We stayed for two nights over a bank holiday weekend having found The Compasses on an internet trawl. What a little gem! Friendly staff, excellent range and quality of food and a fine selection of ales and wines. They were happy to accommodate our two Boxer dogs in the bar and in our room. Good atmosphere and friendly locals.

The room was spotless and the low beams just added to the character. The bathroom was basic but this is a country inn not the Ritz! We were in room 1 above the bar - true, you can hear conversations from below but the noise ended at 11.30 and was never intrusive.

We can't agree with another reviewer about the food: ours was most enjoyable, piping hot and pleasantly served. You just have to remember to book as you don't get an automatic table just because you're a resident. Breakfast is all cooked to order from local ingredients and was very enjoyable.

To sum up - a very enjoyable stay and we will be visiting again. Thoroughly recommended for a typically English, country inn with character. Great!!

We stayed 2 nights as part of our walking tour, and this was our favorite. Had wifi in the room with laptop in window. Our rm #3 in back corner was great; only drawback was sharp corners of the 2 beds are hard on shins. The food at restaurant was excellent; everyone was friendly and nice. Yes, duck your head, but this is a historic property! Great hiking around the area. Seems a real local hang-out too. We would recommend staying here. Beautiful English countryside, this place is Lower ChicksGrove.

It takes some finding but is worth the search. No wonder it has won Wiltshire pub food awards for the past few years. Great choice of menu, good wines & good service although they are in danger of getting overstretched at times due to their own success. Rooms are fine - you just have to remember to duck all the time to avoid the low beams. Superb.

First impressions were good. We were greeted warmly and showed immediately to our room by a very pleasant young lady.
That's where the problems began.
Our guide showed us the room (Room 2) then advised us not to worry about the noise as it was 'just the extractor from the kitchen, and would be shut off when the kitchen closed'. The sound of the extractor was loud, and as we had travelled a long way that day and wished to have a short nap before dinner it was very intrusive.
The room itself was very basic, the only mirror in the room a very small one on top of the dressing table. The bathroom was very dark and the tiny mirror was too high for all but the tallest to use.
My husband went to ask if there was an alternative room which was quieter and was shown the other two rooms available (the fourth was occupied). Room 3 was as noisy as Room 2, suffering the same problem with the kitchen extractor fan. Room 1 was above the bar and you could clearly hear the conversations from the bar before the door to the room was even opened.
When we made it clear that we were not prepared to stay in any of the rooms we were given the chance to look at the cottage. This is a pleasant cottage, with a double and two single bedrooms. It is adjacent to the pub and, most importantly peaceful and quiet. We agreed to stay here for the night, but whilst the bed was comfy, the furnishings were again very basic and the whole place was grubby and a little uncared for. The kitchen was minimally equipped - four plates, four bowls, four knives etc.
We had booked a table in the pub for dinner, and were anticipating a good meal - not the case. Clearly the Compasses equate lots of food with good quality. My goats cheese in filo pastry starter was enough for a main meal, but the parcels had been deep fried and very very greasy. The pork belly main course can only be described as disappointing and I would describe the whole dining experience as basic at best.
Breakfast the following morning was the best meal; the cooked breakfast was well cooked, but again the idea of more is lots more seemed to hold fast. When I asked for tea I was asked if I wanted 'Builders tea'!! The full english was described as two of everything- and when I asked for just one of everything I was told I wanted a half full breakfast.
If I had to describe the place succinctly I would say it was lacking in finesse and attention to detail and was riding upon its awards. We found the place in Alastair Sawdeys Special Places to Stay. Special it was not, and it didn't match the description in this guide one bit.