A PUB described as a “true local” has been voted Salisbury City Pub of the Year.

The Wyndham Arms, the birthplace of one of Wiltshire’s most famous breweries, Hop Back, was declared the winner following votes by members of the Salisbury & South Wiltshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Manager of the Wyndham, Lisa Saberton, and the pub’s cellarman, Dave Barton, were presented with their City Pub of the Year certificate by Chris White, the local CAMRA chairman, and Keith Foster, the branch’s Pub of the Year voting co-ordinator.

“I would like to say thank you to CAMRA members for voting for us and to all our many wonderful customers,” said Lisa.

“We don’t serve food; we are just a traditional pub serving beer.

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“So, we make sure that the quality of our ales is up to scratch and our customers know that they can come in here and have a great time.”

The pub found on Escourt Road boasts a history stretching back to the 1880s and achieved international fame among beer lovers after it was bought by John Gilbert, founder of the Hop Back brewery, in 1986.

The following year, Gilbert and Roger McBride began brewing their award-winning beers, such as GFB (Gilbert’s First Brew) and Summer Lightning at the back of the pub.

Their growing reputation led to increasing demand and this meant that by 1991 brewing at the Wyndham Arms had reached full capacity.

Roger McBride (left) and John Gilbert brewing at the Wyndham Arms in 1987

To cope with the increase, Hop Back leased a factory unit at Downton to become the new brewery.

The company is still there today, but the Wyndham remains one of its 10 pubs and is its spiritual home.

Keith Foster, who coordinates the Pub of the Year competition for the Salisbury & South Wiltshire branch of CAMRA, said: “The Wyndham Arms is a cosy, friendly city pub.

“A true ‘local’ serving the surrounding community, it is also popular with lovers of good beer being the birthplace of Hop Back beers.

“Whether you are a regular or an occasional visitor, you are assured a welcoming and enjoyable visit.”

The Wyndham has been a mainstay in the annual CAMRA Good Beer Guide for the past 36 years – and visitors are said to have come from the United States, Canada and even Australia to try its ales.

Elsewhere in the area, the Horseshoe Inn was awarded the Wiltshire Rural Pub of the Year by CAMRA last month.