This ancient settlement, with its layers of history, offered a perfect blend of exploration, education, and enjoyment for our group as part of our Local History Month activities.

The Significance of Old Sarum

Old Sarum is an historic site that dates back to 3000 BC, evolving from a Neolithic community to an Iron Age hillfort, and later becoming a significant settlement for both the Romans and the Normans. We can see the site from Avonbourne, and named our pub The Castle in its honour, so this visit was a chance to connect with England’s deep and varied history.

Information and Insights

We read lots of fascinating insights into Old Sarum's history. The residents were enthralled by stories of medieval kings, the bustling market, and the eventual decline of the settlement as Salisbury grew in importance. Inspired by the story of how an archer fired an arrow from Old Sarum and the site of the original cathedral, hit a deer, which ran away injured and died on the site of what is now Salisbury Cathedral, we fired our own arrow from just outside our home, and again from the top of the hill. We’ll be visiting other important local sites over the coming months.

The Importance of Outings

Residents shared their thoughts and reflections on the visit, each person’s experience adding to the collective enjoyment of the day.

Outings like these are opportunities for residents to engage with the world, stimulate their minds, and strengthen their social bonds. Visiting historical sites like Old Sarum helps to create a sense of connection to the past and enriches the residents' lives with meaningful experiences. The clouds were threatening but the rain held off, and a great day was had by all. We might just be coming to a site near you soon!