The Carnarvon Arms
The Carnarvon Arms descritpion
Hotel The Carnarvon Arms sells fast on our site. The Carnarvon Arms is a country inn, located next door to Highclere Castle, on the route of The Wayfarers Walk. This Grade II listed building offers guests free onsite parking and free WiFi throughout.
The 18 bedrooms each have tea/coffee-making facilities, a flat-screen TV with Freeview, and a hairdryer.
The property boasts a dining room with a high-vaulted ceiling, and a thriving friendly bar with a modern British menu. A traditional full English is available each morning, made using locally sourced produce. The property can cater for, and accommodate, parties and weddings.
The inn is 5 miles from Newbury town centre and Newbury Race Course is 5.5 miles away. The Carnarvon Arms was built as a coaching inn in the 1800s. It provided a stop-off for travellers to Highclere Castle, now the setting for TV drama Downton Abbey.
Recommand
Low rates——Best price for 2 guests: $86+ • No booking fees • Save money!Best price guarantee — enter dates to see these prices!
29 properties in Newbury——Including hotels, apartments, villas and more.
Manage your bookings online——Sign up for a FREE account·View a single booking.
240 independent reviews——We verify all reviews from guests who've stayed at The Carnarvon Arms. Find out more about Booking.com Reviews.
The staff speaks English——The Carnarvon Arms's staff speaks:English
Booking is safe——When you book with us your details are protected by a secure connection.
Facilities of The Carnarvon Arms
Outdoors ：Grounds | Terrace | Sun Deck
Pets ：Pets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.
Food & Drink ：Bar | Restaurant with Dining Menu | Special Diet Meals (upon request)
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
Services ：Packed Lunches | Express Check-in/Check-out | Daily Housekeeping | Meeting/Banquet Facilities | Fax/Photocopying
General ：Newspapers | Non-smoking Rooms | Facilities for Disabled Guests | Heating | Designated Smoking Area
Reviews for The Carnarvon Arms
Review 1：You can't fault this place on face value- great staff, and decor is 10/10..... Only room for improvement would be to put a bigger sink in the toilet and put an extra green light that goes on when you switch the lights off #sarcasm Overall, great value for money X
Review 2：Only had one bad experience and that was that the last time we stayed very recently, the food didn't seem to be as good as it has been.
Review 3：Love staying here.. Such a warm atmosphere and always lovely to see smiley, friendly staff and the beds are so comfy!!
Review 4：The only criticism I have, is that I had three separate receipts for one overnight stay. One for the room, one for evening meal and a third for breakfast. Apparently this was "the system" Why?
Review 5：The room was very well equipped and excellent value for the price. I have stayed in many places that are much more expensive for the same level of comfort. Very handy for eating without having to get in the car again.
Review 6：Sadly, the Carnarvon lost its crown in terms of dinner.Several things on the menu were not available. Chose the house burger that came with a toasted sesame bun and not the brioche as advertised. Not a big issue other than the bun clearly came from the freezer to toaster and simply crumbled when trying to eat it!!. Raised with staff who in fairness offered to cook another meal but frankly I had eaten most of the burger and chips so wouldn't have done a meal justice.....such a pity.
Review 7：Have stayed several times now in recent weeks. room was of the usual high standard.
Review 8：Had room 203 and it was very very small but bed very comfy and nice clean shower room
Review 9：Lovely pub and decor , tastefully decorated throughout . My eggs florentine st breakfast was the best I'd ever had !!
Review 10：Staff had little or no knowledge of the surrounding area.. Restaurant uninviting and food mediocre, poor value for money. Did not have breakfast, expensive and poor value for money. Therefore took breakfast in a restaurant in Newbury, excellent value
Review 11：Room very nice.
Review 12：staff have problem in taking orders for meals, also overpriced for what you get, breakfast not good and also on cold plate,strips of bacon, not proper rashers like any other hotel, again overpriced, and not even offered a juice at breakfast time, very poor.
Review 13：Room was excellent
Review 14：Ground floor room with window that would not close. However, resolved by staff but then issue with opening. Very compact toilet space No complimentary water Breakfast was expensive, with extra price for toast! Some noise from major main road
Review 15：Very nice but compact rooms Good well cooked food
Review 16：Small gripe, but The breakfast arrangements for hotel guests could be better organised. It would be better to have a buffet for juice, toast etc and a set price.
Review 17：Exceptionally welcoming, friendly and efficient staff. .Nice modern touches.
