please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
An amazing old building. A proper old pub.
It must be terrible on a busy night in here trying to get served and it is also very expensive.
It is however a real treat to have a pint in here I would recommend visiting here during a weekday when it is a little quieter.
7/10
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Nice quaint old pub as previously reviewed but the ale sampled was in good condition but pricey.
odbod - 26 Feb 2018 15:53 |
A classic pub that recalls London’s Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese with its nooks, crannies and snugs. The chief attraction is a cosy room with the severed skeletal hand of a card cheat in a glass case. Eerie indeed but otherwise, it’s a convivial establishment that reeks of Old England. Beers included Summer Lightning from Hopback and Courage Best – not that imaginative a choice but decent enough.
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A must visit pub on a Salisbury crawl...but I'm not sure why?
Much better if you can secure a seat,standing room is fairly limited by the nature of the old building.
The pewter bar and various brass pipeworks visible bely a usually disappointing range of drinks at tourist rate prices, some staff do not seem particularly engaging either.
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Atmospheric old pub; steps, nooks & crannies & older folk nursing pints. Supposedly Mr Churchill & General Eisenhower had a few here during the build up to D-Day. Despite its looks & history it struck me as an average sort of pub however. My pint of Courage Best (3.70) was satisfactory & service was efficient, but I was underwhelmed overall.
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Probably a must visit pub of the UK , not just Salisbury, if you like to seek out historic pubs and with heritage interiors. Not having done my research thoroughly before my visit I was surprised to discover the mummified hand in the former bread oven next to the fireplace! Talk about a pub having soul !
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Three of us managed to get a seat in the "Horse Box" on a Saturday evening, nioe pints of Courage Best and GFB.
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Small Pub ,Landlord opened up a couple of minutes early for us thank you.Decent pint of Salisbury Ale
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I don't get it - pub is genuinly full of charm and oozes old world character, but no atmosphere, beer too expensive, and seating too uncomfortable - just because it is old it could still be made more comfortable). As a quick stopover on a pub crawl fine, but thats about it I am afraid.
odbod - 21 Aug 2013 15:42 |
Pub has changed hands since my last visit and although very clean and tidy now, had run out of cask ale and upstairs restuarant closed. Kronenbourg was fine...5/10
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Went in the Wed before Christmas at about 5pm and the pub was packed with a good mix of customers. Crop Circle was excellent, pub clean and homely. 9/10. An old girl was regailing the customers with christmas drinking stories causing much hilarity, log fire was burning, to be honest is doesn't really get much better than this. I was impressed.
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Very quiet tonight, hardly anyone in...
Last time I was here the place was rammed..
The beer selection and barmaids have declined too, ended up drinking weakish GFB poured by a bored looking Estonian lass.
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Visted this lovely looking pub for the first time recently. Fantastic aestetics, warm, good selection of whisky, small selection of ales.
Unfortunatly one of the regulars stood at the end of the bar was extremly rude to my friend and I and nothing was done about it. Would love to go back given the history of the place and its charm, but there are other nice pubs in salisbury where you will not have to be insulted and the patrons are friendly. a shame :(
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Paid my first visit to this pub on Friday and can't say I was too impressed. The pub is on CAMRA's National Inventory for it's interior, which is admittedly impressive, but I was left with the unmistakeable impression that whoever is running this pub is extracting the urine big time. GFB is �3.20 a pint while Summer Lightning is an astonishing �3.50. I had a pint of the GFB which was not well kept.
Normally I would say a pub is worth visiting for the interior alone, but I'm going to make an exception this time as this place needs a hefty kick up the arse.
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What a shame! Beautiful building, pity about the beer and staff.
Courage Bitter and GK IPA of dubious quality and �3.30 pint (pre - VAT increase)
Barmaid reading a book while tables left with dirty glasses and other debris.
This should be a flagship outlet in Salisbury not the tired mess it is. A real shame. Could be wonderful with proper management.
Visit for a quick look at the building only.
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Part of a pre-Christmas pub crawl I was pleasantly surprised by this place. Very small bar area but service was good beer was fine and a good selection of single malts. Can imagine it's a real hit with the tourists with the many floors and small rooms etc.Can't comment on the food as I didn't eat here but will be going back.
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Can't believe I haven't rated this pub before. The Haunch has always been one of the best pubs in Salisbury. The Courage Best is normally served in pristine condition (although I have heard grumblings of late from fellow regulars). It serves GK IPA and usually Hop Back Summer Lightening. The pub is a real gem, complete with its pewter counter top (now the only remaining one in the country I'm told).
