The Landscape of Leaden Hall and the Close: A fresh look at our cultural heritage

The story of the move of Salisbury Cathedral from Old Sarum is well known. Were it not for the Cathedral, many of us would not live here and many more (260,000 in 2023) would not visit Salisbury which is famous for the scale and beauty of the Close.

What is much less well-known is the care that was taken in the 18th Century to create a fitting setting for the Cathedral and the important canonical houses. An additional layer of significance was added when John Constable, as a result of his friendship with Archdeacon Fisher of Leaden Hall, chose to create some of his most important paintings of the Close, the Harnham Water Meadows and Leaden Hall itself.

Dr Kate Feluś, a distinguished landscape historian, will take us through her research into the gardens of Leaden Hall, which retain their substantially intact landscape design and rare walled kitchen garden.  She will also discuss the outcome of her initial research into the 18th century landscaping of the wider Close.   Much of this unique cultural heritage is evident today – albeit threatened by poor maintenance and apparent lack of understanding of its significance.