Quick glance: + large portion, no-frill pub food…read more+ local ales and ciders + no-mobile policy + dog-friendly + beer garden I came here for lunch based on the recommendation from a pub guide. It's tucked away, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, but it's worth the drive especially on a hot, sunny summer day to take advantage of the large garden in the back. The pub stocks a large selection of local ales and ciders, which is a definite bonus. When we were there, a few dogs from other patrons wandered freely around the premise, nuzzling against our elbow for scraps of food, which I thought was unusual (for a city dweller like me!) but cute. The pub has a no-mobile policy such that if you take a call in the pub, you're charged a pound, kind of like the swear jar. I love the idea - more pubs should do this! The food itself is honest, no-frill pub grub made with high-quality and fresh ingredients. The huge portion and decent price made a good value lunch.

This pub is about as off the beaten track as it gets. Follow the little narrow road until you feel…read morelike you've hit the heart of Hampshire countryside and you'll find the Bowman. In my five years of coming to South Hants I have not known a finer pub. With a gorgeous sprawling beer garden and a nice homely feel the Hampshire Bowman is, at least in my opinion, an epitome of a good English pub. They serve local ales brewed by the Bowman Brewery supplemented by a rotating guest ales and ciders. Their food is considered "typical pub fare" but they often have a twist. I've had hoisin duck sausages over a bed of chinese vegetables that was absolutely amazing. If you don't feel like exploring with your food then their burger is always a good choice. The barmen are always friendly, the food is consistently good, and the pints are always perfect (I've yet to have a bad pint here). The atmosphere, despite the sprawling space is intimate due to the landlord's strict "No Mobile Phone" policy, which he and his regulars actually enforce. If your phone goes off you pay a quid that ultimately goes to charity and to be honest, I've not heard of anyone having a problem with the pub rule. I can't really put my finger on what makes the Bowman such a good pub... it just is and I'm not the only one who thinks so as it is a local favorite. Perhaps it's the fact that the landlord is dog-friendly and provides water bowls and dog treats for walkers and hikers. Maybe it's because of the reasonable price for a good local ale and a plate of fine pub fare. Maybe it's the no-mobile policy which makes the pub and ideal place to have a pint and a good chat with friends or family. Or it's possible it's the combination of all of these that account for the inexplicable reason that at the Hampshire Bowman the pints just taste sweeter.

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.

We were the 2nd table to be seated for Sunday service. We sat in the restaurant which was light and…read moreairy. The tables were comfortably spaced in the room. We had 2 waitresses one of which was training. They were both polite and friendly. For the price the roast dinner was spot on. The meats were cooked beautifully and the vegetables had great variety. Although not pictured the sticky toffee pudding was amazing. It was too good to stop for a photograph. We would highly recommend this pub to friends and family.

Gorgeous little pub inside and out. So well placed in the country side and right near the Meon…read moreValley, Marriott Hotel. It has a very family-friendly warm feel to it, with open log fires, a heated beer garden, and lots of comfortable seating. I loved the large, old picture frames décor with empty bottles of pricy champagne and whisky filling the window sills. This is definitely the kind of pub I could spend a whole Sunday afternoon in, sampling the merchandise... They do food up until 9pm, and certain things are *extremely* reasonably priced. f you get a basket meal, you get a choice of Scampi, Southern Friend Chicken Strips, Cheeseburger, Sausages, or Tempura Battered Vegetables (all served with chips) for £4.95! And on every day of the week you can get a specific dish for a fiver as well, ranging from Fish and Chips to Lasagna and Risotto. The cheeseburger tasted a bit microwaved, unfortunately but the chips were solid and service was quick. Clientele ranges from those these for a couple pints and the footie to groups of 20 year olds taking advantage of the cheap food and drinks. Will definitely be back, but won't be getting that cheeseburger.

Lively spacious pub with scrubbed wood tables and lots of seating. I came here after work to meet…read morefriends and it was perfect. Set back from the road and offering a good menu, it's somewhere I'll definitely be coming back to. Next time I'll be staying for dinner as the smells emanating from the kitchen were very tempting!

This was my local pub for 5 and a half years, after work outings for birthdays, a quick drink at…read morethe weekends or a meal after work with the hubby. This place has a lovely interior and exterior decor, has plenty of seating, outdoor seating in the front and at the back and a great menu. There is a good choice of drinks including some ales. Often there are food deals for two meals for 9.95. This runs every weekday evening. My personal favourite is the Yorkshire wrap (roast beef wrapped in Yorkshire pudding) served with chips and gravy.

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.

If you could picture the ideal village pub, then it would look something like this. Creeping ivy…read moreall the way up the frontage and hanging baskets filled up with various flowers, this place really does look inviting. Once inside, it doesn't let you down either. Great selection of beers including Harveys and some really nice home cooked food. Try the whole-tailed breaded scampi as its just as its so nice and fresh tasting. Plenty of bar games to keep you amused like skittles and darts or you could just sit quietly in the corner reading your paper like me.

Excellent food and drink. Friendly staff. Great atmosphere. Very popular place so book early!read more

Just terrific. Located in an almost 300 year old building, rooms have been lovingly restored with…read moregreat care. Staff was very friendly and helpful. The restaurant was wonderful--clearly the chef takes pride in his work!

We visited the Hurdles for Sunday lunch. There was a very friendly atmosphere with a nice roaring…read morefire in the hearth. Everything looked lovely and clean. There was a large dining room with beautifully laid out tables with smart linen napkins. The food was delicious - we understand the chef is the owner of the pub. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The friends who we went with revisited for another meal a couple of weeks later, on Monday lunchtime. Again, everything was very enjoyable. They were surprised at how busy it was for that time of the week; but this must show how good the Hurdles is.

Sunday lunch here with my partner and our friends who are another couple. Decided to try here after…read morebeing turned away from the Shoe Inn as it was fully booked. The Hurdles was also very busy but we got a table with in 10 mins after speaking to the helpful waitress. Food quality was superb and service was good. Oriental beef salad was really good so was the half roast chicken. Standards were very high, with restaurant, toilets etc very clean and well kept, surprising given how busy the place was! Will definitely be back soon.

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.

The first time I walked in here I was disgusted, having worked in lots of pubs myself over the…read moreyears the fact that there were half empty glasses everywhere and there weren't more than five people in the pub! We bought a drink and tried to play pool, we couldn't there were balls missing! However on my birthday I had a large group of people round and we went on a little pub crawl of Bishops Waltham, we started here (and didn't leave!) they had cheesy music playing, the drinks were quite cheap, it was nicely busy and the staff were friendly. This pub would definitely seem more at home in the middle of albert road in portsmouth, but there is something I like about it (at night at least)

All the previous reviews were valued until the refurbishment 2 years ago. The Crown is now a very…read morelovely pub; beer is well kept, the food is very good and the pub itself had been refurbished very tastefully by Fullers. Not a hint of a Harvester here.