
Quick info
About Rainbow on the Lake
Rainbow on the Lake is a family-owned pub on Salisbury Rd in Salisbury, housed in a building that dates back to around the 1680s. It sits slightly elevated above Langford Lakes and the Wylye Valley, with views over the field and the lake from the back. The kitchen serves a gastropub menu that includes a gluten-free chicken burger and fish and chips, and a specials board changes what else is on offer. At the bar, cask ales share space with a cider selection that includes Thatcher's red cider. Inside, a large conservatory area adds extra seating beyond the main rooms. The landlord also talks with guests about local knowledge and the history of the pub.
Good to know
“Gastropub menu and cask ales served in a traditional country pub with a garden and lake-view patio.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention burgers, fish and chips, lake views and cider selection.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention burgers, fish and chips, lake views and cider selection.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the landlord, described as friendly, chatty and welcoming, sharing local knowledge and the history of the pub. Food comes close behind, with burgers named repeatedly, including a gluten-free chicken burger and a beef burger, alongside fish and chips, pan-fried pheasant, whitebait, a prawn and avo plate and waffles for pudding. Diners call the portions generous and the cooking fresh and home cooked, and one praises the cider selection, a red cider in particular. The setting above the lake and valley and the outdoor seating draw words like beautiful, peaceful and calming, though one reviewer could not see the lake from where they sat. The one critical account describes a long food wait with a single server covering the bar and tables, a chilli con carne that tasted of pork rather than beef, a sloppy Joe with poor quality beef, chunky chips that needed longer cooking, and a hand dryer that did not work with no hand towels. One camper-van guest bought a couple of drinks and was welcome to stay the evening at no extra cost.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the landlord, described as friendly, chatty and welcoming, sharing local knowledge and the history of the pub. Food comes close behind, with burgers named repeatedly, including a gluten-free chicken burger and a beef burger, alongside fish and chips, pan-fried pheasant, whitebait, a prawn and avo plate and waffles for pudding. Diners call the portions generous and the cooking fresh and home cooked, and one praises the cider selection, a red cider in particular. The setting above the lake and valley and the outdoor seating draw words like beautiful, peaceful and calming, though one reviewer could not see the lake from where they sat. The one critical account describes a long food wait with a single server covering the bar and tables, a chilli con carne that tasted of pork rather than beef, a sloppy Joe with poor quality beef, chunky chips that needed longer cooking, and a hand dryer that did not work with no hand towels. One camper-van guest bought a couple of drinks and was welcome to stay the evening at no extra cost.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“What an absolute GEM! I cannot recommend this place enough, we stopped here overnight in our camper. We purchased a couple of drinks and were able to stay for the evening at no extra cost! The view was beautiful! Gary (the owner) was so incredibly friendly and welcoming. He sat and chatted with my partner and I about the history of the pub and surrounding areas! We sat and had a drink while overlooking the lake and listening to the wildlife, it was very peaceful and tranquil. We are 100% planning a return visit very soon! Thank you to Gary for a lovely stay!”
- Google user
“Me and my partner went on a whim not really thinking about where or when, it was delicious great portions. Brilliant family owned pub. We will be going back especially as there is a brilliant nature reserve near by to walk the dogs”
- Google user
“such a beautiful pub in a stunningly green setting. the owner was so friendly and accommodating. even apologising for our wait even though the pub wasn’t open for another 6mins! we had the freshest whitebait and prawn and avo plates, couldn’t recommend more for a lovely pit stop on a long drive”
- Google user
“Gary the landlord and the staff are extremely welcoming and chatty, full of great local knowledge. An amazing place to stop if you are visiting Wiltshire. Food was delicious, well presented and generous. The view over the field and lake at the back from the outdoor seating area is lovely and calming.”
- Google user
“Made a booking here based on recent reviews for a night out with my husband and we were not disappointed! The portions were very generous and the food was delicious! We both had burgers and ordered a side of garlic bread, which was all full of flavour and you could tell was home cooked. The landlord is super chatty and friendly, and it was lovely getting to know him. Overall a very pleasant experience and we will definitely be back.”
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Location
Bars near Rainbow on the Lake
- The King's Head Inn4.04,0887.8 mi awayReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
cooked breakfast, dirty tables outside, unclean toilets
- The Ox Row Inn, Salisbury4.31,8997.8 mi awayReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
sunday roast, beers and ciders, desserts
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow on the LakeWheelchair accessible | 4.5643 | — | burgers, fish and chips, lake views |
| The King's Head InnReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.04,088 | 7.8 mi away | cooked breakfast, dirty tables outside, unclean toilets |
| The Ox Row Inn, SalisburyReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.31,899 | 7.8 mi away | sunday roast, beers and ciders, desserts |
The 2 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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