Salisbury Cathedral
Elderly man wearing a sash gesturing at a mechanical clock, people are watching and taking photos

Demonstrations

Enhance your visit to the Cathedral with live demonstrations, included with your general admission ticket.

Medieval Clock Demonstration

25 Nov 2025 | 11:05 am

See and hear the world’s oldest working mechanical clock in action. Made in 1386 or earlier, it is mounted in an iron frame and has no dial. In the past the clock struck a bell to remind the priests to pray. Come and watch while the mechanism is unlocked allowing the clock to strike a bell as it first did over 600 years ago. This demonstration lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

Medieval Clock Demonstration

26 Nov 2025 | 11:05 am

See and hear the world’s oldest working mechanical clock in action. Made in 1386 or earlier, it is mounted in an iron frame and has no dial. In the past the clock struck a bell to remind the priests to pray. Come and watch while the mechanism is unlocked allowing the clock to strike a bell as it first did over 600 years ago. This demonstration lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

Medieval Clock Demonstration

27 Nov 2025 | 11:05 am

See and hear the world’s oldest working mechanical clock in action. Made in 1386 or earlier, it is mounted in an iron frame and has no dial. In the past the clock struck a bell to remind the priests to pray. Come and watch while the mechanism is unlocked allowing the clock to strike a bell as it first did over 600 years ago. This demonstration lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

Medieval Clock Demonstration

28 Nov 2025 | 11:05 am

See and hear the world’s oldest working mechanical clock in action. Made in 1386 or earlier, it is mounted in an iron frame and has no dial. In the past the clock struck a bell to remind the priests to pray. Come and watch while the mechanism is unlocked allowing the clock to strike a bell as it first did over 600 years ago. This demonstration lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

Medieval Clock Demonstration

29 Nov 2025 | 10:30 am

See and hear the world’s oldest working mechanical clock in action. Made in 1386 or earlier, it is mounted in an iron frame and has no dial. In the past the clock struck a bell to remind the priests to pray. Come and watch while the mechanism is unlocked allowing the clock to strike a bell as it first did over 600 years ago. This demonstration lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

Medieval Clock Demonstration

1 Dec 2025 | 11:05 am

See and hear the world’s oldest working mechanical clock in action. Made in 1386 or earlier, it is mounted in an iron frame and has no dial. In the past the clock struck a bell to remind the priests to pray. Come and watch while the mechanism is unlocked allowing the clock to strike a bell as it first did over 600 years ago. This demonstration lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

Embroidery Demonstration

1 Dec 2025 | 12:00 pm

Try some medieval embroidery! Our sewing volunteers are taking part in a major project to produce an original textile called ‘The Circle of Life’. Watch them at work and enjoy the opportunity to add your own stitch to our Visitor’s Frame. They are using a famous style of English needlework called ‘Opus Anglicanum’, dating back to the 13th century. Drop-in any time between 12pm and 3.30pm.

Medieval Clock Demonstration

2 Dec 2025 | 11:05 am

See and hear the world’s oldest working mechanical clock in action. Made in 1386 or earlier, it is mounted in an iron frame and has no dial. In the past the clock struck a bell to remind the priests to pray. Come and watch while the mechanism is unlocked allowing the clock to strike a bell as it first did over 600 years ago. This demonstration lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

Medieval Clock Demonstration

3 Dec 2025 | 11:05 am

See and hear the world’s oldest working mechanical clock in action. Made in 1386 or earlier, it is mounted in an iron frame and has no dial. In the past the clock struck a bell to remind the priests to pray. Come and watch while the mechanism is unlocked allowing the clock to strike a bell as it first did over 600 years ago. This demonstration lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

Medieval Clock Demonstration

4 Dec 2025 | 11:05 am

See and hear the world’s oldest working mechanical clock in action. Made in 1386 or earlier, it is mounted in an iron frame and has no dial. In the past the clock struck a bell to remind the priests to pray. Come and watch while the mechanism is unlocked allowing the clock to strike a bell as it first did over 600 years ago. This demonstration lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

Medieval Clock Demonstration

5 Dec 2025 | 11:05 am

See and hear the world’s oldest working mechanical clock in action. Made in 1386 or earlier, it is mounted in an iron frame and has no dial. In the past the clock struck a bell to remind the priests to pray. Come and watch while the mechanism is unlocked allowing the clock to strike a bell as it first did over 600 years ago. This demonstration lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

Medieval Clock Demonstration

6 Dec 2025 | 10:30 am

See and hear the world’s oldest working mechanical clock in action. Made in 1386 or earlier, it is mounted in an iron frame and has no dial. In the past the clock struck a bell to remind the priests to pray. Come and watch while the mechanism is unlocked allowing the clock to strike a bell as it first did over 600 years ago. This demonstration lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

Medieval Clock Demonstration

8 Dec 2025 | 11:05 am

See and hear the world’s oldest working mechanical clock in action. Made in 1386 or earlier, it is mounted in an iron frame and has no dial. In the past the clock struck a bell to remind the priests to pray. Come and watch while the mechanism is unlocked allowing the clock to strike a bell as it first did over 600 years ago. This demonstration lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

Embroidery Demonstration

8 Dec 2025 | 12:00 pm

Try some medieval embroidery! Our sewing volunteers are taking part in a major project to produce an original textile called ‘The Circle of Life’. Watch them at work and enjoy the opportunity to add your own stitch to our Visitor’s Frame. They are using a famous style of English needlework called ‘Opus Anglicanum’, dating back to the 13th century. Drop-in any time between 12pm and 3.30pm.

Medieval Clock Demonstration

9 Dec 2025 | 11:05 am

See and hear the world’s oldest working mechanical clock in action. Made in 1386 or earlier, it is mounted in an iron frame and has no dial. In the past the clock struck a bell to remind the priests to pray. Come and watch while the mechanism is unlocked allowing the clock to strike a bell as it first did over 600 years ago. This demonstration lasts 10 to 15 minutes.