From London Historic Salisbury and Winchester Christmas Markets
16th November 2024
Here at Best Value Tours, we are delighted to recommend great new, Festive Tours and today we feature; From London Historic Salisbury and Winchester Christmas Markets | Best Value Tours
Full details below, but first some brief history of historic 1000 year old walled city, splendid Salisbury
Old Sarum Hilltop, near Stonehenge and Avebury, displays early occupation. It dominated a salient between the Bourne and the Hampshire Avon, along numerous early trade routes. A hillfort (oppidum) was built around it between 600 and 300 BC during the Iron Age. The Romans may have occupied or left the site to an ally tribe. In 552, King Cynric of Wessex took Old Sarum during the Saxon invasions. The Saxons disregarded Old Sarum until the Viking raids forced King Alfred (King of Wessex from 871 to 899) to restore its walls. They preferred bottomland settlements like Wilton. In 1003 Dano-Norwegian king Sweyn Forkbeard stormed and destroyed it and Wilton after its population left. It then became Wilton’s mint. After the Norman conquest in 1066, a motte-and-bailey fortress was built by 1070.The Norman kings directly owned the castle, and its castellan was usually Wiltshire’s sheriff.
The Council of London made Herman the first bishop of Salisbury in 1075, combining his prior sees of Sherborne and Ramsbury into one diocese in Dorset, Wiltshire, and Berkshire. The monks and Earl Godwin of Malmesbury opposed Herman’s migration to the town in 1055.Herman and his successor, Saint Osmund, started building Salisbury’s first cathedral, but neither survived to see its completion in 1092. Osmund was Lord Chancellor of England (c. 1070–1078), codified the Sarum Rite, compiled the Domesday Book, which was probably given to William at Old Sarum, and was canonised by Pope Callixtus III in 1457 after centuries of advocacy from Salisbury’s bishops. A storm five days after the cathedral’s consecration on 5 April 1092 caused considerable damage. Bishop Roger, a staunch supporter of Henry I (reigned 1100–1135), acted as viceroy in Normandy and oversaw the royal administration and exchequer with his extended family.Before Henry’s successor Stephen arrested him, he renovated and expanded Old Sarum’s cathedral in the 1110s and started building a royal residence in the 1130s. After this capture, Old Sarum Castle was allowed to deteriorate, but the sheriff and castellan remained to oversee the territory for the king.
Hubert Walter, bishop of Salisbury, helped negotiate with Saladin during the Third Crusade, but he spent little time there before becoming archbishop of Canterbury. The brothers Herbert and Richard Poore succeeded him and promptly planned the cathedral’s valley relocation. Their intentions were authorised by King Richard I but frequently delayed: Herbert was forced into exile in Normandy in the 1190s by his archbishop Walter and later to Scotland in the 1210s by royal enmity after the papal injunction against King John. The secular authorities were furious because certain clerics debauched the castellan’s female relations, according to tradition. After their rogations and processions, the clerics were denied entry to the city walls. This made Peter of Blois call the church “a captive within the walls of the citadel like the ark of God in the profane house of Baal”. He promoted Descend into the plain! A lively stream waters rich farms and fertile valleys full of earth’s goodies. The world cannot match our church’s Virgin Patroness seat.
Winchester Cathedral by night with Christmas illuminations
Prices/Book Tour – From London Historic Salisbury and Winchester Christmas Markets | Best Value Tours
Description
Enjoy a day in two stunning cathedral cities with Christmas Markets full of history, culture, and cheer.
Salisbury Cathedral (admission included) is our first stop. It will be decorated for Christmas. An archer from Old Sarum allegedly hit a deer with an arrow. ‘New Sarum’, presently Salisbury, was built where the deer raced and fell. The deer and arrow hit a water meadow, therefore the Cathedral is built over a river. Visit the wonderfully renovated Chapter House and witness the 1215 Magna Carta. After that, visit the Guildhall Christmas Markets and have lunch.
In the afternoon, we visit Winchester, the Anglo-Saxon capital and our next ancient cathedral town. We drop off at King Alfred the Great’s statue and market in the Cathedral’s grounds. Enjoy Christmas shopping, the Cathedral, and possibly the Great Hall.
Finally, we’ll return to London among the Christmas lights and sunsets.
Prices/Book Tour – From London Historic Salisbury and Winchester Christmas Markets | Best Value Tours
07:30-08:30am – London Pick-ups
We offer 3 pick-up points located in central & west London, all of which are easy to reach by public transport. You can choose to meet us at whichever pick-up point is most convenient for you.
Historic Landmarks
Experience 2 well-known, incredible locations on this jam-packed day trip to Salisbury & Winchester Christmas Markets.
Guided Tour
Enjoy the day with one of our friendly, knowledgeable tour guides, helping you to fully experience the beauty and heritage of the sites.
An Unique Experience
We have crafted & refined our tours with a personal touch over the past 25+ years to offer you an extraordinary day out.
Luxury Coach
We use our own luxury minibuses & coaches, which are designed with your comfort and safety in mind.
Prices/Book Tour – From London Historic Salisbury and Winchester Christmas Markets | Best Value Tours
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