North Gate

The North Gate stands in Salisbury’s High Street, just north of the cathedral. Built between 1327 and 1342, it formed the northern entrance to the Close, the walled precinct around the cathedral. The gate has a single passage with a modern statue of King Edward VII in a central niche. Above the niche a canopy shelters the figure, while small columns frame the space. On one side of the passage a small room opens, on the other a staircase leads to an upper chamber. The gate is Grade I listed for its exceptional architectural importance. Its north face, facing the city, carries a large heraldic shield above the arch. Flanking the shield are pairs of tall windows, their stone mullions still original. Inside, the upper room was remodelled in the late 15th century and again in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Repairs in 1912 and 1938–39 kept the structure sound, and a new roof followed in 1901. Visitors find a quiet stone gateway set in the busy street. The passage is narrow, its vaulted ceiling just above head height. Above, the statue of Edward VII looks down on passers-by, its carved canopy adding detail to the skyline. The upper room, once used for cathedral business, now houses an office, reached by the narrow stair beside the passage.