Old Sarum is an ancient and historically rich site located near Salisbury in Wiltshire, England. Originally established as an Iron Age hillfort around 400 BC, it later became a key Roman settlement due to its strategic location.

During the Norman period, William the Conqueror built a castle there in the 11th century, and a cathedral was added shortly afterward, making Old Sarum both a military and religious center.

However, tensions between the military and clergy eventually led to the relocation of the cathedral and much of the population to what is now Salisbury in the 13th century.

Over time, Old Sarum was abandoned but remained politically significant as a “rotten borough” until the 19th century. Today, its ruins and earthworks are preserved by English Heritage, offering visitors a glimpse into thousands of years of British history.