Old Sarum SP1 3SD
Free for EH members
Open: Seasonal - See website

About:
Old Sarum is one of the most enthralling and historically important sites in southern England. Uniquely, it combines a royal castle and cathedral within an Iron Age fortification, and for 150 years was a major centre of both secular and ecclesiastical government. Neither castle nor cathedral was occupied for long: in 1226 the cathedral was moved to Salisbury, although the castle remained an administrative centre into the 14th century. Old Sarum lived on, however, as a notorious ‘rotten borough’ which continued to elect members of Parliament until 1832.

Dog Friendly:
Dogs are allowed in the castle on a lead and off the lead on the outer bailey, as long as they are kept under control. There are four dog bins on the outer bailey and one in the car park itself. Water bowls are available outside the shop.

Entry Charge:
Variable prices (see website)

Parking:
Parking charges apply to non-members. Parking free for members. The car park is situated on a slight slope on the outer bailey, approximately 200 metres from the shop and admission point. There are 30 spaces on tarmac and 30 in the grass overflow car park. Additional parking can be organised on the site if necessary (this should be arranged prior to visit). During the winter season one coach bay is available on site, or it is possible for the coach to drop off in the car park and then park in the lay-by next to the main road. During the summer season the site can accommodate four coaches, as long as the weather is dry. Unfortunately spaces cannot be booked.

Facilities:

Food and drink:
No café on site, but vending machine offers tea, coffee and hot chocolate as well as sweet and savoury snacks e.g. crisps, flapjacks and ice creams. Directly opposite the site is a Harvester pub, and The Wheatsheaf (a staff favourite) can be found in the picturesque Woodford Valley, five minutes' drive from Old Sarum.

Picnic area:
Visitors are welcome to picnic anywhere on site; both the inner and outer baileys are covered in grass. A particularly lovely spot for a picnic is under the ash tree by the bottom of the bridge, where you can enjoy a bit of shade on hot days whilst admiring the view of Salisbury and the tallest spire in England.

Shop:
The shop sells a wide range of gifts and souvenirs, including locally produced wines, jams and chutneys. A wide range of knight and princess dressing up items, as well as replica swords and armour, are also available. The shop is located at the top of the bridge, and can be accessed via a ramp or steps.

Toilets: 
There are two female toilets with a baby changing table, one disabled toilet and two male toilets. These are situated next to the car park, within Second World War bunkers set into the bank.

Gardens:
Old Sarum covers an area of approximately 29 acres of beautiful rare grass chalk-land. There are many footpaths which criss-cross the site, with a favourite being around the outer ramparts of the site which offers walkers views of the Wiltshire countryside. Following some scrub clearance, Old Sarum is now a great place to spot butterflies and kestrels, which are often seen hovering over the outer bailey.

Notes:
The main pathway on the site is tarmac and there is also a bonded gravel driveway with a steep wooden bridge.
There are some sheer drops from the ruins but these are mostly barriered off.

Contact:
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk
Tel: 0370 3331181