​Welcome to the 2021 Wiltshire Life Eating Out Guide which features some of the finest restaurants, pubs, inns and hotels from all parts of the county.

In the guide this year we welcome some familiar places and some not so familiar new ones. Some are very old. Did you know that The Old Bell at Malmesbury is the oldest hotel in England? The Ship Inn at Burcombe is most certainly an old pub, but having been closed for more than two years, it has very recently reopened under new ownership; no mean feat in the post-Covid world.

If you are travelling for a meal a few miles away from home, why not make a day of it? Pop into the local town or village while you are there, support our independent shops, and then maybe incorporate a walk and see a different side to Wiltshire.

Our landlords, landladies, owners, general managers and all the staff deserve a huge pat on the back for all they have done for us. They deserve our support, and we all deserve a fabulous meal out!

The Red Lion (East Chisenbury) East Chisenbury, SN9 6AQ

The Red Lion is a fine dining thatched country pub and restaurant. Owners Guy and Brittany Manning serve unpretentious modern British food and have gained many accolades including: AA 3 rosettes, a Michelin Plate and they are two-time winners of the Wiltshire Life Pub/Restaurant of the Year. They focus on sourcing seasonal produce, but also cooking everything where possible in-house, from delicious breads, homemade butter and cured meats to cordials and juices for the bar. Sample dishes include, buttermilk braised chicken tagliatelle with pickled carrot, tarragon and aged Parmesan; char-grilled chateaubriand of Wiltshire beef for two with hand-cut chips & sauce béarnaise and caramelised white chocolate panna cotta with RL granola & poached pink lady apples.There are special events for both Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve, and a private dining room for 12 guests. The team offer a warm welcome to locals, travellers, children and dogs from near and far and have five stylish guest rooms.

01980 671124 • www.redlionfreehouse.com

The George & Dragon (Rowde) High Street, Rowde, Devizes, SN10 2PN

Set in a characterful 16th Century coach-house on Rowde’s High Street, the George & Dragon has set itself up as a prime mover for seafood in Wiltshire. Fresh fish makes its way up daily from St. Mawes for their specials menu, with sole, sea bream and sea bass making regular appearances alongside crab, lobster, and scallops — though there’s plenty for meat-lovers too. At the bar, two beer pumps serve local ales, and the wine-list offers a small but balanced selection. A wide selection of soft drinks is available. The coach-house itself has a cosy exposed beam interior, with roaring fires in the winter, and a covered terrace (and new ‘secret garden’!) for the warmer autumn evenings. Blankets and hot water-bottles are thoughtfully provided for sitting outside, however, now that it is getting cooler. The George & Dragon regularly hosts events, such as quiz nights, wine and cheese tastings, and is very much dog-friendly. After 15 years under the stewardship of owner Christopher Day, the George & Dragon is in its prime.

01380 723053 • www.thegeorgeanddragonrowde.co.uk

The White Horse Inn (Compton Bassett) Compton Bassett, Calne, SN11 8RG

The White Horse Inn at Compton Bassett, like its namesake, is a splash of white amongst the green. The traditional country pub is set within its own grounds in the countryside near Calne, and even has a paddock with geese, sheep, and the pub’s pot-bellied pig. The team, with owner John Reis and general manager Kristian Goodwin, focus on locally sourced produce, and prepare virtually everything (from ketchup to dog treats) on-site. The menu wanders from the traditional (such as home-made burger or fish and chips) to the more elaborate (chicken leg cromesquis with charred broccoli and satay sauce.) As one of Wiltshire’s last remaining free houses, the White Horse offers a wide selection of Wiltshire-brewed real ales and craft ciders, a varied wine list, and a curated selection of spirits. The White Horse will be holding a number of ‘taster menu’ nights throughout the year (publicised on social media and their mailing list,) and has a recently renovated function room available for events.

