I have heard of people somehow disappointed by the size of Stonhenge - really?!? Obviously they didn't take the time to consider who built it, and when, never mind the why. It is truly mind-boggling to imagine a people taking time out from their hard existence and not only decide to build this, but to somehow relocate the stones hundreds of miles (in deference to the local measurement system), shape them, and then construct them into a circle that also happens to align with the summer solstice sunrise and the winter solstice sunset.
I was glad to visit when I did - not only a day clear of rain (although cold), but also relatively clear of tourists; during Summer there are up to 9,000 visitors daily. I could thankfully take whatever time I chose, without too much jostling with others. And while it may be a little disappointing that you can't actually touch the stones or walk around within the circle, it somehow leaves just a little more mystery, and forces you to stand back and appreciate the whole for what it is - I am actually glad for that experience.
Old Sarum
No photographs of Old Sarum, as it's not that photogenic really; however, definitely worth a visit. Just to the north of Salisbury, it is the site of a bronze-age hill-top fort, which was the later site of a Norman castle. The ramparts are simply stunning, and wandering around you can imagine the protection one would have felt behind thick brick stone walls looking down on the full surroundings laid out below. However, after the cathedral was moved from this spot to Salisbury below (and what a structure that is), the castle fell into disrepair.
Salisbury Cathedral
A beautiful structure at heart of this medieval city; once again, the craftsmanship truly makes you stand back and admire the people who crafted the building. There is an exquisite blending of functionality with form, which is truly pleasing to the eye.
The modern font in the heart of the cathedral is magnificent - the reflections on the mirror-like stillness of the top of the water, while water cascades from the four spouts; a very nice addition.
Salisbury Cathedral also houses the finest of the four known remaining of the original Magna Carta, housed in a lovely building called the chapter house - the room where cathedral business was conducted, and called a chapter house because at the start of each meeting, a chapter from the bible would be read aloud.