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©Chris Gunns
View along the top of the counter-scarp bank on the south-west side of Old Sarum. A footpath from the south meets the footpath around the top of the outer bank. The steep slope to the left of the path has very recently been cleared of scrub and a small bonfire is still smouldering away. The deep outer ditch is off to the right.
©Jim Champion
Dist:0.1km<br/>Looking down into the ditch on the south-western side of Old Sarum, from the top of the outer bailey bank. The recently cut beech stump in the foreground is a sign of recent clearance work, advertised by English Heritage as being about scrub removal to help stabilise the topsoil on the ramparts. The mature beech trees are supposed to be left intact - perhaps this one was considered dangerous? Beyond the outer counter-scarp bank a plume of smoke is rising from a smouldering fire of cleared wood.
©Jim Champion
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©Chris Gunns
Dist:0.1km<br/>
©Chris Gunns
Dist:0.1km<br/>A View of the ramparts of Old Sarum Castle.
©Chris Talbot
Dist:0.2km<br/>The ramparts of the castle from the churchyard of St Lawrence's Church. The forerunner of modern Salisbury and site of the original Roman fortress of Sorviodumum. Though the site is deserted today there is still a strong atmosphere of its vanished glory. The huge circular mound of multiple earthworks, covering 56 acres, was probably first used as an Iron Age camp. The Saxons called the stronghold Searobyrg meaning 'dry town'; in the Domesday Book, Salisbury is recorded as Sarisberie. A small town grew up in Norman times and the first cathedral was completed by Bishop Osmund, a nephew of William the Conqueror. It was taken down when the See was moved to Salisbury, but the lines of the cathedral's foundations are still visible.
©Trish Steel
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©Chris Gunns
Dist:0.2km<br/>Looking north along the top of the inner bank on the western side of Old Sarum's bailey. The deep outer ditch is to the left, and part of the outer counter-scarp bank (with a footpath along the top) is visible. The beech trees were presumably planted during the fad for 'improving views' in the 17th/18th century.
©Jim Champion
Dist:0.2km<br/>The steep bank on the western side of Old Sarum, viewed from the top of the outer counter-scarp bank (with the ditch below). The people standing at the top of the inner bank give an impression of the scale of this vast earthwork. Although the defences were first built in the Iron Age they were expanded by the Saxons and Normans. It looks like this part of the bank has been used as a 'slide' in the recent past.
©Jim Champion
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©Chris Gunns
Dist:0.2km<br/>
©Chris Gunns
Dist:0.2km<br/>This is from the south side of the old castle, looking across the deep moat to the outer bailey. When the castle was at its height, in the 12th and 13th centuries, this outer bailey would have been full with houses and all the activities of a bustling town. Now, green peace.
©Graham Horn
Dist:0.2km<br/>A view over the defensive ditch at Sarum Castle.
©Chris Talbot
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©Chris Gunns

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