Group Visits
When you need help planning your group visit whether it's advice on timings, refreshments or other practical
matters, contact our Group Visits Coordinator in Visitor Services on 01722 555 124 or email
groups@salcath.co.uk
or you may prefer to use our group booking form.
Click here for our group booking form.
Whilst pre-booking is not essential, we do ask and recommend that you let us know when you are coming. Then
if a service is 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
A leisurely tour of the Cathedral, Chapter House and Magna Carta takes over an hour, although 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. We suggest you allow about 2 hours for a relaxed visit to include the walk to/from the coach drop off point, a tour and refreshment break.
Donations
To help cover day to day running costs, Salisbury Cathedral operates a suggested voluntary donations scheme.
For pre-booked groups:
From 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 they are:
Adults - £3.75 and Children (5-17 years) £2.50
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 552 366.
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, either with a specialist knowledge, English or non-English speaking guide subject to the availability of foreign language speaking guides. Evening guiding is also available Monday-Saturday, mid-June to August between 6.30pm and 7.15pm.
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 use the free-flow system and free leaflet which allows you to move round at your own pace, exploring aspects of particular interest to you.
The Cathedral offers free access to all recognised guides.
| Volunteer guides are normally on duty at the following times | |
|---|---|
| Monday - Saturday | 9.30am - 4.45pm (Apr - Oct) |
| 10.00am - 4.00pm (Nov - Mar) | |
| Sundays | 4.00pm - 6.15pm (Apr - Oct) |
| Evenings (Mon-Sat) | 6.30pm - 7.15pm (Jun - Aug) |
For pre-booked groups we can usually provide a guide at any time.
For complete days out for groups, click here.
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 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
Informal concerts
Visiting choirs are invited to give informal lunch time concerts as part of the Cathedral's music programme. The charge of £8.00 per person includes a tour of the Cathedral and signed certificate. For further details please contact Pam Court in the Music Department: 01722 555 125 or email: p.court@salcath.co.uk.
Refreshment 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 | £2.25 |
|---|---|
| Tea (or coffee) and Victoria sponge cake | £3.50 |
| Cream Tea (tea, scone, jam, cream) | £3.15 |
| Refreshment vouchers (From) | £2.50 |
Lunches
Freshly prepared hot lunches are served daily in the Refectory Restaurant between 12.00pm and 2.00pm. To enable you to offer maximum flexibility and cost saving for your group, lunches served here will be based on a voucher system. You decide how many courses you wish to include in the cost of your package. Members of your group can make their choice on the day from the buffet selection. There is no fixed time for your lunch as you do not have to reserve tables in advance. Party members simply go through to the restaurant as and when it suits them.
| One course lunch with coffee | £7.50 |
|---|---|
| Two course lunch with coffee | £10.00 |
| Picnic lunch (to take away with you) |
£5.00 |
Sample daily buffet selection
- Soup of the day
- Breast of chicken in smoked bacon, red wine, onion and thyme sauce with seasonal vegetables
- Mushroom and courgette stroganoff with turmeric rice
- Peppered fillet of salmon with butternut squash, parmesan dip and salads
- Selection of freshly prepared puddings
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 Tourism Partnership: 01722 434 359. or www.visitsalisbury.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.