The house was built in 1701 for Charles Mompesson, a Member of Parliament for Old Sarum.
The house remained in the same family line for nearly two centuries before passing to the National Trust.
The Turnbull Collection includes over 600 pieces of 18th-century drinking glasses, ranging from cordial glasses to elaborate toasting flutes.
The interior plasterwork, particularly in the drawing room, dates back to the original construction period.
The front facade is constructed from Chilmark stone, the same material used for Salisbury Cathedral.
The house is situated on the site of a former medieval building, though no original structural elements of the earlier building remain visible.
Mompesson House is an elegant 18th-century townhouse situated within the Cathedral Close in Salisbury, notable for its well-preserved Queen Anne architecture and original plasterwork. The interior features the Turnbull Collection, which is one of the finest displays of 18th-century drinking glasses in the United Kingdom. Visitors can explore rooms decorated with period furniture, including an impressive oak staircase and fine collections of porcelain. The property was donated to the National Trust in 1975 by Denis Martineau. Its garden remains a secluded green space tucked behind the main structure, reflecting the historical landscape of the Close. The house was famously used as a filming location for the 1995 production of Sense and Sensibility.
The view of the symmetrical Queen Anne facade from the street level of the Close.
Visit the garden behind the house for a quiet view of the cathedral spire.
Check the National Trust website before arrival as the house occasionally closes for private events or conservation work.
Take time to read the display labels in the glass collection, as they detail specific historical drinking customs.
Do not attempt to park in the Close unless you have pre-arranged disabled access, as parking is extremely restricted.
Typically closed on certain weekdays during the winter season; open daily during the peak summer months.
Maintain a quiet volume; do not touch the glassware or period furniture; photography is permitted without flash.