Lord_Jeffers you are quite correct, Tony LeRoy is still the tenant although the 'on site' licensee is a Polish lady by the name of Justyna Miller. The pub freehold is now owned by those dubious landlords 'Enterprise Inns'. Formally it was a Courage house, to my knowledge Bass never had an interest in the premises, but I may be wrong.
Anyway, a cracking little pub selling good ale and great food. Give it a try. 8/10 from me.
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mendes - you may be right. I think it was a Courage pub cos it definitely used to have Best and Directors when I first went there in the 80s and 90s. I thought it still had the same licensee - Tony Leroy (but maybe he's gone or in abstentia) - and that he owned it outright. Either way, it is definitely a disappointing boozer from the good ol' days of late 80s early 90s.
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Definitely a Salisbury landmark, one of the oldest pubs, etc. etc. This is one pub that has been ruined by the smoking ban! It used to be tobacco smoke, orange stained ceiling, chimney fires every month, cobwebs, creaky floors, friendly crowd (suits and market workers all together).
Seems to have nosedived more since I was last there, but if you are visiting the city, go in if only to see the beams, the black and white chequered tile floor, the pewter bar counter and the "House of Lords" seating area up the steps.
Last I heard it had been in the GBG every year since the start, one of only twenty or so. I wonder if it made it to 2011's Guide?
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Why did I not read these reviews before visiting The Haunch and wasting my money? The beer was just drinkable...just. The food terrible ,tasteless ,straight from the microwave, and to add insult to injury they add a service charge to your bill.Take note patrons ,you have tipped for bad food without knowing,dont leave money on the table
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The hand is stolen.
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This pub has a mixed history. It is undoubtedtly a historic Salisbury landmark, and has been a pub for hundreds of years, but its quality is, at best, inconsistent. The restaurant upstairs is, I understand, a separate business which also varies in quality. Its hayday was a few years back when Rupert Wilcox (RIP) had it, and it was called "One" (ie One Minster Street) when the food was excellent but ridiculously expensive. Its low point was just before this when it served substandard garbage masquerading as pub food. Now it's just average food, overpriced, relying on visitors and trading on its quaintness.
The pub itself is worth a visit for its historic, architectural and culural perspective, but the beer, though often drinkable, is never in top condition. I always try to drink local beers here (Downton and Hopback are the best bet) as these are usually OK.
It's a fair bet, though, that the pub will still be here in another couple of centuries, serving bad food and average beer, so try it for the experience then move on somewhere else.
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A little disappointed, I have to say, with pub being so highly recommended. Beer only average, and overpriced. Pub extremely cold apart from immediately in front of fire which was fully occupied. The locals were not openly unwelcoming, but on the other hand we did not feel particularly welcome.
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Having eaten here yesterday and also visited some other pubs which, sadly, did not do food, I feel I must, as a matter of urgency, put up this review. DO NOT GO HERE. Yes, it is astonishingly quaint, but the locals in the downstairs bar surpass even the regulars in the Old Spot in Dursley for rudeness to visitors. When we called, two went on at the tops of their voices about the dreadful disease that the barmaid was suffering from, that they hoped she didn't spit in our beer, and that everyone should be wearing masks. This they appeared to find screamingly funny apparently unaware that it merely showed them up as total prats. We ignored this, and decided to eat here as Salisbury is notoriously short of decent places to eat. Don't. It's not good. My husband's scampi was at best ordinary and my Cajun chicken - well, I would have done better eating the place mat. In fairness to the (perfectly healthy) barmaid, the beer wasn't bad, but Salisbury has some brilliant pubs for those who know their beer - The Wyndham Arms, The Winchester Gate, Deacons and the Village Freehouse to name but four. Some of these do food in the evening or at weekends, so I suggest you time your visit for then. The Rai D'Or is also in the GBG and does Thai food but not unti the evening. But avoid the Haunch of Venison at all costs.
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The Haunch is probably Salisbury�s best known pub and naturally a big hit for visitors. Unfortunately the prices are designed to maximiseon its popularity which does take the shine off what is a fabulous pub soaked in century�s stories and atmosphere. The main bar has chessboard flooring lifted direct from the Cathedral where it had past its sell by date. The walls are oak paneled and contain a superb fireplace. In the corner by the bar is the Horsebox, a tiny snug bar originally for ladies use only and probably just enough room for 4 or 5 people.
