Salisbury Cathedral and Water Meadows

Salisbury Cathedral, which has the official name of St Mary's, was consecrated in 1258 and has the tallest church spire in the UK at 123 metres. It has the largest cloister and the largest cathedral close (80 acres) in Britain and contains the world's oldest working clock, dating from 1386. From the Cathedral close site, head north along the High Street. Pass under the old stone arch and turn left into Crane Street. Follow the road over the main river bridge and continue as it bends to the left and past a mini roundabout. As the road bends to the right, keep left onto a tarmac footpath until you reach a wooden footbridge ahead.

Cross over the bridge and go ahead along the tarmac path with open meadows either side. Over to the left you'll have views back to the cathedral. On the right look out for an information board about the water meadows. The Harnham Water Meadows are "floated" meadows, the remnant of a 17th Century farming revolution. The water courses distribute evenly over the surface in the early part of the year. This means that warm water from the chalk downs prompts rich early grass needed for grazing sheep and for hay. The meadows are now home to a wide variety of wildlife including rare species of flowers and otters. Soon afterwards you will reach a small brick bridge, and you'll notice a marker post for one of John Constable's favoured painting spots. The water meadows were made famous in Constable's painting "Salisbury Cathedral: A View from the Water Meadows." Shortly you'll come to the mill pond and weir, marking the point of the Old Mill.

Follow the main path as it crosses the mill pond past Rose Cottage, and then bends left across the weir to the Old Mill public house. Follow the path round to the right alongside the pub. Continue ahead past the Three Crowns pub on the right and you'll reach a T-junction with a road by a thatched cottage. Turn left onto the road and then after the Old Dairy, turn left onto the pavement along the main road, Harnham Road. Continue past Grasmere House Hotel and All Saints' Church on the left. Soon afterwards, turn left into the side road also called Harnham Road. Pass the Rose and Crown on the left. At the traffic lights turn left into St Nicholas Road.

Cross over the picturesque stone bridge over the river. On the right you'll pass the Community of St Nicholas Hospital which was founded in 1215. Soon afterwards, as the main road bends to the right, turn left by De Vaux House, signposted for the cathedral and museums. Pass under the stone arch and turn immediately right up the tarmac path and you will reach the cathedral again on your right.