Brian_in_Atlanta

After finding most of the hotels in Salisbury either full or very expensive for our September trip, we're looking at B&Bs. Considering the following:

Byways House (too far from train station for day trips?)
Clovelly Hotel (too close to train station - i.e. is area seedy?)
The Edwardian Lodge
Hayburn Wyke
Malvern Guesthouse
Spire House

Anyone stayed at any of these? Any other suggestions? We're looking for en-suite facilities, fairly central location and would prefer a large B&B to a one or two room place (we're not really B&B people). We will not have a car. Thanks in advance for any help.

kaudrey

Hi Brian,

I highly recommend Byways House. I was there about 2 months ago. It is charming, rooms are average size, ensuite bathrooms, great breakfasts. It is on a quiet street about a 5 minute walk from the center of town and a few more from the Cathedral. It has 23 rooms, so it's not tiny.

I'm not sure where the train station is located, since we drove, but the town is not that big - even if you had to take a cab there, it shouldn't take very long.

BTW, if you are there on Tuesday or Saturday, Salisbury has an open-air market that is just wonderful! Have fun. I was with my sister and boyfriend, and we all decided we wanted to leave the US and move to Salisbury!

kaudrey

Hi again,

More info about Byways House. Check out http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/hotels/bywayshouse.html for details. Here is what it says about the train station:

"By Rail/Train: Byways is in the centre of Salisbury but on the opposite side to the train station. It is a 17 minute walk. However because you will have luggage the best is to take a Taxi which will cost you about £2.75p."

That's about $4.50, and it's probably about a 5 minute cab ride. Seems easy enough.

I wonder if the "expensive" places you looked at included the Red Lion? Byways is about 2 minutes walk up the road from there. I have great pictures of the entryway to the Red Lion - it is beautiful (even when I was there in January!).

Brian_in_Atlanta

Thanks for the responses. Actually the Red Lion was our first choice, but it's fully booked.

Any other opinions?

JanG

As I live about 12 miles from Salisbury I do not have any personal experience of the B&B's mentioned but I will comment as to the location of some of them which may help you make your mind up. Clovelly Hotel is very near the train station, about a minutes walk away. Its not a seedy area but it is very busy and somewhat noisy being situated near the station and a stones throw from the Churchfields Industrial Park. Expect lots of commercial traffic outside as this is the main road into the park. Spire Guest House is also situated on a main road from the west into Salisbury so if you had a room at the front it could be noisy. True the cathederal is only over the road but Salisbury city centre is small and fairly compact so everywhere is within easy walking distance. I would say the other places mentioned are all within walking distance of the city centre.The station itself is about a ten minute walk from the city centre and I think I would rather be nearer to the centre itself than the station, (hope that makes sense!). Have you looked on www.smoothound.co.uk? There are some other options there.If you like the theatre try and see a production at the Salisbury Playhouse, also agree about seeing the market and have a coffee at L'Herisson in Crane Street or Snells a Salisbury institution. If I can help further just ask, and welcome to our lovely corner of England.

Brian_in_Atlanta

Thanks JanG. That's exactly the info I was looking for.