Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum
Let Salisbury Museum take you on a journey through one of the most fascinating areas of Britain.
It's the home of the finds from the World Heritage Site of Stonehenge, the 'rotten borough' of Old Sarum, the medieval city of Salisbury, the glory of the Cathedral and a countryside packed with history.
2010 is a very exciting year for the Museum. We are celebrating our 150th Anniversary. Please check the website for interesting and fun events.
Start with the earliest people. Marvel at how they built Stonehenge, burial chambers and huge monuments. The museum has one of the best collections of prehistory in the country.
In the 1220s, Old Sarum, originally an
Iron Age fort and the site of the old cathedral, was deserted for a new cathedral and a new city. See how the cathedral was built and the city became one of the richest in medieval England. Its most famous inhabitant is the Giant, 14 foot St. Christopher, the oldest surviving medieval pageant figure. He and his companion Hob Nob are hugely popular with the children.
Then meet Pitt Rivers. An extraordinary man, who after a distinguished army career, devoted his life to exploration and recording. He became one of the greatest figures in British archaeology. The Victorians who founded the Museum were also renowned collectors. Their ceramics and glass collections are displayed in a room decorated for the visit of James I (after whom the house is named) and include very rare Bow figures as well as humble souvenirs. The dedication of a modern collector is evident in a magnificent display of nearly 600 pieces of Wedgwood showing the huge variety of work from this world-famous factory.
The Museum's costume collection is unique in highlighting the owners and their backgrounds. The clothes and embroidery reflect the life and society of the region from the silks of the rich to a cotton patchwork quilt. Here, too, you can admire Downton lace, a collection which attracts lacemakers worldwide.
See a pre-NHS surgery and view pictures throughout the Museum, including Turner watercolours.
There are temporary exhibitions all through the year
Gift and coffee shops
Season tickets and membership benefits available.All these treasures and many more, are housed in a Grade I listed building with lovely views of the Cathedral.
It's the home of the finds from the World Heritage Site of Stonehenge, the 'rotten borough' of Old Sarum, the medieval city of Salisbury, the glory of the Cathedral and a countryside packed with history.
2010 is a very exciting year for the Museum. We are celebrating our 150th Anniversary. Please check the website for interesting and fun events.
Start with the earliest people. Marvel at how they built Stonehenge, burial chambers and huge monuments. The museum has one of the best collections of prehistory in the country.
In the 1220s, Old Sarum, originally an
Iron Age fort and the site of the old cathedral, was deserted for a new cathedral and a new city. See how the cathedral was built and the city became one of the richest in medieval England. Its most famous inhabitant is the Giant, 14 foot St. Christopher, the oldest surviving medieval pageant figure. He and his companion Hob Nob are hugely popular with the children.Then meet Pitt Rivers. An extraordinary man, who after a distinguished army career, devoted his life to exploration and recording. He became one of the greatest figures in British archaeology. The Victorians who founded the Museum were also renowned collectors. Their ceramics and glass collections are displayed in a room decorated for the visit of James I (after whom the house is named) and include very rare Bow figures as well as humble souvenirs. The dedication of a modern collector is evident in a magnificent display of nearly 600 pieces of Wedgwood showing the huge variety of work from this world-famous factory.
The Museum's costume collection is unique in highlighting the owners and their backgrounds. The clothes and embroidery reflect the life and society of the region from the silks of the rich to a cotton patchwork quilt. Here, too, you can admire Downton lace, a collection which attracts lacemakers worldwide.
See a pre-NHS surgery and view pictures throughout the Museum, including Turner watercolours.
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Directions |
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By car: Follow city centre signs to car parks or Cathedral Close (parking charge).
By train: SWT and Alphaline to Salisbury. Buses to city centre 3/4 mile level walk. By bus: Alight at city centre, bus station or Exeter Street. By coach: Set down places in city centre, St John Street and coach parks. Parking for disabled people in museum forecourt(booking necessary). The museum is signposted in the City and the Close. |
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Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum Postcode for SatNav: SP1 2EN
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Contact
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Days Out near Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum
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Mompesson House (<1 Mile)*
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Old Sarum (2 Miles)*
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Wilton House (3 Miles)*
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Breamore House & Museum (6 Miles)*
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Rockbourne Roman Villa (8 Miles)*
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Stonehenge (8 Miles)*
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Mottisfont Abbey Garden, House and Estate (11 Miles)*
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Edmondsham House and Gardens (12 Miles)*
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Old Wardour Castle (12 Miles)*
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Furzey Gardens (13 Miles)*
Places to Visit near Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum
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Salisbury (<1 Mile)*
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Coombe Bissett (3 Miles)*
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Figheldean (10 Miles)*
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Kings Somborne (13 Miles)*
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Farnham (14 Miles)*
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Rushall (15 Miles)*
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Lyndhurst (16 Miles)*
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Andover (16 Miles)*
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Market Lavington (16 Miles)*
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Shaftesbury (17 Miles)*
Also near Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum |
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