With summer just around the corner, a nice short city break might seem increasingly appealing, a way to pause the hustle and bustle without flying abroad. Based on hotel prices and visitor satisfaction levels, one spot just eight miles from Stonehenge has been named one of the UK’s best cities to visit, should you need inspiration for a last-minute trip.
Described as ‘pretty,’ ‘quiet’ and ‘safe’ by one particularly generous Reddit user, Salisbury is a beautiful city steeped in history. Ranked the sixth best location for a city break in the UK, a hotel here costs just £98 per night. In first place was Wells in Somerset, where a hotel costs £93 per night on average, but customers had a satisfaction rate of 86%. Close behind in second was Durham, where you can find digs for £107 per night, and in third was the picturesque St Andrews up in Scotland, accessible for £159 per night – albeit with a score of 78%, according to new data from Which.co.uk.
Embedded in medieval history, Salisbury is an English gem with plenty to delve into, from local markets to quaint walks. Salisbury Market Place is the focal point of the community, and the regular Charter Market, held every Tuesday and Saturday, dates back to the Medieval Age. There are also regular themed markets, ranging from vintage to continental.
For an insight into the city’s vast history, a visit to Salisbury Cathedral is a must. The building’s impressive 123-metre spire is visible for miles, with tours available showcasing the legendary reasoning behind why the cathedral is here and no longer at the original site of Old Sarum. There are 332 steps up to its viewing platform, offering picturesque vistas from 68 metres above ground level.
If you’re a history buff, there’s also loads to see at The Salisbury Museum, where the Wessex Gallery hosts an array of local artefacts. And of course, the iconic World Heritage Site of Stonehenge, which lies just eight miles north of Salisbury. If you don’t want to stop and take a look around, you can always take a peek from the car as there’s a main road that runs straight past it.
There are plenty of gorgeous cycling routes too, including National Cycle Routes 24 and 45 which pass through the city, as well as the Wiltshire Cycle Path. Or, get walking and enjoy one of the numerous trails stretching through the countryside such as the Town Path, where painter John Constable took inspiration for one of his famous depictions of the cathedral.
Just over two hours away from London by car, Salisbury is incredibly accessible for a day trip. It’s also easy to get to on the train, with more than 20 services each day from London Waterloo to Exeter St David’s taking around three hours depending on the operator you go with. According to Trainline, tickets for this journey start from £14.60 when you book in advance.
