Harnham Water Meadows give Salisbury its finest approach view. From the paths south of the city, the cathedral spire rises beyond flat grazing land, channels, and willows, much as it did in the landscapes painted by John Constable. It is a small walk with a very large payoff.
The meadows are also a living remnant of an old agricultural system, where water was managed across the floodplain to improve grazing. Wear shoes that can handle mud after rain, and take your time rather than treating it as a shortcut. Late afternoon light on the cathedral is the moment to aim for.