---
title: "Salisbury Cathedral"
description: "Located in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Built Foundations 28 April 1220; body completed by 1266; cloisters and chapter house c.1270–79; tower and spire after 1330. Diocese of Salisbury. Grade I. Early English Gothic style."
category: "Church"
tags: ["Church","Church of England","Wiltshire","Cathedral","Salisbury","Grade I","Early English Gothic","Diocese of Salisbury"]
canonical: "https://thebritishgazette.com/post/salisbury-cathedral-salisbury"
pubDate: "2026-09-06T02:37:05.399Z"
dateModified: "2026-09-08T00:33:18.313Z"
location: "Salisbury, Wiltshire"
country: "England"
county: "Wiltshire"
town: "Salisbury"
address: "The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2EF"
postcode: "SP1 2EF"
built: "Foundations 28 April 1220; body completed by 1266; cloisters and chapter house c.1270–79; tower and spire after 1330"
consecrated: "1225 (east end); 1258; 1266 (completion)"
denomination: "Church of England"
dedications: ["Mary"]
diocese: "Salisbury"
grade: "I"
style: "Early English Gothic"
materials: "Chilmark limestone walls with Purbeck marble shafts"
website: "https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/"
openingHours: "Cathedral is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 12pm to 4pm."
parish: "Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary"
listEntryUrl: "https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1023581"
gridReference: "SU 143 295"
accessNotes: "Accessible toilets in church. Accessible toilets nearby. Level access to the main areas. Non-accessible toilets in church"
---

# Salisbury Cathedral

The Cathedral Church of St Mary is a Grade I Early English cathedral in the Close at Salisbury, Wiltshire, the seat of the Bishop of Salisbury. It replaced the Norman cathedral at Old Sarum.

## Overview

Historic England records foundations laid on 25 April 1220 (the cathedral’s own history gives 28 April 1220), consecration of the east end in 1225, further consecrations in 1258 and on completion in 1266, cloisters and chapter house of about 1270–79, and a tower raised by two stages with a spire added after 1330. James Wyatt restored the building from 1789, when chapels flanking the Lady Chapel (1464 and 1481) were destroyed and a detached belfry on the north-west side was taken down. Tombs of bishops from Old Sarum, including William Longespée and Jocelin, were transferred here. The listing NGR is SU 143 295.

Unlike most English cathedrals, Salisbury was built in a single campaign on a clear site. Wikipedia describes light grey Chilmark stone walls and dark polished Purbeck marble shafts, a tall narrow nave and a small clerestory. The cathedral stands in England’s largest close, which Historic England calls a group of the first importance. The present lawns cover former churchyard tombstones, many slabs remaining about a foot below the ground.

## Further Information

- [Historic England list entry 1023581](https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1023581)
- [Salisbury Cathedral: The cathedral that moved](https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/discover/history/the-cathedral-that-moved/)