Community · Salisbury
A look back at the pubs that once defined the streets of Salisbury
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
From historic coaching inns to local favourites, we explore the history of Salisbury pubs that have closed their doors and transitioned into new roles across the city.
Pubs have long served as the social heart of Salisbury, acting as landmarks that helped shape the city's unique identity. While many remain thriving, the changing face of the city has seen a significant number of these historic establishments close their doors over the years, with their buildings often repurposed for modern use.
The city's history is perhaps best observed through the lens of these former watering holes. The Antelope Inn, for example, once stood as a vital coaching station on Catherine Street, supporting travellers journeying between Bath and London. At its height, the site housed stables for 50 horses, serving as a bustling hub of activity until the late 18th century.
Other venues experienced more recent transformations. The Black Horse on Castle Street, which boasted records dating back to 1867, served local patrons for well over a century before being converted into residential homes in 2008. Similarly, The Blackbird Inn on Churchfields Road, which began as a beerhouse in the 1870s, transitioned into private housing following its closure in 2002.
Not all lost pubs share the same history. The Brewery Tap on Rollestone Street holds a notable place in local memory as the final venue in Salisbury to sell traditional rough cider before it ceased operations in 1972. Meanwhile, The Conquered Moon on the Bemerton Heath estate holds a distinct place in the 1960s cultural timeline; it was named through a local competition to celebrate the moon landing in 1969, a spirit of community that even extended to the local football club adopting the name.
Preserving historic landmarks
Some buildings have seen multiple lives. The venue now familiar as the site of former restaurants on Blue Boar Row was once the historic Chough. Having closed as a pub in 2013, the site has remained vacant since the departure of a later restaurant tenant, though recent reports suggest plans from the Chickpea Group to restore the building to its former prominence.
The Wilton, a building with roots in the 1800s, cycled through various incarnations including the Four Bells and the Wilton Road Hotel before finally ceasing trade as a pub in 2012. It was eventually granted planning permission for conversion into flats in 2016.
From the demise of the Butt of Ale in Pauls Dene to the transformation of the Fisherton Brewery into the short-lived Bar 44, these shifts reflect broader trends in British hospitality. While these spaces have moved on to function as retail units, family homes or memories captured in local archives, they remain an integral part of Salisbury's architectural and social narrative.
Source: Salisbury Journal — Salisbury · View original