The walled precinct surrounding Salisbury Cathedral is one of the largest cathedral closes in England, covering roughly 80 acres. Walk the full circuit of the outer walls to take in the sequence of canons' houses, Georgian mansions, and medieval buildings that line the inner paths. The River Avon skirts the south side; the views back toward the cathedral spire from the water meadows beyond are among the most photographed in England.
Several of the close buildings are open to visitors: Mompesson House (National Trust), the Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum in Wardrobe House, and Arundells, the former home of Prime Minister Edward Heath. The Bishop's Palace on the south side is now part of the Cathedral School and usually closed to visitors, but the exterior is visible from the close paths.