Old Sarum
Old Sarum probably won’t be the first place visitors will come to see on their first visit to Salisbury, but it should be the first place to know about, because without Old Sarum there would be no Salisbury.
On a hilltop overlooking the valley where present day Salisbury lies are the remains of Sarum, or Old Sarum as it is now called.
This previous Iron Age hill fort, just a couple of miles north of the city centre, passed through the hands of the Romans, Saxons, and Vikings, before finally falling to William the Conqueror.
William built a Motte and Bailey castle inside the existing fort, probably around 1069-70, and the importance of the site was strengthened even more by the construction of a cathedral which was consecrated on 5th April 1092.
As was often the case during medieval times, the powers that be and the clergy didn’t always meet eye to eye and the decision was made to relocate the cathedral down to the valley below where it still stands.
It doesn’t take a genius to work out why the new town was called New Sarum, but the land on which it was built was the estate of Veretes Sarisberias, or ’Old Salisburies’.
New Sarum (or New Salisbury) received its city charter in 1227 by Henry III and eventually the ‘New’ bit was dropped and the city became known just as Salisbury.
I’ve only ever known it called Salisbury, but I was surprised to learn that its previous name of New Sarum was still the city’s official title right up until 2009.
Old Sarum is looked after by English Heritage these days, and there are several buses that run from the city centre if you don’t have your own transport.
The site is open throughout the year and entrance fees are pretty reasonable, but bear in mind that both the castle and old cathedral are just ruins.
For all the latest information check out the English Heritage website http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/old-sarum/
Originally posted 2017-10-14 17:09:43.
Hi there I have been looking at the Poor Books of Enbesbourne Wake ( 1743- 1808) and they mention several times a need to go to Old Sarum. I know it was a rotten borough at that time so I am wondering why an Overseer of the Poor would need to go there ? Many thoughts most welcome !
Thanks for asking the question, but the simple answer is that I don’t know, but if you can bear with me, I’ll endeavour to see if I can find an answer. If you find the answer before me, perhaps you can let me what the reaosn was, as you’ve got me wondering now.
Will do – I wondered if military were there then?
I doubt many people were living there at all if it was a Rotten Borough, but who knows?
Well, I was down this way I’d like to see it. Sucha piece of history really.
It certainly is Shey. I see that you’ve gone back to my early days on WP. I’d like to know if you prefer the simpilicity of those days or my ramblings now. I would really value your thoughts.
I like your ‘ramblings/ wanderings’….end of. I think, yes some posts are slightly different, perhaps in terms of length and simplicity …to use your word… but then again the ‘style’ that flows through them all, is right there. There’s posts where there’s more to say, cos there’s more subject matter–obviously–also places you may feel more at home in, or are closer to your heart. But what goes through every post, is this nice, easy, welcoming style, sometimes that wee bit tongue in cheek, which is great, they are always informative in a nice way, never preachy, or boring for whatever, and you visit all the bits, especially the back road bits and I love that. So obviously as you write and get out there and see if folks are gonna bite or not…and it is a huge thing to put yourself out there, especially at the start … well you get more confident, more at ease, evolve etc. So there’s my thoughts. You do a great job.
Now I also hope you are okay and not taking too much of a beating in this awful storm, hitting your coastline.
It seems to have passed through now but it wasn’t too hairy. The bay is sheltered from the prevailing winds which is normally from the south-west. This time it came from the north-west, but it gets rough when it comes in from the east. I can very often tell what the weather’s going to bring with the number of ships that are anchored in the bay. There have been quite a few in here recently and they wouldn’t shelter here if it was an on-shore easterly.
Glad to hear yoiu are not being savaged down there.
Some places nearby got a bit of a battering, but that’s nothing new. I think the Channel Islands took the brunt of it, but if it had come across the channel in the same way, then it could have been very different. According to the forescast that I saw, you may be in for another deluge.
We’ve had a de;luge all week actually. Weather is horrible at the mo.
I’m not sure that I should have put a ‘like’ to that, but I’m sure you know what I mean
Thank you so much for your reply Shey. The fact that you’ve encapsulated (that’s a big word innit?) what I was hoping to do has really made my day. You’re right to say that a blogger’s style will evolve over time which is why I gave it a lot of thought before I even started, but I’ve more or less kept to the idea of writing about my travels with all what that entails. You’re also right to say that some posts demand more space than others, and I’ve found my current posts are demanding a bit more time and space to do the subject justice, but I do like to mix it up a bit to stop people getting bored.
Your feedback was perfect, not just because it was very supportive, but also because it came across as being genuine, and I can’t ask for more than that. You’re an absolute star Shey 😘
Listen I am a call it as I see it person. I am no good at nice small talk that way. I mean over a lengthier period–I do beleive in being encouraging but obvi there is a limit to that, where you think, maybe talents lie elsewhere . . . .. It is excellent that your posts are varied lengthwise, some subjects demand it. I mean every word I’ve said. I’ve also learned so much about these places, as well as the kinds of things I like to see, do and learn about regarding a place.
Just to put things in perspective Shey, I don’t produce these blogs to attract loads of followers and likes etc. I do them because I enjoy doing them, and if people, like your good self, enjoy them too, then it makes the effort so much more worthwhile, and as you know only too well, I really enjoy your interaction, whatever you may think.
Well I love your blogs. And the fact you enjoy your own wanderings comes right through in all the wee asides and the angle you take on a place.
That’s really good to know 🙂
Legend has it that the site of the new cathedral was determined by an archer shooting an arrow from Old Sarum. Some stories say it was built where the arrow landed, others that the arrow hit a deer and the site is where the deer died. Given the distance involved I think the latter is more likely. 🙂
Where do you get all this information from ? 🙂
Walking round the outer earthwork in Spring or summer is wonderful: loads of wildflowers, loads of birds, loads of butterflies and hrdly any people. The farmer’s wife was in her element!
What about aeroplanes?
Great to read another post on Old Sarum, and with such excellent pictures. Glad you appreciate the place too.
Thanks Alli. I do think your blog is more interesting though to be honest
Not a particularly easy place to photograph well, so it’s helpful if the clouds are photogenic Sarah
I’ve been to Salisbury several times but never here – will rectify for sure on a future visit. I do love your photo with the interesting cloud effect, about halfway down 🙂
I see you mention the tour bus which is the one I took – worked well for my day-trip. Incidentally, as its owned by the same company that runs the town buses you can get any town bus back from Old Sarum into Salisbury – it you don’t have to wait for the less regular official tour bus. With this in mind it best to visit Stonehenge first, then Old Sarum and then Salisbury and its wonderful cathedral.
That’s a good point Albert. I did a separate tip on the tour bus for VT, and as you might imagine there’s a lot more to come on Salisbury and Stonehenge.
I have been there. It is worth visiting, but you need a sense of history to enjoy it fully. A great place to go on a sunny day!
Can’t disagree with any of that Adam
If I ever come to Salisbury, I’ll take one of those buses up to Old Sarum and have a look.
There’s a tour bus for people that are short of time that starts at the railway station, travels into the city for the cathedral, then heads out to Stonehenge before coming back to Old Sarum, the city centre and back to the railway station.