The bar itself contains a rare spirits dispenser, only the second I have ever seen in a pub). The ales are not immediately obvious as the pumps are tucked away at the rear and side of the bar. As a result I had a choice of Green King IPA or Summer Lightning (I naturally chose the latter) before realising there was also Courage Best and Downton Summer Slogger (a beer I have never come across) on the side pumps.
The staircase to the rear lead to a small room on the left known as the House Of Lords, a throwback to the days when people of importance and status were offered seating in the higher areas of the pub. This characterful room has a low ceiling, bare floors, dark paneled walls, basic furniture and at the end, a large beamed fireplace with a stove and a small bread oven. It is in the oven behind a glazed and barred panel that you will find infamous mummified hand said to belong to a card player caught cheating. Sadly it (and the accompanying playing card) is barely visible in the dust and the murky light so a small torch is handy if you are desparate to see it. If you carry on up the stairs you get to the restaurant. I took a quick peak but compared to the rest of the building it didn�t seem to be as interesting as the rest of the building. The interior is listed in CAMRA�s Inventory of unspoilt pubs and overall the place is a must visit pub if you have never been before but be prepared for crowds and don�t forget your torch and a fat wallet.
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Probably the best pub in Salisbury. It reeks character, the only downside is that it seems to be run by idiots!! Other than that the beer is good, the locals are friendly but sadly the food has become only average. Long gone are the standards of Chef Rupert (God rest his sole). But it's still worth a visit.
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After having been intimidated away from the Frothblowers, I went in here for a quick pint as I made my way along to the station. Fairly busy on a Saturday with the usual maroon cords and tweed jacket crowd. Had an expensive pint of Courage Best (not too bad a beer now it is made at Charles Wells in Bedford) before moving on.
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As an avid Anglophile who has visited Salisbury a couple of time over the past three years, this place doesn't disappoint the real ale fan in me. Nice, cozy atmosphere, a roaring fire on my last visit in Feb. 2009 and a fine pint (or three) of Courage Best, well kept. One of the better pubs in town for certain and a must visit for those of us from far away..
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Cracking pub for atmosphere - very Harry Potter! I had a Summer Lightning, and it wasn't great, but the pub itself is a smashing little place.
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A venerable old pub, fortunately no longer under the dead hand of Courage but the mumified hand is of course not to be missed. A tourist destination with beer prices to match (�3.15 for Summer Lightning) but well enough kept. Always seems busy even when nearly empty due to the cramped conditions. As well as the Lightning, Ringwood Old Thumper, Courage Best and GK IPA, on handpumps at the back of the servery with keg taps even more discreetly tucked away out of sight. Worth a visit if you love interesting old pubs.
anonymous - 16 Feb 2009 11:28 |
I visited a while ago so see the mummified hand. It's a shame it's getting burried under brick dust, but still worth going to see.
Decent old pub too, with good real ale.
7/10
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The solid pewter bar is indeed of interest, believe its the last one in England. This place was allegedly built for the stonemasons who were constructing the nearby cathedral which dates it rather nicely. I try to never eat in pubs but would agree that a microwave has no place here.
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Fantastic Interior, Well worth a visit, so glad i had my good beer guide with me to discover such a wonderful little gem, 9/10
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I liked the quirkiness of this pub. Interesting building. Very friendly, knowledgeable staff. I enjoyed the ales. Had to go earlier than I'd have liked 'cause the girls finished shopping and found me and the father-in-law!
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A pleasant and friendly pub, albeit a little on the small side! The skeletal hand with playing cards is in the room on the left as you go one flight of steps from the main bar. Next floor up is the restaurant, which my brother and I liked very much - there was an all in one menu available of three courses for �9.90. We dined there twice in the week we holidayed in Salisbury. The locals were really friendly.
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Fails to live up to the wonderful building.
The beer's okay but expensive and the food distinctly average. Yorkshire puddings straight from the freezer, gravy straight from a packet, and the ding of a microwave as I waited for my meal - disappointing.
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By the time we reached the Haunch I�d forgotten my intention to read up about ghosts & stolen/returned severed hands, oh well. We managed to secure the �priest hole� tiny room (see image5, tight for 5 + 1 standing) at the end of the bar to the front of the pub, and Summer Lightning saved us from the awful alternative choices of Courage, Directors or GKipa. Downstairs is small, woody, old & rickety with a reconditioned inglenook, an upper room to the right (so say my notes?), and a posher restaurant upstairs although image4 makes it look rather nice. Fabulous pewter bar counter is worthy of comment.
