Staycation Salisbury
Recently featured as one of 10 great British city breaks in the Guardian, Salisbury is a wonderful celebration of old and new.
The city has the unique combination of world famous heritage attractions alongside a modern vibrant independent buzz.
Salisbury is the perfect setting for UK holidaymakers looking to explore the wonders of the UK in summer 2021.
Stunning scenery, oodles of history, some of the biggest attractions in the UK – who cares that we may not be able to travel overseas this summer when we have Salisbury and the surrounding area to discover!
There are many reasons why Salisbury is a perfect staycation option, whether you want a solo getaway, romantic break or family-friendly vacation our city within the country has something for everyone, and with fewer people than the bigger cities it means we can offer a more personal approach.
The Modern Medieval City.
If you love history and heritage you can discover two globally significant attractions in one trip: Stonehenge, one of the world’s great wonders and a World Heritage Site is just 20 minutes from the city centre, while the city’s skyline is dominated by the iconic Salisbury Cathedral which stands proud as the tallest spire in Britain.
The Stonehenge Tour offers an easy and affordable way to take in the leading attractions and also enjoy the beautiful Wiltshire countryside. Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral and Old Sarum are all included on their bus tour tickets.
The Cathedral is not just a stunning piece of architecture, it also houses the best-preserved copy of the Magna Carta and the world’s oldest clock. The Cathedral Close, at 80 acres, is the biggest in the UK and is a must see. You can sense the history with the surrounding Salisbury Museum, Mompesson House, Arundells and The Rifles Museum - just some of the additional places to visit here.
With excellent travel links by road or rail, Salisbury is an ideal location to use as a base for exploring the surrounding area and attractions. Longleat, Bath, Stourhead and Old Wardour Castle are just some of those in easy reach. Find out more about beyond Salisbury here.
Traditional Shops. Contemporary Gifts.
With hundreds of independent businesses in the city centre offering the highest quality products and services, Salisbury has a truly unique offering. From specialist retail shops to award winning family-run restaurants, our diverse range of independent businesses proudly offer an array of products and services, specialist expert knowledge, value for money and exceptional customer service.
A Tradition of Hospitality.
Salisbury offers an excellent range of local food produce and a warm and sometimes eccentric welcome!
Whether visiting one of our traditional pubs, a luxury hotel or camping site, you will always be greeted by a friendly face. With budget options to suit all pockets.
Food lovers can take advantage of some of the best produce Wiltshire has to offer, with many Salisbury pubs and restaurants using locally sourced produce on their menus. Take a trip around-the-world without leaving the city by visiting the excellent range of restaurants offering an array of international cuisine from Moroccan, Lebanese and Thai to Italian and Chinese. Or why not simply grab a book and enjoy the slower pace of life in one of Salisbury's coffee houses or tea rooms.
Enjoy The Here and Now.
Make it a night to remember! The Salisbury Playhouse is one of the UK’s leading producing theatres with a busy programme of events from plays to pantomimes, musicals and youth theatre. It has a national reputation for home-grown work of the highest quality and is one to book when visiting.
Salisbury has a vibrant nightlife and the city has Purple Flag status which is the “gold standard” for town and city centres at night. From a 1920s parlour to a retro cocktail bar and nightclub in an old chapel, Salisbury has a lot of after dark options.
Space To Breathe.
Get away from the crowds. After being cooped up for many months of lockdown, a lot of us feel like we just need space – and Salisbury and the surrounding area has A LOT of space! Within the city there are gardens and parks to sit and enjoy the quiet, picnic, or let the kids run around. The Cathedral Close, Queen Elizabeth Gardens and Churchill Gardens are just a few of the spaces that are popular with residents and visitors alike.
If you head out of Salisbury it doesn’t take long till you meet the most wonderful unspoiled countryside. It's no wonder Salisbury is often known as the city in the countryside. Rolling green hills and wildlife filled forests are a stone's throw away and offer miles of walking routes where you often don’t meet another soul. The Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a popular destination for those wanting to disappear into beautiful countryside, with traditional pubs offering a welcome stop-off during a long day hiking.
For The Kids.
Keeping the kids entertained isn’t a difficult task on a staycation in Salisbury. There are a range of parks within the city for children to play, plus ten pin bowling and Lazer A at Clown About and an inflatable obstacle course to try out at Jumpin Fun Inflatable Park! Ten minutes from Salisbury is Wilton House with an adventure playground that makes it a popular family day-out and Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm (just a 20 minute drive) is great for those children who like animals, pig races and rides on tractors! Moffisfont Abbey, Wardour Castle, River Bourne Community Farm and Paultons Park are also worth checking out for family-fun.
Wiltshire’s Wild Side.
Wildlife and conservation is a big part of what Wiltshire has to offer, with almost half our county designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty including the Cranborne Chase just outside Salisbury. Havens for wildlife include the Langford Lakes Nature Reserve in-between Salisbury and Warminster. There are three lakes here with meadows and the River Wylye. Several bird hides allow visitors to look out for some of the 150 species here including Canada Geese, Grebes and Kingfishers.
Salisbury Plain has become a wildlife hotspot due the lack of development there and supports the largest known expanse of unimproved chalk downland in north west Europe. It is an important stronghold for declining downland butterflies like Adonis blue and the Marsh Fritillary. Birds, including Stonechats, Buzzards, stone curlew and short-eared owls are also known to breed on the Plain but perhaps the rarest to look out for is the Great Bustard – the world’s largest flying bird. In 2004 the Great Bustard was re-introduced to Salisbury Plain after becoming extinct in the UK in 1832. Now, releases take place each year and The Great Bustard Group offer visits to their site.
So, whether it’s the Great Bustard, wonderful peaceful countryside or historic attractions, there’s plenty of reasons to make Salisbury your staycation stop-off.
Visit our accommodation in Salisbury page to discover our unique hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses.