Market Square and Guildhall, Salisbury

Welcome to Salisbury鈥檚 Market Square and Guildhall鈥攖he historic heart of the city. For centuries, this place has buzzed with life, hosting markets every week since the Middle Ages. When you wander through here, you鈥檙e treading the same ground as medieval merchants, Victorian traders, and the modern-day locals who come to buy everything from fresh produce to unique crafts.

Back in 1361, Tuesdays and Saturdays became official market days. And just like now, you could get almost anything. Each type of good even had its own street name: Fish Row, Silver Street, Oatmeal Row, Ox Row, Butchers Row. It was a medieval shopping mall before shopping malls existed.

At the square鈥檚 northern end stands the Guildhall, a stately Georgian structure completed in 1795. With its neoclassical facade and six grand Doric columns, this building has been the backdrop for civic ceremonies, elegant banquets, and lively public meetings for over two centuries. Inside, you鈥檒l find richly paneled rooms, intricate plaster ceilings, and portraits that tell the city鈥檚 story through the ages. Notable visitors have included King George III, Lord Nelson, Princess Diana, and Queen Elizabeth II.

These days, the Guildhall still serves as a hub for local government but also hosts exhibitions, concerts, and community events. Make sure to spot the historic coat of arms on the facade and step inside to marvel at the grand staircase and elegant interior. If you鈥檙e lucky, you might even catch a special event or artisan fair happening right in the square.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Salisbury. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Market Square and Guildhall
Sight Location: Salisbury, England (See walking tours in Salisbury)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Salisbury Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Salisbury, England

Create Your Own Walk in Salisbury

Creating your own self-guided walk in Salisbury is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Cathedral Close Tour

Salisbury Cathedral, apart from being renowned as the holder of Britain鈥檚 tallest spire, the world鈥檚 best preserved original copy of Magna Carta (1215) and Europe鈥檚 oldest working clock, is also famous for its Close, the largest in the country, measuring 80 acres (or 32 hectares).

The areas surrounding cathedrals' grounds, sometimes extending for hundreds of meters from the main... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles

Historical Houses Tour

Founded more than 800 years ago, Salisbury understandably has a great number of historical, architectural, and cultural gems worthy of a visit. The medieval houses, churches, inns, and hospitals blend harmoniously with the modern sites of the city.

Your exploration of these treasures can be started at Trinity Hospital, a picturesque almshouse founded in the 14th century, offering a glimpse... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles

Salisbury Introduction Walking Tour

Salisbury鈥檚 roots lie in Old Sarum, an Iron Age hillfort located about two miles from today鈥檚 city center. The Romans and Saxons each left their mark on this ancient settlement, which became a significant town by the 11th century. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, Old Sarum grew into a fortress town, hosting a castle and becoming the seat of the Salisbury Bishopric in 1075. Yet the site鈥檚... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles

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