The Bath Arms, tucked into the picture-postcard village of Horningsham on the Longleat Estate, is the kind of country inn that manages to feel both timeless and freshly polished. Once the haunt of estate hands and visiting aristocrats, it’s now a quietly stylish bolthole for those drawn to Wiltshire’s wide skies, rolling downland and sporting heritage. This is a classic estate inn made modern, balancing Longleat pedigree with everyday comfort. Whether you’re here to shoot, fish, or simply laze by the fire, it captures the essence of the English countryside: warm, well-fed, and quietly contented.
Though the pub’s roots are firmly on shooting ground, the Bath Arms has long attracted those who cast as well as those who carry a gun. The surrounding Wiltshire countryside offers some fine chalkstream fly fishing within easy reach – including the Wylye, Avon, and a little further afield, the Dorset Frome. Staff can offer introductions or local pointers, and it’s the sort of place where waders drying on a rail are taken as a badge of honour rather than a curiosity.
Horningsham itself is a delight — all mellow stone cottages and hedgerows, perched within the wooded folds of the Longleat Estate. The Bath Arms sits just minutes from Longleat House and a short drive from Warminster and the A36, making it an ideal staging post between Salisbury and Bath. Despite its easy access, it retains a peaceful, tucked-away air — a proper country retreat without total isolation.
The Bath Arms walks a fine line between rustic tradition and modern polish. Inside, there are flagstone floors, open fires and deep armchairs, offset by Farrow & Ball tones, contemporary art and a touch of understated glamour. The Georgian bones remain intact, but the décor nods to modern country chic — somewhere between gamekeeper’s lodge and boutique hotel. The bar buzzes with locals, beaters and weekenders alike.
The rooms above the pub and in the courtyard buildings have been smartly reworked: rich fabrics, good beds, rainfall showers and the occasional freestanding tub. It’s comfortable rather than ostentatious, with the service following suit — attentive but unpretentious, with the warmth of a country team who know the area inside out. A muddy dog or pair of boots won’t raise an eyebrow; that’s part of the charm.
The kitchen here takes its lead from the land around it — expect game in season, Longleat venison, hearty pies and locally shot pheasant, all paired with clever takes on pub classics. There’s a commitment to local produce and proper cooking, with a wine list that’s broad without being showy and ales drawn from nearby Wiltshire breweries. Sundays are particularly good, when roasts and chatter fill the dining room.
The Bath Arms, tucked into the picture-postcard village of Horningsham on the Longleat Estate, is the kind of country inn that manages to feel both timeless and freshly polished. Once the haunt of estate hands and visiting aristocrats, it’s now a quietly stylish bolthole for those drawn to Wiltshire’s wide skies, rolling downland and sporting heritage. This is a classic estate inn made modern, balancing Longleat pedigree with everyday comfort. Whether you’re here to shoot, fish, or simply laze by the fire, it captures the essence of the English countryside: warm, well-fed, and quietly contented.
Though the pub’s roots are firmly on shooting ground, the Bath Arms has long attracted those who cast as well as those who carry a gun. The surrounding Wiltshire countryside offers some fine chalkstream fly fishing within easy reach – including the Wylye, Avon, and a little further afield, the Dorset Frome. Staff can offer introductions or local pointers, and it’s the sort of place where waders drying on a rail are taken as a badge of honour rather than a curiosity.
Horningsham itself is a delight — all mellow stone cottages and hedgerows, perched within the wooded folds of the Longleat Estate. The Bath Arms sits just minutes from Longleat House and a short drive from Warminster and the A36, making it an ideal staging post between Salisbury and Bath. Despite its easy access, it retains a peaceful, tucked-away air — a proper country retreat without total isolation.
The Bath Arms walks a fine line between rustic tradition and modern polish. Inside, there are flagstone floors, open fires and deep armchairs, offset by Farrow & Ball tones, contemporary art and a touch of understated glamour. The Georgian bones remain intact, but the décor nods to modern country chic — somewhere between gamekeeper’s lodge and boutique hotel. The bar buzzes with locals, beaters and weekenders alike.
The rooms above the pub and in the courtyard buildings have been smartly reworked: rich fabrics, good beds, rainfall showers and the occasional freestanding tub. It’s comfortable rather than ostentatious, with the service following suit — attentive but unpretentious, with the warmth of a country team who know the area inside out. A muddy dog or pair of boots won’t raise an eyebrow; that’s part of the charm.
The kitchen here takes its lead from the land around it — expect game in season, Longleat venison, hearty pies and locally shot pheasant, all paired with clever takes on pub classics. There’s a commitment to local produce and proper cooking, with a wine list that’s broad without being showy and ales drawn from nearby Wiltshire breweries. Sundays are particularly good, when roasts and chatter fill the dining room.
For its setting, heritage and quality, the Bath Arms offers solid value. Rooms are sensibly priced for what feels like a small country hotel, and dining is generous without tipping into extravagance. You come here for the atmosphere, the food, and the pleasure of a pint by the fire after a day in the field — and on those counts, it delivers handsomely.
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