Railway Tavern, Salisbury

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.

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.

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.

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.