Crown & Anchor, Wiltshire

Overview

Persevere down winding lanes to locate the sleepy village of Ham and the stylishly revamped Crown & Anchor, set beside the pretty, cottage-lined green at the heart of the village. Locals and visitors alike love the carefully furnished interior, which boasts a homey feel and meticulous attention to detail.

Expect a cosy, country feel throughout with a blazing log-burning stove, cushioned benches, fresh flowers on old tables, and rug-strewn flagstones in the wood-panelled bar. In the adjoining dining areas you'll find oak flooring, heritage hues, colourful fabrics, candles on oak tables, and well-chosen artwork and antiques. With stunning surrounding walks, including three long-distance trails, and a network of traffic-free lanes, the pub is the perfect lunch stop for ramblers and cyclists exploring the area.

Rooms from

Doubles: £100

Good to know

All major credit cards accepted (except Amex)
Private and alfresco dining
Parking available
Dogs allowed in all bedrooms

Scenic and serene
Tucked away down winding lanes beneath the North Wessex Downs, get lost in the sleepy village of Ham.

Outdoor adventures
From the Inkpen Beacon and North Hampshire Downs to the stunning Kennet & Avon Canal, there's plenty of good walking in these parts.

Dog-friendly
Dogs are very welcome in the bar and overnight in all the rooms.

Rooms

Thoughtful design and attention to detail extends upstairs to the clutch of five cosy bedrooms, each stylish and very comfortable. Deep mattresses are topped with quality linen and down, while colourful woollen throws and scatter cushions add a splash of colour, as do the rich fabric headboards and the quirky bedside lamps in some of the rooms.

There are tasteful prints on pastel walls, well-chosen antiques, fresh flowers, books and local magazines to peruse, and lovely tiled bathrooms with big walk-in showers and 100 Acres bathroom products. All are named after local farms and enjoys peaceful village views.

Restaurant & bar

The Crown & Anchor is passionate about sourcing local and seasonal produce, tapping into the rich larder found within a few miles of the inn.

Evolving with the seasons, the short innovative menus celebrates traditional British cooking with a contemporary twist, championing local farm reared meats and ingredients from artisan producers, including pheasant and partridge from local shoots, venison from Viccars Game on the Berkshire Downs, and trout from nearby chalk streams.

Things to do

Fans of Downton Abbey shouldn't miss Highclere Castle - where the interior for the award-winning television series is filmed. Remodelled and virtually rebuilt by Sir Charles Barry in the mid-19th century, Highclere Castle is now one of Britain's best-known houses, and well worth a visit. A tour of the house and park is a must.

Don't miss an afternoon exploring the pretty market town of Marlborough, which boasts a brilliant high street, charming churches and 17th-century buildings. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the High Street hosts a market selling all kinds of local produce, pottery and plants.

Culture vultures should head to the Watermill Theatre in Bagnor. The present theatre is mid-19th century though there has been a mill here since the time of the Doomsday Book. The Watermill is just the place to combine peace and tranquility and a picturesque riverside setting with theatre of the highest calibre.

Getting here

Directions

Nearest train station: Hungerford
Taxi from station: 7min
Drive: 22min from Marlborough, 45min from Reading

Address

Ham, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 3RB

Gallery

Enquire to book

To make a booking, please use the form below or you can call our reservations team on 020 8161 0100. Our phone lines are open Monday - Friday, 9am - 5.30pm.

Crown & Anchor

From £100 per night