It was on a rough field called St. Mary's Mead in 1220 AD that Bishop Richard Poore and his architect Elias de Derham decided to build a new state-of-the-art Gothic style Cathedral to replace the old Norman Cathedral at Old Sarum.

Because they take so many generations to build, almost all other English Cathedrals are a mixture of different architectural styles. However the main body of Salisbury Cathedral which includes the tower and West Front, was completed in a mere 38 years.

The huge Cloister (the largest in England) and the magnificent Chapter House (containing the Magna Carta) were added later. But then the 14th century the most daring and astonishing addition was made. The tower was raised and on top of it they built the slender soaring spire which we see today, completing the Cathedral 95 years after Elias first started the work.

Considering that at 404 feet (123 metres) Salisbury Cathedral's spire is the tallest medieval structure in the world it is amazing that it is still standing with foundations only four feet deep. Thankfully nature was on Elias's side and the thick bed of gravel that lies beneath the Cathedral supports the building's immense weight.

Once the building was finished the Bishop recruited priests, canons, and clerks to serve it. These church workers were given an acre and a half of land with the more senior clergy being given three acres around the perimeter of The Close. The Bishop built himself a great palace, which now houses the Cathedral School. Today only four members of the Chapter are resident in The Close and other properties are mainly leased from the Cathedral by private residents.

As you look around The Close today you see a great array of English Architecture, some designed by Sir Christopher Wren, dating from the 13th to the 20th century. The oldest building in The Close is the Medieval Hall as many of the older houses have been pulled down or rebuilt over the years.

Salisbury Cathedral has been carrying out a major repair program since the spire appeal was founded in 1986. To date nearly £16 million has been spent with another 10 years or so of work still to be completed. However it has stood the test of time and is more intensively used now than ever before. The music and worship are superb and and thousands of people come here regularly to worship in addition to the 500,000 visitors a year.

Today, the houses of The Close are some of the most beautifully cared for and full of family life. You could spend many days here and not exhaust all it has to offer.

Mompesson House is located in the peaceful and elegant close of Salisbury Cathedral. The house is considered to be a perfect example of Queen Ann architecture and presents a splendid facade in this distinguished neighbourhood.

The house was built in 1701 for Charles Mompesson, a local Member of Parliament. His brother-in-law and heir, Charles Longueville, carried out extensive improvements to the property 40 years later. He redecorated the rooms, added the magnificent carved oak staircase and embellished the house with intricate plasterwork, best seen in the Drawing Room and stairwell.

Mompesson House is now in the care of the National Trust. When the house was donated to the Trust most of the contents had already been dispersed and the furnishings seen today mainly come from other sources. The house has been furnished throughout as the home of a Georgian gentleman.