Best Western Red Lion Hotel, Salisbury

The Best Western Red Lion Hotel dates back to around 1220 and is widely regarded as Europe’s oldest purpose-built hotel. It was built to accommodate the masons, craftsmen, and draughtsmen working on Salisbury Cathedral. Originally known as The White Bear Inn, the property has offered hospitality for more than eight centuries.

Historic details remain visible throughout the building, including sections of 13th-century wattle-and-daub walling. The central courtyard contains a large Virginia Creeper vine planted around 1820, often described as one of the oldest of its kind. During the 18th century, the inn became a major staging post for mail and passenger coaches after the city’s main post office was moved inside. Its reception also houses a rare working “skeleton and organ” clock.

The hotel is also linked to local folklore. Unlike the Grey Lady story associated with a different Red Lion Hotel, Salisbury’s legends include Elsie Thomas, a former 20th-century landlady, and reports of spectral coaches in the courtyard. These stories add atmosphere to a building shaped by medieval craftsmanship, coaching-era travel, and centuries of continuous use.