Salisbury's High Street Gate
High Street Gate is the main entrance to Salisbury's Cathedral Close.
Built between 1327 and 1342 the High Street gate was once a key access point to the rest of the city.
It was constructed in troubling times, during the reign of Edward III and during the 100 year war (with France).
It’s one of the five entries in Salisbury’s old city wall, and today, it’s remarkably well-preserved.
The others include the 14th-century St Ann’s Gate, Queen’s Gate and St Nicholas’s Gate, as well as Wordsworth School Gate built in the 19th century.
It previously housed the small lock-up jail for those convicted of misdeeds within the Liberty of the Close.
Over the course of centuries, the structure had various modifications.
Most noticeably, a staircase leading to an upper room flanking the carriageway on the one side was added in the late 15th century.
A new roof (replaced in 1901) and a door was later added to the nearby Porter's Lodge in the 17th century.
The lodge housed the Close porter, a much sought-after sinecure for the servants of kings and nobles in the Middle Ages.
As mentioned, it was the main entrance to the Cathedral - and Salisbury grew to be one of the largest towns in England by the 15th century with a population of perhaps 8,000.
Work on Salisbury Cathedral began in 1220 and continued until 1258.
Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire is perhaps the finest example of Early English Gothic architecture in existence.
It famously features the UK’s tallest church spire and the best surviving of the four remaining copies of the 800 year-old Magna Carta.
The cathedral is also home to the world’s oldest working mechanical clock dating back to c.1386 and has a magnificent collection of medieval stained glass windows including the Rose Window.
However, the undoubted star attraction is the presence of perhaps the single most important document in all of English history – the Magna Carta.
Only four copies have survived since 1215 and Salisbury has the best preserved.
It is thought it was brought to the cathedral in the days after the signing at Runnymede by Elias of Dereham, later Canon of Salisbury, who was charged with distributing the copies.
The other three, two are at the British Library and the third is at Lincoln Cathedral.
Today, the iconic High Street Gate is remarkably well-preserved, and still stands in the heart of the city.
High Street Gate has lovely reviews on TripAdvisor.
One recent visitor said: “What is great to see with all these old cathedrals is the way they were once walled and there entrance gates have been incorporated into the city as it grew around those gates.
”We actually had the opportunity to both drive and walk through this gate on the way to the Cathedral. On our return to our car at the cathedral, we stopped at a fudge shop on the town side of the gate for dessert.
”Again it is not what you come to see but an added, cool bonus once you get here.”
The cathedral has raving reviews too, one recent visitor said: “An amazing building and well worth a visit.
”We did a Tower Tour and was worth every penny and hearing the history was brilliant. There are a lot of steps but you exit onto various levels which gives your legs a break!
”Before you book, make sure you are ok with heights and small places as once the tour has started there is no going back or waiting on your own.”
Another person added: “Do not miss this extraordinary Cathedral. There are docents who are incredibly knowledgeable and were so generous answering all our questions.
”We have seen sooooo many Cathedrals, but this one is special. Easy to get your timed tickets in advance & collect them & walk right in. They have public toilets and a little café.”
If you’d like to visit the High Street Gate, the address is: Salisbury SP1 2PE.
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