The Bell Inn, Salisbury

A shabby roadside pub which caters primarily for passers-by at the expense of its locals. Getting in and out is often hampered by traffic on the A303. Once off the road, there is a gravel car park at the back. There is a small grassed garden at the side, but the view is mainly of the road, and the traffic noise makes it less than comfortable. Inside, two of the front rooms have been made into a dining area, while there is a small, soulless snug at the side. The snug has armchairs and a woodburner, but it feels like a store room. Bizarrely, there is a Ducati motorcycle adorning the laminate flooring by the bar, though any oil it dripped could hardly have made the manky carpet in the dining room and snug any worse. They were busy when we went in, but even taking that into account service was incredibly slow. Only one ale on, Tribute, which was in fair condition but massively overpriced. Not worth the effort.

So-so pub on the main A303 to the West Country. Food and beers OK but something of a captured audience of passing trade so eveything is a pound more expensive than anywhere else. Distinctly average.