EXHIBIT 5.1

                           [LETTERHEAD OF LINKLATERS]


The Board of Directors
Allied Domecq PLC
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bedminster Down
Bristol
BS13 8AR

                                                                26 February 2003

Our Ref      GRRH/WJ

Dear Sirs

Allied Domecq PLC (the "Company")

1    This opinion is delivered in connection with the Company's Registration
     Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed under the
     United States Securities Act of 1933 with respect to 20,000,000 ordinary
     shares of nominal value 25 pence each of the Company ("Ordinary Shares")
     which Ordinary Shares relate, inter alia, to the share plans of the Company
     (and of the companies which are its subsidiaries) listed in the Schedule to
     this opinion (the "Plans"). This maximum number of shares issuable pursuant
     to the Plans is subject to the over riding dilution limits in the Plans.

2    This opinion is limited to English law as applied by the English courts and
     is given on the basis that it will be governed by and be construed in
     accordance with English law.

3    For the purposes of this opinion we have examined and relied on copies of
     such corporate records and other documents, including the Registration
     Statement, and reviewed such matters of law, as we have deemed necessary or
     appropriate for the purposes of this opinion.

4    Upon the basis of and subject to the foregoing, but subject to any matters
     not disclosed to us, it is our opinion: (i) that (if being issued pursuant
     to the Plans) upon such Ordinary Shares being issued and allotted and the
     subscription or exercise price therefore having been paid pursuant to the
     Plans, such Ordinary Shares will have been duly authorised and validly
     issued and will be fully paid and that no further contributions in respect
     thereof will be required to be made to the Company by the holders thereof,
     by reason solely of their being such holders; or (ii) that (if such
     Ordinary Shares are to be transferred to holders of options or awards under
     the Plans) such Ordinary Shares have been duly authorised and validly
     issued and are fully paid and that no




      further contributions in respect thereof are required to be made to the
      Company by the holders thereof, solely by reason of their being such
      holders.

5    This opinion is given to you solely for use in connection with the filing
     of the Registration Statement. This opinion is strictly limited to matters
     dealt with herein and does not extend to and is not to be read as extending
     by implication to any other matter.

6    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
     Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are
     within the category of persons whose consent is required within Section 7
     of the Securities Act of 1933, or the rules and regulations of the
     Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

Yours faithfully


/s/ Linklaters




                                    Schedule


                                    The Plans


The Allied Domecq PLC Executive Share Option Scheme 1999;

The Allied Domecq PLC Deferred Bonus Plan; and

The Allied Domecq PLC Long Term Incentive Scheme 1999.