Old Sarum (English Heritage)

Castle Road
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP1 3SD
England

Website

www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/old-sarum/

Telephone

01722 335398

Fax

01722 416037

All information is drawn or provided by the venues themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
An aerial view of Old Sarum Castle

The great earthwork of Old Sarum stands near Salisbury on the edge of Wiltshire's chalk plains. Its mighty ramparts were raised in about 500 BC by Iron Age peoples, and later occupied by the Romans, the Saxons and, most importantly, the Normans.

Today, the remains of the prehistoric fortress and of the Norman palace, castle and cathedral evoke memories of thousands of years of history, which are interpreted by graphic panels throughout the site.

Venue Type:

Heritage site, Castle or defences, Archaeological site

 Opening hours

1 Apr-30 June 10am-5pm daily / 1 Jul-31 Aug 9am-6pm daily / 1-30 Sep 10am-5pm daily / 1 Oct-1 Nov 10am-4pm daily / 2 Nov-31 Jan 11am-3pm daily / 1- 28 Feb 11am-4pm daily / 1-31 Mar 10am-4pm daily / Closed 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan

 Admission charges

3.70/3.30/2.20

Discounts

  • English Heritage
Events details are listed below. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all. For events that don't have a specific date see the 'Resources' tab above.

The Great Viking Quest!

25 May — 2 June 2013

You must have your wits about you if you are going to take on the Viking Quest! Hunt down the clues in the Castle grounds and complete the challenge to be rewarded with a special prize!

Suitable for

  • Family friendly

Admission

£3.90

Website

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/the-great-viking-quest-os-25-may

The Vikings

25 — 27 May 2013

Journey back to the Dark Ages this Bank Holiday weekend at Old Sarum as the Vikings take resident! Witness exciting combat shows, weaponry displays, and for our budding junior warriors, take part in your very own mini battle.

Suitable for

  • Any age

Admission

£5.40

Website

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/the-vikings-os-25-may

Archaeology Weekend

27 — 28 July 2013

It's the Festival of British Archaeology - this is your chance to meet a real archaeologist and to uncover artefacts from Old Sarum's history.

Suitable for

  • Any age

When

11am-5pm

Admission

£3.90

Website

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/archaeology-weekend-os-27-jul

Celtic Warriors Academy

3 — 4 August 2013

Join in at Old Sarum this weekend as we take you back to the Iron Age, to learn about all things Celtic. Get hands-on and find out about celtic arts and crafts as well as take part in your own mini battle!

Suitable for

  • Family friendly

When

11am-5pm

Admission

£3.90

Website

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/celtic-warriors-academy-os-3-aug

Siege Challenge For Kids

10 — 11 August 2013

Old Sarum Castle is under Siege! It is your job to defend it. Find out how with hands-on games, crafts and activities. Build your own mini trebuchet and knock out your opponents in a fun filled game ideal for all junior warriors!

Suitable for

  • Family friendly

When

11am-5pm

Admission

£3.90

Website

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/siege-challenge-for-kids-os-10-aug

Battle Tactics for Kids

17 — 18 August 2013

Could you be a brave Norman knight or bold Saxon warrior? Prepare for action by painting your own shield, then take part in a Kids Battle of Hastings!

Suitable for

  • Family friendly

When

11am-5pm

Admission

£3.90

Website

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/battle-tactics-for-kids-os-17-aug

Grand Medieval Joust

24 — 26 August 2013

A magnificent medieval joust where fighting knights do battle in a live action show.

Revel in the drama of clashing knights on horseback and cheer on your favourite. Be entertained by the court jester for plenty of laughs too. Let the battle commence!

Suitable for

  • Any age

Admission

£7.20

Website

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/grand-medieval-joust-os-24-aug

Resources listed here may include websites, bookable tours and workshops, books, loan boxes and more. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all.
 Face to face resources

Invaders and Settlers at Old Sarum Discovery Visit

Join this interactive tour to find out how and why people from pre-history to the middle ages have invaded and settled at Old Sarum. Use role play, artefact investigation and time-line activities to discover the changes that have taken place over time.
Duration: 1 1/2 hours
Key Stage: 2, 3, History, Literacy

How to obtain

Call 0117 975 0720 to book a 1½ hour session each weekday during term time. Price £60 per group of up to 30 pupils until April 2009, £75 per group after April 2009. Visit http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.19481 for more information.

Viking Invaders Discovery Visit

How did the Anglo-Saxons defend their settlement at Old Sarum from the Vikings? Through role-play, enactment, costume and object handling, and the telling of heroic sagas from the time, Rattlebox Theatre will help you experience and understand these momentous events.
“Maybe William the Conqueror stood where I did!” (KS2 pupil from Avondale School, visiting in June 2008)
Duration: 2 hours
Key Stage: 2, 3, History, Drama

How to obtain

Call 0117 975 0720 to book a 2 hour session from June 29–July 3 2009. Price £75 per group. Visit http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.19481 for more information.

 Paper-based and downloads

Old Sarum Castle Teacher's Kit (English Heritage)

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/upload/pdf/Old_Sarum_TK.pdf

A downloadable photocopiable teaching resource sheet for use in the classroom. The teacher's kit is essential for pre-, during and post-site visit work and includes: site history, site plans & tour, documentary sources, activities, photos & reconstruction artwork, details of how to visit and supporting resources information.

Creator

  • English Heritage Education

How to obtain

Please click on the link to download.

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