Looking for the best hotels, self-catering homes and B&Bs in Salisbury and its rural surroundings? Salisbury may have its fair share of chain hotels, but there are plenty of alternatives on offer to help you avoid the homogeneous, mass produced, soulless places that many visitors are forced into when they are away from home. Here is a selection of the top independently owned properties which are perfect for your stay in the beautiful medieval city of Salisbury.
Illustration by Clem Ali
Independent Hotels/B&Bs in central Salisbury
Caboose, 115 Southwestern Road
Caboose is a 1920s inspired hotel and cocktail bar, barely a two minute walk from the train station. Owned by two Salisbury locals, it is a stylish and immersive visit to the 20s. There is a restaurant, cocktail bar and eight ensuite bedrooms, all with rainfall showers. Everything has been sourced with a great attention to detail, from hand made British beds to sheets of Egyptian cotton.
Guests are given an access card to enable them to avoid walking through the restaurant and bar if they wish to. They also offer a left luggage service, meaning that even if you are not a resident, they will guard your bags while you go out sightseeing, for a small fee. See their website for more details and lots more photos. Prices start at around £75 per night. Book online >>
The Old Rectory, 75 Belle Vue Road
A Victorian B&B less than a ten minute walk away from the city centre, The Old Rectory has plenty of original features as well as modern day luxurious touches and a large, secluded garden. There is an extensive breakfast menu, free parking on site and all rooms are ensuite. Prices start at £65 for a single room with breakfast. Find out more and book your stay >>
Self-catering accommodation in Salisbury
Purlins, High Street
Opened in 2021, this self-catering flat is in the High Street with views over the High Street Gate, and only a two minute walk to the cathedral. Immaculately furnished with two bedrooms, a sitting room with a large bay window, a fully equipped kitchen, original fireplace and even a roof terrace, the flat also provides a parking space. You will not be able to find a better location than this for access to all of the highlights of Salisbury as well as the restaurants and shops. Find out more and book your stay >>
Independent Country Hotels/B&Bs near Salisbury
Teffont House, Teffont
Previously known as Howard's House, this stunning hotel in the beautiful village of Teffont, is about 12 miles outside Salisbury. Built in 1623, it was once the Dower House of the local estate, and it still retains many of its original features. There are several large ensuite rooms, one with a four poster bed, and all with lovely views. There are two acres of gardens which include a fountain and croquet lawn.
The hotel is well known for its restaurant; serving high quality food by a highly regarded chef. The hotel has its own kitchen gardens and free range chickens, and the menu changes seasonally.
Prices start at around £85 for single occupancy, and can be booked online. The hotel has a free car park, but for those looking to travel more sustainably, there is a regular bus from Salisbury which takes about 30 minutes. More details and book online >>
Nadder Barn, Bemerton
Located in the outskirts of Salisbury in the satellite village of Bemerton, Nadder Barn is a two-bedroom self-catering holiday home with a terrace and a garden. Perfect for families or longer stays, there is also the option to fish on the River Nadder which runs by the property.
The house is closer to Wilton rather than Salisbury, but is on the main bus route to Salisbury or can be walked in 25 minutes. The house gets excellent reviews for its character, comfort and location. More details and book online >>
Independent Camping/Glamping in and around Salisbury
Chalke Valley Camping
Situated in the beautiful village of Bowerchalke on the Wiltshire/Dorset border, the campsite is a 40 minute bus journey from Salisbury. The site is idyllic, with six bell tents set in a field near a small lake and surrounded by fields. The campsite has a communal kitchen and seating area, hot showers, modern loos and incredible views. Each tent comes with a fire pit and a BBQ, with a basket of logs, marshmallows, cider, fairy lights and cooking essentials supplied.
This is the ideal location for people who want a more peaceful, rural location for their holiday. There is a lot to do in the area, such as Rockbourne Roman Villa, Old Wardour Castle and the Fovant Badges. It is also in the Cranbourne Chase Dark Skies area, one of only 14 around the world which have been certified as International Dark Skies with exceptionally starry skies due to little light pollution. More details and book online >>
Stonehenge Campsite & Glamping Pods
Just 3 miles from Stonehenge, this award winning campsite is very popular with visitors. Run by a local family, the 5 acre site has facilities such as a shop selling locally sourced products, free Wi-Fi, a shower block, communal kitchens and good recycling facilities. There are hard standing areas for caravans with electric hook ups, as well as areas just for traditional campers. There is a dedicated campfire field, making it possibly the only campsite in Wiltshire which allows campfires.
The site holds regular events, including a four day Solstice festival every June. The site has been awarded a David Bellamy Gold Award for its approach to wildlife, planting a wildflower meadow and hundreds of indigenous trees and hedges.
The site offers several glamping tents, with a mixture of pods and a yurt, each one different in what it offers. More details and book online >>
Vintage and Quirky stays in Salisbury
The Wardrobe, Cathedral Close
Owned by the Landmark Trust, this is a holiday flat at the top of The Wardrobe, a 14th century building originally owned by one of the canons of the cathedral. In the Middle Ages, the building was used to store the household of the Bishops goods. It is now the home of The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum. The two bedroomed apartment is high in the attic, with views directly over the Close and the cathedral.
It could not be a better location for exploring Salisbury; there is so much to do within walking distance, and it is only a short walk from the train station. The gates to the Close are locked every night at 11, so you are guaranteed peace and quiet while you admire the beauty of the cathedral at night. More details and book online >>
Sarum College
Sarum College is a Christian Education Centre and B&B, inside the Cathedral Close. Built in two parts, the red brick building was built in 1677, designed by Christopher Wren. The flint chapel was added in 1881. It holds regular lectures, events, and musical concerts as well as being a theological college. The B&B is open to anyone and offers a range of ensuite rooms or ones with shared bathroom facilities.
There are communal dining and sitting rooms, and by all accounts a learned and interesting atmosphere. Being so close to the cathedral it is the perfect base from which to explore the city. Prices start at £44. More details and book online >>
The Tiny House
This quirky tiny house is located in the southern part of the city, inside a private walled garden with views across water meadows to the cathedral. It is fully self contained with a kitchen and bathroom, and a bedroom on a mezzanine level. There is underfloor heating and a log burner to keep it cosy. It sleeps two, but there is a shepherd's hut on the same property, which can also be booked out for additional guests.
The house is equipped with everything you may need for your stay, as well as free parking. There are also regular buses which will get you to the centre of Salisbury in under 15 minutes. More details and book online >>
Longstay
Peartree Serviced Apartments
This Apartment Hotel is right next to the train station, making it the ideal place for exploring the country with public transport, as well as great access to Salisbury and environs. The apartments are generously sized, sound proofed and have fully equipped kitchen areas and bathrooms, with separate seating areas. There is free WiFi, a free laundry room and housekeeping.
There are one bed, two bed and family apartments, and apartments can be booked for long or short term stays. More details and book online >>
Homestays
There are several homestay options available in Salisbury, where you can stay as part of a household, usually for far less cost than a hotel or apartment. There is a wide variety of places on offer, including a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse, which you can book through Homestay >>
Another alternative is homesitting, where you will live in a persons home while they are away, and look after the house and pets in exchange for free accommodation. Some homeowners will also give you use of their car.
You can stay in some amazing houses and places using this method, for minimal cost, and it is a fantastic way to really get to know a new area in depth. There are several companies which offer homesitting - Trusted Housesitters is a good one to try and has some fabulous properties on its books. Find out more >>
Visiting Salisbury
Our Salisbury City Guide has lots of information on places to visit and locally owned places to eat and shop.
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