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I have been using this pub, whenever I visit Salisbury, for over 40 years. Now that I have my bus pass, I often go for the Saturday market. The Haunch is a great place for a pint of Lightning, before catching the bus home. I am afraid I couldn't give a toss about Stella being �3.50a pint. Who wants to drink that crap?
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Interesting for the antiquity of the place, some of the pumps are situated directly over the cellar steps which lead from the bar. Only Courage Best on offer as cask ale yesterday which was a shame given the availability of more interesting beers locally.
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Agree with BillyD - an interesting old building but beer is very expensive and not in great condition. There are much better pubs in Salisbury.
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Historic old pub and must be visited. However, the beer is eye-wateringly expensive: �3.00 for a pint of Summer Lightning and �3.50 for a pint of Stella!
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Lovely old pub but miserable bar staff.
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A must see place because of the historic interest. Really eccentric building with numerous levels and the back exit via one closet in the Gents! Avoid in the tourist season when people pack in like sardines; try and visit mid-afternoon out of season to experience at its best. Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen, Summer Lightning all available on draft.
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Great pub - we went in there late one Satuday as an antidote to that disgraceful vodka bar. God, I can still tast the vitriol they were serving in there. Anyway, a few pints at the Haunch of Venison and all was well with the world. It cheered my beer-seeking taste buds so much, I had to go clubbing!
The front bar is miniscule! Go with a few mates and you own the place. Champion!
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Been here a few times, first about 5 years ago and never forgot it, came across it again this year..Just love it. Its very old and very trad. The drinks were good. We have never eaten here and such a shame someone had a bad experience.
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the hand is still there
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Excellent little pub. Has a very small capacity but if you catch it on a day when you can get a seat its great.
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Absolutely tiny. More of a restaurant than a pub, unfortunately.
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I happened across this establishment rather by chance one Sunday afternoon om my way to London from Bath. My partner and I decided to have Sunday luch and picked this place for it's authentic look and feel. We both ordered the roast beef and sat back to enjoy a glass of red whilst we waited for our dinner.
When the beef arrived I was absolutely flabbergasted, the beef, which was supposedly brisket, was a fatty offering with hardly any meat on it. This in it's self was an insult, however it was nothing compared to the incredulous attitude of the waitress who turned her nose up, took the two plates away and huffed off back into the kitchen. The head waiter then asked what the matter was, upon my response he informed me of the excellent reputation this hostelry had for food, effectively rendering my complaint to be worthless. The evidence had been swiftly disposed of by his collegue. We left immediatly. I e-mailed the manager the following day and received an equally disrepectful reply.
Treat this place with caution as here the customer is NOT always right.
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If there is one pub in Salisbury not to be missed, it is surely The Haunch of Venison. From the pewter bartop to the tiny 'snug' which was originally used by horse-drawn coach drivers while their passengers dined at the inn, not to mention the mumified remains of the severed hand of a card cheat from the pub's dim and distant past. What an amazing place to enjoy a drink.
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I hadn't been to the Haunch for probably three years and after reading the comments on this website about the refurbishment, it was with some trepidation I stepped inside a few weeks ago. What a relief! What on EARTH were these people talking about - the pub ruined?! It has retained all its charm and quirkiness and was serving just the one beer as before. Yes, the neon sign should go (there's simply no need for it) and the chairs are nasty - but these don't serve to spoil it. Anyone who was worried like I was - don't be!
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Atmospheric. An interesting place for a drink, if a little cramped, but that's part of the old-fashioned feel. On my visit there was something not-quite-right with the Summer Lightning I was served, but that can be forgiven as it was a good place to visit.
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Nice totty
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ostensibly safe in here, however there's little room and i once got ambushed by a local pikey.
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My partner and I lunched here in June and were absolutely thrilled at finding such an gem in Salisbury. We had walked in and out of 4 other pubs in town for lack of atmosphere and/or poor fare on the menu. We dined on fine food, marvelled at 'the hand' and its history, which had recently been returned, and were sad to leave when closing time came. The staff were fantastic, also. Can't wait to return!
Kathleen - 15 Oct 2004 01:41 |
Super cool people, spooky place. Great place for a buzz.
satan - 30 Sep 2004 16:34 |
Great pub, very food & superb ambience. The Whingers posting neg comments re the refurbishment obviously liked the worn carpets & nicotined walls of yesteryear. The HoV hasn't stayed in the forefront of Salisbury Hostelry by remaining fixed in the past!
michael - 31 Aug 2004 14:07 |
The hand is now back!
