Salisbury Museums and Art Galleries
(Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, UK)
A city steeped in history, Salisbury contains a healthy selection of museums, a number of which are based around the famous Cathedral Close. These include the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum, the Wardrobe Military Museum, Mompesson House and the Medieval Hall, all of which are just a stroll away from the actual cathedral.
If you prefer art galleries, then the Salisbury Arts Centre on Bedwin Street is well worth a look and is housed within the rather splendid St. Edmund's Church, which is actually an important Grade-II listed building. Just outside of the city, the Wilton Carpet Factory stands close to Wilton House and is famous in Wiltshire for its historic carpet making industry, which dates back almost 300 years.
Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum
Address: The King's House, 65 The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2EN, England
Tel: +44 (0)1722 332151
The Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum, situated in the Cathedral Close in the heart of the city, is one of the most popular cultural attractions of its kind in Wiltshire. Attractions at the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum include an award-winning, redesigned Stonehenge gallery, the Monkton Deverill gold torc, paintings - including some excellent watercolours by Turner, the famous Warminster Jewel, displays of pottery, porcelain and Wedgwood, and many other important and interesting historic and archaeologic collections. This cultural highlight has been designated as one of national importance.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discount available for children and families, children five years old and under are free
The Wardrobe Military Museum
Address: 58 The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2EX, England
Tel: +44 (0)1722 419419
The Wardrobe Military Museum, often known simply as 'The Wardrobe', is situated next to the stunning Salisbury Cathedral and this building houses the museum of the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment. This historic building dates back to the mid-13th century and became known as 'The Wardrobe' as it was regularly used as a clothing store by local bishops in the 14th century. This attraction has many fascinating exhibits, include displays about the history, training and lifestyle of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, the Wiltshire Regiment and the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment. Other attractions at the Wardrobe include large, landscaped gardens, which lead down to the nearby River Avon, and a highly-acclaimed restaurant in the 16th-century coach house.
Open hours: February to December, daily - 10:00 to 17:00, April to October, daily - 10:00 yo 17:00, February, March, November and December, Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discount available for children and families
Mompesson House
Address: The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2EL, England
Tel: +44 (0)1722 335659
Mompesson House, owned by the National Trust, is over 300 years old and can be found in Salisbury's famous Cathedral Close. This historic building is an excellent example of Queen Anne architecture and attractions include an elegant interior, period features and plasterwork, an impressive oak staircase, and a number of splendid paintings. Other attractions at Mompesson House include antique furniture, a walled garden area and a popular tea room. Mompesson House is famous in Salisbury for appearing in the award-winning Lane Austen film 'Sense and Sensibility'.
Open hours: April to October, Saturday to Wednesday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discount available for children and families
The Medieval Hall
Address: The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2EY, England
Tel: +44 (0)1722 412472
This Medieval Hall is situated in Cathedral Close, close to Salisbury Cathedral. This magnificent 13th-century banqueting hall features a museum area, with information about the history and construction of the Medieval Hall itself, including a 30-minute film about Salisbury through the ages.
