Nicola Smith and Fi Rundle spend the night at splendidly reimagined rural pub/restaurant, The Great Bustard, which combines a traditional interior with a modern, glass-backed restaurant, memorable food and 10 beautiful rooms. 

Where is it?

Great Durnford is the village that time forgot, tucked away off the A303, just a 13-minute drive from Stonehenge and 15 minutes from Salisbury – and a short walk from the historic Great Durnford Estate. 

What’s the accommodation like?

There are 10 recently opened rooms filled with light and a sense of calm – think oak floors, rattan rugs, herringbone throws and organic toiletries, with generous en suites to boot. 

What did you eat and drink?

Jordan Taylor is in his first head-chef role but it feels like he’s been doing it a lot longer. He took us on a taste adventure from a revelatory savoury bread and butter pudding with umami shaved truffle, to shepherd’s pie croquettes made with lamb from the local estate, to a sensational bream ceviche which delivered a surprise with every mouthful (think citrus yuzu ponzu and sharp kicks of chilli). The light, crispy fish and chips delivered in every way, while torched mackerel in an aniseed-y samphire sauce was on another level. We finished with Jordan’s deconstructed sweet and intense strawberries and cream, which tasted as incredible as it looked. 

What is there to do?

A couple of minutes’ walk away, you can pick up the Sarsen Way, a 49-mile walking route which connects Avebury and Stonehenge, and which you can follow along the River Avon valley to Salisbury Cathedral (about seven miles). You can also drive into nearby Salisbury to explore the sights and visit the cathedral, home to the best preserved of only four surviving Magna Carta documents from 1215. And don’t forget to book a treatment with the very accomplished Kristina at The Great Bustard’s boutique spa. 

Lasting memory

Great Durnford is a charming, bucolic village and a perfect place to unwind. We embraced the history of the pub and the village, relished the delicious food and drink, and kicked back to savour the slow pace of life. Kristina’s bespoke massage was the icing on the cake, and I returned home properly reset. 

Sainsbury’s Magazine insider tip 

On cold winter days, grab a seat by the fire in the ‘old’ pub to sip your aperitif, before booking a table in the restaurant. From here you can watch as the dramatic weather arrives from Salisbury Plain, assaulting the floor-to-ceiling windows as you sit smug and cosy inside.