"Lazy Sunday in Salisbury" Salisbury by SallyM

We decided on a whim to visit Salisbury one Sunday as neither of us had ever been there before. It was also a bit of a test for our satnav, and my other half refused to let me take the road atlas as insurance (I didn't tell him that I was fairly sure how to get there anyway).

Now Salisbury is a medieval town (as the notices on the approach roads will tell you) and not really designed for cars, but we thought it would probably be OK to drive into the city centre on a Sunday. Fortunately we were right, and had no trouble parking in a 'shoppers'' car park for £2.00 all day (Sunday rate - it's rather more expensive the rest of the week).

Cathedral Close, Salisbury

The highlight of any visit to Salisbury is undoubtedly the Cathedral Close. It is a peaceful place where you can have the feeling of stepping back in time. There is even a red telephone box.

As well as the Cathedral, there are a number of interesting places to vist around the close including:

Mompesson House (National Trust - see my separate tip)
Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum (sadly closed on Sundays except July and August)
Arundells, the former home of Prime Minister Edward Heath (we didn't go in but tours were available at £8 a head)
The Rifles Military Museum (we didn't go in, but admission is £4).

And on the subject of old England, Salisbury has no shortage of tea shops!

• Pros:Delightful historic city
• Cons:Too many cream teas are bad for the waistline