Open hours: daily, April to September - 11:00 to 18:00
Admission: free
Wilton Carpet Factory
Address: The Original Weaving Works, King Street, Wilton, Wiltshire, SP2 OAY, England
Tel: +44 (0)1722 744919
The Wilton Carpet Factory is situated on the outskirts of Salisbury, close to Wilton House. There are a number of interesting exhibits and displays about the history of Axminster carpet making at this illustrious factory. Attractions at the nearby Wilton Carpet Factory include the 18th-century courtyard, regular hand-weaving demonstrations, guided tours, and the Wilton Town Museum, with interesting information about the 1000-year history of Wilton itself.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:30 to 17:30, Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discount available for seniors, children and families
Salisbury Arts Centre
Address: Bedwin Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 3UT, England
Tel: +44 (0)1722 321744
The Salisbury Arts Centre is a popular attraction in the Salisbury area and was established around 30 years ago. With regular theatrical performances, dance, music, family shows, workshops and art exhibits in the gallery area, the Arts Centre also features a number of demonstrations throughout the year. Close by is the Royal George public house, should you fancy a spot of pub grub after checking out the gallery's art works.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:30
Other art galleries nearby Salisbury include:
- Victoria Art Gallery
Address: Bridge Street, Bath, North-East Somerset, England, BA2 4AT
- Holburne Museum of Art
Address: Great Pulteney Street, Bath, North-East Somerset, England, BA2 4DB
- St. James' Art Gallery
Address: St. Margaret's Buildings, Brock Street, Bath, North-East Somerset, England, BA1 2LP
- Beaux Arts Gallery
Address: 12 to 13 York Street, Bath, North-East Somerset, England, BA1 1NG
- Six Chapel Row Art Gallery
Address: 6 Chapel Row, Bath, North-East Somerset, England, BA1 1HN
- Rostra Art Gallery
Address: 5 George Street, Bath, North-East Somerset, England, BA1 2EH
- Hotbath Art Gallery
Address: City of Bath College, Hot Bath Street, Bath, North-East Somerset, England, BA1 1UP
- Atrium Art Gallery
Address: The Podium, Northgate Street, Bath, North-East Somerset, England, BA1 5AS
- Adam Art Gallery
Address: 13 John Street, Bath, North-East Somerset, England, BA1 2JL
- The Edwin Young Collection Art Gallery
Address: Salisbury Library and Galleries, Market Place, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 1BL, England
Other museums nearby Salisbury include:
- North Somerset Museum
Address: Burlington Street, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1PR, Somerset, England
- The Edward Jenner Museum
Address: Church Lane, Berkeley, Gloucestershire, GL13 9BH, England
- Malmesbury Athelstan Museum
Address: Town Hall, Cross Hayes, Malmesbury, SN16 9BZ, England
- Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre
Address: Market Place, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3HF, England
- Crocklade Museum
Address: 16 Calcutt Street, Cricklade, Wiltshire, SN6 6DD, England
- Purton Museum
Address: 1 High Street, Purton, Wiltshire, SN5 4AA, England
- Fox Talbot Museum
Address: Lacock, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2LG, England
- Lacock Museum of Agriculture and Rural Life
Address: Wiltshire College Lackham, Lacock, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2NY, England
- Pewsey Heritage Centre
Address: Whatleys Old Foundry, Avonside, Pewsey, Wiltshire, SN9 5AF, England
- Kennet and Avon Canal Museum
Address: Canal Centre, Couch Lane, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 1EB, England
- Wiltshire Heritage Museum
Address: 41 Long Street, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 1NS, England
- Market Lavington Museum
Address: Church Street, Market Lavington, Wiltshire, England
- Redcoats in the Wardrobe Museum
Address: 58 The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2EX, England
- Bradford on Avon Museum
Address: Bridge Street, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1BY, England
- Mere Museum
Address: Public Library, Museum and Information Centre, Barton Lane, Mere, Wiltshire, BA12 6JA, England
- Wilton Town Museum and Wilton Carpet Factory Museum
Address: Kingsway, Wilton, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 OAY, England
- John Creasey Museum and The Creasey Collection of Contemporary Art
Address: Market Place, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 1BL, England
- Warminster Dewey Museum
Address: Public Library, Three Horseshoes Walk, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 9BT, England
- Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum
Address: The King's House, 65 The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2EN, England
- Fleet Air Arm Museum
Address: RNAS Yeovilton, Ilchester, Somerset, BA22 8HT, England
- Bristol Industrial Museum
Address: Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RN, England
- Helicopter Museum
Address: Weston Heliport, Locking Moor Road, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, BS24 8PP, England
- Blasie Castle House Museum
Address: Henbury Road, Henbury, Bristol, BS10 7QS, England