Salisbury, Wiltshire
Lush water meadows, a beautiful cathedral where peregrine falcons nest, medieval timbered buildings, and a vibrant city centre with a thriving market, shops galore, and plenty of places where you can grab a bite to eat. There’s a fortnightly farmer’s market, a monthly vintage market, and every quarter, a teenage market, besides of course, a very twinkly Christmas Market.
It’s easy-peasy to spend the whole day in Salisbury because you’ll always find something to do. Stroll around Cathedral Close, have a picnic on the green, visit the museum, and Mompesson House, and of course you must go to the cathedral; it’s glorious, and apart from having the tallest spire in Britain, it’s also home to one of only four surviving Magna Cartas. Art lovers should go to Fisherton Mill, it’s one of the largest emporiums in the south; if you’re a shopaholic then hone in on the three malls and if you still can’t find quite what you want then go to Wilton Shopping Village for competitive prices and a lovely riverside sitting just 3 miles from the city. Theatre lovers can catch a performance at Salisbury Arts Centre or Salisbury Playhouse.
So where’s popular to eat? Well, one place that arouses much curiosity and attracts visitors is The Haunch of Venison; go there and see the mummified hand, reputedly of a man who cheated at cards, displayed in part of the wall, but don’t let it put you off the food. In the bustling Market Square, the Market Inn and the Ox Row Inn are always busy, so they are certainly worth a try. If you just fancy a cup of tea and a slice of cake you’ll have your pick of tea rooms; if you’re thinking let’s go out to dinner then where you go depends largely on the cuisine you’re after. You can have good Thai food at Thai Orchard, Indian at Café Divali, or Italian at Leonardo’s; for British classics with a modern twist opt for one of the hotels – The Red Lion, Milford Hall and the White Hart all hold AA rosettes.
All information correct at the time of writing