WILTSHIRE & SOMERSET - England 2012 and the Best of Wales - page 332

THE PUB SCENE
Hopback is the local brewer to look out for, and the best of Salisbury's many pubs
usually have at least one of their fine beers on tap. Standing just outside the center,
Deacons , 118 Fisherton St. ( & 01722/504723 ), has a local reputation for keep-
ing and serving ale the way it should be. The tiny, characterful bar is worth the short
walk. Even in a city full of ancient, half-timbered inns, there's nowhere quite like the
Haunch of Venison , 1 Minster St. ( & 01722/411313; www.haunchofvenison.
uk.com). The haphazard interior layout and wood-paneled rooms of this former chop-
house ooze medieval charm—and are reputedly haunted. Rai d'Or, 69 Brown St.
( & 01722/327137; www.raidor.co.uk), may look rather nondescript in comparison,
but the bar usually sells a range of interesting local microbrews.
Where to Stay
IN SALISBURY
Salisbury and its environs are blessed with lots of good-quality hotels and guest-
houses. Opened in late 2010, Peartree Serviced Apartments , Mill Road (www.
peartreeapartments.co.uk; & 01722/322055 ), adds more space and the conve-
nience of a kitchen to a basic hotel set-up. Apartments are well-designed, modern,
and comfortable, and come in a range of sizes, from studios to two-bedroom units.
They are also bookable by the night; prices range from £75 to £160.
Best Western Red Lion Hotel Cross under the Red Lion's arch into a court-
yard with an ancient Virginia creeper, a red lion, and a half-timbered facade, and
you're transported right back to the 1300s. Each small to medium-size bedroom is
individually furnished and tastefully decorated. For families, there's one spacious
room, or if that's booked, a pair of interconnecting units. The antiques-filled hotel is
noted for its unique clock collection, which includes an extraordinary Skeleton and
Organ clock in the reception hall.
4 Milford St., Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 2AN. www.the-redlion.co.uk. & 01722/323334, or 800/528-1234
in the U.S. Fax [phone] units. £70-£90 double. Rates include English breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities: Restaurant; bar; room service; Wi-Fi (free). In room: TV, hair dryer.
Legacy Rose & Crown Hotel Owing to its tranquil location, this is our top
choice in the city, an easy 10-minute walk over a stone bridge to the center of Salis-
bury. It's a half-timbered 13th-century gem that stands with its feet almost in the
River Avon; from the hotel terrace, you can admire the cathedral spire beyond the
water. The inn has both new and old wings: Room nos. 1 through 5 have original
beamed ceilings and antique decor, but look out over a (generally quiet) road. Newer
units are bigger with less character, but they have a view over the water meadows to
Salisbury Cathedral. Take your pick.
Harnham Rd., Salisbury, Wiltshire SP2 8JQ. www.legacy-hotels.co.uk. & 01722/399955. Fax
08444/119-046. 29 units. £105-£160 double. Rates include continental breakfast. Free parking. AE, DC,
MC, V. Take the A3094 1 1 ⁄ 2 miles south from the center. Amenities: Restaurant; 2 bars; room service;
Wi-Fi (free). In room: TV, hair dryer.
Mercure White Hart Hotel Combining the best of old and new, the White
Hart is a Salisbury landmark from Georgian times. Its classic facade is intact, with
tall columns crowning a life-size hart (stag), but inside there's a contemporary
flavor to the rooms and public spaces. First-floor Privilege rooms are worth the
small additional premium: For around £20 extra, you can expect air-conditioning
as standard, king-size beds, and recently renewed decor. Insider tip: Special

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