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Salisbury And South Wiltshire Museum

The King's House in Cathedral Close at Salisbury is home to the Salisbury And South Wiltshire Museum. With major ancient historical sites, such as Stonehenge and Old Sarum nearby, the museum has archeological collections of major importance. Many items from excavations at Stonehenge are now on display. Wiltshire was also central to the Anglo Saxon kingdom of Wessex, and many insights into this period are provided. For me one of the most interesting exhibits is the Warminster Jewel. This was found near Cley Hill, Warminster, a huge Iron Age fort which thousands of people pass every year on their way into Longleat. This object is believed to be an "aestel", a manuscript pointer, dragged across the text like a ruler to indicate the words to be read out loud. The ninth century Wessex monarch King Alfred is known to have sent aestels to all dioceses in his kingdom to accompany his translation of Pope Gregory's Pastoral Care. The pointers were like a very expensive promotional gift. Alfred is well known as a warrior king who waged a long war with the Scandinavians. But Alfred was also an accomplished scholar and administrator. The lovely little aestels reflect his scholarly personality, and his attention to detail. Apart from the Warminster Jewel, only three other aestels survive, the Alfred Jewel and the Minster Lovell Jewel at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, and the Bowleaze Jewel in the British Museum in London. The museum also has collections of ceramics, costumes, coins and art.

The King's House building itself is Grade 1 listed, and provided inspiration for Thomas Hardy's novel Jude the Obscure. Jude was a man frustrated by his lack of education : the King's House, before it's incarnation as a museum, was a teacher training college.

Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum would make a great visit to combine with Stonehenge and Old Sarum.

 

 

Address: Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum, The King's House, 65 The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EN

Directions: Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum is in the Cathedral Close in the centre of Salisbury. Park in Salisbury, or use the Park and Ride. Click here for an interactive map centred on Salisbury And South Wiltshire Museum.

Opening Times: Monday to Saturday, 10am - 5pm. In July and August there is also opening on Sunday 12 midday - 5pm.

Access: Wheelchair access is good to all areas. Adapted toilet facilities are provided. There is some parking on the forecourt for blue and orange badge holders. It is best to ring ahead to book this. An induction loop is available in reception and in the lecture hall. Touch sessions can be arranged.

Contact:

telephone: 01722 332151

e-mail: museum@salisburymuseum.org.uk

web site: http://www.salisburymuseum.org.uk/