About Salisbury Station
Located just to the west of the city center, Salisbury train station is the gateway to the city for many visitors. Although Salisbury is not a large town, its impressive historical monuments attract people with an interest in the past. Additionally, it's the closest town to one of the UK's top tourist attractions. Easily reached from London, Salisbury station receives around two million passengers each year.
When the railway first came to Salisbury, the city was served by three different stations operated by separate companies. Because these companies used different gauges, it was some time before the lines could be standardized and linked to one another. The current station was not the first to open in the city, but it does date back to 1859. Some of the station's existing structure is from this era, and the station has been listed as a Grade II historic building for that reason.
Now, Salisbury station is served by several rail providers, including Great Western Railway and Southwestern Railway. Southwestern offers a direct route to London Waterloo station, and many of Salisbury’s foreign visitors reach the city this way.
Things to do near Salisbury Station
Because Salisbury station is just a short walk from the center of the city, it's easy to get from there to many of the top attractions. Almost from the moment you step out of the doors of the station, you'll be close to everything Salisbury has to offer.
- Enjoy some tranquility at Queen Elizabeth Gardens. This public park was opened in the 1960s to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Located along the banks of the River Avon, it offers great views of the city and its famous Cathedral.
- Treat yourself to lunch with a view of the river at the Boathouse. This unpretentious gastropub has one of the city's best patios and has an impressive menu of classic British fare, along with a wide selection of beers, wines, and spirits. It's the perfect place to relax after a long journey.
- Explore the long history of Salisbury and the surrounding area at the Salisbury Museum. This institution has artifacts to go back thousands of years to the very earliest periods of the town’s history. It’s the best place to get an overview of the long story of this ancient town.
- See the spiritual heart of the city at Salisbury Cathedral. Dating back to 1220, this Gothic church has the tallest spire of any in the UK, and the 400-foot medieval structure dominates the city skyline.
- Witness an important document in the founding of modern democracy at the Magna Carta chapter house. This legal document limiting the powers of the king was signed in 1215, and one of the only remaining original copies is kept in Salisbury.
Transit options at Salisbury Station
- The closest major airport to Salisbury is London Heathrow. One of the biggest airports in the world, Heathrow can be reached by train from Salisbury station to London Waterloo, and then via the London Underground to the airport.
- Two trains per hour run from London Waterloo to Salisbury station, and make the journey around an hour and 30 minutes. You can also reach Salisbury by train from most major cities throughout the UK.
- City buses stop on Fisherton Street just outside the train station. Bus routes 2, 25, and 26 serve this location.
Luggage storage at Salisbury Station
The center of historic Salisbury is quite small and is easily explored on foot. But there's more to this city than just its center. Many of the most popular attractions of Salisbury lie outside the town itself. Luckily, excellent transportation links can help you see everything there is to see in the area.
Make your trip to Salisbury easier by dropping off extra bags at a Bounce location. No matter how many items you have, Bounce can help you find a place where they will be looked after safely until you're ready to pick them up.
Activities and attractions near Salisbury Station
- Stonehenge: Just ten miles from Salisbury, one of the UK's best-known tourist attractions brings visitors from all over the world to the area. Stonehenge is probably the world's most famous prehistoric monuments, and this enigmatic circle of standing stones continues to fascinate today, five thousand years after prehistoric architects built it. Easily reached by bus from Salisbury, Stonehenge is an absolute must-visit while you're in the area. Drop off your bags at a luggage storage in Salisbury to make your trip easier.
- Old Sarum: A couple of miles north of modern Salisbury, you'll find the ruins of Old Sarum. Before the city was moved in the 13th century to its current location, this was the site of the original town. Settlement here dates back thousands of years. Remains of an Iron Age hillfort, a Roman settlement, and a Norman castle can all be seen in this atmospheric spot. Plus, the hill offers great views over the rolling countryside of Wiltshire. Drop off your bags at a Salisbury luggage storage shop and stretch your legs as you wander through Old Sarum.
- Boscombe Down Aviation Collection: This old aircraft hangar contains a variety of jet planes and military aircraft dating from the end of the Second World War up until the present day. See some of the most iconic planes ever built at this unique collection just outside Salisbury.
