Harden's survey result
Summary
Born in 1740 but updated for modern times – a country inn on the edge of the rolling parkland of the Fonthill Estate, not far from Salisbury. “Too many pubs serve food that is overpriced and disappointing, but not here though” – a “fab place” where you can expect “superb cooking every time”, be it suckling pig, wood-fired pizzas or local meat and game (“a lunch featuring duck lingers long in the memory”). Want to overnight? There are plush bedrooms and lodges but the pick of the accommodation is the ‘Arch’ which sits at the entrance to the Fonthill Estate’s driveway.
Summary
This “lovely country pub” in a “gorgeous setting” on the edge of the Fonthill Estate (named after William Beckford, Fonthill’s eccentric owner 200 years ago) is “totally wonderful”, agree fans who “always go back” for the “great ambience” in particular, and “some very good bar snacks”.
Summary
This “superb country pub with fabulous food” on the Fonthill Estate dates from 1740 and boasts a “country-house ambience and upper-crust service” that make it “popular with the local gentry” (and very well commented-on in our annual diners’ poll by the standards of venues in the area). An ivy-clad facade and “roaring log fires” are complemented by a smartly modernised interior, while “seasonal menus mix traditional country fayre and touches of the more exotic” – so there’s “truly something for everyone”.
Summary
A traditional, ivy-clad inn dating from 1740, smartly modernised while retaining an “old country-house ambience and service” and remaining “popular with locals”. It’s the sort of place “happy to provide a breakfast sharpener”, where nothing is too much trouble: “my sister asked for an omelette and something amazing simply appeared – not on the menu, not a problem”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Beckford Arms?
Fonthill Gifford, SP3 6PX
Restaurant details
Beckford Arms Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Terrific place for a traditional sunday lunch. The pub is set in the most beautiful countryside with lots of fab walks around. It looks like it was an old coaching inn with pleanty of different rooms to eat in and a conservatory. Despite it being so busy service was prompt and friendly. A very 'country set' lunch with lots of dogs in tow. We had mackerel starters and some crab cakes in chilie aioli, all delicious. Then the most fab roast lunch choice of pork, beef or crown prince squash. The beef was thick and rare and cooked to perfection. You get a board with all the trimmings on here and they are generous with the portions. Lots of delicious veggies, a pile of roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, oh yes that was a bonus, and a vat of gravy, what's not to love. Some delicious different flavour ice cream and sorbets for pudd as we were so full. The wine list is good too and some good value quaffing was had. All n all a perfect country sunday lunch but an upmarket one!"
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £28.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
Fonthill Gifford, SP3 6PX
Opening hours
| Monday | 8 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 8 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
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