From the Plume of Feathers to the Wilton Arms - Salisbury's lost pubs

In recent decades, many of the pubs that had been trading within the hospitality industry for many years either closed their doors for the final time or were renamed and taken over.

Images Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

The history of those pubs was rich but often, forgotten. 

History enthusiast, author and Journal contributor, Frogg Moody said: "Salisbury has lost some fantastic pubs over the years and some really historic ones.

"The Victorians once called Salisbury the city of the three Ps which stood for Pigs, Pubs and Parsons - that has well and truly ended now."

Read more: The A-M list of Salisbury Pubs  

The Plume of Feathers – Fisherton Street

The Plume of Feathers was a small pub located on the corner of Dews Road and Fisherton Street. Dating back to the mid-1800s, the Plum of Feathers was originally known as the Prince of Wales Arms, then, the Prince of Wales Plumes and eventually, in the 1880s, became The Plume of Feathers. It closed for good in October 1975 and was later turned into flats.

Queen’s Arms – Ivy Street

Image Tom Gregory (Image: Tom Gregory)

One of Salisbury’s oldest pubs, with the claim that it remained licenced under the same name for the longest period of any pub, although this may not be true due to former names being The Blue Lion and the Maidenhead.

Part of the building dates back to the 14th century.  

It became an Usher's pub until the 1970s and then a Chef and Brewer House. In later years, it traded as a free house. It remains closed. 

Read more: "We thought about giving up but have worked too hard for this"

The Star – Brown Street

The pub on the corner of Brown Street and Trinity Street dated back to the 14th century and is believed to have been called the Rai d’Or initially, but residents of Salisbury would know it as The Star when it was trading as a pub.

In the 1400s, it was under the ownership of Trinity Hospital. During the mid-1400s it was referred to as the Star. The name was changed back to the Rai d’Or following its sale in 2003.  

Read more: How the other half loves

The Retreat Inn - Milford Street

Another pub with a long history was the Retreat Inn located on Milford Street. Initially called the Cart Wheel, it dated back to the late 1700s, and then, became the Catherine Wheel. The building underwent substantial alterations over time.

It continued to trade from 1887 to 1987 and was then, sold. It reopened as the Trafalgar in 1989 and later became the Retreat Inn and then, the city lodge.  Nelson is reported to have stayed there.

It is now called The Merchant's House Hotel. 

See more: Salisbury Journal's new podcast On Point 

The Rising Sun Inn – Castle Street

The pub located in Castle Street had a skittle alley and rooms for hire and the garden overlooked the River Avon. It closed in 1986 but reopened as Sunny’s which attracted younger customers. The pub closed for good in 1994 and was demolished.

Shoulder of Mutton – Bridge Street

Image Frogg Moody (Image: Frogg Moody)

Located on the corner of Bridge Street and St Thomas’s Square, the pub dated back to the late 18th or early 19th century. It continued trading – possibly as the Bridge Inn and closed in 1959.

The Clock Tower – Fisherton Street

Originally a hall, a roller-skating rink, and an Argos store, it became the Clock Tower pub in 1997.  This was then renamed The Hogshead and eventually, became the Slug and Lettuce. It then became the Bridge Tap. 

Read more: Dry January a 'detriment' to the pub industry 

The Tollgate Inn

Located at the end of St Martin’s Church Street, the oldest part of the Tollgate Inn dated to the mid-18th century. It was known as the New Inn at that point. The name changed to The Tollgate Inn in the mid-1950s. It was a Hall and Woodhouse inn. The pub finally closed in 2008 and was converted into housing.

The Wheatsheaf – Fish Row

Located in Fish Row, it was licensed as an alehouse in the 1740s. It was a popular pub throughout the ’80s but closed in 1989.

Wilton Arms – Wilton Road

Image Frogg Moody (Image: Frogg Moody)

Dating back to the 1800s, it was originally known as the Four Bells but became the Wilton Arms, and then the Wilton Road Hotel in 1969.

In 1989, it was the Wilton Hotel until 2006 and then, in 2008, it was simply called The Wilton.

Following its close in 2012, it reopened as the Bacchus Hotel but closed for good in 2016 and was converted into apartments.

Have we missed any city centre pubs that have closed? Email us: newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk