Hampshire Pub Reviews
Introduction
Here are some reviews of the pubs that I've visited in Hampshire. I've included a short description of what I thought of each pub. Alongside each review I've made a note of when I last visited the pub so you know how up-to-date the descriptions are.
Some of the pubs below have links to pages with larger photos.
As with all the sections on my site, the views expressed here are totally my own.
Areas Covered By This Page
Winchester Pubs
View a Google Map of my favourite pubs and restaurants in the Winchester area.
Black Boy
1 Wharf Hill, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9NQ - 01962 861754
In my view this is the best pub in Winchester. It has been extended a couple of times since I first started coming here nearly 20 years ago and it now has many different rooms in which to find your little space to relax with friends and a drink. Each room is full of interesting bits and pieces - from stuffed animals to old bus signs, and there are many board games available at the bar. There is a small garden too.
There are a good selection of well-kept real ales on offer - some from local breweries. The menu may be limited at certain times but the food is very good and the staff are very friendly. They were happy for us to bring our baby daughter in and warm up her food for us. The pub does shut in the afternoons which is a shame as it would be a great place to while away a dull Saturday.
Last visited: August 2009
Fulflood Arms
28 Cheriton Road, Winchester, Hampshire, SO22 5EF - 01962 622006
Wow! Amazing to find a Greene King pub with so many non-Greene King beers. Looked like 5 different real ales available on my last visit including the excellent Itchen Valley Pue Gold which I tried. As well as the Greene King IPA there were also beers from Triple FFF and Bateman's.
The pub is situated in residential streets about 5 minutes walk west of the station. I believe the pub has recently been refurbished and the interior is very clean and bright - but not harshly so. The toilets are clean too. There is a small garden out the back but not for enjoying on a cold January evening.
Overall the pub seems very welcoming although there weren't many customers in the early evening when I visited. The pubs newsletter, the 'Fulflood News' lists all the upcoming events at the pub - including the regular Wednesday night quiz, and occasional live music.
This pub is certainly worth a visit.
Last visited: March 2009
Roebuck Inn
57 Stockbridge Rd, Winchester, SO22 6RP - 01962 865412
Bright and spacious Greene King pub on the Stockbridge Road - about 5 minutes walk west of the station. Like the nearby Fulflood Arms this pub appears to have had a makeover fairly recently. The interior is mainly woody in appearance with some comfy leather sofas.
The emphasis seems to be on food as well as drink here with an extensive but reasonably priced menu both at lunchtimes and in the evening. If you ask nicely, the sandwiches are also available in the evening too.
If Greene King beers aren't to your taste they do have 1 or 2 guest beers as well as the GK IPA and Old Speckled Hen. I had the Bowman's Swift One which tasted very nice and well kept.
Last visited: January 2009
Hyde Tavern
57 Hyde Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 7DY - 01962 862592
The Hyde Tavern is a gorgeous little pub on the northern side of the city and has been enjoying a return to form after the Greene King occupation was ended. This used to be one of my favourite pubs in the early 90s but in my view lost its way after Greene King bought it from Marstons in 1999.
The first thing to notice about this pub (especially if you are tall - like me) is the low ceilings - they will catch you out even if you have become a regular. The feel is laid back and friendly - probably mainly locals as it is situated a few minutes from the centre of Winchester. There's no music here (except for the classical guitarist practising in the corner) so fluid conversation is allowed - even with people you've never met before. On a cold night the real fire in the front bar is also very welcome.
I'm not sure about the food situation, but I can tell you that as well as a couple of Ringwood beers on handpump, the pub was offering Bowman's Swift One and Quiver, and Pots Bitter (from Cheriton) on gravity. Both the Bowman's beers were superb.
Probably the second best pub in Winchester.
Last visited: July 2009
Bishop on the Bridge
1 High Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9JX - 01962 855111
Larger photos of the Bishop on the Bridge, Winchester
This pub has had a chequered past but is now a Fuller's pub so its future should be more assured. Fuller's refurbished the pub on taking it over to produce an airy and light space which is very comfortable and friendly.
The food and beer are very good, and there is a garden area out the back overlooking the River Itchen as it races by.
Last visited: August 2009
Wykeham Arms
75 Kingsgate Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9PE - 01962 853834
Traditional pub in the back streets behind the cathedral. The pub has two main bar areas and a couple of dining areas. I haven't eaten here recently but the food has always been good in the past and one time when I mentioned that we were celebrating our anniversary they gave us a bottle of champagne.
The pub was run by Gale's and the beer always tasted well kept - so it's effectively now a Fuller's pub.
You can stay here if you want to but it's quite pricey. I used to always come here to watch the 5 and then 6 Nations rugby matches as the atmosphere could not be beaten, but they don't seem to show them any more - I don't know why.
Last visited: July 2009
Eclipse
25 The Square, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9EX - 01962 865676
Friendly locals pub in the centre of Winchester close to the cathedral. Good selection of beers. The pub itself is quite small but there are tables outside for the summer. Not sure if food is available.
Last visited: Summer 2005
St James' Tavern
3 Romsey Road, Winchester, Hampshire, SO22 5BE - 01962 861288
Small locals pub just on the western side of the centre of Winchester. A good place for a quiet drink with friends. It's a Wadworth's pub and the beer seems well-kept.
Last visited: March 2004
And if you're hungry in Winchester...
Pizza Express
1 Bridge St, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9BH - 01962 841845
On the river bridge at the bottom of the High Street is this cozy little Pizza Express. The menu is standard for the chain and they do taste good. Try and get a table that overlooks the river - that's what makes it special.
Last visited: Spring 2005
Braishfield (Near Romsey)
Wheatsheaf
Braishfield Road, Braishfield, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 0QE - 01794 368372
Rambling pub on the south side of the village of Braishfield - just north of Romsey. The interior is large but on our last visit the sun was bright and warm so we took advantage of the large garden and had our lunch out there. The menu varies from simple snacks through to large and exotic meals and we found the food to be excellent. Well kept real ales are available.
Last visited: Summer 2005
Cheriton
The Flowerpots Inn
Cheriton, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 0QQ - 01962 771318
Opinion is divided on this one, but I think it's great and I think the old buildings and traditional interiors help to swell the numbers who descend on this pub at weekends. In the summer the garden can be an attractive place to relax. The menu is a bit limited, but I've always found something to appeal and it's always been tasty. The owners run their pub in their own way and their manner can seem a bit offputting to some. Since children are only welcome here in the garden I may not be visiting again for a while.
I believe they still brew their own beer here, but I read that the pub owner and the original brewer fell out - and so the original Cheriton beers (Pots etc) are no more. However I have heard that a new brewer is now installed at the pub and I have tasted the new Pots Bitter in pubs in Winchester. The original brewers have now set themselves up as Bowman's Brewery.
It is possible to stay here in the converted outbuildings but I can't recommend this as the walls are very thin and I didn't get much sleep. The breakfast was good though.
Last visited: Summer 2005