Nicholas Street on the river

Rose and Crown – 13th century coaching inn

The carvings on the facade of this building are stunning

Reminds me of a similar building in Kingston Upon Thames

The Poultry Cross featured in yesterday’s post about the 13th century market

The Old Mill, Harnham – The Old Mill is a 15th century building with features dating back to 1250. After it’s early ecclesiastical beginnings, it was transformed in the 16th century to a paper mill.

The Old Mill is just across the river and meadows from Salisbury proper

I have images of many other buildings in the city which I’ll share in another post…

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some of these amazing buildings…have a fab day

Posted in around the UK, cities and towns of the UK, Domesday Villages of England, Fun Stuff, historical houses of the uk, It's my life, project 101, Travel | Tagged English Heritage, grade ii listed buildings, historic buildings in Salisbury, medieval architecture, Salisbury Cathedral, the close Salisbury | 8 Comments

8 Responses

on February 23, 2021 at 12:19 pm | Reply Little Miss Traveller

There are such beautiful, historic buildings in Salisbury,
- on February 23, 2021 at 12:35 pm | Reply notjustagranny
  
  They are extraordinary. I love discovering each one
on February 24, 2021 at 12:03 am | Reply Monkey's Tale

I love the old architecture, especially the Inn.
- on February 24, 2021 at 10:48 am | Reply notjustagranny
  
  Isn’t that inn extraordinary. Of course I’m dying to get inside and have a look, but unfortunately, not this time. But I will come back another time
on February 25, 2021 at 3:06 pm | Reply wetanddustyroads

So many old buildings in one place – that is quite amazing! Love your pictures!!
- on February 25, 2021 at 5:45 pm | Reply notjustagranny
  
  Its extraordinary, they’re amazing and yet Salisbury is not unique for the number of old buildings. There’s a town called Lavenham that is eye-watering and another town called Weobley where I worked some years ago that is incredible. I got the link for you https://www.britainexpress.com/best/black-and-white-villages.htm#:~:text=The%20Black%20and%20White%20Villages,for%20a%20wonderful%20day's%20excursion.
  Canterbury too is absolutely fantastic
  - on February 25, 2021 at 6:45 pm wetanddustyroads
    
    Wow 😲 … now that’s some history in one place!! Even dating back to the 7th century and love that amazing looking Kinnersley Castle. Ahh, thanks for that link!
  - on February 25, 2021 at 6:48 pm notjustagranny
    
    😃😃 you’re welcome. There is a house there that used to be an inn. Charles I stayed there…the history of these villages is mind blowing