Best cafes and restaurants in Salisbury for disabled access

At the end of July, research found that Salisbury was one of the most accessible cities in the UK for wheelchair users in terms of wheelchair-accessible accommodation. 

However, is it also an accessible place for wheelchair users who live here or are visiting to go out and enjoy themselves? 

One of our readers James Burrows from Fordingbridge has recently started using a wheelchair after having his leg amputated, and asked for accessible reccomendations as it is difficult to find accurate information online.

Salisbury-based Georgia Haggaty, 25, kindly wrote in to provide an extensive list of venues that are wheelchair accessible, and we have used this whilst adding in comments and suggestions from other readers too. 

Georgia said: “As a wheelchair user myself, me and my mum quite often go out for lunch with my auntie.

"We have found quite a lot in and around Salisbury.”

1) Cosy Club

The Cosy Club on New Street was recommended by multiple readers. Laura Deverill said: "Cosy club has the tiniest little step to get in at the front but inside is very accessible with facilities and access to outdoor seating area.” This restaurant is also the first place James Burrow went after his operation. 

2) Wafflemeister 

The Wafflemeister in Old George Mall was recommended by Georgia and the company Facebook account commented on confirming this. Wafflemeister Salisbury said: “Yes indeed, we have a ramp entry, well-spaced out tables both on the High Street & inside and a disabled loo on the ground floor”. 

3) Qudos

Qudos, a British contemporary restaurant on Castle Street, has a disabled toilet and a ramp they can put down at the front door according to Charlotte Roff. 

4) Salisbury Art Centre

Located on Bedwin St, Salisbury Art Centre cafe has "very easy access" according to Samantha O’Connell. She added "loads of room and very airy". As well as the Art Centre, Georgia also put the Leisure Centre, the Playhouse, the Guildhall, Salisbury's Odeon (from the St Catherine St side entrance) and the City Hall on her list. 

5) Costa and Starbucks 

Apparently, both of Salisbury's Costas have good disabled access. The Costa on Butcher Row has access from the marketplace side according to David Marrs. Starbucks was also on Georgia's list.

6) The Refectory

The Salisbury Cathedral cafe, The Refectory, has good wheelchair access. Marilyn Andrews Younger said "Cathedral refectory has a small slope to the cafe and also level outside seating in the cloisters. There is a disabled toilet too and all others are on level ground.” 

7) Cathedral Hotel & Bar

Milford St, Salisbury 

8) The Old Castle (Harvester)

Old Castle Road, Salisbury

9) Orchard (Amesbury)

Archers Gate, Amesbury

10) Boston Tea Party

Old George Inn, High St, Salisbury

11) The Hampton Inn

Off Pearce Way, London Rd, Salisbury

12) The Greyfisher

Ayleswade Road, Salisbury

13) Waitrose café (Salisbury)

Churchill Way, Salisbury

14) McDonalds

15) Zizzi

Castle St, Salisbury

16) The Kings Head Inn (Wetherspoons) 

Bridge St, Salisbury

17) The Bishops Mill

The Maltings, Salisbury

18) The Bridge Tap

Fisherton St, Salisbury

19) Wildwood (Salisbury)

Cross Keys Shopping Centre, Salisbury

Reccomendations from readers, which weren't already on Georgia's list: 

20) Côte Brasserie 

Paul Halliden said "We’ve used Côte Brasserie a few times. When you book, tell them you are a wheelchair user and ask for a table “on the flat”. The resturant can be found in Salisbury's St Thomas Square.

21) Byron

Jessica May, who works at the Byrons in Old George Mall said: "We’re all on one floor including disabled toilet downstairs we also have a disabled ramp that can be put out on request, we have a lot of booths as well as spaced out tables and large walkways for accessibility". 

22) The Bell Inn

Nicky Bishop said: “The Bell Inn at South Newton has disabled access at the side and massive bathroom with radar key access.” 

23) The Wood Bar

Tom Britten recommended this one. 

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James half-jokingly has said he would be happy to review local businesses in terms of accessibility in exchange for a drink or a meal. 

If you or a local business you know is interested, you can contact him on: jamesrburrows@outlook.com

It turns out that as well as being a wheelchair user himself, he does have specialist knowledge in this field as he used to install disability equipment. 

If there are any businesses you don't think should be on this list please let us know why, and if you have any reccomendations please send them in.

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