The Crown Inn  

Just north of Salisbury this pub is a thatched cottage pub with outside seating with arbor (no roses though) and plenty of grass too. It is easy to miss as its right on a small roundabout and the entrance is narrow and lined by a low fence.

Inside are low period beams and ceiling and is very welcoming. There is only one bar which is 'L' shaped. The smaller tail having traditional bar billiards and seating area of tables and chairs (they like rugby here) and comedy pictures of the brewing process on the walls.

The far end of the pub is for eating from the extensive menu of traditional pub food (12-2, 5-9) at reasonable prices. Tables can also be booked.

At time of visit Ringwood Bitter and Shepherd Neame Spitfire was on. These were well served, though a top up was needed, but bar staff are not told this.

The staff in general were very friendly.

Food is served here and the quality is excellent, though so are the prices and it now seems like a restaurant with a couple of real ales on. Look out for the pub cat, a large black and white one, fat and friendly!

Comments
 

Since new landlords arrived in 2004 I cannot give an opinion on beer, food etc. as the reputation of this pub is so bad in our village that I wouldn't waste my time and money going in. I did put my head in the door just before Christmas to ask if they would like the carol singers from the church to come in but they said in no uncertain terms to go away. Most locals have either been banned or abandoned it for better locals in neighbouring villages. I hope they go broke soon so our village can get back its only amenity. I'd be interested in an outsider's opinion, but your website definitely needs to update its record on this pub. (29/1/05)

I have recently visited the crown inn Cholderton and I have found its a much pleasanter place, I visited a few years ago and found the locals to be hostile and the prices as bad as the food but now there is a good selection of food available and fairly priced to suit the average person. I found the atmosphere more friendly than when I last visited. the landlord and lady were friendly and accommodating. they seemed to be better than the previous owners who I had the misfortune of meeting. All round great pub friendly staff nice ales and kids and dogs were more than welcome which makes it a family pub. so check it out for yourself . (2/3/05)

The crown inn is a nice pub, friendly and helpful and the food is good pub grub and not over priced. The atmosphere has improved over the past few months, mainly due to the banning of some of the more unsavoury local characters who seemed to feel that they had a right to a say in the running of the pub. Mandy and Gordon are honest people who don't tolerate fools gladly and in my opinion this is a very good thing, too many village pubs are spoilt by surly unwelcoming local people. Good luck to Mandy and Gordon and we hope to see you around for a good many years yet. (14/4/05)

I have read all the reviews above and I have to say that wishing someone to go broke is exactly the right reason to ban someone from the pub, it's not exactly Christian is it? I found the Crown to be a nice pub, the landlady was friendly and helpful and the food was good and reasonably priced. I don't drink and was delighted to find that I spent a small amount on a soft drink rather than being ripped off as so many pubs do today. It is my mission to visit all of the pubs between Salisbury and Marlborough and review each one. I noted that the Old Inn at Allington did not have a web site, pity, I wanted to warn people against going there, the locals are hostile and the landlord/lady rude and unhelpful. Not a nice atmosphere! (22/4/05)

I am surprised to read the negative comments about the Old Inn, these new owners had spend considerable money refurbishing it and once Gordon & Mandy arrived at the Crown all of their locals de-camped to the Old Inn. Always a friendly welcome, I know it's changed hands a few times since then, give them a chance! (27/9/07)

Avoid this pub at all costs, rude staff who bellow at you in the pub, very cliquey and unfriendly. Was told to "sit down and I will call you when ready to be served" then when we politely said we didn't like being spoken to like that we were bellowed at again, needless to say we drink up and left. Looks pretty from the outside but it's nothing but pretty on the inside. Only stop if your really thirsty, have your drink and leave!! (10/11/08)
 

 

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