High Street Gate

The main entrance to the Cathedral Close in Salisbury, this gate once served as a holding for those convicted within the Liberty of the Close, a small lock-up jail that held its place within its constraints.

Assembled in the early 14th century; the gate’s architecture was constructed from a blend of rubble stone and ashlar. Over time, it underwent a series of alterations. Among these, a portcullis was added and later removed, while windows and a staircase were introduced in the late 15th century.

In the 17th century, a door was thoughtfully introduced to the Porter’s Lodge. This same building, which once served as a jail, evolved into a domicile for the attendants of kings and nobles during the medieval era. In 1901, the roof was replaced.