If you're visiting London and want to explore beyond the city, consider taking a day trip from London. Many tour companies offer round-trip tours from London, with various options to choose from. Stonehenge, one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World, is a popular destination, often combined with other attractions such as Salisbury, Bath, Windsor, Oxford, Lacock, and more. Each tour has specific departure days, such as Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while some tours operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, or Sundays only.

While other members of our London tour group had already visited Stonehenge, my friend and I had not. We opted for the Salisbury-Stonehenge-Bath tour due to its convenient timing. We purchased the tour the day before our trip and arranged to meet the tour bus at a hotel near our accommodation.

The following morning, we had to wake up early to catch the shuttle. Initially, I assumed we would travel in the same vehicle that picked us up. However, this was not the case. The shuttle bus collected passengers from various hotels at designated times and transported them to the station. Subsequently, each individual had to board their respective tour buses. Our tour bus was fully occupied, and all window seats were taken. A tour guide provided commentary and scheduled sightseeing times.

After a two-hour drive, we arrived in Salisbury. Our destination was Salisbury Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral of Saint Mary. This cathedral is renowned for its early English Gothic architecture. Its construction, completed in just 59 years (1221-1280), showcases the authentic and original Early Gothic style that was gaining popularity at the time. In contrast, other cathedrals of the same period took over 100 years to build. This extended timeframe often resulted in changes in architectural and artistic styles due to the passage of time.

The guide narrated the history of the cathedral, pointing to its towering spire, the tallest in the United Kingdom at 123 meters. After outlining the highlights within, the guide granted us time to explore independently, arranging to meet at the exit.

Gothic architecture is characterized by its soaring height, pointed arches, vaulted ceilings, intricate tracery, and expansive wall openings, which facilitated the use of stained glass over paintings. Both sculpture and art emphasized religious themes. The Salisbury Cathedral exemplifies all the distinctive features of Gothic art.

Upon entering, a large, hand-crafted iron clock stands on the left, estimated to have been made in or before 1386. It is said to be the oldest functioning clock (albeit repaired) in existence. Not far away, in the center of the hallway, stands a holy water font used in the Mass of the Holy Eucharist. It resembles a cross, with water flowing from its four ends into a basin below.

The magnificent stained glass window behind the altar, known as the "Prisoners of Conscience Window," was installed to replace the original window and add more color to the church. However, all the other stained glass windows in the church are equally beautiful.

The Chapter House of Salisbury Cathedral also houses one of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta, the 1215 document that laid the foundation for constitutional law.

After visiting Salisbury Cathedral, those who purchased the tour with meals included will have lunch at the church's refectory. However, those of us who only purchased the tour can choose to buy food from here as well. When the appointed time arrived, we continued on to Stonehenge.