Malet Arms, Salisbury

Certainly looks the part of ‘quaint village pub’ from the outside, at least a couple of hundred years old, whitewashed and overlooking the River Bourne. The alluring sodium-style light emanating through the unusual (from a galleon?) window was an easy draw. The interior, whilst having been opened-out and upgraded at some point in the last 30 years, is pretty traditional and cosy – beams, carpet, plenty of framed pictures etc. GBG listed with 2x Exmoor Brewery ales on, sadly the Gold could have dropped the ‘g’ as it was flat and listless (NBSS 2). Much like nearby Plume in Shrewton this was another GBG place that, whilst a nice venue, flattered to deceive on the cask front. At least this one was drinkable and I’d feel more inclined to say that I got unlucky. I wouldn’t mind a revisit as the ambience was nice.

Official site of Malet Arms - www.maletarms.co.uk

Official site of Malet Arms - www.maletarms.co.uk

A lovely little detached white rendered cottage style pub, with patio, facing the steam that runs through the village. In the GBG 2010. The interior has two rooms, a bar and a dining room and is generally in white and wood panel with ceiling and supporting beams. The place is a veritable heaven for old photographs and prints, as well as eclectic ephemera ranging from jugs to bird cages. There are some wooden settles and a large brick fireplace. Whilst they do food, we did not eat. The service was great, the locals really friendly and people were saying hello as i awaitied my first drink. The silence - no TV and no background music make this place so relaxing. Beer; tap stuff, with four handpulls each being well kept. The Castle Rock Harvest Pale and Hopback Brewery GB were decent. The Stonehenge Ale's Sign of Spring fun for being green - yet still tasty. The Bristol Brewery's Milk Stout was class. More than worthy of the GBG status - this place is a must.