The Wellesley Arms
Quick info
About The Wellesley Arms
The Wellesley Arms is a gastropub on High St in Chippenham, set inside an old coaching inn with stone floors, low beamed ceilings and stags' heads on the walls. Beyond the bar and dining rooms, a courtyard seating area offers parasols and blankets for cooler weather, and a large garden extends the space further. The kitchen runs a fixed price two course lunch menu alongside dishes such as battered haddock and chips with home made tartare sauce, and gluten free options run across starters, mains and puddings. Travellers arriving by bike, car or smaller motorhome can book a campervan pitch with electric hookup alongside a dinner reservation, with 24hr toilet access for overnight guests. The pub takes walk-ins, and dogs are welcome, with staff offering blankets, water and treats. Private dining rooms are also available for hire, and ample parking sits on site.
Good to know
“THE WELLESLEY ARMS Modern hospitality in a magnificent old coaching inn - a place for feasting, drinking and getting together with friends and family, and of course not forgetting your dog, in an atmospheric village pub. Positioned in the heart of Sutton Benger, Wiltshire, close to the Cotswolds and only a few minutes drive from junction 17 of the M4, The Wellesley Arms, with it’s welcoming bar, relaxed restaurant dining rooms, large garden, and ample parking, is the perfect resting or meeting point for weary travellers, whether on bikes, in a car or smaller motorhomes. We serve great drinks and seasonal food (during the summer until 3.30pm on a Saturday) in a relaxed and warm setting. We have private dining rooms available for hire.”
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention campervan overnight stays with hookup, battered haddock and chips, dog friendly with treats and gluten free options.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention campervan overnight stays with hookup, battered haddock and chips, dog friendly with treats and gluten free options.
Customer Review Summary
Diners repeatedly single out the battered haddock and chips and a standout pie as reasons to return, with the fixed price lunch menu also praised for value alongside starters like garlic butter prawns on focaccia. Close behind, the chicken supreme with lumpless mash and a three course dinner draw consistent approval, and several reviewers highlight generous gluten free options across starters, mains and puddings. The setting, a traditional stone floored pub with beamed ceilings and a courtyard, comes up again and again as welcoming, and campervan travelers repeatedly mention staff providing blankets, water and treats for dogs during overnight stays. One reviewer notes a single instance of dry pork but says they'd likely have been accommodated if they'd asked, and another mentions a crumble topping complaint that staff addressed and adjusted on a return visit. Several describe recent ownership changes turning the pub around, with one recalling being remembered and having feedback acted on.
Customer Review Summary
Diners repeatedly single out the battered haddock and chips and a standout pie as reasons to return, with the fixed price lunch menu also praised for value alongside starters like garlic butter prawns on focaccia. Close behind, the chicken supreme with lumpless mash and a three course dinner draw consistent approval, and several reviewers highlight generous gluten free options across starters, mains and puddings. The setting, a traditional stone floored pub with beamed ceilings and a courtyard, comes up again and again as welcoming, and campervan travelers repeatedly mention staff providing blankets, water and treats for dogs during overnight stays. One reviewer notes a single instance of dry pork but says they'd likely have been accommodated if they'd asked, and another mentions a crumble topping complaint that staff addressed and adjusted on a return visit. Several describe recent ownership changes turning the pub around, with one recalling being remembered and having feedback acted on.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Stayed her in our van for an even at castle coombe. Food was good, staff were friendly, park up was lovely and peaceful and would definitely use again”
- Google user
“Great gastropub with tasty food and friendly staff in a traditional English setting. Stopped by for lunch on a sunny Friday - our first time here. Beautiful and stylish gastropub in a charming Wiltshire village. Tom (General Manager) was personable, helpful and made us feel at home. Our table was in the stylish courtyard (see pics). Food was great and the fixed price lunch menu fantastic value at 18.50 for 2 courses (light bite option) Starter - 3 jumbo prawns in garlic butter on a toasted focaccia slice (picture shows the last one!). Delicious! Main - Battered haddock and chips - perfectly cooked fish in a very crispy batter acommpanied by great chips, peas and home made tartare sauce. Total bill with 2 large (250ml) glasses of wine - £58. Great value. If you're going anywhere near Chippenham, don't miss it!”
- Google user
“We had a lovely stay and dinner here. We have a motorhome and it was a tight entry to the pitches but made it...just!! A lovely old pub with great cider. Staff were so attentive and friendly. Pub also dog friendly. Would recommend this stop over, we have had a lovely experience and start to our trip to Wales. Thank you Tom and team”
- Google user
“If you like an Oldie worldly pub then this is the place for you. It’s decorated like a castle with an inviting atmosphere, this carries on with the service, everything is well timed and very helpful. I had chicken supreme which came in a very tasty sauce, the mash was lumpless and the veg was nicely cooked. I also ordered a side of chunky chips which I couldn’t eat so took home, they were absolutely banging even though it was cold later on. The price made it all feel genuinely fair and enjoyable. If you’re reading this - please go, places like this need to be kept alive with your custom. All in all a nice place to spend an evening chatting and eating. And it had parking and seating outdoors👌”
- Google user
“A wonderful, cozy pub experience. A charming, traditional pub with a very welcoming atmosphere. We were warmly greeted, and both the food and selection were excellent. Truly a great experience 😬”
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Bars near The Wellesley Arms
- Old Road Tavern4.55443.3 mi
craft beer selection, pool table, live music
- Rowden Arms4.01,3164.3 mi£10–20ReservationsGood for kids
steak, sweet potato fries, steak fajita
- The Smoking Dog4.25305.3 mi away£10–50Reservations
halloumi fries, pork tenderloin in black pudding sauce, meat and cheese platter
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Wellesley ArmsWheelchair accessible | 4.6527 | — | — | campervan overnight stays with hookup, battered haddock and chips, dog friendly with treats |
| Old Road Tavern | 4.5544 | 3.3 mi | — | craft beer selection, pool table, live music |
| Rowden ArmsReservations · Good for kids | 4.01,316 | 4.3 mi | £10–20 | steak, sweet potato fries, steak fajita |
| The Smoking DogReservations | 4.2530 | 5.3 mi away | £10–50 | halloumi fries, pork tenderloin in black pudding sauce, meat and cheese platter |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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