Review 18：Would say that the breakfast - not included in the standard price - is expensive at £8.50. Although the quality is decent it isn't the largest cooked breakfast by any means, and charging additional monies for a portion of beans seems a bit penny pinching. Also the rooms although comfortable are not very spacious.
Review 19：The staff were really helpful and attentive, and the standard of food was excellent.
Review 20：The hotel was lovely very clean and well decorated and nice furnishings, the only thing that let it down was the cold wind and noise blowing through the window. When I entered the room I thought the window was open but it wasnt, just really badly fitted so the draught was blowing through, even blowing the blinds. Noise from the road also coming through. Pity as its very nice.
Review 21：Beds too soft!!
Review 22：An amazing venue - ticked all the boxes: atmosphere, decor, great staff, cleanliness, great food, facilities - these guys have got it right, attention to details pays off.
Review 23：The staff were happy to be there and so lovely and friendly and down to earth. They took an interest in why we were staying and remembered as well! The food was TO DIE for <3 I'm a real foodie and it was really just amazing! The place itself was gorgeous - fabby deoration, really clean and just generally amazing. They made us cocktails even though they don't actually have a cocktail list as well! Now THAT's good service!!!!
Review 24：The staff were unbelievably friendly, we arrived on a Sunday and the Roast Boar for Dinner was fantastic. the rooms are very tastefully decorated. We will be passing the hotel regularly and will make a point of stopping here.
Review 25：the place was not so easy to find and the breakfast is not included in the overnight stay
Review 26：new or recently furbished up, so everything looked very pretty still, very friendly staff willing to help you, a very nice pub/bar serving some nice beers as , very cosy rooms
Review 27：Nothing.
Review 28：Warm, family welcome and staff very obliging in every way. Room impeccably clean and tidy. Bar very well stocked with excellent cask beer. Restaurant menu top class and reasonably priced. I cannot fault this establishment and my experience there.
Review 29：2nd time I have had the pleasure to stay here on business, and very enjoyable too. The friendliest warmest welcoming staff: busy night with live music which was a bonus.
Review 30：If you need to be up early in the morning for work, don't count on getting to sleep! The walls are paper thin resulting in every sound, and I mean 'every' vibrating through to your pillow. I had to actually bang on the wall to stop people talking at 2am as I had to be up 4 and a half hours later. Didn't get a single good nights sleep on my stay. More a fault with other guests to be fair to the hotel. You are immediately aware how thin the walls are..... Show some respect for other guests!
Review 31：The staff, and especially the landlord were extremely polite and helpful. Customer service is top notch.
Review 32：The strategic location, the comfotable beds, and well designed disabled shower facilities. We also appreciated the friendliness of the staff. A particular treat was the tasty meals we enjoyed.
Review 33：Shower cubicle did not shut properly causing water to spill out onto bathroom floor. Sink was too large in the bathroom, meaning that you could only sit on the loo "side-saddle"! Food in the pub was poor quality and relatively expensive. Noise from traffic on the A34.
Review 34：The reduced charge for our stay (at £39.99) was most welcome! Location was good. Great to have accommodation in a place where you can eat and drink too. Great atmosphere, and very friendly staff.
Review 35：Always a pleasant stay, rooms are tastefully decorated, comfortable & clean. The team are fabulous & nothing is too much bother! All round great place ... highly recommend.
Review 36：It was a little bit pricey, but I'd rather pay a little extra and enjoy myself, which my wife and I did. Thoroughly. We will return.
Review 37：Loved everything about the Carnarvon Arms, particularly the room names. Really enjoyed our stay.
Review 38：Rooms were a little small but beautiful
Review 39：Friendly Staff, Fabulous Food, Rooms were all newly decorated, Well organised and supplied rooms (Food, Drinks and Toiletries). Lovely place to stay.
Review 40：No bad experience - perhaps just a shame it is so closely adjacent to busy A34 with attendant traffic noise.
Review 41：Very friendly staff. Excellent food. Clean room. Nice Atmosphere & décor.
Review 42：Slightly harsh, but would have benefited from a larger shower cubicle. (But don't let that deter you from a visit)
Review 43：Very accommodating staff - most welcome for weary cold-ridden travellers looking for an un-planned break in their journey. Lovely room design, modern but keeping with the traditional feel of the location. Lots of little luxurious touches - especially nice tea provided (we ordered some for home after tasting here).
Review 44：Nothing!
