Salisbury Cathedral and the 1215 Magna Carta Dates and Times

Salisbury Cathedral sits on an 80-acre walled Close and is situated around a 1 hour drive from London. The Cathedral is an early English example of Gothic architecture and was built over a 38 year period between 1220 and 1258. Here, you can view Britain’s tallest spire at 123 metres and the world’s oldest working mechanical clock, dating back to 1836.

1215 Magna CartaSalisbury Cathedral houses the finest surviving of the worlds remaining four versions of the great charter, more famously known as the 1215 Magna Carta. The Magna Carta is a UNESCO protected document and is permanently housed in the Cathedral’s 13th century stone carved Chapter House, which depicts sixty Old Testament scenes. The Magna Carta is a legal document that was issued by King John in June 1215, to outline certain rights of individuals. It has over 60 clauses, covering many areas of the nation’s life, including the right to a fair trial.

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Days of Operation

November – March Cathedral 10:00am to 3:30pm (last entry 3:15pm/Cathedral clear by 5:00pm) Chapter House 10:30am to 4:00pm Refectory 9:00am to 5:00pm (Bell Tower Closed Oct – May) Shop 9:30am to 5:00pm (except Jan/Feb 22 when times are 10:00am to 4:30pm) April – November Cathedral 09:30am to 4:00pm (last entry 3:45pm/Cathedral clear by 5:00pm) Chapter House 10:00am to 5:00pm Refectory and Bell Tower 9:00am to 5:00pm Shop 9:30am to 5:00pm

Planned Closures

Times may vary at short notice depending on services and events (especially around Easter and Christmas).

Highlights

See the worlds best-preserved version of the 1215 Magna Carta .

Visit Britain's tallest Spire at 123 metre .

View the world's oldest working mechanical clock .

Set on a 80 acre walled Close in Southern England .

Inclusions

Full access to the Cloisters, Close and Chapter House housing the 1215 Magna Carta,

The one-way system takes visitors out via the Cathedral Works Yard, offering a sneak peak behind the scenes where all restoration and repair work is done.

The art exhibition, Celebrating 800 years of of Spirit and Endeavour, featuring major artists such as Grayson Perry, Anthony Gormley, Henry Moore and others, will be in place until Spring 2021.