Nigel - 15 Aug 2004 12:00 |
I believe I first visited the Haunch around 1978 and have had many a happy evening there. However, I now live in Detroit, USA which is somewhat different from Salisbury. I can't believe that the atmosphere is gone. This buiding has many a tale to tell. I often think I'd like to drop in for a pint, maybe next year.
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I'm sorry to read the bad reviews about The Haunch Of Venison. I first visited it when I was on course at the School of Infantry in Warminster in Jan 1962. I only wished that we had Pubs in Canada with as much character. We visited the UK three years ago and I insisted on showing my wife what a terrific pub it was. Except for some scaffolding outside the only thing that had changed inside was the bartender. After 40 years absence I could still visualize my pint resting on the little table in front of the upstairs fireplace.
We will be visiting the UK again this Oct but now I'm somewhat reluctant to return to the Haunch as my pint and the hand will undoubtedly be no more. Sad.
Bill Stewart - 10 Jul 2004 17:30 |
ridiculously priced, poorly cooked food. I cant understand why it was so busy with diners when i went.beer was good though
zoe voller - 6 Jun 2004 18:09 |
The drinks are fine, but the attempt to make the interior more modern clashes badly with the actual building.
It could be wonderful, but it's presently an uncomfortable mix of styles.
Good location, though :)
Thomas - 6 Jun 2004 14:06 |
Hand has now been stolen. Perhaps it just wandered off. Does seem to have lost some of its charm. Shame. Good beer though.
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Dave, 13th Oct 2003.
How I agree with you - how could they be allowed to ruin this great pub. Went in for the first time in a few months after watching LotR - I just couldn't believe it - I half expected there to be a jukebox in the upstairs snug.
andy Livingstone - 7 Jan 2004 12:19 |
mac, as usual way behind the times pub not up for "grabs".I shall be around for some time yet.
a.j.l - 3 Nov 2003 14:29 |
just there....i was in awe about the pure history you step into in this very unique pub. the 6X did flow like water. i saw the "hand" and the tale supports the legend. food was good after a day at the Stonehenge. I will return....jrc
john clements - 1 Nov 2003 04:05 |
Hi Mac haven't been in for a few years as you know. How could AJL allow this to happen.
Don't think Wadsworths would be too happy to think their 6x was "flowing like water" !!
Tartan Mick - 19 Oct 2003 17:40 |
Th Haunch has been murdered. If public flogging were still acceptable the owners of this place should be prime candidates before they are run out of town covered in tar and feathers. This place used to be BEAUTIFUL. But it has been updated and the 'mental giant' that owns it has decided to turn it into the equivalent of a Slug and Lettuce. Morons. Even the ghost is pissed. She's been throwing glasses over the bar at the chef and I think most of Salisbury agree with her.
To give them their due they have improved the restaurant. A lot. But by changing the downstairs with that RIDICULOUS neon sign and replacing the benches with chairs more reminiscent of a Holiday Inn they have destroyed what was a UNIQUE ambience.
It is a crying shame.
Dave - 13 Oct 2003 17:20 |
New lighting out of keeping with the ambience of the pub
Two hand pull pumps being taken out, leaving only 2
Sound system installes
Stools removed and bucket seats installed
pub stripped of memorabilia and old artefacts
Beer inconsistent
All part time staff - so it seems
Charles - 15 Aug 2003 15:20 |
While trying to avoid a football crowd on a Sunday afternoon, we luckily walked into The Haunch. The 6X flowed like water, and although the upper floors were closed our bartendress showed us around(but didn't point out the Hand, darn it!), and best of all, we became involved in conversations with the other people in the bar. No music, no TV, no crap, and as soon as we left, we wanted to go back.
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Hmmm,
Wooden floor and walls heh? Well - Panelled walls. Tiled floor - same tiles as the Cathedral has (thats a place of religious worship, not a Hotel). And the Hand? Careful it doesn't get you know.
Currently the tenenacy is up for grabs.
Courage Best and Directors. 6X and sometimes on other guest. See what happens when it changes hands - pun not deliberate.
Mac
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saw the article on the mummified hand on Living TV tonight 15 Oct 02, must make a visit next time we go to Salisbury
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The oldest pub in Salisbury. Wooden floor,walls and beams. Serving one lager and two beers on tap. On display is the skeleton hand still holding a hand of cards found during renovation.
duncan shaw - 8 Aug 2002 15:01 |
