Old Sarum

This splendid archaeological site has layers of prehistory and a fascinating history. The outer earthworks, constructed around 400 BC, comprised one of the largest Iron Age Hill forts in Britain. The site was later used for Roman and Anglo-Saxon settlements. Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, a motte and bailey castle was built in the middle of the hill fort, together with an impressive cathedral. Old Sarum became an important administrative centre for Wiltshire. By the end of the 12th century the hill fort site was found to be too cramped, windy and short of water so it was decided to move two miles to the south, where the city of New Sarum (now Salisbury) was founded in 1220. By the 16th century Old Sarum had no inhabitants but continued to return two Members of Parliament until 1832, making it the most famous "rotten borough". This stitched panorama shows the foundations of the Norman Cathedral within the hill fort ramparts and the spire of the 13th century Salisbury Cathedral that replaced it rising through early morning mist in the background.