Salisbury Cathedral, London, is undoubtedly Britain’s most famous 13th century Gothic cathedral. The enormous and lofty spire grabs your attention. Once you reach the Cathedral, viewing the stonework of such an architecturally evolved church in Salisbury, is in itself a wonderful experience.

The Cathedral is situated in the midst of a cluster of monumental buildings and edifices. It is enclosed by eight acres of lush green lawns and you can’t differentiate much between walking on a carpet or walking on grass.

Of the four surviving Magna Cartas, the one at Salisbury Cathedral is the best preserved. Apart from this, the Cathedral’s clock, which dates back to 1386 AD and is probably the oldest working clock in the world is worth seeing. This pioneering church in Britain, was the first to introduce the Cathedral School. The Salisbury Cathedral was also the first to introduce an exclusive girl’s choir.

The Cathedral maintains records of people who have been married, baptized or buried in its premises and the records are provided to any body from the general public who might want to know more about their ancestors/ family members or friends.

Guided tours of the Cathedral are provided everyday. Each and every aspect of the Cathedral’s rich past and its many historical artifacts and relics are highlighted in the most interesting manner. If you are energetic, just climb upstairs, 332 steps in all, to the pinnacle of the tower. The experience of the view from the top is breathtaking.

Salisbury Cathedral Map

Facts about Salisbury Cathedral

• It is believed that 60,000 tons of the finest quality of Chilmark stone and more than 10,000 tons of the very best of Purbek stone were used for building the Cathedral.
• The Salisbury Cathedral attracts more than 500,000 visitors each year.

Where is Salisbury Cathedral?

The Salisbury Cathedral is located in the city of Salisbury from which it derives its name. It is an hour-and-a-half drive from London. A train from London is the best way to get to the site as the cathedral is only 10 minutes away from the station. Other options include travel by bus or car.

Best time to visit Salisbury Cathedral

The cathedral is open from Monday to Saturday at 9:00 am and by noon on Sunday. Services are held on Sunday, where visitors are welcome. However, tourists will only have restricted access during times of services. Holidays such as Christmas and Easter are also busy times and best avoided.

More on Salisbury Cathedral

Nearby Attractions : Old Sarum, Salisbury Arts Centre, Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum 

England major attractions:  Stonehenge, British Museum, Big Ben London, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, Millennium Bridge, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, London Zoo, Trafalgar Square, Palace of Westminster, Kensington Palace, Lost Gardens of Heligan, Nelson’s Column, Wellington Arch.

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Cleopatra’s Needle in London is a granite obelisk, which is all of 68 feet and weighs 180 tons. This obelisk originally dates back to 1500 B.C. and was built for Tuthmose III. The Hieroglyphics praising Tuthmose and honoring his third Sed festival can be found on the obelisk along with engraved inscriptions by Ramesses II which was added much later to commemorate his hard earned victories.

This mammoth granite obelisk was presented to the people of Great Britain in the year 1819 as an acknowledgement of Nelson’s victory over the marauding French armada, at the infamous battle of Nile in 1798. Apart from the obelisk, a portrait of Queen Victoria and other Victorian era artifacts are also found.

However, it took almost 60 long years to actually bring this mammoth obelisk to Britain. No British government was gallant enough to overcome the obstacles of shipment of this obelisk from far away Egypt to Britain. Not only was the shipment of the obelisk a daunting task, it also involved enormous expenses. Had it not been for the generosity of Mr. Erasmus Wilson, who dished out a staggering £10,000 to bear the expenses of shipment, this marvelous granite obelisk would have probably remained buried in the sands of Alexandria until the end of time.

During World War I, Cleopatra’s needle suffered a minor damage, courtesy the air raids. A portion of the plinth and one of the sphinxes, which bore the brunt of the attack, is clearly visible.

Today, Cleopatra’s Needle is an integral part of London’s tourist landmarks.

Cleopatra's Needle Map

Facts about Cleopatra's Needle

• It is believed that 60,000 tons of the finest quality of Chilmark stone and more than 10,000 tons of the very best of Purbek stone were used for building the Cathedral.
• The Salisbury Cathedral attracts more than 500,000 visitors each year.

Where is Cleopatra's Needle?

The Salisbury Cathedral is located in the city of Salisbury from which it derives its name. It is an hour-and-a-half drive from London. A train from London is the best way to get to the site as the cathedral is only 10 minutes away from the station. Other options include travel by bus or car.

Best time to visit Cleopatra's Needle

The cathedral is open from Monday to Saturday at 9:00 am and by noon on Sunday. Services are held on Sunday, where visitors are welcome. However, tourists will only have restricted access during times of services. Holidays such as Christmas and Easter are also busy times and best avoided.

More on Cleopatra's Needle

Nearby Attractions : Old Sarum, Salisbury Arts Centre, Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum 

Cleopatra's Needle Map

Facts about Cleopatra's Needle

• Cleopatra’s Needle, London is one of three obelisks re-erected in New York, London and Paris.
• Cleopatra’s Needle is flanked on both sides by Egyptian bronze sphinxes.

Where is Cleopatra's Needle?

Cleopatra’s Needle is located in Victoria Embankment in London. The Embankment Underground Station and Charring Cross Underground Station are only a short walk away.

Best time to visit Cleopatra's Needle

London is best visited during the summer months. Cleopatra’s Needle has no particular visiting hours or visiting charges.

More on Cleopatra's Needle

Nearby Attractions : The London Eye, Cenotaph, the Fourth Plinth

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Picture By Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK  [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

England major attractions:  Stonehenge, British Museum, Big Ben London, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, Millennium Bridge, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, London Zoo, Trafalgar Square, Palace of Westminster, Kensington Palace, Lost Gardens of Heligan, Nelson’s Column, Wellington Arch.

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