Family day out: Salisbury cathedral with kids
My daughter looked at me aghast. ‘They wrote on skin?!’ she said. ‘Animal skin,’ I clarified quickly. The appalled expression on her small face suggested this wasn’t much of an improvement.
It all started with Magna Carta. Showing my four-year-old one of the few original copies remaining, currently on display at Salisbury Cathedral, I had been attempting to explain the significance of this historic document helped along by some of the family-friendly exhibits.
We’d navigated pens made from feathers and ink made from trees and metal relatively successfully – weird but acceptable, it seemed. Then I decided to explain just how rare and expensive paper was, and how vellum was used instead. Cue dropped jaw. It’s never boring, travelling with kids!
Salisbury itself is somewhere I never tire of visiting. I’ve been several times before, wandering through the cloisters and 750-year-old cathedral, ambling around the city itself with its pretty buildings and historic walls and gates dotted around.
The last time I went was shortly before I became pregnant, an anniversary getaway. So five years later, looking for a good place to stop on the way to our half-term break in Devon, I realised Salisbury was almost exactly half-way. Plan made.
As ever, my chronological optimism played its part – it’s not really possible to do a 90-minute treasure trail, explore the cathedral, cloister and Magna Carta exhibition, have lunch with a four-year-old and pick up a few last holiday essentials in 3 1/2 hours.
But the sun shone, the sky was blue, and the cathedral is as stunning as ever.
Starting in the Chapter House, getting that glimpse of the Magna Carta and wondering how to explain to my daughter how a group of hugely privileged men (barons) challenging another hugely privileged man (King John) had influenced democracy across the world today, it was lovely to see the family-friendly exhibits to appeal even to younger visitors.
From spotting carvings around the beautifully carved Chapter House (including some foxes at the base of a column, which I’d certainly never noticed before) to those quill feathers, it kept her interested until Sunday service was over and we could head into the cathedral.
The medieval effigies are as fascinating to investigate when you’re four as when you’re 40.
If I was reading about William Longspee, illegitimate son of Henry II, Minnie was discovering that some of the stone statues had their feet resting on a dog or lion, while others had armour covering their mouths. Could they still talk then? she wondered. Good question.
Over the font, with its constantly running water, hangs a coloured sculpture reflected in the water, its wires running up to the nave high above. There are modern sculpture dotted around the cathedral, some more accessible than others, but all thought provoking as you wander through.
The world’s oldest working mechanical clock still ticks too, its cogs turning impassively against the march of time. And everywhere you look are beautiful stone carvings, glorious stained glass in the windows and little details which needed far more time than I had to appreciate them.
The murder mystery Treasure Trail that I’d picked up online also takes you through the cathedral for clues – entry is by donation only so it needn’t cost extra – but unfortunately by the time I read it properly and realised, it was time for lunch and then to leave.
I can’t regret spending our time focused on the building itself though.
And it gives me an excuse to return before another five years are up. 800 years on, Magna Carta is still going strong after all.
Need to know: Salisbury with kids
The cathedral is free to enter, although donations are requested – suggested amount £7.50 for adults. There are Cathedral trails for eight to 12-year-olds, Explorer bags aimed at five plus (for a deposit), and a Ghost Knight trail based on the Cornelia Funke book (affiliate link*) for more family-friendly ways to explore Salisbury cathedral with kids.
For more suggestions, check out my post on visiting Salisbury with kids
PIN FOR LATER: SALISBURY CATHEDRAL WITH KIDS
Images copyright MummyTravels
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The intricate details and the grandeur of these cathedrals make them really photogenic spots. Your photos of the cathedral are amazing!
xo,
Abby of GlobalGirlTravels.com
Thank you! They are just incredible creations
Lovely pics – I would love to visit. Hadnt realised you could see the Magna Carta there #citytripping
Yes, they have a page on display in a special dimmed area to preserve it – amazing it’s survived
Effigies are intriguing to a 40 year old for sure! Not saying I’m 40 but… Almost there. The ghost knight tour sounds like an interesting way to visit the cathedral.. #CityTripping
A lady never tells, right Pretty fascinating place for anyone I think.
I vaguely remember visiting the cathedral when a child and remember precisely nothing except the journey home with my friends. I really should revisit! Especially as the vicar who married us is now bishop there…so I suppose we should really join in the service. #citytripping
Oh you really should – Salisbury is lovely and day trippable, especially if you know the top man 🙂
I’ve never been but I’d love to go one day. It looks absolutely gorgeous and I love the amount of history that places like this carry.
It’s astonishing to think of the changes over the centuries it’s stood. Such a lovely building too.
I too hadn’t realised that you could see the Magna Carta at Salisbury Cathedral and great pics
#citytripping
Thanks – the exhibition always seems slightly different (unless it’s my memory) but getting to see the document itself is amazing
Looks beautiful! I love that there is a treasure hunt for kids to take part in. What a great way to get them interested in the history and noticing the details of a place! I imagine it certainly makes it easier for any adults with them to fully enjoy the cathedral without feeling quite as rushed. #citytripping
Definitely- the treasure hunt is a separate company online but having done another, it’s a fun way to explore.
