Best Western Red Lion Hotel
by the TopOfHotel team
Red Lion is a coaching inn from 1220 — England's oldest still trading, 800 years of heritage in the centre of town, scored 8.4/10.
Red Lion is a coaching inn from 1220 — England's oldest still trading, 800 years of heritage in the centre of town, scored 8.4/10.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The Red Lion keeps 51 rooms split between an Original Wing and a Modern Wing. The Original Wing rooms are smaller, in keeping with an 800-year-old building, but the Tudor character is real — oak-beam beds, stone walls and quality linens, with bathrooms done in a country-inn style. The Modern Wing rooms are larger and the wing has a lift. One guest wrote that eating dinner under the 200-year-old vine in the courtyard felt like stepping back into the medieval era. Some rooms look onto the Cathedral spire.
Food and amenities
The Vine Restaurant is the highlight, serving British and Modern British under that 200-year-old vine in the courtyard — the climber the restaurant is named after. The Sunday Roast is the signature dish locals come in for, and the set lunch runs $24.95. The bar stays open until midnight with local real ale and Wiltshire gin. Breakfast is a buffet of continental plus a cooked English breakfast. Wi-Fi is free, there's private parking for an extra $15 a day, and full Best Western Rewards — earn and spend points, with a member rate below the OTAs.
Location and getting there
The hotel sits on Milford Street in the centre of Salisbury, a 5-minute walk to Salisbury Cathedral by way of Market Square. Market Square itself is 2 minutes away, with its old market trading Tuesdays and Saturdays. Salisbury Station is a 12-minute walk, and the train to London Waterloo takes 1.5 hours. Stonehenge is 15 km out, reached by the Stonehenge Tour Bus from the station; Old Sarum is 4 km (an 8-minute drive) and Wilton House 5 km (10 minutes).
Things to know before booking
Some Original Wing rooms are small, the trade-off for staying in a genuinely old building. There is no lift in the old wing, so ask for the Modern Wing if stairs are a problem. The oak floors in some rooms creak underfoot. Parking is private but costs an extra $15 a day.
Our take
If the draw is heritage, this is the one — a working coaching inn from 1220, Guinness-listed as England's oldest, that still has its courtyard vine and Tudor beams. At 8.4/10 and from about $109 a night, it's a strong pick for couples and anyone who wants their hotel to come with 800 years of story.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A coaching inn that opened in 1220 — listed in Guinness World Records as the oldest in England still in continuous operation, having turned 800 in 2020.
- The Tudor architecture is fully preserved, with oak beams, stone walls and open fireplaces, plus a central courtyard built around a 200-year-old vine.
- Central spot — a 5-minute walk to Salisbury Cathedral and 2 minutes to Market Square.
- Carries the Best Western Premier flag, so you earn and spend Best Western Rewards and the member rate beats the OTAs.
- The Vine Restaurant serves British and Modern British under the 200-year-old vine in the courtyard, with a Sunday Roast locals turn up for.
- Some rooms in the Original Wing are small, as you'd expect in an 800-year-old heritage building.
- There is no lift in the old wing — the larger Modern Wing has one if stairs are an issue.
- The oak floors in some rooms creak underfoot.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Salisbury
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Salisbury — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in SalisburyAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- Ask for a room in the Original Wing for the real Tudor heritage — oak beams and stone walls, though the rooms are smaller.
- Book on a Best Western Rewards member rate to earn points and pay less than the OTAs.
- Have dinner at the Vine Restaurant and order the Sunday Roast — it's the signature dish locals come in for.