01249 813118 • www.whitehorse-comptonbassett.co.uk

The Rising Sun (Lacock) 32 Bowden Hill, Lacock, Chippenham, SN15 2PP

The Rising Sun is a quintessentially rural English freehouse pub and restaurant nestled in five acres of garden with stunning views across the countryside. Their food offers a contemporary twist on English pub classics, guided by the seasons. Head chef Gareth John’s menu is quirky, flavoursome and home cooked in style. With a fantastic range of local suppliers on their doorstep their food does not have far to travel. All ingredients, where possible are sourced within a five-mile radius of the pub. Diners can enjoy dishes such as: Pan roasted Wiltshire rump of lamb, crispy sweetbread, minted pea puree, baby potatoes, with a caper & cherry vinegar sauce. They offer a range of seasonal guest ales from local microbreweries, as well as house beers from Stonehenge Ales. Neil Glasspool and his team welcome families, walkers, cyclists, horses and their riders, well behaved dogs and drinkers. There is something for all the family including: a sunset deck, children’s woodland play area and private dining pods.

01249 730363 • www.risingsunlacock.co.uk

The Royal Oak (Swallowcliffe) Swallowcliffe, SP3 5PA

In October 2020, Simon Andrews and tv presenter James May became the driving force behind this popular 18th century thatched country inn. The interior, although traditional has a contemporary twist with solid oak furniture throughout, and work by local artists. The menu includes fresh, locally sourced food with influences from all around the world. Dishes may include roast venison, braised faggot, fondant potato, carrot purée, cavolo nero & peppercorn jus or pan-fried hake with spring onion mashed potato, green beans, mussel velouté, herb oil Harissa salt baked carrots, onion fritter, spiced labneh, sauté greens, carrot top salsa. General manager Chris Bryett likes to keep local beers from Gritchie, Frome Brewing Company and Keystone. They also have a fantastic range of alcohol-free beers from Divine Brewing of Salisbury. The pub has a large garden with plenty of seating, it is wheelchair accessible, there are six stylish letting rooms. and lift for guests who have mobility issues.

01747 870211 • www.royaloakswallowcliffe.com

The Bell at Ramsbury (Ramsbury) The Square, Ramsbury, Nr Marlborough, SN8 2PE

Celebrating its tenth year in the 300-year-old coaching inn, The Bell at Ramsbury is a real blend of cosy rusticity and modern refinement. The interior’s oak beams are set off by the light and generous space, and it seems a wonderfully modern take on the country pub’s traditional aesthetic. Indeed, the interiors have had plenty of care put into their design, whether in the airy restaurant or the cosy bar, as evidenced by the candles and flowers at each table. The menu offers a selection of country pub favourites, made from fresh, local ingredients, and both bar and restaurant can boast the unusual privilege of serving ales, lagers, and spirits from its own brewery and distillery, alongside an extensive wine list. The Bell has nine en-suite boutique guest rooms, split between the inn and its renovated coach-house, and a large landscaped garden. There is an on-site car park, and the inn has disabled access for less mobile customers. The bar area and rooms are dog-friendly.

01672 520230 • www.thebellramsbury.com

The Barford Inn (Barford St. Martin) Barford St. Martin, Salisbury, SP3 4AB

The Barford Inn sits at the heart of Barford St. Martin, between Salisbury and Shaftesbury. The old sixteenth century coaching inn is a true English village pub, with all its original charm and character. The bar, with wooden beams and inglenook fireplaces, is a warm and welcoming sight in winter, and offers plenty of cosy spots to settle in with a drink or a meal from their traditional menu. The village pub atmosphere has never left the Barford Inn, nor have the ‘locals’ lost the old art of spinning an exciting yarn down at the pub. The kitchen offers fresh, traditional pub fare, which aims at quality with that ‘homemade’ feel, and specials with local and international inspiration are on the board. The Barford Inn deservedly won Wiltshire Life’s ‘Pub of the Year Award’ in 2020, and the Hall & Woodhouse ‘Newcomer of the Year Award’ in 2019, and this success comes from its marriage of a traditional character and a warm and familiar atmosphere.