I love your photos! I’ve been to Salisbury and have visited the cathedral but now I’m kicking myself for not going inside! #citytripping
Thank you! It is stunning- next time you must…
Beautiful pictures! The details on those old cathedrals are so amazing. I can’t even imagine how much work went into the construction of them. I would love to visit on day and view the Magna Carta.
#citytripping
They are incredible aren’t they- every surface has some carving or detail, and the soaring ceiling is spectacular even today.
The murder mystery treasure trail sounds fascinating. After you mentioned it, I actually looked it up to find more about it. That is totally my thing. #citytripping
They have loads around the country – hope you get to try one out. I love that sort of thing too, and we actually did a different one in Devon last week which was really fun.
I do enjoy a good fusion of ancient monuments and modern art; tastefully done, it invigorates the surroundings and stimulates the imagination. I’ve often longed to visit Salisbury cathedral and will have to bump it up my priority list. Thanks for the #CityTripping link up!
Salisbury is wonderful- so much to see (even without the changing exhibits). Thanks for linking!
Thanks for sharing this post and for hosting #citytripping! I had never thought of visiting Salisbury but your photos are stunning. The nave of the cathedral is so grand and is a perfect example of early English gothic architecture.
It is stunning, the way it just soars above- and thanks for linking!
Thanks for sharing this post and for hosting #citytripping! I had never thought of visiting Salisbury but your photos are stunning. The nave of the cathedral is so grand and is a perfect example of early English gothic architecture.
Great post. I’ve not been to Salisbury Cathedral (yet). I didn’t realise they have the Worlds oldest mechanical clock – another reason to visit! #citytripping
I had forgotten until I visited again- fascinating to think how long it’s been ticking
This looks like a lovely outing. I’m adding it to my UK Wish List. The boys are oddly fascinated by all the large clocks we’ve been seeing around Europe and would love to see the worlds oldest! haha. Thanks for sharing lots of great tips for a visit. #citytripping
It doesn’t have the impressive faces of the European ones (or any face actually!) but is still fascinating- and Salisbury is always worth a stop
The cathedral is a thing of beauty – I’ve never visited myself but would happily do so. Not only is it beautiful, but steeped in history too.
Absolutely- so much to see and discover
Love how family friendly the cathedral is..and to see the Magna Carta – what a history lesson for Minnie! #citytripping
Definitely (although there were stern warnings about exactly what would happen if she didn’t behave in a cathedral!) Was lovely to see it through her eyes.
It’s lovely that your daughter is also interested in exploring places. I am looking forward to the time when I can take my niece around. She is two and is at the stage, when all she wants to do is run around. Enjoyed reading your post and beautiful photos! #CityTripping
It is great to see her appreciating places more, starting to put a picture together of what she’s seen- very fun.
It’s been a long time since we have been to Salisbury, just reading through this post reminded me how beautiful it is. We must pay a visit with the kids, I’m sure they will love it there. #citytripping
I’ve always been warier of visiting cathedrals with my daughter than castles, for instance, but there was do much to entertain her there.
Thanks for this! Now I know what to do with Salisbury Cathedral 😉 #citytripping
Pleasure – hope you get to visit
More places for me to add to my ever-growing list in the UK! 😀 #citytripping
Sounds like my list – only gets longer, never shorter!
Really interesting detail in here. You’ve set me off wondering why it was that the dignitaries rested their feet on their pets/animal! Cathedrals can be enjoyed on so many different levels, and you’ve captured that in this post – love it. And thanks so much for linking up with #CulturedKids!
Thanks! There’s so much symbolism in all the statues and carvings – dogs show loyalty and fidelity apparently, lions are usually for royalty but some also have animals from their coat of arms too. All really fascinating!
Love it when they give you explorer kits to use too. I’ve pinned for later too, thanks
It’s a great way to explore- and thanks!
I was looking forward to this, Cathy. I grew up just outside Salisbury so know the cathedral well. Funnily enough my youngest son went for the first time this week with his grandparents and was fascinated by the Magna Carta. I haven’t been back in ages. I must plan a return visit and do all the chid-friendly activities on offer. #CulturedKids
It would be so interesting to visit with your kids- see it again through their eyes. Lovely that your son was fascinated by Magna Carta too, it’s so incredible to be able to see it still.
Thoroughly enjoyed the read. I’m ‘chronologically optimistic’ too (love that) so it’s good to have a breakdown of what’s actually doable if and hopefully when we do visit this landmark. Randomly I read it as ‘William Long pee’ cue very ridiculous giggling from inner child 😉 x
Thanks! It’s a good phrase isn’t it – read it somewhere and realised that was a perfect description of me. Am now sniggering along with you too 🙂