The Cuckoo Inn, Salisbury

A venerable pub on the edge of the New Forest, I first drank here fifty odd years ago and a lot has changed, the bat infested outdoor toilets have been swapped for clean ones inside at the rear, including an interesting possibly original tiled picture in the service corridor, the counter has moved from along the back wall to a small corner job in the original front room creating a bit of a choke point, a side extension has also been added on the right with a small length of counter. The moving of the servery has produced two new rear sitting rooms, one with darts the other with a piano. The small front room is much as it’s always been. Four cask beers were available on gravity, the only indication being a small blackboard on the left wall of the counter and only showing a beer name and ABV, no indication of brewer; the barman was only able to recite style when asked “who brewed it ?” A minor quibble but so easy to solve. Two low T-Bars have a few ciders, Hobgoblin and lagers, “proper” ciders are also available, quite a number of them and Perry as a bonus. Outside at the front the pub looks pretty much as it has for decades with the seating on the front lawn and it still has rudimentary parking and a large back area. A few minor moans aside it’s a classic village pub and a don't miss if nearby. GBG listed.