If you’re after a proper countryside Sunday lunch spot, The Pembroke Arms in Wilton is one that absolutely lives up to the hype. My family and I headed there for a belated Mother's Day meal, and it did not disappoint.
Having moved away from Salisbury a few years ago, I’ve lost touch with the local food scene, but both of my sisters had been before and highly recommended it (although neither had tried the Sunday lunch). That was all the convincing we needed to get it booked.
From the outside, it gives classic countryside pub, full of character and inviting. One thing I would note is that there was also plenty of parking but I can imagine the car park can get quite full. Inside, the pub is cosy and there was a relaxed, welcoming energy which despite being busy felt warm rather than chaotic (which is always a good sign). We arrived about 12.45pm, and lunch service was in full swing. As we left about 2.30pm, it was even busier so booking ahead is definitely advisable.
Onto the main event: the food.
None of us ordered starters, despite some very tempting options (the Welsh rarebit English muffin with pickled shallots - I'm looking at you!), as we had a feeling the roasts would be generous - and we were right.
While most of the table went for the traditional Sunday roast, I opted for something slightly different: bangers and mash. I really liked that the menu offered more than just roasts - pies and fish and chips were also making their way around the dining room and looked equally impressive.
Between us, we tried all of the roast options on the menu, Sirloin Beef, Pork Loin (with crackling) and Slow Roasted Lamb. All were delicious but the Sirloin Beef gets a special mention as the overall favourite. If you are undecided, they do have a mixed roast option which offers all three meats and they also have a vegetarian option. The portions are very generous.
The roasts are served with crispy roast potatoes, proper Yorkshire puddings, seasonal veg (the braised red cabbage got high praise from my family!) and pork stuffing. The gravy deserves a special mention - rich, flavourful, and plentiful. And best of all, you can order extra roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, and gravy completely free of charge. A dream, especially if, like me, you think roasties are the best part.
My bangers and mash was equally excellent - proper sausages from Walter Rose, served on a mound of smooth, buttery mash with seasonal greens and that same standout gravy.
By the time we had finished, most of us were stuffed but some of the group shared a sticky toffee pudding dessert which they said tasted incredible. A couple of coffees were also had, and there were no complaints there.
Overall, the service was great - all of the staff were so friendly and efficient. Although, one thing I will say is like many popular spots, service can be a little slow however, it was a busy Sunday. For example, my main arrived around 5–10 minutes after the others, and we were only asked about condiments once all of the food had been served. Small details, and nothing that took away from the overall experience.
The roasts are slightly more expensive than your average pub offering (only by a few pounds) but to be honest, they were outstanding and most definitely worth it. There is also a 12.5% service charge, which felt fair given the quality of both the food and service.
Would I recommend? Absolutely. Make sure you book ahead and come hungry! I was so impressed that we booked to return for my birthday in May while we were still sat at the table. We look forward to our next visit to The Pembroke Arms!
Molly
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