Review 45：Excellent service from all staff in this outstanding pub with rooms! The food is superb and rooms are exceptionally clear and very comfortable.
Review 46：Only niggle would be I could hear the A34 traffic out of my window. I had a room that faced that way.
Review 47：The staff were very friendly and accommodating. I checked in quite late on a Sunday and there was someone to meet me. The room was very tastefully decorated and comfortable. The bed was amazing! The shower had a great pressure and the whole room and facilities were very clean. The food presented
Review 48：Second time I've stayed at the Carnarvon Arms in three weeks. Friendly manager and staff. Rooms not huge but modern, stylish and with character. Food good and reasonable value. I have no doubt I will be staying again within the next month.
Review 49：Very simple inn. Staff very welcoming, professional and caring. Room is small but this is a rooming inn and therefore perfect. Breakfast was delicious and once again staff were professional and attentive
Review 50：Backs onto the A34. No traffic noise in the room however, or in the restaurant and bar. There's a large terrace to the front of the establishment where you can not hear the traffic, and happily sit out. Blankets were provided on the back of the chairs for chilly evenings.
Review 51：Staff were relaxed but welcoming and efficient; Room was small but perfect clean and newly decorated with everything that you need for a night away; plenty of hot water - Bar and restaurant were clean and well decorated. Generally could not fault the place. Excellent value for money. The food in the restaurant could not be faulted, and there's a good selection of wine. Would use again for either business or leisure.
Review 52：Gorgeous Aussie staff member, tasty food, high standard of decor and comfort, great value for money. Great location for visiting Downton Abbey (if it had been open!)
Review 53：Great atmosphere generated by excellent management and staff. Antidote to the international hotels that I endure on frequent business trips. None of the disadvantages too often associated with a modern "inn" establishment. Hotel standards matched with a pub and restaurant you would choose to go to.
Review 54：The bed was so small for 2 people
Review 55：Great welcome and fantastic food. very noisy from the A34. The room was too hot but couldnt open the window because of the road noise,
Review 56：I felt it was a bit churlish to charge me £2.50 for a second cup of coffee for breakfast, irrespective of the fact that I'd spent £45 in the bar for dinner and £87.50 on bed and breakfast.
Review 57：Very warm welcome, friendly bar and waiting staff, very good food and a good choice of 4 well kept real ales to enjoy. Bedroom was clean, homely, comfortable and quiet. Nice touches too such as beer, wine and crisps to buy in room. Bar / Restaraunt food very good and quality of English breakfast was first class.
Review 58：The ensuite was badly designed - it was only possible to sit on the toilet sideways because of the ridiculous oversized basin! There was a bright green light on the ceiling all night. The room was down stairs- no obvious aircon and no safety on the windows so we left window open but clearly not ideal for safety or security. They stop serving food at 8 on a Sunday - this doesn't seem to be obvious on the website. They served us but only a limited choice. They refused, with apologies, to offer dessert despite other diners receiving dessert. Not possible to put food on hotel tab.
Review 59：Fantastic food when I've eaten there before so we were particularly disappointed that we had limited choice. Nevertheless the food we had lived up to expectations. Really nice unusual decor to rooms - full of modern character. Not big but big enough and comfy bed. Very friendly and attentive staff.
Review 60：We didn't like the drinks with all the prices on the bottles and even a price on the crisps. It would have been better to have included the breakfast in the overall price. It would have been nice to have had a Gideons' Bible.
Review 61：Room was comfortable.
Review 62：Too noisy, poor nights sleep due to speeding traffic along A34 all through the night. Desperately in need of triple-glazed windows and possibly sound proofing.
Review 63：Nice bar and pleasant restaurant.
Review 64：could not get any evening meal , breakfast was never offered and you need to get in early as the car park gets full.
Review 65：nothing. the bedroom was very cold and after we had booked in that was the last timeany body came near us.
Review 66：I was asked to pay for my room when I arrived. I had dinner in the dining room and asked them to put it on the room bill, but was told I had to pay the dining room. I had breakfast in the morning and had to pay the dining room. I am used to putting everything on the room bill and paying when I check out.
Review 67：The dinner was very good.
Review 68：Having been recently refurbished it was disappointing to find the shower broken. Also Breakfast, although reasonably priced was poor. Also it was strange not being able to put food and drinks on your room.
