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Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 26th April 2026) with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Hettie Bells, Salisbury
Salisbury
SP2 7RR
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Strongers . left this review about Hettie Bells
Hettie Bells is an early 10am opener on Fridays and Saturdays, so located just across the road from the train station it was a no brainer as a starting point for a recent Friday Pubs Galore crawl of the city. A central split-level serving counter serves two bars, the carpet strewn wooden floored sunken bar to the left has a large leaning barrel for vertical drinking and tables with red upholstered stools up the left windowed wall that is faced by the counter up the right where premium keg was available alongside two hand pumps that were drawing Butcombe Original and Rude Giant’s Best. The street-level right-hand bar is more lounge like with more carpets on the bare board floor and a mix of high and low tables with chairs, stools and a small green sofa that matches the green painted walls and wood strip counter that supports the same draught as the other bar. Above the bar area are many old pump clips that are slowly making there way across the ceiling, so there’s a regularly changing ale range on the pumps, I though the Butcombe was in good nick, especially as it was probably the first sale of the day. There was some background music playing and the television in each bar was displaying train departure times. The service from the barmaid was very friendly, and I thought there was a welcoming atmosphere, especially for a station pub. I’ll visit again when next using the station.
On 2nd April 2026
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6626 recommendations about 6588 pubs]
Moby Duck left this review about Hettie Bells
Having had a makeover and name change in 2024, Hettie Bells is now quite a smart and vibrant pub handily a stones throw from the train station. The smaller lounge bar is now styled as a cafe and operates as such though drinks can still be taken there, the larger right hand bar is now the main pub space which leads through to a large and quite impressive courtyard beer garden which was a former stables.
there are four handpumps, two in the cafe bar which were, on my visit clipped, two in the main bar which were offering Buttcombe Original and Rude Giant best. The place was buzzing on a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon.
This now seems a pleasant stopping place though two brown beers are not going to cut it for me on a regular basis.
On 4th June 2025
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2306 recommendations about 2269 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Railway Tavern
Nearest pub to the station,there are two distinct rooms.The lounge is at a lower level,has sparse furniture and the serving bar has two unused handpumps.It was completely empty on my trip so I visited the bar room which has a pool table and a little more furniture but like the other room wall decorations are minimal and it has a bare feel.However it was reasonably busy with several people sitting with ruck sacks and suitcases so clearly this is a place to wait if there are delays on your journey.
There was a friendly welcome ,while the handpumps were offering Doom Bar,Robinsons Mr Scrooge and St Austell Tribute (NBSS 3),while the keg taps offered only multinational crap.
Two flatscreens were showing Sky Sports but with the sound down.It's a functional place ,not an ale destination but at least you can slip in a quick one on your way to somewhere else.
On 26th December 2019
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3154 recommendations about 3154 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Railway Tavern
Beer quality improved from the undrinkable to the mediocre since my last visit about 16 years ago. Not much else has changed though, the two pool tables in the public bar patronised by the only other punters are new. The barmaid was definately more interested in a dog programme on the telly than anything else and actually I couldn't argue with that. Railway porn and an unexpected Leeds United poster to look at if Paul O'Grady and his dogs don't appeal. Three pulls in each bar but just Ringwood Best on.
On 15th January 2016
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 4020 recommendations about 3683 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Railway Tavern
Basic two-bar pub (one with two pool tables), and both with plain furniture and very limited decor. Just the seasonal Rocking Rudolph (£3.60, and far from fresh) and Ringwood Best (which another customer sent back) available from the bank of four handpumps on each counter. Poor.
On 27th December 2015
- rating: 4
[User has posted 9119 recommendations about 9119 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Railway Tavern
Two rooms, central bar. To right, a public bar with two pool tables and darts with TV showing news. To left down a step is the lounge. Dated décor (artex walls, wood-panelled bar) throughout and smelt of decay. Three pumps, two on: Doom Bar and St Austell Tribute (just about passable). One positive was that the service from behind the bar was friendly. Not much to write home about – a pub that has seen better days and could be quite good with a bit of money and effort.
On 23rd October 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 6004 recommendations about 5984 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Railway Tavern
Across the road from Salisbury train station and the bus pick up for Salisbury racecourse. Bar and lounge serving beers from bath ales and ringwood. The pub has a dartboard, pool table and railway memorabilia on the walls.
On 12th October 2011
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3061 recommendations about 2989 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Railway Tavern
Near the station, as implied by the name, the Railway is a slightly run-down pub which has seen better days. The interior is badly in need of redecoration, and the beer us never the best. My pint of Ringwood on this visit was drinkable but not particularly enjoyable. That said, the welcome is always friendly and genuine, and I would still be happy to pop in for a quick pint while waiting for a train.
On 30th May 2010
- rating: 4
[User has posted 3747 recommendations about 3707 pubs]