01722 742242 • www.thebarfordinn.co.uk

The Ship Inn (Burcombe) Burcombe, Salisbury, SP2 0EJ

Andrew and Egija Caston have only recently taken over the helm of this traditional 17th century village pub having run a successful restaurant in France for the past 13 years. Sitting alongside the banks of the river Nadder, the newly refurbished Ship is a gastropub providing fine dining and a warm friendly welcome to all. The small, seasonal menu sources the best local produce available. Their autumn menu includes: Pressed pork belly, crispy skin, braised leek and apple cider puree or roast loin of cod, chargrilled pak choi, celeriac puree and seaweed ash. Vegetarian options are also available. The pub serves local, regularly changing ales, alongside Luscombe’s soft drinks, and a wide range of wines and spirits from across the globe. The Castons offer a warm welcome, friendly service and great produce. In the warmer months there is a large riverside beer garden ideal for al fresco terrace dining. The pub has a spacious car-park, and is dog friendly to friendly dogs.

01722 744440 • www.shipinnburcombe.co.uk/

Crown and Anchor (Ham) Ham, SN8 3RB

Settled in now after two years under owner Ben Milroy, the Crown & Anchor sits happily at the foot of the north Wessex downs. The pub, dating back to 1840, has a wonderful homely feel thanks to its oak panelling and flagstone flooring, and emphasises its local connections through both its decoration and its menu. Serving seasonal dishes, the pub relies on British (often local) farmers, and artisanal producers for a menu that emphasises traditional cooking with a contemporary twist. The bar is stocked with local real ales and craft beers on tap, and has a wine list, tailored to their menu, from regions across the world. Comfortable sofas with cricket tables sit around the bar, by a roaring fire. The pub is dog friendly, and has a ‘sun trap’ terrace and wildflower garden. A private dining room with log burner and exposed beams is available for hire, and the pub boasts 8 en-suite rooms for overnight guests. The pub even has its own 82 page guide to local country walks.

01488 503040 • www.crownandanchorham.co.uk

The Shelburne Restaurant at Bowood Hotel (Calne) Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, Derry Hill, Calne, SN11 9PQ

In the luxurious surrounds of the Bowood grounds, the Shelburne Restaurant offers a relaxed high dining experience. Headed up by executive head chef Rupert Taylor, the two AA rosette restaurant serves fresh, contemporary dishes inventively prepared from local ingredients. Lazy lunches on the terrace, traditional afternoon teas (under the care of the hotel’s own pastry chef,) and spectacular dinners are all part of he experience. The hotel’s library offers a quiet, cosy space in which to enjoy pre-dinner cocktails before an open fire, and the restaurant itself leads to views over the estate. The dinner menu includes contemporary takes on classic cuisines, such as pan-roasted scallop with garden peas, Wiltshire ham, and cumin foam (starter) or ash-rolled beef, braised cheek and carrots with bone marrow and oyster leaf (main.) The wine list featureswines from local vineyards alongside established international wines. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible and has free parking.

01249 822228 • www.bowood.org/hotel

The Restaurant at Bishopstrow House (Warminster) Boreham Road, Warminster, BA12 9HH

Bishopstrow House, a hotel and spa just outside of Warminster and recently under new ownership, offers a beautiful setting for eating out. The country retreat boasts a stunning dining room, a terrace with views of the surrounding countryside, and even a couple of ‘Dining Domes’. These domes offer quite the experience - seating four to eight, one is greeted with a glass of Tattinger before sitting down to a three-course lunch, dinner, or an afternoon tea. The dining focuses on locally sourced food and superior service, and the relaxed atmosphere suits the hotel’s status as a ‘retreat.’ A wide selection of beverages are available, at all budgets. The dining domes are not the only innovation, however: in the warmer months, a seasonal picnic menu is available for the 30 acres of private grounds (including a stretch of the river Wylye.) Private dining is available, and a festive menu is available from December 1. The hotel is dog friendly, and offers daily afternoon teas and weekly Sunday lunches.

