The best road cycling routes around Cann

The Poultry Cross, often referred to as Salisbury Market Cross, is a medieval 14th-century market cross in the heart of Salisbury. It was originally part of the town's market facilities and marked the area of the poultry market. It is the only one of the city's four historic market crosses to have survived to this day.

St Peter's Church is the oldest church in Shaftesbury, located at the top of the famous Gold Hill, right next to the ruins of Shaftesbury Abbey. It is a key historic building and a prominent part of the town's landscape. St Peter's Church was originally built in the 14th century to serve pilgrims visiting the nearby Shaftesbury Abbey. Due to economic hardships, such as the Black Death, its construction was prolonged, resulting in a mix of architectural styles, including Decorated and Perpendicular Gothic. The lower part of the tower is the oldest section of the current building. The nave and its arcades are from the 14th century, while the clerestory and the panelled oak roofs were added in the 15th and 16th centuries. The church also features a crypt under its south aisle. Decline and Restoration: By the late 19th century, St Peter's fell into disuse and disrepair. It was even used as a grain store during World War II. In 1971, it was officially declared redundant. However, a major restoration effort was launched by local groups, and in 1977, it was rededicated and became the parish church of Shaftesbury once again. It was the first church in the country to be re-established as a full-time parish church after being declared redundant.

Holy Trinity Church in Shaftesbury is a Grade II listed building with a rich history, but it is no longer a consecrated place of worship. Today, it is known as the Trinity Centre, a vibrant community hub. The current building, designed in the Early English Gothic Revival style by the famous architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, was largely built between 1841 and 1842 on the site of an even older medieval church. The new building featured a 100-foot-tall western tower and a chancel that was added in 1908. It was the principal Anglican parish church in Shaftesbury for over a century, even as the nearby St Peter's Church fell into disuse. However, with declining congregation numbers, Holy Trinity was made redundant as a parish church in 1977. Its congregation was transferred back to the newly restored St Peter's Church, and the Holy Trinity building was sold. I find it weird how a church can be sold off to become a selection of business's, while still keeping its graveyard.

Pro Tip: Salisbury Navigation — Start Smart, Finish Smarter Salisbury is a natural waypoint on the King Alfred’s Way — a scenic and historic city, but also a maze for a tired bikepacker. Here’s how to avoid the common pitfalls: 🧭 Navigation Hazards: The city layout can be disorienting after a long day in the saddle, especially with phone fatigue, low battery, or GPS signal issues. Preload your route offline and drop a pin at your parking location or train station before rolling out. 📱 Backup Nav: Bring a secondary form of navigation — a small power bank, a basic GPS unit, or even a paper map. If you’re relying on your phone, make sure screen timeouts and lockouts won’t leave you stranded (ask me how I know…). 📦 Start/End Point Logistics: If parking in Salisbury, choose a well-marked car park close to a landmark or note the street name. Trusting “Find My Parked Car” or memory alone can lead to a post-ride goose chase. A hidden hero? An AirTag stashed in your car. 🚴‍♂️ Ride Timing: Salisbury is a great place to begin or end a leg — just be aware of city traffic and tourist footfall, especially near the cathedral. Early starts and twilight returns can ease your flow through town.

Perfect bike pit stop

Nom Nom Nom. Lovely Cafe

Nice place to stop for coffee and 🍰

"The story of this great Cathedral is a tale of defiance and ingenuity that begins back in 1218, when the Bishop of Salisbury abandoned the original cathedral at Old Sarum, and moved down to the banks of the Avon, where the Cathedral stands today. You can learn the reasons for this move and about the people who made it happen by following the new family-friendly trail inside the Cathedral." (Text from https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/salisbury/things-to-do/salisbury-cathedral-and-magna-carta-p130493 )