Group Visits
When you need help planning your group visit whether it's advice on timings, refreshments or other practical matters, contact our Visitors’ Coordinator on 01722 555 120 or email groups@salcath.co.uk You may prefer to use our group booking form here.
Click here for the 2013/2014 Visitor Facilities information
Click here for 2013/2014 Group Visits information
Whilst pre-booking is not essential, we recommend you let us know when you are coming. Should a service be arranged at short notice, we will be able to advise you of any changes to opening times.
Click here
for opening times of the Cathedral, Chapter House, shop and restaurant.
General Information for groups
Length of visit
Allow between 45 minutes – 2 hours as tours can be adjusted to meet your schedule. You may wish to extend your stay with time for refreshments in the spectacular glass roofed restaurant, or by adding a tower tour.
Donations
To help cover day to day running costs, Salisbury Cathedral operates a suggested voluntary donations scheme. For pre-booked groups:
From 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 they are:
(minimum 10 people)
Adults - £5.25* and Children (5-17 years) £2.50*£5.50 per adult for groups who do not pre-book or use our voucher scheme.
Group organisers may wish to make a donation on the day by cash, cheque or credit card. Provision can also be made, in advance of your visit, for your donation to be made by way of a voucher, and/or invoice-type arrangement. Cheques should be made payable to 'Salisbury Cathedral'.
Tower Tours
Tower tours operate on a scheduled basis for most of the year, but must be pre-booked for all groups. For more information and prices, click here.
Coach Access
There is no access to the Cathedral Close for coaches. The Cathedral has a designated coach drop-off and pick-up point in St John Street. Pedestrian access is via St Ann Gate or the High St Gate. Coach parking is provided in the Millstream Coach Park and Britford Park & Ride. We offer free access to the Cathedral for coach drivers and guides. However, we appreciate the problems for coach drivers on short visits and suggest they use the facilities at the Millstream Coach Park rest-room. Access by key pad. For number phone 01722 334 956.
A special leaflet is available on request with details of the coach drop-off, pick-up and parking sites. You can also download it here.
Please note: Coaches are not permitted to enter The Close
Guides and guided tours
The Cathedral offers the services of its trained volunteer guides at no extra cost. Groups may wish to pre-book a guided tour with either English or foreign language speaking guides. Guides with specialist knowledge in Architecture, Stained Glass, Embroidery or Art & Sculpture can also be pre-booked.
Salisbury is also well served by a number of professional Blue Badge Guides. These can be contacted via Visitor Services.
Some groups may prefer a brief introductory talk and then walk around the Cathedral at their own leisure using our free self guiding leaflets available in 15 languages. The Cathedral offers free access to all recognised guides.
| Volunteer guides are normally on duty at the following times | |
|---|---|
| Monday - Saturday | 9.30am - 4.00pm (Apr - Oct) |
| 10.00am - 4.00pm (Nov - Mar) | |
| Sundays | 12.00 - 4.00pm |
Church visits and pilgrimages
Salisbury Cathedral is keen to encourage visits from Church, Deanery and Diocesan groups. We welcome many parties from all over the world.
UK School visits
All UK school visits are now handled by the Cathedral's Education Centre. Situated at Wren Hall, in the Cathedral Close, they will help you arrange special programmes to meet the National Curriculum, or other educational needs. Tel: 01722 555 180 or email: education@salcath.co.uk. For more information click here
Refreshments for groups
The fully licensed Refectory Restaurant offers refreshments throughout the day including morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea, all freshly prepared. It is open to visitors, pre-booked groups and for private evening functions. Relax and enjoy the stunning view through the glass roof to the spire soaring 123m (404ft) above you.
Special prices for pre-booked groups (minimum 15 people), in the Refectory Restaurant include:
| Tea (or coffee) and shortbread | £3.00 |
|---|---|
| Tea (or coffee) and Victoria sponge cake | £4.50 |
| Cream Tea (tea, scone, jam, cream) | £3.75 |
Lunches
Freshly prepared hot lunches are served daily in the Refectory Restaurant between 12.00pm and 2.00pm. Groups have the option of the following price lunches.
- Option 1 – Soup and sandwiches with fresh filter coffee £6.50
- Option 2 – Ploughman’s lunch with a cup of fresh filter coffee £6.50
- Option 3 – Hot lunch with fresh filter coffee £9.50
- Option 4 - Two course hot lunch with fresh filter coffee £13.00
A vegetarian option is available with all our lunch menus and should be pre-booked when confirming final numbers. All catering prices quoted are per person including VAT @ 17.5%
Accommodation for groups
Salisbury offers a range of hotels able to accommodate groups. Please contact the Salisbury Tourist Information Centre: 01722 334956, email visitorinfo@salisbury.gov.uk or visit www.visitwiltshire.co.uk.
Sarum College, situated in the Cathedral Close, provides a unique setting for groups and residential conferences. 38 rooms - 10 with private facilities. Tel: 01722 424 800 or email: admin@sarum.ac.uk.
Functions and Conferences
The Refectory Restaurant is available in the evening for events such as receptions, dinners and presentations. Other venues available at the Cathedral are: the Chapter House, Cloisters or a marquee on the Chapter House Lawn. For reservations or more information please telephone: 01722 555 175.