Page 75 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

ENGLAND  73

Merlin, but actually made in the
13th century.
The Westgate Museum is one
of two surviving 12th-century
gatehouses in the city wall. The
room (once a prison) above the
gate has a glorious 16th-century
painted ceiling.
Winchester has been an
ecclesiastical center for centuries.
Its fine cathedral was begun in
1079. Originally a Benedictine The awe-inspiring megaliths of Stonehenge, Salisbury Plain
monastery, it has preserved
much of its Norman architecture makes a fine setting for Salisbury’s 7 Stonehenge
despite numerous alterations. cathedral. In the medieval King’s Off A303, Wiltshire. Tel 0870-333 1181.
The writer Jane Austen is buried House, the Salis bury and @ 3 from Salisbury. Open daily.
here. Built around 1110, Wolvesey South Wiltshire Muse um has Closed Dec 24 & 25. & 8 - 7
Castle, once home of the bishops displays on early man,
of Winchester, now lies in ruins. Stonehenge, and Old Sarum. Built in several stages from
Beyond the walls of the about 3000 BC onward,
P Great Hall Cathedral Close, Salisbury Stonehenge is Europe’s most
Castle Ave. Tel 01962-846 476. developed its chessboard famous prehistoric monument.
Open 10am–5pm daily. layout, with areas devoted to We can only guess at the rituals
Closed Dec 25, 26. 7 different trades, perpetuated that took place here, but the
in street names such as Fish alignment of the stones leaves
Row and Butcher Row. little doubt that the circle
The busy High Street leads to reflects the changing trajectory
the 13th-century Church of St. of the sun through the sky and
Thomas, which has a lovely the passing of the seasons.
carved timber roof (1450). Stonehenge’s monumental
Nearby, on Silver Street, scale is all the more impressive
Poultry Cross was built in the given that the only available
15th century as a covered tools were made of stone,
poultry market. In the bustling wood, and bone. To quarry,
Market Place, many of the brick transport, and erect the huge
and tile-hung Georgian facades stones, its builders must have
conceal medieval houses. had the command of immense
resources and pools of labor.
The 13th-century Round Table in the Great R Cathedral Stonehenge was completed
Hall, Winchester The Close. Tel 01722-555 120. in about 1250 BC; despite
Open daily. & donation. 8 7 popular belief, it was not built
6 Salisbury ∑ salisburycathedral.org.uk by the Druids, who flourished
Wiltshire. * 40,000. £ @ n Fish E Salisbury and South in Britain 1,000 years later.
Row (01722-342 860). ( Tue & Sat. Wiltshire Museum The spectacular visitor center,
_ Salisbury International Arts Festival The Close. Tel 01722-332 151. located 2.4 km (1.5 miles) from
(end May–mid-Jun). Open Mon–Sat (Jun–Sep: Sun pm). the stones, presents a history
Closed Jan 1, Dec 25 & 26. & 7 of the site and there is a museum
Salisbury was founded in 1220, limited. ∑ salisburymuseum.org.uk packed with priceless artifacts.
when the Norman hilltop
settlement of Old Sarum was
abandoned in favor of a site
amid lush water meadows,
where the Nadder, Bourne,
Avon, Ebble, and Wylye meet.
A cathedral was built here in
the early 13th century. It is a fine
example of the Early English style
of Gothic architecture, typified
by tall, pointed lancet windows.
The magnificent landmark spire
is the tallest in England.
The spacious and tranquil
Close, with its schools, alms-
houses, and clergy housing, Sculpture by Elisabeth Frink (1930–93) in Cathedral Close, Salisbury

072-073_EW_Europe.indd 73 14/07/16 10:12 am