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Cathedral View - Salisbury

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Comfy, cosy B&B

Sometimes the best weekends away are the simplest. Cathedral View B&B offers just that - a cosy little guest house, with comfy bedrooms, in the heart of the historic city of Salisbury and with views of Salisbury Cathedral that a 5-star luxury hotel would kill for. And there you have it - what could be simpler than that?

Cathedral View is a lovely Grade-II listed Georgian Town House, with shuttered sash windows and flowery window boxes, all within a minute’s walk of St Ann’s Gate in the medieval city wall. Four en-suite bedrooms are simply, but stylishly, furnished, with comfy beds, fresh flowers and those fantastic views. The house is cosy enough to feel like a real home-from-home, but big enough to avoid that awkward ‘stepping on someone’s toes’ feeling. Lovely owners Wenda and Steve cook up a mean Full English, made with yummy local ingredients, in Cathedral View’s cute dining room, while smoked salmon and croissants are also on offer to keep you well-fuelled ‘till lunch time.

Where is it?

Cathedral View is in the heart of the old part of leafy Salisbury, within spitting distance of the historic city wall and under the shadow of the stunning Cathedral (www.salisburycathedral.org.uk Tel: 01722 555120) - one of the best examples of medieval architecture in the world, and undoubtedly Salisbury’s biggest attraction. The Cathedral’s dramatic, piercing spire - Britain’s tallest at 123m - can be seen for miles. Unlike many great cathedrals, this one was built in one go, in just 38 years, making it complete in its English Gothic style and all the more stunning for it. You can take a tour of the tower if you want to see the inner workings of the ancient spire (and you’re feeling particularly fit), or just wander aimlessly - the nave and the cloisters are as beautiful as you would expect, while the cathedral grounds are huge, green and perfect for summer snoozing. If you really want to enter into the spirit of things, pop along for choral Evensong, held every evening, when the famous world-famous, and frankly angelic, Salisbury Cathedral choristers do their thing.

The rest of the city is ripe for pottering. The gorgeous Cathedral Close is a tranquil world away from the busy modern city centre, and home to the elegant Mompesson House (www.nationaltrust.org.uk Tel: 01722 420980) - a beautiful masterclass in Georgian architecture (and Sense and Sensibility filming location). The house’ walled gardens are particularly lovely. Visitors to the Close can also pay a visit to the fascinating Salisbury Museum (www.salisburymuseum.org.uk Tel: 01722 332151) or The Wardrobe (www.thewardrobe.org.uk Tel: 01722 419419) - a celebration of Wiltshire’s colourful military past in a huge Grade-II listed building with gorgeous gardens running down to the River Avon. Pretty Queen Elizabeth’s Gardens, on the banks of the Avon, are also a great place to hang out, have a picnic and listen to the music that’s often performed there in the summer.

Visit Salisbury in the summer, and you may catch the brilliant Salisbury International Arts Festival (www.salisburyfestival.co.uk Tel: 01722 332 977). Two weeks of music, theatre, performance and film in venues across the city - including outdoor concerts and screenings and even venturing as far as Stonehenge. It’s become one of the best multi-arts events in the country and attracts some amazing names.

Of course, one of Salisbury’s most famous attractions sits 8 miles north of the city on desolate Salisbury Plain (not quite so desolate with the A303 wending it’s way alongside, but a little bit of imagination goes along way...). Legendary Stonehenge (www.english-heritage.org.uk) might not offer the mystic experience many hope for, but the 5000-year old World Heritage Site is definitely a must-visit, if only to marvel at how it got there. During normal opening hours, you’re kept at a distance from the stones, but if you book well ahead, you can arrange a special tour within the stone circle - call 01722 343 830 for more details.

If Salisbury Plain doesn’t satisfy your fresh air quota, there’s plenty of walks and cycle rides from the city itself. A lovely stroll along the River Avon will take you out of the city and up to Old Sarum (www.english-heritage.org.uk Tel: 01722 335398) - an ancient hill-fort first built in 500BC - where the views across the Wiltshire countryside are fantastic. Keep walking through the Avon Valley to visit the pretty villages of Stratford-sub-Castle and Lower Woodford, before returning to Old Sarum and Salisbury. If cycling’s more your bag, there are plenty of beautiful routes around the Wiltshire countryside. Hayball Cyclesport (Tel: 01722 411378) in central Salisbury hires out bikes and tandems.

Where can I eat?

For such a haven of English architecture and sensibilities, it might come as a surprise that the one of the city’s best restaurants - if not the best - is Indian. Anokaa (www.anokaa.com Tel: 01722 414142) is a real gem of a fine dining eatery and as far removed from your local tandoori as you’re likely to get. Beautifully-presented dishes offer traditional Indian flavours with a modern twist in a fresh and vibrant menu. The freshest of ingredients, warm, friendly service and puddings that have to be seen to be believed (have a gander at the website...) make for a really special evening’s eating.

For something a little less exotic, but equally delicious, try The Lemon Tree (www.thelemontree.co.uk Tel: 01722 333471) is a pretty little bistro next to Cathedral Close. The freshest and most seasonal of produce are used to create simple, but colourful menus, including freshly-caught fish of the day and some stunning salads. The Lemon Tree has a leafy courtyard garden that’s perfect for summer lunching. Alternatively, Gastrobistro at The Pheasant Inn (www.restaurant-salisbury.com Tel: 01722 414926) is a relaxed, Anglo-Gallic restaurant serving fresh and colourful comfort food.

Venture out of town for a deluge of great country gastropubs. The famous Lamb Inn at Hindon (www.lambathindon.co.uk Tel: 01747 820 573), a pretty village 15 miles from Salisbury, is possibly the most sumptuous pub you’ll ever visit. Its cosy Whisky & Cigar Bar - with, apparently, the largest selection of Malts in Wiltshire and a big selection of Cuban cigars, alongside real ales and wines lovingly-picked from independent producers - is merely the support act to the inn’s super-popular restaurant. Mouthwatering food - midway between pub grub and fine dining - is served alongside a whole separate pudding menu. Amazing.

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Sometimes the best weekends away are the simplest. Cathedral View B&B offers just that - a cosy little guest house, with comfy bedrooms, in the heart of the historic city of Salisbury and with amazing views of Salisbury Cathedral.