Visitor numbers steadily climb at Salisbury Cathedral

There's some encouraging news from Salisbury Cathedral, visitor bookings have been 'steadily climbing' with over 14,500 people checking out the famous building in July.

Whilst not quite back to pre-pandemic levels the news will be encouraging for Cathedral bosses and the wider tourism industry.

With staycations and UK travel on a high this summer Salisbury Cathedral have put together a programme of experiences and encounters to entertain visitors.

Private tower tours to the famous Spire, the tallest in the country, resume on Monday 16th August.

The Cathedral is also holding its first exhibition since reopening after the last lockdown.

Threads Through Creation consists of 12 enormous embroidery panels stitched onto antique bedsheets and retells the story of Genesis, the first book in the Bible.

A programme of daily demonstrations and encounters for visitors are now up and running too, designed to bring to life behind-the-scenes activities that have been part Cathedral’s working life for hundreds of years.

Demonstrations of the world's oldest working mechanical clock return whilst you can also watch the Cathedral stonemasons at work in the Cloisters or take a Stained Glass tour.

In the Morning Chapel Thursday’s Vestments and Vergers encounter introduces visitors to the colour code that dictates what the clergy wear to conduct services and the Sarum Rite, a form of worship created by Salisbury Cathedral.

All demonstrations and encounters are free of charge with Cathedral entrance.

CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES

Children’s activities are also planned for the holidays.

Alongside a special summer Salisbury Cathedral Children’s Trail (available from 17 August), Weaving Workshops are being run weekly in the Cloisters starting from 11 August.

The workshops can be tailored to suit all ages, and children can choose which design they want to work on, choosing from a range that includes flowers, turtles, and butterflies.

Workshop tables cost £6 for a table of six (must include one adult) and the sessions run hourly from 10am-2pm ( on Wednesday 11 August, Wednesday 18 August and Wednesday 25 August.

You can find more about the encounters and experiences on offer via the Cathedral's website wwww.salisburycathedral.org.uk

All visitors are strongly encouraged to wear masks and observe social distancing.

Those who do not want to, or are exempt from wearing a mask, will not be refused entry, but the Cathedral team are ask everyone "to respect other people when they visit and be sensitive to their wish to social distance."

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