King John Inn

Pub · Tollard Royal

King John Inn

Pub · Tollard Royal

Benches Ln, Tollard Royal, Salisbury SP5 5PS, United Kingdom

Highlights

Elegant country hotel with gastropub, local produce, and garden

Benches Ln, Tollard Royal, Salisbury SP5 5PS, United Kingdom Get directions

butcombe.com

@kingjohninnpub

$$$

@iescape

King John Inn, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, UK - Explore & Book

"The King John Inn is a rural idyll with a past. Constructed in 1859, this ivy-clad red-brick coaching inn has stood as the focal point for the beautiful hamlet of Tollard Royal for centuries. Today, ramblers and their dogs still rub shoulders with villagers and local games-keepers at the bar (though now Guy Ritchie counts among them). And while the pub-restaurant is traditionally adorned with hunting prints and heritage tweeds, now you’ll also find local artwork, award-winning ales and a creative gastro-pub menu.Set in the magnificent Cranborne Chase countryside, there's fresh air aplenty, as well as charming market towns and historic country houses to discover nearby. After a day of rural pursuits - walking, hunting, cycling, fishing - we unwound over a candlelit supper of local venison and well-chosen wines; then stumbled lazily upstairs to one of the eight stylish, comfortable bedrooms and slept like royalty. Highs In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - guests can stroll straight from the village to rolling fieldsDeliciously fresh local produce on the menu: Wiltshire game, house oak-smoked salmon, Westcombe cheddar…Our bed was out-of-this-world comfyThe sunny tiered garden provides the perfect spot for a pre-dinner drinkFaultless service when we visited - nothing was too much trouble for the friendly team Lows Situated on a roadside. Cars pass infrequently, but when they do, you can hear themIn the coach house annexe, room 8 has a low ceiling and room 7 lacks privacy - but both are peaceful The restaurant can get busy at weekends, especially Sunday lunchtimes; vegetarian options are limitedIt won't suit those with a strong anti-hunting stanceNo shops in the village, but Shaftesbury town is a short drive away" - Charlotte Bonsey

https://www.i-escape.com/king-john-inn

View Postcard for King John Inn

Jon Grant

Google

Just returned from a wonderful lunch with great friends. What a fabulous experience we had at the King John. Upon our arrival we were greeted with a smile & a warm welcome from Millie & Jules. We were able to enjoy pre-lunch drinks in the sunshine enjoying great company. Our dining table easily accommodated the nine of us, the service was excellent & the food was beautifully prepared & very tasty, thanks to Chef Chris…… the setting of this wonderful pub compliments the staff & service. It was great to see the car park was full & clearly the 8 rooms which have been refurbished within the past year are proving extremely popular. We wish the King John team continued success….. we will definitely return soon!!

Janine Crisp

Google

We had a fantastic roast dinner here recently. The trio of meats were of a really high quality and delicious. It was the best roast dinner I have had in a while. Will definitely return in the future. The service was excellent also. Thank you

CharlieCroucher

Google

Friendly and welcoming with wonderful hosts who couldn’t do enough for us. We had a delicious lunch followed by a country walk with the dogs and then a sumptuous evening meal. Our accommodation was luxurious and the breakfast next morning was exceptional. Can’t wait to visit again.

Relax19231295010

Google

I visited on 1st and 15th August . On first occasion with 6 work colleagues and on second visit with two friends. The food was very well presented and cooked and there was an excellent range of options including for vegetarians. Service was friendly and efficient and value was about right for a high quality meal in a very attractive and well appointed restaurant with an ‘open’ bar adjacent.

Charity Tidbury

Google

Have visited the King John Inn at Tollard Royal quite a few times over the years and last night 1st September did not disappoint. Great welcome as we walked into the bar . Relaxed country setting and spacious table . Food , wine and beer all very good and served in a timely professional manner . The waiting staff were friendly and open to having a laugh with us too . Lovely evening- thank you

995antonyt

Google

I can't praise them enough. We had been on a walk and got caught in a rain storm, we were very wet, including our small dog, but nothing was a trouble for the staff who put up with us all 'dripping' everywhere. Food and drink excellent. Highly recommend

Matt P

Google

Called in for an evening meal to this delightful looking pub / hotel set in a lovely village location. On arrival while parking my car there were hard stares from locals sitting on the patio: my car is not loud or poorly maintained and i drive considerably so I have no idea what so offended them other than my existence. Staff were utterly disinterested and cold towards us (a quiet, polite middle aged couple) and made quite a performance of checking if any if the 15 or so empty tables were available, thankfully they were able to find a dark corner well away from other people where we could be ignored. The food was very good and I would have stayed for desert or perhaps had a second drink if the staff could have been bothered to offer either. All in all made to feel completely unwelcome by staff and customers alike.

Kieron Peacock

Google

A lovely one night stay at the delightful King John. Delicious supper and breakfast, an excellent staff team and undoubtedly the best pint of Butcombe bitter I’ve had the pleasure of consuming. It was so good I had more than one!! Our room was also excellent with a large bath to relax in (separately!!) after our walk to Win Green and back. Wednesdays are also ‘a good shout’ as you get 25% off if you are a Butcome loyalty member.

Tori U.

Yelp

How do you entertain yourself between the work day's end and a late supper when you live in the sleepy country villages around Dorset? You come to the familiar red-brick, vine-laced local pub for a craft ale or standard on-tap cider, of course. The picturesque King Johns Inn appears to be a sort of upscale "Cheers-where-everybody-knows-your-name" evening hangout for couples who seem to have known each other forever. No one is left to trail up the walkway without an affectionate nickname or insult being shouted at him or her. The interior is exceptionally decorated with nothing extra and everything in its sensible place, giving it a tidy and *almost* too clean feeling. Black and white photographs adorn the dim-lit rooms. The light wood furniture, warm fire, and leather couches give it a smart country home feel. The ales are good, though don't look for lots of variety. The prices are high but this reflects the well-to-do clientèle and the affluent area. There is an informal restaurant with a menu which looks very well thought out, but I cannot attest to it as I haven't had the pleasure of trying it out myself. There is a wine shop adjoining, in case you need to pick something up to go along with dinner. And the red our hosts kindly treated us to was rather nice as well. A great pub in a great location.