To clarify, 4.5 Stars…read more Now, I've done reviews about pubs before but honestly I feel a bit strange doing a review about The Brickmakers. Why? Because it's the amalgamation of a standard English pub with a very nice restaurant and that to me as the American foreigner I am, is strange. I've been to The Brickmaker's three times now; once due to my boyfriend's family insisting on taking me there for lunch and twice on my request after my first experience. It is good. Now obviously the stereotype of British food is that they make almost everything into pies, which... isn't proved wrong by the Pie of the Day on the menu but again the more I visit the more I realize that England's food and food culture, just like every other country with a vast history, has been shaped into what it is today and has unfortunately, more history in their food than my country does in its Historical texts. Nevermind the stereotypes, on to the review. The Brickmakers is excellent. A very nice traditional pub feel with wooden picnic tables outside for smoking, a bar well stocked with liquor, wine, and local ales you wouldn't expect too much from the food from this pub but really it is very good quality food. Two of the three times I came I had lunch, once (of course being the true American I am) I had a burger, and it was a really good burger. To be honest, that's high praise right there considering my favorite restaurant in my home town is very famous for making top notch burgers. It had all the right trimmings that, surprisingly, many pubs leave out like dill pickles and red onions. The last time I went I had their venison burger, which also receives high praise from me. I'm not a huge fan of venison because of the particular gamey taste but this one had very little and was amazingly satisfying. Overall, nothing in this pub disappointed me. It is a bit pricey but if you're travelling in England everything is and in my opinion it is well worth the price. It's not necessary to eat there but I suggest you do, I've decided to make at tradition of eating there every time I go into Wickham for a visit. A good combination of a old fashioned free house and a new age of dining.

This has to be in the top 5 best pubs in the UK!…read more Truly exceptional drink, food and service. I would be going here more often if I lived more local to it. It's a little tricky to get to, narrow country roads, etc, but we'll worth it. If you wanting to eat I would advise booking and this place gets busy from the second it opens. Caters to all, especially families and has a wonderful garden and patio. Tim Gray is the landlord of this gem and is hands-on and welcoming. You will not regret visit this amazing pub.

This is my third time here...this time with my wife and two visiting friends…read more You book for indoors but can choose to sit outdoors...you go in having chosen your outdoor table number... The hours are short - booking is necessary especially on summer days / evenings...the view is spectacular...but if you don't like chickens running around free, then its not for you The menu is not large but you get good-sized portions...I can recommend the sausages and the lamb Parking yes you can, just, but if not, come out, go left then right...there's the village hall and another area just before there on the left Good reception, good service, good food, reasonable prices We will definitely return

Had a lovely lunch here mid-week…read more Enter the old pub, that has a real community feel - locals at the bar and some hand-carved walking sticks for sale against the wall. A good selection of real ale, sets off the old beams and friendly land lady. Moving with pint in had to the large garden overlooking the south downs way (see photos) we soon had steaming masses of food arriving. My lamb with apricots and apples was sumptuous. The liver and bacon my sister had was adequate, but the fish pie was a real winner, salmon, prawns, white fish in a creamy mash. Mmmmm. By the piles of benches stacked against a barn it looks like it gets very busy in the summertime - and according to some locals it "isn't as good as it was before it was discovered" but all in all a great lunch and think it is a great find. Heartily recommend, hope some other Qypers can discover it too.

Really good pork roast , service was excellent and a wonderful British pub in the new forestread more

The Turfcutters Inn is an old fashioned pub in the tiny New Forrest village of East Boldre. We…read morepopped in here on a Saturday lunchtime, mid way through a walk. It was fairly busy at the time so I guess it's a popular haunt, it certainly has the feel of a proper local. We didn't stop for lunch, just a refreshing pint and some crisps, but the menu looked like typical pub grub with a few specials on the board. The bar staff were friendly and welcoming, downsides included a telly showing Cash in the Attic or some such tosh, and grotty loos, but overall it's a good stop off for a beer and a wee!

Excellent fish and chips and very good grilled halloumi chickpea salad…read more An attractive pub with a large garden at the front and very friendly staff (and a super friendly owner). Desserts were to die for! :-) Definitely a recommend.

