68, The Close

The earliest known building on the site was a medieval residence for members of the cathedral clergy. The house was rebuilt between 1718 and 1720, either for William Swanton, the town clerk of Salisbury, or for his brother Francis, who served as the city's member of parliament. The Swantons were long established in the area as lawyers, landowners and local worthies, an earlier William Swanton having served as M.P. in the 1670s. In the 20th century, the house was home to Sir Arthur Bryant, the historian, who lived there from the end of the Second World War until his death in 1985. It was then bought by Sir Philip Shelbourne, a lawyer and financier.