Poultry Cross, Salisbury

Dating all the way back to the 15th century, the Poultry Cross is the last survivor of the four market crosses that once graced the town square. Erected in 1450鈥攔ight at the height of Salisbury鈥檚 prosperity鈥攊t replaced an older High Cross that had stood since the city鈥檚 earliest days. But it didn鈥檛 always look exactly like this. The elegant curving buttresses supporting the pinnacle and cross weren鈥檛 part of the original design. They were added in the 1850s after a particularly nasty storm decided the structure could use a bit more reinforcement.

As for its long-lost siblings, there were three others: Cheese Cross in the cheese market, Bernard鈥檚 Cross for livestock, and Yarn Cross in the market square devoted to wool and yarn. As the name suggests, Poultry Cross once bustled with traders selling birds of all kinds鈥攃hickens, ducks, you name it. While the birds have since flown the coop, the cross itself remains a centerpiece of the square, now serving as a convenient rain shelter for shoppers and vendors alike. Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, market stalls spring up around it, keeping the centuries-old tradition alive.

Beyond its practical use, the Poultry Cross is a prime spot for people-watching or snapping a photo or two. The intricate stonework, weathered with age, retains a certain charm. So while the birds may be long gone, their legacy lives on.

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Sight Name: Poultry Cross
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.

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

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

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

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