01985 212312 • www.bishopstrowhotel.com

The Stones Hotel (High Post, Nr Salisbury) Highpost, Salisbury, SP4 6AT

In easy reach of Salisbury, The Stones Hotel is home to the Steakhouse Bar & Grill, part of Marco Pierre White’s restaurant estate. The renowned chef, who has made Wiltshire his home, curates the menu himself. The restaurant focuses on steaks, English and French classic dishes such as shepherd’s pie and moules marinière, and offers set menu options; ingredients are locally sourced. Drinks and cocktails follow the same theme: the restaurant is designed around Pierre White’s philosophy of ‘affordable glamour’, and the menu’s choices, which include a mix of childhood favourites and modern classics, offer unpretentious but quality fare for a range of budgets. The hotel itself is up at High Post, near Old Sarum, so offers an ideal base for the sights of southern Wiltshire. The venue is rated ‘silver’ with Green Tourism, and has plenty of parking for larger events such as conferences. Sleek but unstuffy, it is ideal for professionals, occasional diners, or more special occasions.

01722 782020 • www.thestoneshotel.co.uk

The Lamb Inn (Urchfont) The Green, Urchfont, Devizes, SN10 4QU

At the heart of Urchfont’s High Street, The Lamb Inn is a warm and familiar presence in the village. The recent change of ownership has not changed this: Paul Baker and Joanna Arnott took over the pub in May 2021, but as longtime Urchfont residents they value the pub’s role in the community. The Lamb Inn, therefore, focuses on its welcoming atmosphere and excellent service, and sources all of its ingredients as close to home as possible. The menu offers home cooked classics, though the specials board ventures further afield. Wadworth ales are on tap here, alongside a selection of lagers from around the world, and a spirits menu includes gins and rums with Fever-tree mixers. A variety of wines are available by the glass or bottle. A heated terrace is an enviable asset — and The Lamb has a skittle alley, too. They host a pub quiz on the last Sunday of every month, and occasional live music sessions. Dogs are welcome.

01380 848593 • www.lambinnurchfont.co.uk

The Goat at Downton (Downton ) 62 The Borough, Downton, Salisbury, SP5 3LY

Previously The White Horse, Karolina Korys-Jones and Darren Jones took over in February 2020 and following a major refurbishment, opend as The Goat at Downton. it is a traditional pub with a gastro twist, combining original features with contemporary décor. The cosy snug, and large bar area are both dog friendly, with log burners and a stylish restaurant - perfect for either a light lunch, drink after work or a special occasion dinner. Their menu is unpretentious, seasonal, fresh, using local produce as much as possible. From comforting house classics like the burger or pie of the day to stone baked pizza, Spanish style tapas and Asian influences. There are also gluten free and vegan options.

The Goat offers traditional local ales and spirits, which are found in the village, from Downton and Hop Back breweries to Explorer’s and James Gin made in the Downton Distillery. They host live music events, and their field is the venue for Downton Firework Night.

01725 535353 • www.thegoatpub.co.uk

The Old Bell (Malmesbury) Abbey Row, Malmesbury, SN16 0BW

England’s oldest hotel was established in 1220, and sits proudly next door to Malmesbury’s 12th century abbey. The hotel boasts high design interiors, and is now owned by Kim and Whit Hanks, from, Dripping Springs Texas. Enjoy delicious food in their Saints & Sinners restaurant with a focus on fresh, local and seasonal produce. Dishes on the menu include - Roasted iron & crown prince pumpkin risotto, Wiltshire loaf cheese, topped with toasted seeds & roasted pumpkin seeds and Seared local pork tenderloin, pulled pork passtilla, smoked offal faggot, colcannon potatoes, burnt onion puree, & pork jus. The lounge menu offers sharing plates with a Texan twist. On a Sunday, they serve a traditional roast. Guests can also enjoy a cream tea or fabulous full afternoon tea. The hotel has an aptly named 1220 cocktail bar, lounges filled with treasures to enjoy and outside terraces with relaxed seating. Their 34 rooms are all dog friendly, and those in the main house have great views across the historic market town of Malmesbury.

01666 822344 • www.oldbellhotel.com

This supplement originally appeared in the October 2021 issue of Wiltshire Life. To subscribe please click here.

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