Red Lion Freehouse, Wiltshire

Overview

Hidden away in rolling downland on the edge of Salisbury Plain in the sleepy village of East Chisenbury is this charming 18th-century thatched freehouse. Despite its rustic exterior and rural setting, the Red Lion Freehouse is much more than just a local pub. Awarded a Michelin Star in 2013, the humble, traditional surroundings and the informal pub atmosphere contrasts beautifully with the quality of the cooking and the impressive range of the menu.

Foodies keen to delve deeper into the wine list or explore the excellent Bourbon collection can stay overnight in one of the beautiful bedrooms. There are brilliant alfresco options here too, relax in the peaceful raised rear garden, level with the sloping thatch of the pub and in the company of West Berkshire pigs and rescued chickens.

Rooms from

Doubles: £150

Good to know

Amex not accepted, Visa / Maestro / Mastercard all accepted
Disabled access
Parking available
Alfresco and private dining
£10 dog stay charge

Dog-friendly
Dogs are very welcome in the bar and overnight in Manser Room.

Quiet romance
With a Michelin Star and wonderful snug rooms, the Red Lion Freehouse is a wonderful spot for a romantic weekend away.

Outdoor adventures
Close to some of south England's most spectacular scenery, there's plenty of pastoral beauty in the local area for keen walkers and cyclists.

Fine dining
The chefs here imbue precise, cutting-edge cooking to their simple, rustic menu; recognised by both Michelin and the AA.

Rooms

Stay in the impressive Troutbeck bungalow with five double bedrooms boasting all sorts of gorgeous features. Rooms boast style, comfort, quality and attention to detail. Beds are the best from Somnus, all topped with Egyptian cotton, goose down and gorgeous throws and cushions, the individual furnishings supplied by Indigo Antiques in nearby Mannington Bruce. Smart tiled bathrooms have under floor heating, rain showers and locally made organic toiletries. The Benjamin room has a roll-top Albion bath, the perfect place to sip champagne.

There are stunning views of the crystal clear River Avon, replete with dabbling ducks and weeping willows, and across water meadows to pretty cottages. Either laze in bed and soak up the serene view, or enjoy a morning cuppa on your own private deck on sunny summer mornings. Breakfast is a decadent affair with the Chisenbury Breakfast buffet, with smoked salmon and scrambled Red Lion eggs, cinnamon waffles or French toast.

Restaurant & bar

Honing their culinary skills in some of the world's top kitchens, the chefs here imbue precise cutting-edge cooking to their simple, rustic menu. The results are impressive, recognized by Michelin and the AA. From the lime cordial to the ketchup, everything is made in-house with a real passion for sourcing the best local ingredients that influence dishes on the ever-changing daily menus. If you're staying at the inn and plan to head out walking for the day, a delicious packed lunch can be prepared for you.

The bar and cellar may be small, but the selection of drinks packs a punch with an eclectic range of hand-picked whisky, digestifs and boutique spirits, most notably a strong choice of American options and a raft of interesting summer cocktails chalked up on the blackboard. Four hand pumps pull quality ale from Wiltshire micro-breweries, the favoured beers coming from Keystone, Ramsbury, Stonehenge, Three Castles and Plain Ales, all brewed within a 20 mile radius of the pub.

Things to do

The World Heritage Site of Stonehenge is not to be missed, at least 5,000 years old and the most famous prehistoric monument in Britain. No one knows its exact purpose or how the smaller bluestones were brought here from Pembrokeshire. From every angle Stonehenge looks stunning but especially from a distance when the ancient stones blend into the timeless downland setting. Highly recommended!

The Red Lion is a stone's throw from some of the south of England's most spectacular scenery. Renowned for the pastoral beauty of the Vale of Pewsey and bisected by meandering rivers and waterways, this part of Wiltshire is an ideal walking spot. The Marlborough Downs, too, are just the place to go for fresh air and exercise and they also serve as a window to our past, a monument to prehistory.

Dedicated anglers should head to Manningford Trout Fishery, set in the heart of the Pewsey Vale. Fed by the tranquil waters of the Hampshire Avon, it also benefits from a fly-fishing school. Equipment is also available to hire.