The Winterbourne Arms, Salisbury

This is far from your run-of-the-mill Fullers pub, but it serves its purpose well and the barman that I met was very hospitable. There are four ale pumps, two of which were serving up Pride and the other two ESB. There are also a few standard lagers etc. to choose from. There is a plasma screen on the back wall and another TV above the front door. This is a great place for a few beers, but I'm not sure I would want to stay all evening.

Previously The Tything Man and having a bad reputation, The Winterbourne Arms was transformed into a first-class village pub by the current owners, Gordon and Faye. The food is undoubtedly the best in the Bourne Valley area, a mix of traditional favourites and some more adventurous dishes. Remarkably, the food is also cheap considering its quality. Despite this, it hasn't become a gastropub and maintains its friendly village atmosphere. It has also, in the last year or so, started to serve real ales, some from local micros, to a high standard (with the occasional lapse), and there are usually 2 on 3 on tap. Summer Lightning is usually on and my last pint of it was excellent. Well worth finding if your approaching or leaving Salisbury from the East (it's on the A338 so hard to miss).