The city of Salisbury seen from the outer bank of Old Sarum which was originally an Iron Age camp on a hill a few miles south of Stonehenge. Later the Normans built a castle and cathedral on it calling it Sarum. It became apparent that the site was not large enough to accommodate the authority of both Church and castle and so a new cathedral was started a few miles to the south.

This site was called New Sarum which later became Salisbury and the site of the old city became known as Old Sarum.

Salisbury is Wiltshire's only city but is not the county town.

Salisbury used to have four market crosses. This is the sole remaining cross and is known as the Poultry Cross. The other crosses were for Cheese, Wool & Yarn and livestock.

The first Poultry Cross was early 14th Century but the current one dates from the late 15th Century. The others have long since disappeared.

The inner mound of Old Sarum seen from the top of the outer bank. This property is owned by English Heritage who charge a fee for entry to the inner mound. There is a free car park between the inner and outer banks accessed by a very narrow lane and entry to the outer area is free.

The cathedral and most of the old town were situated in this outer area with the castle and palace being on the inner mound. Only the foundations of the cathedral remain and very little of the castle.

Just a few miles east from Old Sarum is Figsbury Ring - an Iron Age Hill Fort covering some 15.5 acres. Figsbury Ring is somewhat different from other hill forts in Wiltshire in having an internal ditch in addition to the typical external ones.

From the south-western edge of the outer bank one can see the spire of Salisbury in the distance on a clear day.