Cathedral Church Of St Mary

The Cathedral Church of St Mary has its foundations laid on April 25, 1220, and was consecrated in 1225, with further consecrations in 1258 and upon completion in 1266. The cloisters and chapter house were built around 1270 to 1279. Chapels flanking the Lady Chapel were constructed in 1464 and 1481 but were destroyed in 1789. The tower was enlarged by two stages, and a spire was added since 1330. James Wyatt restored the cathedral starting in 1789. A detached belfry on the northwest side was destroyed at the end of the 18th century. The north transept porch was removed by Wyatt and relocated to the grounds of Wyndham House, now known as The Council House, Bourne Hill. The cathedral houses many monuments, including the tomb of William Louspee, Bishop of Roper (died 1139), and Bishop Jocelyn (died 1184), both of which were transferred from Old Sarum. The churchyard tombstones were covered by the present lawns in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, although many stone slabs remain about 1 foot below the ground.

The setting of the cathedral is considered one of the finest in England. The arrangement and impressive character of the houses in the Close, all situated as laid out at the time of the cathedral's foundation, create a significant group of buildings within the close wall, including the close wall itself. All the listed buildings in the Close form an outstanding group.