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I've only just noticed this... with Tris39
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The Cuckoo Inn, Salisbury
Hamptworth
Postal town: Salisbury
SP5 2DU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Old Boots left this review about The Cuckoo Inn
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.
On 21st September 2025
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3777 recommendations about 3449 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Cuckoo Inn
Chocolate box rural pub on approach and the inside delivers, a small tight and simple multi-roomer with varnished wainscoting and white walls. Tiny bar off round the side, which fits no more than four people. My Palmer's Dorset Gold (from a selection of four ales) was excellent (NBSS 4) and easily befitting its GBG’24 listing. Also noted were a huge array (20+) ciders and filled rolls, the latter being a surprisingly cheap £2.50 a pop. Odd to read that it only re-opened in March 2022 after a long period of closure and uncertainty, this would be too much of a classic to lose. An excellent place that I’d be keen to revisit, it really is a gem. 8.5
On 17th August 2024
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5754 recommendations about 5735 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about Cuckoo Inn
What a fantastic pub this is once again, now that it has come through some troubled times. It sits in a very pleasant rural location, a picturesque thatched cottage with a small extension at one side, with a small sheltered garden at the back and a larger open grassed area with benches, tables and dog bowls at the front. There is a limited amount of car parking and separate parking for motorbikes and pedal cycles – leather and lycra both welcome here. Inside there are three small bar areas, all of which have a few tables for diners. It does get cramped though, especially given that the doorways tend to get blocked by slow moving humans. There is a piano, a dartboard and a Georgian fireplace to keep people entertained depending on their preference and intellect. Food is basic pub grub, home cooked and excellent value. There is now a large selection of ciders and perries available, plus five ales on gravity – HopBack Cuckoo and Summer Lightning, Palmer’s Dorset Gold and two others I couldn’t remember, probably because all were in superb condition. An iconic pub which is a must if visiting the new Forest or just passing through.
On 12th December 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3649 recommendations about 3611 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Peter Jillings left this review about Cuckoo Inn
I shamefully have not been in this pub for some time. But when I last visited, it had good real ale, food and customers.
On 2nd January 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 59 recommendations about 54 pubs]