The Bell (JD Wetherspoon), Salisbury

This old listed pub was saved from an uncertain future some five years ago when Wetherspoons took it over. Inside it's a rambling old place with several small areas dotted around the main bar area on the right and a patio further on. There's quite a lot of wood panelling used in these areas. On my Tuesday midday visit it seemed to be mostly people coming in to eat but there was a table with a couple of blokes pondering over the horse racing fields. The bar has ten hand pumps which had the two GK beers, Stonehenge Danish Dynamite and Butcombe Rare Breed all doubled up then a cider and one available soon. I went for the Danish Dynamite (£2.09) which was in fairly good condition. I stayed here for a while and noticed there were three ciders in the fridge and the menu said they were from £2.45 which is much cheaper than most Spoons. I went for the Hogfather (£2.29) and the Thistly Cross (£2.35) which were good and cheaper than expected. Despite not having a great choice of beers I quite liked this one.

Formerly a run-down town boozer with no real ale, it has been a JDW since 2012 and has been restored to a decent high street pub with historic interest. The toilets are quite impressive according to my expert in such matters. Seven ales on – I had Stonehenge Pigswill, which was on the turn, and Salisbury Bitter which was a lot better. A pretty decent example of how JDW can play a part in keeping some of our historic outlets in business.