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So what is a Great Country Pub? It’s an inn that evokes a warm and relaxed atmosphere, a building that clings to its history and heritage radiating charm and character and standing in an idyllic location. It conveys a high standard of accommodation and cleanliness and extends outstanding hospitality. Other accolades include great food backed up by a passion for local ingredients and the opportunity to rub shoulders with locals. In these times when inns are in danger of becoming a dying breed it is important to recognise these attributes.

Each Great Country Pub has something special that will draw the weary traveller back again and again; whether it be a bar serving real ale, delicious home-cooked meals, period features, enticing bedrooms or a riverside garden, there is one that will be ‘great’ for you.

Spotlight On

Truly beautiful nestled in the historic surroundings of Nether Westcote the Feathered...

The Feathered Nest Country Inn

Truly beautiful nestled in the historic surroundings of Nether Westcote the Feathered Nest has ale in its blood – its roots having grown from a Cotswold stone malthouse dating from around 1665. The building’s beauty is matched by views overlooking the Evenlode Valley, which can be fully appreciated from the delightful partially-covered terrace. Inside is a large open-plan bar where a vast array of cask ales and wines are served from the glass...

Customer care and attention to detail take priority at this proper country pub.

Little Brown Jug

Inside the large charismatic building there is lots of space, but nonetheless a cosy informal atmosphere prevails, created by timber beams and open log fires. The bar is always buzzing with locals and visitors alike who gather to sample the excellent range of well-kept cask ales. Diners feast on fabulous British food that boasts the finest local produce and is served alongside a good selection of wines; Sunday roasts are particularly popular....

Pretty hanging baskets decorate the facade of this quintessential village pub that sits...

The Red Lion

Pretty hanging baskets decorate the facade of this quintessential village pub that sits at a crossroads in the centre of Boldre. Dating back to around the 15th century and mentioned in the Domesday Book, The Red Lion is an amalgamation of an ancient forest tavern, two old cottages and stables. All manner of copper objects are suspended from the low beamed ceilings, old prints cover the white textured walls and period lanterns and candles light...

In a quaint village setting perched on the banks of the River Wey, the Stag is a perfect...

The Stag on the River

Dating back to 1771, the tastefully refurbished inn oozes character and there’s always a cheerful buzz about the place. Concealed among the rambling rooms are nooks and crannies where wood, brick and open fires create the perfect hideaway on a cold winter’s nights. Alternatively, there is a lovely garden beside the fast-moving millstream. Once a regular haunt for shooters and hunters, traditional values from those years gone by have been...

Deep in the heart of the countryside with amazing views across the Wield, this light and...

The Mark Cross Inn

Deep in the heart of the countryside with amazing views across the Wield, this light and spacious village pub evokes all that a traditional British pub should be: a warm welcome from polite and friendly staff, the customary bar décor that projects a homely feeling through wooden tables, fireplaces, dusty bookshelves and walls crammed with prints. Playing to its strengths, the large covered terrace is designed to allow visitors to appreciate the...

Standing proud on the main thoroughfare of one of Hampshire’s prettiest towns famed for...

The Greyhound

Clinging to its roots, the open plan bar and dining area display original low beams and wooden floors decked out with leather upright chairs and solid wooden tables. Fishing memorabilia is a constant reminder of where you are. A separate lounge, with an inglenook fire that roars in winter and comfy wing-back armchairs and sofas, is the absolute place to relax after a satisfying meal. For that special occasion, look no further than Chef Alan...

If you love nostalgia and all that is authentically British, the charming white-weather...

Old Dunnings Mill

If you love nostalgia and all that is authentically British, the charming white-weather boarded Old Mill is for you. As the name discloses, this rambling old place tracks its heritage to a 16th-century watermill, which is still in working order today and is a delightful reminder of yesteryear. Beautifully integrating the past with the present, there is a well-maintained heated patio with decking that straddles the mill stream, creating a lovely...

Overlooking the Solent, this super island pub lords it from its idyllic seafront location...

The Boat House

Overlooking the Solent, this super island pub lords it from its idyllic seafront location. The sky-blue stone building in which The Boat House is housed generates a welcoming impression and inside the bright bar continues along these lines infusing traditional style with an injection of contemporary decor and a host of nautical knick knacks.

In the heart of the New Forest, the Hobbler’s traditional, whitewashed exterior fronts an...

The Hobler Inn

In the heart of the New Forest, the Hobbler’s traditional, whitewashed exterior fronts an uncluttered and contemporary interior, where you can experience an old-school pub atmosphere. Perhaps most unique is the open kitchen, which suggests that not only is the food top notch but that the team of chefs are proud to show of their skills at every stage of the process. Ranging from light bites to more extensive gastro-pub grub, food is...

A whitewashed Georgian gem’ is the best way to describe this sophisticated village pub...

The Royal Oak

A whitewashed Georgian gem’ is the best way to describe this sophisticated village pub set in the stunning Sussex countryside. Some 200 years old, the Royal Oak has produced an award-winning service for many years, and the splendour continues. Following a clever restoration by the current owners, oak timbering and exposed brick walls combine with bright colours and wall decorations to give a contemporary twist in all the right places. The...