The Rose and Crown stands on Harnham Road beside the River Avon, in the old village of Harnham on the south side of Salisbury. It is a Legacy hotel with twenty-eight bedrooms, and the setting is its great strength: a garden and a terrace overlook the river, and the walk from the hotel back into the city runs along the water meadows toward the cathedral. The hotel has a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and evening meals, a bar, free wifi, room service and tea and coffee in every bedroom. It is a wedding and event venue, so it can be busy at weekends, and the staff are used to guests of all kinds. Facilities include on-site parking, ground-floor bedrooms and step-free access to most areas, with an accessible bedroom and bathroom, which makes it one of the better choices in the city for guests with mobility needs. Room categories run from standard doubles to executive and de luxe rooms, and family rooms are available. Rates sit in the middle of the Salisbury range and rise at summer weekends, and breakfast is generally included in guide prices.
Location and getting around: Harnham is a village suburb about half a mile south of the market square, and the walk into town takes roughly fifteen to twenty minutes, mostly along the river and the meadows, which is lovely in good weather but less inviting on a dark winter night, when a short taxi ride is easy to arrange. The railway station is a short taxi ride away. The cathedral and the Close are the natural first walk, and the view of the spire across the water meadows is a short stroll from the hotel. For Stonehenge and Old Sarum you will want a taxi, a tour or a car, and the on-site parking is a real convenience.
The rooms: the older rooms have character and views of the garden or river, while the executive and de luxe rooms offer more space and comfort, so it is worth asking what is available when you book. Ground-floor bedrooms and the accessible room are a plus for guests who struggle with stairs. The terrace overlooking the river is the place for a drink on a warm evening, and the restaurant is a convenient choice after a long day, though many guests also walk into the city for dinner.
Who it suits: couples looking for a romantic setting, drivers who want easy parking, wedding guests and travellers who prefer a village feel to a city-centre hotel. Families can request a family room. If you are travelling in winter, check how you plan to get back after dark, since the riverside path is unlit in places. For a stay that places you opposite the cathedral, choose the White Hart instead, and for a budget base choose Premier Inn.
Why stay here
- ✓Riverside terrace and garden
- ✓Restaurant and bar
- ✓On-site parking
- ✓Free wifi
- ✓Ground-floor bedrooms
- ✓Accessible bedroom and bathroom
- ✓Room service
- ✓Family rooms
Good questions
How far is the Rose and Crown from the cathedral?+
It is in Harnham, roughly a fifteen to twenty minute walk from the city centre and the cathedral, largely along the river and meadows. A short taxi ride is easy after dark.
Does the hotel have parking?+
Yes, on-site parking is available, which is a major convenience in Salisbury. Accessible parking is close to the main entrance.
Is it accessible?+
It has ground-floor bedrooms, step-free access to most areas and an accessible bedroom and bathroom. Ask the hotel about your specific needs when you book.
