The majestic cathedral city of Salisbury has been welcoming visitors to south Wiltshire for hundreds of years and these days it's popularity is a great as ever.

Salisbury is small enough to be able to explore on foot and whether you spend your time shopping in the quaint shopping streets with their half timbered buildings, hunting for bargains in the town's still busy ancient Charter Market, exploring the city's many historic buildings and attractions or quite simply relaxing with a bite to eat and a drink in one of Salisbury friendly character pubs or restaurants your days will be fascinating days of discovery.

Salisbury has many quality hotels, B and B's and self catering cottages available for visitors at affordable prices whilst outside Salisbury you'll find a number of camping and holiday parks in beautiful countryside locations.

The focal point of Salisbury is not surprisingly it's superb cathedral. Built between 1220 and 1258 it's architecture is Early English Gothic. The cathedral's spire is the tallest in the UK and until comparatively was the tallest building in England. The cathedral houses Europes oldest working clock and is home to a beautifully preserved copy of the Magna Carta. The cathedral is surrounded by a large cathedral green flanked by ancient cottages and ecclesiastical houses.

Whilst walking around the city you'll also find plenty of historical buildings and museums open to the public.

Salisbury is a perfect base from which to discover the ancient and mystical sites of Stonehenge and Avebury both of which are just a short drive from the city. You'll also find the massive Iron Age fort of Old Sarum and Old Wardour Castle with it's beautiful lakeside setting just outside the city.

Take a short drive south into north Dorset and you'll be able to visit Shaftesbury with it's ancient abbey founded by King Alfred the Great in 880 AD and wander down Gold Hill a steep cobbled street lined with historic cottages made famous in countless TV commercials.

Within easy reach of Salisbury is Longleat. The UK's original safari park, Longleat is a spectacular place to visit. Longleat is one of the countries best examples of Elizabethan architecture and is set within 900 acres of parkland landscaped by Capability Brown. Longleat is a joy for young and old alike, the house was the first stately home in the country to be opened to the public back in 1949 and this was followed up in 1966 with the opening of the Safari Park. Since then Longleat has continued to expand as one of the Uk's most popular visitor attractions. You'll find all you need to know about Longleat on the Longleat website.

Just a short drive from Salisbury you'll also find the beautiful National Trust property, Stourhead. This celebrated 18th Century landscape garden and Palladian mansion features enchanting temples and rare plantings around a tranquil lake, a mansion with Georgian treasures, fine paintings and Chippendale furniture and one of the finest follies to be found in the UK. More information about Stourhead can be found on the National Trust website.

Use the map of Salisbury below to zoom in or out to view directions or click the satellite button for an aerial view. For a larger version of this Salisbury map Click Here.