Eating and drinking

Pubs
Restaurants

Pubs

Our two ‘locals’ are Ye Olde George Inn and the Izaak Walton, and we would encourage you to visit them both. We are lucky that they are very different styles of pubs.

The ‘George’ is the traditional English country pub adorned with beams, open fireplaces and horse brasses, with a small terrace at the rear. The ‘Izaak,’ meanwhile has a more contemporary twist with leather sofas or sit at the front in the summer on the south-facing tables to watch the village life go by. Both pubs provide excellent food during most lunch times and evenings.

A little further afield, if you want to step back in time to a nearly-lost age of the British pub, then I recommend the Harrow Inn in Steep. Around 5 miles away, this gem of a pub has two tiny bars, where you are served beer direct from the cask via a small hatch. Bear in mind that the Harrow also tends to keep traditional pub hours and is likely to be closed in the afternoons or even all day on Sundays. The best time to go is early evening on a lovely summer’s night. Sit at one of the rickety tables at the front or in the beer garden and order from the small menu (which is actually a series of cards pinned to the wall by the bar) normally including an excellent flan or quiche (usually one vegetarian option), soup or sandwiches. The Harrow only accepts cash and cheques (sorry, no travellers cheques or credit cards!).

For all-day food, the Seven Stars on the A272 towards Petersfield is a good local bet. The menu is quite extensive and contains the usual pub favourites. This is a busy food-orientated pub, which has done its best to retain its character and some original features.

It’s a long hard cycle ride or walk of about 8 miles, but if you fancy a challenge then the ‘Pub With No Name’ is a good local favourite (you can of course drive there!). The pub is actually called the White Horse but gained its nickname from the fact it has been missing its swinging pub sign for many years. The downside of this is that this also makes it a difficult place to find. But it is well worth seeking out. The pub has two bars and a decent restaurant.

An easier pub to visit by bike is the Five Bells at Buriton. A cycle to this Badger pub is around five miles each way and passes some nice scenery, as well as an old grain tower now converted to a house. The cycle ride to this pub is relatively flat (or should we say there are not so many hills as other routes around the village).

Near the Butser Ancient Farm project, there is the Red Lion at Chalton, which is an ideal pub to visit if you are enjoying the farm project or the views from the top of Butser Hill. There is a fairly modern restaurant somewhat uneasily joined to the pub itself, but the main bar is a gem with flagstone-floors.

For cricket fans, a visit to the Bat and Ball by the Hambledon cricket ground – the original home of cricket – is a must, while a lazy summer afternoon eating and drinking by the meandering River Meon can be enjoyed at the Shoe in Exton, a charming pub, which has suffered its fair share of flooding over the years. Nearby, there is an old disused railway line, which now provides easy cycling access to the pubs of Droxford and the White Hart in Soberton. Another pub for cricket fans is the Thomas Lord at West Meon, which is named after the gentleman who gave his name to Lords Cricket Ground and who is buried in the nearby churchyard.

Other local favourites are the Hawkley Inn, the Tichbourne Arms and the Three Horseshoes (at Bighton), all of which can be visited for refreshments, along with the Pub with no name, on one of the longer bike rides we recommend, details of which are in the cottage.

If you want a drink or a meal by the coast, there are a couple places we would suggest. The closest, nicest pubs are both in the nearest part of Langstone Harbour, which is just on the mainland side of the bridge to Hayling Island. They are the Ship and the Royal Oak.

More modern eating and drinking opportunities are available at either Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth Harbour or Port Solent (just off the A27) situated around a large marina.

The area is covered with wonderful pubs, but I hope our little selection is enough to get you started!



Restaurants

Traditional, French, Pizza. Chinese, Indian, Thai, Modern Eclectic or Hamburger. In fact, whatever food you would like, be it ‘fine-dining’ or a takeaway, most tastes can be catered for within 5 miles of the cottage. Here is a list of restaurants, all of which are within about 5 miles. A selection of takeaway menus is also available in the cottage.

Annie Jones - Petersfield, 01730 262 728 – Traditional/Modern English

Folly Wine bar & Restaurant – Petersfield, 01730 264 088

J.S.W - Petersfield, 01730 262 030 – French

The Kitchen Restaurant & Bar - Petersfield, 01730 260 006

Flora Twort Gallery Restaurant – Petersfield, 01730 260 756

Madhuban Tandoori - Liss, 01730 893363 (further but worth it)

Spice Lounge - Petersfield, 01730 303 303 – Indian

Paradise Balti House - Petersfield, 01730 265 162

Pizza Express Petersfield, 01730 710 357

Ask - Petersfield, 01730 231 113 – Italian

Tai Tong Chinese Restaurant – Petersfield, 01730 263 216

Seafare - Petersfield, 01730 265 702 - Fish & Chips