Review 69：Staff were very helpful and friendly. The evening meal was very good
Review 70：the room and facilities were adequate for our needs Breakfast was really good value for money reception were very helpful location was ideal for our visit
Review 71：Don't book room 110 as it as like sleeping on the motorway. I shud have complained about the level of noise on that side of the road. That room should have been discounted. The A34 runs right next to it and it didn't cease all night. The ear plugs were no use at all. Wouldn't stay there again just purely because of the level of night noise apart from that the accommodation was of a good standard
Review 72：I loved the style choice of the rooms
Review 73：A delightful & beautifully decorated accommodation/pub. Warm, cosy & inviting. Exceptionally clean & staff were helpful & polite. Will definately stay there again!
Review 74：I was absolutely frozen all night and couldn't see how to put any heating on. When the person in the adjoining room used the bathroom it sounded as if it was in our room! Some sound proofing would have been a good idea.
Review 75：Lovely decor and the rooms have been well laid out considering that they are very small. The food was lovely, although the wait was long and the staff were friendly.
Review 76：Whilst Bedroom impressive nowhere to work from so had to move drinks tray resulting in sticky dust being found. No cash point for miles.
Review 77：Room was impressive, Evening meal good.
Review 78：Would prefer 2 pillows per person. So popular on Sunday that many menu items had sold out by 8pm. Will book & eat earlier next time! Veggie breakfast differed to menu details.
Review 79：Brilliant staff and service. Lovely rooms with nice touches. Great pub with a lovely atmosphere. Loved the cosy woodburner on the wettest summer day Good food, best Sunday Roast and full english breakfast cooked to order. Quality sausages. Very good value for money.
Review 80：the WiFi was great in the main pub and reception, but weak in my rooms
Review 81：Hannah, the owner was wonderful! Her staff were all lovely. As a new owner she and her husband are creating a great pub and hotel better than the previous owner.
Review 82：Could have done with more pillows.
Review 83：Lovely little touches in the room, especially the price tags on the mini bar. Alice in Wonderland style labels: "Drink me for £2.00". All newly refurbished so very clean and fresh.
Review 84：being charged for every item at breakfast..you even charge for a couple of pieces of toast.why dont you add the cost of breakfast into your charge rate,every body else does.
Review 85：location
Review 86：We did not like having to pay for food Seperatly as it would have helped to settle by card upon departure
Review 87：Friendly staff who went out of their way to assist. The rooms were good value.
Review 88：Lovely menu if though a little pricey.
Review 89：We were delighted the overall experience, very friendly and professional service. Our room was spotless and so comfortable, the management were more than happy to accommodate our German Shepherd.
Review 90：Wifi not too brilliant in the bedroom, but hardly spoilt things.
Review 91：Very friendly staff and more than welcoming. We arrived early for a race day and the rooms were ready as per my request. No trouble to book a taxi for us either. Excellent evening meal and breakfast too. Highly recommended.
Review 92：Two Pillows is always better than one, Room 118 Extract Fan didn t work in Bathroom making it a very steamy affair, Had to put Kettle on bedside table to boil it not too keen on that idea, Room was quite small so a Fan of some sorts would have been good, TV Remote didn t work that's not the end of the world!!
Review 93：Friendly welcome, Dinner was fabulous in the Bar, did mention our 'didn t like' comments to Reception in the morning which they noted, it wouldn t stop us staying again.
Review 94：There is a big issue with the hotel however. As it is sandwiched between the A34 dual carriageway and a high speed road to Burghclere there is a lot of traffic noise particularly from the A34 which has fast moving cars and heavy vehicles running round the clock. Closing the room window and pulling down the blind did help but on a hot summer's night the only option was to have the window open and endure the noise. There was also noise form a fan that seemed to emanate from the kitchen which stayed on until around 2am. This issue needs to be addressed with a triple glazed window or some other form of soundproofing which will make the room habitable during the cooler months. It is hard to see what can be done to alleviate the noise in the warmer months.
Review 95：The Managers were very friendly and welcoming and made every effort to welcome you. Our room was 101. It was very clean and appeared to have been renovated recently. The décor was tasteful and the shower and toilet were immaculate. We had a query about the checkout times being different on the booking form to the information pack in the room. This was handled very quickly We did not have breakfast but did have an evening meal. The service was efficient and friendly and the food was of a high quality and served very quickly. The bar had a good choice of real ale.
Review 96：Room was a fair bit smaller than expected, but still adequate for a one night stay. I wouldn't consider staying for longer in a room of that size.
Review 97：Staff were fantastic and very helpful, despite being very busy. Food was amazing!
