Old Sarum
Wiltshire, England
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass
- Nearest station
- Salisbury, 1.6 miles (straight-line)
Pinpoint
Castle Rd, Salisbury SP1 3SD
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- One disabled parking bay which cannot be reserved; coaches park in a layby on the A345 opposite the Harvester pub.
- Access
- Main pathway is tarmac with a bonded gravel driveway and a steep wooden bridge; a ramp leads into the shop and a slope reaches the upper levels of the ruins.
- Facilities
- Two female toilets with baby changing and one disabled toilet; four dog bins and water bowls outside the shop.
Old Sarum layers thousands of years on one hilltop - an Iron Age hillfort, a Roman settlement, and a Norman royal castle and cathedral, all inside the same earthen ramparts, before the cathedral (and eventually the city) relocated to Salisbury below. English Heritage keeps it staffed, but the scale of the ramparts leaves plenty of space to feel like you have the place to yourself.
Worth the trip
The earthworks themselves - reviewers repeatedly note the scale of the ramparts and the view down to the cathedral city that took the site's place.
Before you go
It's an exposed hilltop with real walking involved, so dress for wind. Go for the layered history as much as the castle - most reviewers rate it for the hillfort and cathedral foundations as much as the Norman remains.
Reviewers consistently highlight the site's layered history, from Iron Age hillfort through Roman settlement to the original Salisbury Cathedral and Norman castle, along with sweeping views over the Wiltshire countryside from the earthworks. One reviewer felt the admission price was a bit steep given that much of the site can be seen from outside the paid area, and comfortable footwear is recommended given the exposed, hilly terrain.
Norman royal castle within Iron Age ramparts
“Slightly over priced, don’t feel it should be more than £5. Staff were informative and it’s a nice place to wonder around but a lot of it is outside the gate/draw bridge.”- Caïna Verrin, visitor review
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “Toilets available and parking.” - My Review
Common questions about Old Sarum
Where is Old Sarum?
Old Sarum is in Wiltshire, England, at Castle Rd, Salisbury SP1 3SD.
Do you need a ticket to visit Old Sarum?
Yes - Old Sarum is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by English Heritage. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Old Sarum?
The earthworks themselves - reviewers repeatedly note the scale of the ramparts and the view down to the cathedral city that took the site's place.
Is Old Sarum a ruin or still intact?
Old Sarum is a ruin - Norman royal castle within Iron Age ramparts.
