The Old Railway Hotel, Station Road Porton, Salisbury, SP4 0LA

The Old Railway Hotel (TORH) is a four-storey detached property of brick construction, originally built in the early 1900s. The building comprises a restaurant, bar area, eight ensuite letting rooms, and a function room. Externally, the site offers parking for up to 21 vehicles and includes a side trade garden.

The property was acquired in February 2021 by a consortium of five local businessmen. During the second COVID-19 lockdown, it underwent a comprehensive refurbishment, breathing new life into the building and reaffirming its role as a central hub for the local community.

Rebranded as The Old Railway Hotel and affectionately known as TORH, the venue officially reopened on 19 July 2021. It holds a full license for live music both indoors and outdoors, with strong support from the surrounding community.

More recently, the property has been tenanted but is now available with vacant possession.

• Website:
• Site area - 0.621 acres (0.251 hectares)
• GIA: 481.77 sqm

The Old Railway Hotel is located in the village of Porton, approximately three miles northeast of the historic Cathedral City of Salisbury, just off the A338. It is the only pub in the surrounding area, offering a unique local destination. Accessed via a private road, the property sits adjacent to the Porton Garden Centre, Aquatics, Fish & Pet Centre, and lies near the main railway line, surrounded by residential housing.

Porton village provides a range of local amenities including a convenience store, St Nicholas' Church of England Primary School, and a doctors' surgery. To the east of the village is the internationally renowned Porton Down Science Park.

The Hotel benefits from its proximity to major tourist attractions such as Stonehenge and Old Sarum, which contribute significantly to visitor footfall.

Lower ground floor:
• Function room/breakfast room (c.20)
• Commercial kitchen & preparation area
• Beer cellar
• Office/store
• Ladies & gentleman's WC's

Ground floor:
• Two separate entrance lobbies
• Main bar area (c.30)
• Restaurant area (c.30)
• Ladies & gentleman's WC's
• Range of ancillary storage areas

All in-situ trade fixtures and fittings are included in the freehold sale, excluding certain personal effects. A detailed inventory will be provided upon acceptance of an offer. For the new lease, fixtures and fittings are available by separate negotiation or can be leased for a monthly fee.

The accommodation comprises eight ensuite guest rooms, each thoughtfully designed to provide comfort and style. The rooms include:

First floor:
• Porton - Double ensuite with bath and shower
• Grateley - Double ensuite with shower
• Andover - Double ensuite with shower
• Whitchurch - Double ensuite with shower
• Overton - Double ensuite with shower

Second Floor:
• Basingstoke - Double ensuite with shower
• Woking - Twin room with bath and shower
• Waterloo - Twin room with bath and shower

• Parking for 9 vehicles to the front of the property and a further 12 spaces to the rear.
• Trade garden to the side with covered decking area (c.40).

There is flexibility to add living accommodation, but this would reduce the rooms numbers by one or two.

Since opening in July 2021, the business has enjoyed strong support from the local community, offering an exciting opportunity for a new operator to take over a well-maintained and fully equipped property that’s ready for immediate trading.

This opportunity is ideally suited to hands-on owner-operators seeking a leasehold arrangement, or investors looking to acquire the freehold either to run the business under management or to install a tenant. The Old Railway Hotel offers significant potential for further development and long-term success.

The eight well-appointed letting rooms deliver strong midweek occupancy, supported by the hotel’s proximity to Porton Down Science Park, which attracts regular business and professional visitors to the area. There is further scope to formalise corporate accommodation partnerships with nearby institutions, ensuring consistent bookings and long-term relationships.

Additionally, there is clear potential to expand the food offering, introducing refined dining experiences, themed food events, or seasonal tasting menus. This would build on the hotel’s historic reputation for quality food and attract destination diners from the wider region.

As the business is closed, no staff will transfer under TUPE.

There is no available information pertaining to historical or current trading performance.

Currently closed.

Use Class:
• Leisure - Applicable to recreational sites and enterprises - Sui Generis
• Self-Contained Flat (Includes Maisonette / Apartment) - C3
• Hotel/Motel - C1

Option 1: Freehold Sale
The property is available for purchase with full vacant possession.

Option 2: Lease Opportunity
A new 10-year Fully Repairing and Insuring (FRI) Lease is offered at:

• Annual Rent: £50,000
• Rent Reviews: Every 5 years
• Payment Terms: Rent payable quarterly in advance
• Deposit: Minimum of three months’ rent required

The Rateable Value as per the April 2023 Ratings List is £14,500. Confirmation of actual rates payable should be sought from the Local Authority.

VAT at the prevailing rate may be charged on 90% of the purchase price where there is living accommodation.

Any prospective purchaser must have a Personal Licence and apply for transfer of Premises Licence at their own expense.