This is an oddly specific question, but it has to do with when to book a timed entry for Salisbury Cathedral. My wife and I plan to have lunch in the Refectory restaurant FIRST and then see the cathedral (we are seeing Stonehenge in the morning). Is the restaurant INSIDE the Cathedral or is it accessible from the OUTSIDE. If INSIDE then I want to book my timed entry tickets for 12:00, if OUTSIDE than maybe 13:00 instead.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
1846 posts
From the cathedral refectory website is says ' You don’t need to book tickets to visit the Refectory' Elsewhere I have read that you don't need an entry ticket for the refectory.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13950 posts
The entrance to the Refectory Cafe is before you go into the main nave of the cathedral as is the gift shop. The Refectory and the Chapter House entrance both face onto the Cloister.
editing to add: I've been looking for a floor plan of Salisbury Cathedral but have not hit upon the one I want, lol. Here is an old drawing which was the best I could do. The Refectory Cafe is in the area that says WORKSHOPS from about the "W" all the way to the right. The entrance is facing the Cloister on the far right end. There were tables out along the arcaded area from where it says doorway to modified doorway. From the left of the "W" is the gift shop. I have not been there since 2018 but at that time they'd put the ticket booth in about the area where is says Later Consistory Court.
https://www.royalarchinst.org/sites/royalarchinst.org/files/documents/SMR_Wiltshire_Salisbury.pdf
Posted by
OP
Portland, OR
40 posts
Pam - thank you so much. I didn't pay enough attention to the website and it clearly states that one can eat at the Refectory without tickets to the Cathedral. I really appreciate your map, however!!!
Posted by
OP
Portland, OR
40 posts
Wasleys - thank you so much. I didn't see that the first time I looked. I appreciate your helpfulness!!!
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13950 posts
@ec.barger - I love this cathedral. One of the things I love is to look at the faces that are carved on pillars in both the cathedral and in the Chapter House.
There was a male model named Fabio in the 80's who posed for a slew of "bodice ripper" covers. I'd swear his predecessor is in one of the side chapels on the north side of the church. He's got a huge smile and his long locks appear to be blowing back in a breeze.
In the Chapter House there is a guy who looks like he has Bell's Palsy - a drooping left side of his face. It's to the left after you walk in the door although you might need to go right first to see the Magna Carta depending on the crowd and how they've got things set up post-Covid. So the question is...did the stonecarver have Bell's Palsy or did one of his friends?
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
6335 posts
I really enjoyed Salisbury, too - not just the Magna Carta (seeing that is amazing) but all the other exhibits. I still remember seeing a book written by John Graunt that contained a tally of plague victims in England in the 16th century. The history here just boggles the mind.
Posted by
TX, USA
4101 posts
If you are able to stay for evensong, it is a good one.