The Butt Of Ale Inn, Pauls Dene, Salisbury

The Butt of Ale sits in the middle of a 60s housing estate, well off the beaten pub track, and has a mixed history. It was forced to close last year and threatened with redevelopment, but was re-opened by John who has made a good go of it. It is very much a community pub, there being not much in passing trade, but it does have a good reputation for ale so is on the local CAMRA's list. As the crow flies it's quite close to Old Sarum Castle, and is certainly a far better pub than the Old Castle, but the route to it is not easy so it gets overlooked. Good beer and good food make it worth finding - it's the only decent pub in this part of Salisbury, and it could be fitted in with a visit to the Rugby Club.