Looking for a charming inn near stonehenge
 

Hi!

We are visiting Stonehenge soon (driving from London) and would like to find an Inn for the night. It would be great to find something authentic with a pub and some charm (as opposed to the Holiday Inn).

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Stay in Salisbury. What is your budget?

Am I the only British person here who's confused by what Americans mean by "Inn". It just sounds really archaic to my ears, like somewhere from a bawdy old "Carry On" film with serving wenches pouring flagons of ale to Sid James types. Just curious if Americans use this term widely at home, or just because they mistakenly think it's the right word to describe what they're looking for in the UK.

For what it's worth, the Holiday Inn at Amesbury near Stonehenge is actually really good!

In America Holiday Inn is not really an "inn", but a hotel- (or motel-) chain. To me (in the US) "inn" and "B&B" are closer in meaning, altho an "inn" might be considered a very small hotel while a B&B is more often a large house. Hope that makes sense.

I don't know if the Holiday Inn at Amesbury is an American-style Holiday Inn, but, if it is, I think it is not what OP is looking for.

Inns, Chunnels and tipping in dollars - it's a different langauge - innit mate??

We stayed in Amesbury at the Antrobus Hotel, definitely something of an inn and quite comfortable.

"an "inn" might be considered a very small hotel while a B&B is more often a large house. Hope that makes sense."

It doesn't.

If Americans insist on using obscure colonial dialect in questions aimed at native English speakers, isn't it - well, polite - to define those weird terms?

"Inn" is a silly archaic word for pub, or part of the Holiday Inn brand. If you mean something else, and definitions are beyond you, can't you just ask your question in plain English?

We liked the Red Lion in Salisbury.

http://www.the-redlion.co.uk/

Why has this forum become so toxic lately . . no wonder it is loosing posters.

Americans seem not to be the only ones using obscure terms . .

http://www.britainsfinest.co.uk/smal...-compasses-inn

http://www.britainsfinest.co.uk/smal.../pembroke-arms

http://www.britainsfinest.co.uk/smal...-bull-wimborne

It is a bit toxic, and also a bit argumentative to pretend that meaning of "inn" is not completely clear. To help: in the U.S. inn connotes a small, privately owned hotel with, one hopes, some distinguishing charm. Please note, no condescension meant. If you have chosen to do away with a fine old word like "inn" so be it (although abandoning an useful, or even completely useless archaism seems profoundly un-British.) I suspect the late Egon Ronay would have had no problem recommending an appropriate lodging.

According to the online Oxford dictionary an inn is:

"a pub, typically one in the country, in some cases providing accommodation"

Since the OP mentions pubs perhaps that is what s/he is looking for. Personally I'd prefer a B&B, it's likely to be quieter.

Here is one web page with ten English lodgings calling themselves "inns".

http://www.english-inns.co.uk/WatersideInns.htm

bloody-minded

— adj
informal ( Brit ) deliberately obstructive and unhelpful

I can't help with a place to stay, I used to live only a short distance from Stonehenge so have never stayed in the area.
However I understood OP to be looking for a pub with accommodation. That is what I understand as an inn. There are no doubt many fine ones around that area, many will be old too. Check reviews on Trip Advisor, and sites like Booking.com carefully. In fact both of those offer the option of finding a pub with accommodation. It is how we found the gem we stayed at on our last visit.

In British English, "inn" = pub with accommodation rather than hotel or B&B. There are undoubtedly some good ones, but be sure to take earplugs if you will be going to bed before the last pointers depart. Unless the bedrooms have been soundproofed there will be noise from the bar, from smokers outside, and as people leave.

Pointers? Punters!

I've stayed in a lot of pubs, including ones with parties, weddings and such going on, but I've never needed earplugs. I have never been disturbed by noises from the pub itself.

The only time I couldn't sleep in a pub was when they left the extractor fans for the kitchen on all night. It was a big pub, with lots of rooms, and they assured my someone on duty all night. I phoned in the night to complain, but got no response. On checking out the following morning I did complain, and they reduced the bill.

Many pubs now have accommodation in an annex, converted stables or whatever.

Didn't mean to kick off a heated debate. My only point was that I've never heard anyone here in the UK saying "I'm going to stay in an Inn near Salisbury" - it just sounds archaic that's all. Much more likely they would say refer to a "country pub".

I'm with Gordon and Flanner in thinking the word "inn" is an archaic, or marketing, term in common British usage. We often seem to get into difficulty between the U.K. and USA when words have different meanings and connotations, and the extent to which they are commonly used. If you asked for a "van" in a British rental (or van hire) office, they would give you a goods vehicle with no side windows.

Inns used to be places where travellers stopped for the night, and they provided food, drink and lodging for humans, and accommodation for horses if required. There are many places which can be identified as old "coaching inns", but most have now become hotels.

In the olden days in an inn, you might have to share a bed with a stranger. Is this what the O.P. is looking for?