Great Cathedrals of the Southwest

This morning, we will embark on an expert led tour of Salisbury Cathedral, built in the 13^th century and made extraordinary because of its enormous spire, as well as its treasures. In addition to the cathedral, we will explore the cloisters and chapter house where we will see the best preserved copy of the Magna Carta. We will also climb a spiral staircase to the triforium, the highest balcony, to get a unique glimpse into the Cathedral's past. Following this, you will have the option of either doing a tour of the Tower, where the ancient scaffolding can be seen, or the stone masons’ yard. After lunch, we will explore the extraordinary Winchester Cathedral, first built in the 11^th century and one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Its royal connections date even further back than Alfred who made Winchester his seat of power; it is where Henry the Young was crowned, Mary I was married and where the funeral was held for William II. After visiting its treasures, you will have free time to explore the exhibit on the Winchester Bible.

The last of the cathedrals beckons us today when we explore the Wells Cathedral, considered the first wholly Gothic cathedral in Europe. Your expert Guide Lecturer will show you aspects of the cathedral not normally viewed, including a special interest tour of the Gothic architecture, stained glass and carvings. After lunch, we will embark on a behind scenes High Parts Tour, where you will climb the spiral staircase to walk in the footsteps of Cathedral masons. Alternatively, you can take a tour of the Chained Library for a behind-the-scenes look at a special space which is not generally open to the public. Our tour ends later back in Salisbury.