On a winding country road in the rolling valleys of Southampton, the Cricketers Inn stands a margin…read moreaway from the road, presenting a large garden before its entry way. Large benches looking onto the cottage-like facade make for what I imagine a gorgeous place to enjoy some Pimms in the summer. However, in the chilly December nights we took refuge inside the establishment, furnished with light-wood, bright and simply decorated. The right hand side of the inn features a wall-papered library theme with shelves of books printed onto the walls. This makes for an interesting feel of studious eating. Almost a little bit stressful after all the student hours spent in the library. The steak cooked rare was very nice indeed, virtually without fatty discard and a succulent flavor, dripping in its own slightly salty juices. It was large and came with a bit of cress and chips. The cheese board was nice as well, giving you Brie, Wensleydale, several hard cheeses as well as a pot of chutney and grapes. For the area and the quality of food it was reasonable priced and good for our group of 8. Our waitress met our inebriation with a large spot of jest and good humor. But not without sarcasm. The food came out quickly and we were given lollipops out our way out. When in the area, I would definitely return.

Really can't fault this pub. The welcome is warm, the service is right up there with the best…read moreyou'll find in a gastro pub and the food is superb and well presented. The menu is fantastic and it makes choosing very difficult. The gravy that came with my Garlic & Chive Pork Sausages and mash was the best I'd ever tasted. The local brew (Harveys Best Bitter from Lewes) was an excellent pint.

We stop by at this pub on Tuesdays and Thursday nights quite often, and a few pints and the chesse…read moreon chips are so welcome to the palett

The Shoe Inn is a beautiful country pub tucked away in the tiny village of Exton that provided…read moremyself and my friend with a wonderfully rewarding dinner after a hard days walk on the South Downs Way. Although we were staying in another pub in the adjacent village of Meonstoke, we had heard so many good things about the Shoe Inn, we couldn't resist pulling back on our boots and walking through the rain for dinner. After the obligatory pint of real ale to celebrate the end of our walk, we perused the menu on the blackboard. There was almost too much to chose from as I was ravenous and everything took my fancy. We were brought warm homemade bread to start, then I went for the goats cheese en croute served with beetroot, red onion and avocado. Next came pork belly with the most divine cracking (I know, but I earned it!!), rich dauphiniose potatoes, cabbage and a cider jus - delish. After a 30 minute respite, I decided I could fit in a portion of homemade treacle tart with ice cream - probably a mistake in hindsight as I could hardly move afterwards, but it was tasty!! A cheeky bottle of red helped wash all this down. The pub itself was really busy for a rainy Thursday night - it obviously has a lot of loyal customers. The staff were all really young but provided a high level of service. In the summer, the garden that backs on to a babbling brook would be the perfect place to enjoy a drink as the sun goes down. We even got to play a couple of games of dominoes while we waited for our meals. It doesn't get much better than this!

What a find! After considerable thought was given for a lunchtime pub by our cousins who live in…read morethe area, we made a short trip to The Shoe, and it proved to be a great destination in this beautiful Hampshire village! After placing our food orders, we walked across the road to their riverside beer garden. It provided an idyllic setting with ample room between the garden tables. A couple of decent-sized bowls of peanuts and a small bowl of olives provided munchies with our beverages while we chatted and waited for our lunches to arrive. A Wadworth pub, there are six of their beers on hand pump, plus a guest tap. Obviously, the pub's focus is their food. Freshly baked breads and house-made pickles are two of items that complement the great food here. Local products are sourced as much as possible, a nice touch. The small beer battered haddock (£8.95) was beautifully cooked with a crispy shell, and its mushy peas were delicious. The fresh crab and avocado starters (£7.95) were thoroughly enjoyed by three in our party, and the pub's careful attention to detail was obvious in the presentation of this dish. My own ploughman's platter (£7.50) was excellent, the generous slice of ham and aged cheddar accompanied by a fresh piece of baguette with veggies and grapes, house pickles and a red tomato chutney, and crisps - no issues with any of this plate's offerings. And yes, the house sticky toffee ice cream and brownie we all shared for dessert with beautifully brewed Americano coffees were stellar! Attentive and timely service, a beautiful setting, and decent prices (about £80 for drinks and lunch for six) make The Shoe a spot I'd return to, either for another great lunch or to explore their menu further at dinner. Highly recommended.

The Good Pub Guide is pretty reliable and this pub not only has an entry, it has a 2009 national…read moreaward for The Best Publican. This seems a bit backhanded as, if I were a publican, I'd prefer to receive the award for best pub or best food but any award must be welcome and mine host was certainly welcoming and friendly on the Sunday we went for lunch. Indeed, all the staff were friendly and attentive. The usual Sunday roasts were generous, well-cooked (especially the vegetables). The puddings were memorable. Prices were reasonable to low. I'd go again.

A good traditional english pub, extensive menu, reasonably priced with decent portions. Staff were…read morehelpful, with good knowledge of the menu. Would definitely return.