A site that goes back nearly 5,000 years old. That's crazy. There are some ruins of the old castle…read more The views from the top are incredible. It was so peaceful walking around up there today. We took the local bus from Blue Boar Road to Old Sarum. Just tell the bus driver how many people you're paying for, and tap your contactless payment card.

A great historical site. If you are a history and military buff then you should visit. Walls and…read morecastle is broken down so you need to use your imagination and feel what it would be like to get a good sensation of the life. You can see great 360 degree views of the area and grounds.

Anyone walking from the Cathedral into Salisbury City Centre will most probably walk through this…read moregate. One of four which used to pierce the wall surrounding the cathedral, the High Street (or North Gate) is one of the most attractive. It was built between 1327 and 1342, when Edward III gave permission for stone from the old site of the City at Old Sarum to be used to erect a wall around the Cathedral precinct. It used to have a portcullis, lowered when the citizens became rebellious, and it is still closed every evening at 23h, and reopened at 6h. It once housed the small lock-up jail for those convicted of misdeeds within the Close. Beside the gate stands the Porters Lodge. The post of Porter to the Close was much sought-after by the servants of kings and nobles in the middle ages. On the Cathedral side, it is decorated with a single statue of a Knight in early 14th Century armour, whereas the City side is decorated with the Royal Coat of Arms, surrounded by decorative carving. It is framed by attractive buildings on both sides, reflecting the changing architectural styles from mediaeval times to the Victorian period. On the far (south) side of the Cathedral close is the smaller Harnham Gate - as this was less important, its architecture did not need to impress the townspeople! This gate is also closed overnight. Entering from this gate, you can see some of the classic views of Salisbury Cathedral.

Part of Salisbury's heritage quarter, its a gorgeous example of medieval architecture at a more…read moredomestic scale than the neighboring cathedral. Lots of quaint shops nearby. Check out the river walk nearby.

I visited this restored 18th (and, to some extent, 19th) century mansion because it's right next to…read morethe wonderful Salisbury Cathedral, it offers a real - i.e. not inflated, museum-style - glimpse into the life of the upper, or upper-middle class of the time(s) - and because it was raining cats and dogs in Salisbury. on that day. I knew that it was used for the 1995 Jane Austen film adaptation of "Sense and Sensibility" with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet, but that was of very minor concern of my rosy nose (I read Jane Austen as part of my English literature studies - 10 pages, then I decided that life is too short). Mompesson House is run by National Trust, and the staff are volunteers who sacrifice their time to provide visitors with information on the house and the families that lived there (and the collections they accumulated - like the porcelain figurines and the drinking glasses). Amazingly, photography *is* allowed at this place - not a given at a National Trust property. What I liked about Mompesson House in particular is that it did feel like a real place, not a museum - i.e. It wasn't overstuffed. The lady at the entrance was very friendly. She noticed I wasn't an English native speaker and gave me printed notes to the house in decent German (actually, I would have preferred English, but the gesture was nice anyway). There are about 10 rooms that you can visit, plus the garden and a tea house/café. So expect to spend about 45-.60 minutes at this place, depending on just how much you treasure Jane Austen. So, for me it was 45 minutes. There is a small exhibition on the first floor which deals with the 1995 film "Sense and Sensibility" and includes some memorabilia, like e.g. a costume Kate Winslet wore in the film. The current entrance fee for an adult is UKP 6.50, which I think is quite okay, if not really a bargain. Please see my photos to get an impression of Mompesson House.

We did the inner circle tour and it was worth every penny! There is an option for a sunrise tour…read moreand sunset before and after the place closes to the public. We opted for the sunset tour and were still able to spend our money in the gift shop, as it remained open. But there were no food options open at this time. We then took the bus to the site and were allowed to go inside the circle. Normally, you must stand about 10 yards away but being inside was unreal! There were so many unique photo ops from this vantage point and the fewer people was priceless. There were about 30 people total and they split you into 2 groups to take turns being inside. The guide and information presented was great as well!

As a history lover, Stonehenge has been on my bucket list. My visit yesterday did not disappoint…read more In fact, Stonehenge is an amazing wonder. My heart skipped some beats as I got my first glimpse of the great rocks. My husband and I took a small group tour to visit the site. We arrived early in the morning before crowds of tourists. I had downloaded the audio tour on my phone, which was fabulous. We bought tickets at the site. Tickets allow access to the museum/discovery center, a bus ride to the site and access to the walking path around the stones. Fees collected support the site. Paid admission is totally worth the visit. Stonehenge is a Neolithic site that was built over a 1000 year time period 3000 B.C. The site was a burial site, ceremonial site with astrological importance to these early people. The construction of the site is a prehistoric wonder. Two different types of huge rocks were gathered and moved across many miles to the site. The stones were carved to shape and secure them in place. Thousands of people must have participated in construction. Burial mounds surround the rock formation. Artifacts discovered at the site suggest that people were highly sophisticated. Some of the artifacts are displayed and replicas of there homes can be explored at the Center. Stonehenge is a World Heritage UNESCO site. Parking is available but there is a fee. Restrooms are nice. There is a cafe that is quite good at the center and a gift shop with reasonably priced visitor guidebooks. The site is accessible for wheel chairs and strollers, but the path is not paved. Worth a visit....I highly recommend.