Review 98：Wifi didn't work in our room. The bathroom layout was bad - huge sink too close to toilet making the latter difficult to use.
Review 99：Nice decor. Friendly staff.
Review 100：Stayed for 2 nights and you pay for everything separately. Youpay for the room on arrival, then pay when you have dinner and again when you have breakfast. As a business traveller I would like just one bill at the end of my stay, rather than collecting receipts over the duration. This is the only reason that I would stay elsewhere
Review 101：Lovely rooms Friendly Staff
Review 102：But the proximity to the main A34 was incredibly noisy especially as we had to open a large window as the fan light was painted shut. Shame when redecorated the room was not sound insulated as we could hear every door bang, cough etc. We were disgusted that a bottle of water cost £3.90 in the room! Breakfast was as advertised £7.50 but then paid £2 for orange juice, more for a nice coffee and yet more for a mug of dish water! Penny-pinching. So breakfast total £23.50 after paying £120 for the room.Took the shine off what had been a lovely weekend. Shame on them!
Review 103：We liked the pub and the decoration. All nice and new and clean. The room was a good size. The position to Highclere Castle was perfect.
Review 104：Bedrooms are a little small
Review 105：A recent refurbishment has greatly improved this pub / hotel. The new management team are working hard to provide guests with a high level of service and I will happily stay here again
Review 106：On the booking it said breakfast was £7.50 but I discovered that this was not an all inclusive price and that was only the cost of the cooked food. Everything else was extra ie orange juice coffee etc. Those two items themselves take the bill to £11.75. Worse still the prices weren't on the menu so you didn't know what it was going to cost until the bill came. In my view an unsatisfactory situation.
Review 107：All very fresh and newly fitted out
Review 108：Simon and Hannah could not be more welcoming or helpful at The Carnarvon Arms and have clearly spent a lot of time and effort making this a lovely place to stay. They went out of their way to sort out a problem with the booking and within minutes we were given a lovely room. The room was an excellent price and very good value for money, and whilst you could hear the road a bit from the room this didn't detract from the room or hotel themselves.
Review 109：At 6ft 2" I am tall but not excessive and the bed was a little small for my liking but that is me nit picking
Review 110：Fantastic staff very friendly and very attentive. A lot of effort had gone into the roms decor
Review 111：Double Beds in the UK 131cm are too small for two people to be comfy. I'll keep this in mind next time I book
Review 112：Everything, though I found the bed too small
Review 113：Close to noisy A34 but apart from that there is nothing to dislike about this place.
Review 114：What a wonderful find, brand new, great interior, super staff, very welcoming, lovely food and wine. Will be back!
Review 115：The location could put people off if you weren't visiting the castle up the roadway it is all by itself. Also, the price was hefty enough without having to pay extra for breakfast.
Review 116：As we were visiting Highclere Castle the next day we found the love cation was very good. The rooms were quite good and clean.
Review 117：Food is expensive and Staff not friendly The management appears to rule very strictly which does not put the customer first. I was charged £3.50 for a bowl of cereal !
Review 118：Excellent facilities recently modernized
Review 119：Location near busy A34 meant we wanted to keep window closed due to noise. Very hot in the room meant we struggled to sleep.
Review 120：Friendly staff. Attractive lounge. Nice dinner. Whole place just refurbished to a great standard
Review 121：The only draw back is the A34 which runs behind the Inn The noise is shielded at the front and in the pub and dining areas but our room was facing the back and we had a lot of noise at night. Which was slightly awkward on one of the hottest nights of the year. Next time we shall book a room looking into the courtyard at the front.
Review 122：The inn has been refurbished to a very high standard and the food was beautifully cooked and well presented. We had our grandson and the grand-dog with us and the staff were very helpful and pleasant at all times
Review 123：the bed was OK. the noise of car pulling in and out of the gravel parking lot went on until 1AM.
Review 124：its close to the Highclaire castle, has a rustic feel to it. very helpful staff
Review 125：Great bar and restaurant area
Review 126：Shower door was a little small for my portly frame..
Review 127：Noise all night from main road
Review 128：Excellent facilities, friendly staff, food choice superb
Review 129：Traffic noise from adjacent road, stayed for two nights and did not sleep well either evening.
Review 130：Everything apart from the location
Review 131：Waiting 50 minutes for breakfast. Only not to get any.
Review 132：Everything was great
Review 133：The staff were lovely friendly and could not do enough for us
The Fine Print
Please note, guests requiring extra beds must contact the property ahead of time to determine if they will be available.