Fisherton Mill is southwest England’s largest independent art gallery, which features artists’ studios, an exhibition gallery and a space that showcases the works of over 200 local artists and craftspeople.
It was originally built in 1880 as a grain mill and it was used as a bonded warehouse for the Australian Army during the First World War. The mill was closed in the 1980s and around 10 years later the mill was renovated and reopened as an art gallery.
![Fisherton Mill is the largest independent art gallery in the south west of England. It is lovely spot to poke around and it has a very nice cafe but it is more of an upscale art and craft market than what you would normally expect from an art gallery. (Photo: John M [CC BY-SA 2.0])](https://englandrover.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/fisherton-mill-salisbury-geograph.jpg)
What to see at Fisherton Mill
The gallery is spread over two levels with a lovely sunny central courtyard. It is home to studios where artists and craftspeople work, it hosts a programme of exhibitions and it sells unique art and craft works from over 200 local artists.
It is a lovely place to potter around but it is more like an art and craft market than a traditional art gallery.
Temporary exhibitions
Although it is not to the same standard as larger galleries elsewhere in England, some of the temporary exhibitions can be particularly interesting.
Triple Vision
Triple Vision (until 5 October 2024) builds on a 2023 Fisherton Mill exhibition, with photographers David Walker and Scarlet Leatham, along with kiln-formed and cast glass artist Geraldine McLoughlin, presenting works reflecting their perspectives on the man-made, designed and natural world. Each artist explores different details and emotions, creating an exhibition rich in colour and form.
Line of Sight
Line of Sight (12 October–2 November 2024) is the Lemon Timers’ sixth exhibition at Fisherton Mill. The group meets weekly to draw from a life model, and this practice forms the core of their work. Line of Sight highlights their dedication to observation and focus. The exhibition features diverse styles, including expressive landscapes, seascapes, illustrative pieces and abstract art, showcasing their ongoing development.
Visiting Fisherton Mill
Fisherton Mill is on Fisherton Street right in the heart of the city centre. It is only a three-minute walk to the railway station and most of the attractions in Cathedral Close are within a 10-minute walk from the gallery.
The main part of the complex is open Mon–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat 9.30am–5.30pm, although the individual studios have their own opening hours that may vary from the rest of the complex. It is usually closed on Sundays, except for some exhibitions and for the lead-up to Christmas.
Only the ground floor of the complex is wheelchair accessible and the main gallery upstairs, where the temporary exhibitions are held, is only accessible via a staircase.
The on-site cafe is a major part of the complex and it is very popular with both tourists and locals. Although the cafe menu is limited, the quality is excellent and vegan and vegetarian options are available.
Although many people make a quick visit, there is quite a bit to see if you enjoy poking around markets and some people spend over two hours here.
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