Few people, easy to access. Free. Don't go too far out of your way, but an interesting stop.read more

Just 2 miles from stonehenges.. Its a free site. Not much but truly amazes you, when you think of…read morethem people who created these circles. What were they thinking or doing to create these circles.. hmm. Nice views around. Small parking available as well.

Other than the castle, the village itself has a very inviting feel about it. You enter the castle…read morefrom the little square where there are a few shops and a monument in the middle. The square is very small! I don't know; I just found the place really calm and peaceful - most likely not this way during the tourist season but on a cold wet November late afternoon the atmosphere was at its best. The village isn't very big, so worth a little wander around and perhaps a stop in a pub and some of the shops.

Such a beautiful village - it hasn't changed much since I used to visit it over 40 years ago. The…read moreCastle is always worth a visit - you get in free if you're a National Trust member, and the parking at the visitor centre at the entrance to the village is also free to members. Try getting there early-morning before the crowds. Interesting little shops and the National Trust Tea Rooms does the best cream tea ever - sit in their garden overlooking the Castle. There's also a model village. The steam train runs from the Park & Ride at Norden (just before Corfe Castle village), stops at the village before chugging through the Purbecks onto Swanage. A good day's fun!

We visited this charming tea room with outdoor seating on one of the last warm days of the year…read more Service was very pleasant if not entirely competent, and our sandwich and cream tea were acceptable. An extra star has been awarded for the antiquity of the building and the pleasure of sitting outside by the lovely garden. I would return.

On our Road Trip through England, Wales and Scotland we focused on Castles, Abbeys and walks…read more The Titchfield Abbey we've visited on our first full day here in England. It was a hot summer day. A monday. And only really a handful people on site. Which is surprising, because these are beautiful remains of a former abbey and mansion. It's almost still fully complete even. There's no entrance fee. And even parking is free if you're a member of the EH. If not it's 2£ only. The building is very impressive. Built in the 13th Century it was first in the hand of monks. Then it changed hands under Henry VIII. And was turned into a Tudor mansion. It's quite a sight to behold. And you can walk around the whole site. But as usual: Be respectful, don't climb around and pick up your litter and after your dog (which are allowed here on the site). A very good start for this year's Road Trip. A great place to visit. And there are even one or two lunch options around, if you feel hungry after your visit.

Titchfield Abbey is a ruined former country home, which was itself adapted from an Abbey during the…read moreDissolution. The Abbey was founded in 1222 by the Premonstratensian Order of canons. It was founded as a daughter house of Halesowen Abbey, and endowed both by its founder Bishop Peter of Winchester and Henry III. Never especially wealthy, the Abbey was nevertheless noted for its scholarship and held a substantial library. The Abbey buildings followed a standard plan, albeit on a relatively modest scale. The Abbey seems to have had a quiet and ordered existence, although it's location near the south coast on one of the main routes to France meant it hosted both Richard II and Henry V, and was the location of Henry VI to Margaret of Anjou in 1445. The Abbey was dissolved in 1537, at the behest of Thomas Wriothesely, Chancellor to Henry VIII. Unlike many dissolutions, the Abbott John Salisbury secured a peaceful handover, with pensions provided for the canons and the position of Dean of Norwich for himself in 1539. Wriothesely adapted the buildings to form a n impressive country home for himself, called Place House. The Abbey church itself was converted to a grand gatehouse and accommodation wing, with a long gallery and hall formed around the former cloister. This involved taking down the church tower and chancel. The house hosted Elizabeth I, Edward VI, Charles I and Charles II. It continued in use as a home until the 1780s, when the decision was taken to abandon and deliberately demolish much of the complex to form a romantic ruin. Today it is in the care of English Heritage. The impressive turreted gatehouse forms the larger part of what is visible today, the bare structure enabling much of the former church to be traced. There are also remains of the cloister walls, with the foundations of the demolished buildings traced out on the ground. The site is also known for its collection of decorative mediaeval floor tiles. The adjacent fish ponds have survived but are no longer part of the site. Practicalities: the gravel drive is quite narrow and leads to a gravel car park. Although there is level access the rough surfaces make for challenging wheelchair access. There are no toilets on site.

Incredible location, very fun to get to via ferry but you take the 45 minute walk…read more Used by Henry VIII, the Ministry of Defence and now taken over by English Heritage, Hurst Castle offers a varied history. The castle does a good job of showing all the changes that have happened throughout its history. From seeing several different castles open up to the public, Hurst Castle stood out. Would completely recommend the audio tour. Absolute bargain at £2 each with a offer of two audio tours for £3. All the staff were very friendly and know the Hurst ferry staff.

A brilliant day out! The amazing adventure starts by parking…read moreyour car at Keyhaven. You then discover this massive pebbles barrier protecting the marshes from the waves. From very afar you can see the round shape of Hurst Castle: it looks small from there, but don't judge it yet. Walk all the way to the castle by using the barrier and then you'll see that there is more than meets the eye. Entry is about 3 pounds for an adult, which is a true bargain for a National Trust site. There is plenty to see and do and the views are fantastice. There is also plenty of exhibitions about the Bournemouth coastline and life in the castle and its strategic position. All in all, a cheap and great day out for the whole family.