Haunch of Venison, Salisbury

Pretty quiet on our Friday afternoon visit, still we were slightly out of the mid summer tourist madness. The small amount of tourists on our visit, had taken themselves upstairs to the restaurant for a bit to eat. This gave easy access to have a good nose around. I noticed there was a large amount of small taps in clusters along the back and side of the bar area. The barman explained that many moons ago, that they would have been connected to flasks containing various spirits, most probably gin and this was a fast way of dispensing the spirits. Four handpumps Exmoor Gold, Courage Best, Hopback Summer Lightning and Hopback GFB. We went for the Hopback GFB at £4 a pint.

By the time we reached the Haunch I'd forgotten my intention to read up about ghosts & stolen/returned severed hands, oh well. We managed to secure the ‘priest hole' tiny room (see image5, tight for 5 + 1 standing) at the end of the bar to the front of the pub, and Summer Lightning saved us from the awful alternative choices of Courage, Directors or GKipa. Downstairs is small, woody, old & rickety with a reconditioned inglenook, an upper room to the right (so say my notes?), and a posher restaurant upstairs although image4 makes it look rather nice. Fabulous pewter bar counter is worthy of comment.