Mompesson House

At the heart of the city of Salisbury is its beautiful Cathedral, boasting Britain’s tallest spire, a copy of the Magna Carta, an amazing font which offers incredible reflections and the world’s oldest working clock. The area surrounding the Cathedral is known as Cathedral Close, an area rich in history and interest. Arundells, the Grade II Listed home of the late Sir Edward Heath, former Prime Minister, The Rifles Museum and Salisbury Museum are all located here as is Mompesson House.

Although not the first house on this site, the current Mompesson House is around 300 years old and was named after Charles Mompesson, who it was built for in 1701. It eventually ended up in the care of the National Trust with its doors opening to visitors on the 1st May, 1977. When we visited, the house was decorated for Christmas, taking ‘A Christmas Carol’ as its theme. Each of the ghosts makes an appearance as the story is told in a family-friendly way as you make your way from room to room, visiting Scrooge’s bedroom, the Cratchit’s Christmas meal and finally facing the Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Come.

The visit ends in Dickens’ study where you can sit at his desk for a while before heading to the tea room and the second-hand book shop!

Mompesson House appeared as the London home of Mrs Jennings in the 1995 Oscar-winning version of ‘Sense and Sensibility’, which featured Hollywood stars Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Alan Rickman, a good reason for Jane Austen fans to visit and enjoy this lovely house!

Mompesson House

The Close,

Salisbury SP1 2EL