Old Sarum Castle English Heritage

Old Sarum is of particular importance to me. My father in law took me on a walk to Old Sarum the day that I asked him for permission to marry his daughter, and since then I’ve gone back several times.
There is something majestic about the imagination that is stirred up seeing the foundations of a once great castle. The heritage site is not awe inspiring in itself, but the history brings a deep sense of reverence and awe that surpasses the bare foundations you see.
They have done a wonderful job providing bits of history and trivia at each point of the site, so much so that even young children remain interested. They’ve also done a really good job letting children (and adults) experience the site by walking amongst the ruins.
If you’re in Salisbury Old Sarum should be #3 on your list, after Stonehenge and the Carhedral.

Originally built as Williams power base in the West it is based on an old hill fort. It is powerfully based above Salisbury and this is the location of the original town and catherdral. The ruins are all low walls and interpretation is aided by many information boards.

In my opinion, it’s Old Sarum, not Stonehenge, that is the best historical site in the area. Formerly a seat of England’s kings and the original site of Salisbury cathedral. As well as the Royal connection there has been a fortified settlement here since the Iron Age c. 400 BC. The Romans called it Sorviodunum and William the Conqueror transformed the old earthworks by building a royal castle on the site c.1070 AD.
Views are amazing and there is a great walk around the ridge of the outer fortifications.

Do this. Then once you did it, you don’t need to go back because once is enough. It takes less than 45 minutes to view.
Purchase the guidebook or better yet, see how you can get in on a tour (I think you need to prearrange). Either way, the money supports the «English Heritage,» a respectable organization that preserves really really old sites throughout England, 400 sites total. This one dates back 5000 years to Celtic times.
There are tunnels underneath that you won’t get to view but the history of them is pretty cool. Gold coins were minted here and found in Sweden. The grass moats «hillforts» are extremely deep…can you imagine being a knight wearing pounds of armor and trying to climb those moats? Lastly, this was the original site of the Salisbury Cathedral and the history behind why it was moved is interesting.

If like me you thought that Old Sarum was just a 5000 year old old Iron Age hill fort in Salisbury, built on layers of earth to tower above the local countryside, you would be very much mistaken. It is fact full of historical significance and the home of a once very splendoured Royal residence. William the Conqueror inherited the place from the last Saxon King of England. Already defended and lying beside an important road junction, it was the ideal place to site a Royal Palace. The great outer defences provided him with a ready-​made arena for mustering troops, and it was here in 1070 that he paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in Northern England. It was here to, in August 1086, that he called together all the major land owners in England so that they could swear their allegiance to him. The castle went through many improvements over the years, including greater defences, more grandeur residences and the building of a large cathedral in the grounds. When the monarchy an the church fell out with each other, the local bishop decided to build a new cathedral (which can be seen from the walls of the castle), in the nearby vicinity of Salisbury, and hence the city was born. In later years the castle fell into disrepair and ruin and the order was finally given by Henry VIII to dismantle the castle and use the stone to build other structures. Visiting in the cold biting wind of February is probably not the best time to view this national treasure, but it certainly gives you a feel for what it must have been like to try and keep warm here in days of yore. The site is very impressive now, so must have been a terrifying site for anyone trying to attack it a thousand years ago. A must see place if visiting the area.

If you get one of the bus tours, one of the stops is Old Sarum. Looking at the remnants of a formidable castle, I guess was exciting? I think the sheep on the way to OS was actually more fun to observe.
The most interesting thing that I found out about OS was where the loo was located. I wished I had taken a picture of the sign because there was a picture of a king sitting on the hole with his pants around his legs.
Great place to bring your pooch. Several locals had brought their dog to run the open fields.

wen man Ruhinen und Geschichte und dan vieleicht noch ein natur liebhaber ist, ist Old Sarum Castle ein ausflug auf jeden Fall wert

Fun place. We came over for a living history show. I can not imagine having to attack it 400
years ago

This was a great sight connected with my tour of Stonehenge. You can really walk here and get up close, which is a neat change from being prevented from touching everything at other historical places. There is a guidebook you can purchase and get to know what you are actually standing on, which is an old cathedral and castle that was abandoned because there was not fresh water easily available. It’s fun to just tromp around and feel the history that you’re standing on.

This is a great place to visit for anybody interested in Wiltshire’s long and varied history. the site dates back to almost 500BC and has been invaded, inhabited, razed to the ground and built back up many times over the last couple of millennia.
With the aid of graphic representations littered throughout the site you can imagine the conflicts and disputes that have marred and evolved the site over the years.
At many times it is difficult to fully envision the barbarous and bloody feuds that took place so long ago, but the information given to you gives an intelligent insight into its past. Perhaps not for the younger kids but well worth a visit.