Beautiful Country Pubs. Hardy Country & Coast

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1 Beautiful Country Pubs Hardy Country & Coast

2 The Vintage Inns of Hardy Country & Coast Collection Discover the magic of Thomas Hardy country. From the rural delights of The Lambs Green Inn at Corfe Mullen to The Baker s Arms at Poole where the sea exerts its influence, the eight hostelries comprising the Vintage Inns Hardy Country & Coast Collection are unique places to visit, yet all have much in common. A great deal of effort has gone into restoring all of our inns: many of them hundreds of years old and some perhaps would even have been known to Hardy himself. We have tried to bring out the distinctive character and timeless charm of each, something that we think the poet would have approved of. If you re planning a day s walking, exploring by car, or simply visiting a local attraction in Dorset and Hampshire, then you might like to visit us for a leisurely morning coffee or refreshing drink, a light lunch, or even a hearty evening meal to round off your outing. Some of our pubs, such as The Old Barn Farm at Three Legged Cross, and The Curlew, (originally Stocks Farm), at West Parley near Bournemouth, have a very close connection to the land and the production of good honest British food. Most, like The Cowherds at Southampton, or The Crown near Christchurch on the edge of the New Forest, have pleasant walks from the door and many have country parks, heritage attractions and picturesque hamlets nearby. The Vintage Inns of Hardy Country & Coast offer roaring log fires and a warm welcome on a cold day, and the ideal nook to enjoy sunshine, a cold drink and beautiful rural views on balmy summer evenings. Wherever you choose to wander, you ll find our inns will serve a full menu of traditional British favourites seven days a week and at each one you ll enjoy the best of British hospitality. Contents Old Barn Farm Wimborne The Curlew Bournemouth The Cowherds Southampton The Crown Christchurch Bakers Arms Poole Fishers Pond Winchester Lambs Green Inn Wimborne Titchfield Mill Fareham Information Waterside walks Heritage sites National Trust sites Visitor attractions Museums Countryside walks

3 The Vintage Inns of Hardy Country & Coast A303 M3 A36 Salisbury Winchester Salisbury Plain Old Barn Farm A338 A31 M3 Fishers Pond Southampton M27 The Cowherds M27 A3 A35 The Curlew Lambs Green Inn The Crown Bakers Arms Bournemouth The New Forest Titchfield Mill Isle of Wight Portsmouth English Channel

4 Old Barn Farm Ringwood Road, Three Legged Cross, Wimborne, BH21 6RE Tel Three Legged Cross may be a small village off the beaten track but it s well worth making a special excursion to discover the delights of The Old Barn Farm, a country pub with a reputation for serving great ales, affordable wines and delicious food. The pub retains its old skittles alley but, as the name suggests, it was previously a large working farmhouse located within an 83 acre estate, and the pub-restaurant maintains the distinctive rustic character of the original building. Sadly for the original owner, records show that the building and lands were eventually sold in 1919 for the equivalent of 83 - just 1 per acre! Three Legged Cross lies between the village of Ashley Heath, which lays claim to the shortest High Street in England, and the equally charming village of Horton which was used as the setting for the film adaptation of Thomas Hardy s novel, Far From the Madding Crowd. During World War II, the area bounded by Lower Common, Three Legged Cross and Verwood to the north, was the site for decoy runway lights that were installed to distract German aircrews from bombing real airfields. The location is now occupied by Moors Valley Golf Club. For a great day out, why not... Take your time browsing at one of the many nearby gardens such as Knoll. Treat yourself to a great lunch at The Old Barn Farm. Visit the charming Georgian town of Wimborne Minster. There s a great range of things to see and do in the area, depending on the pace you want to set yourself. You can potter around quaint village antiques shops or explore the vast green acres of ancient estates. Three Legged Cross is close to Holt Heath Nature Reserve (the lowland part of the acclaimed Dorset Heaths) and Avon Heath Country Park. For the green-fingered there s Highbury Garden, Stapehill Abbey Craft Centre and Garden, and Knoll Garden, all within a few miles drive south. And the spectacular New Forest and rugged Dorset coast are just a short drive away. For details on more attractions around The Old Barn Farm, Three Legged Cross, and other ideas for days out in the area, visit 1

5 The Curlew 287 Christchurch Road, West Parley, Bournemouth, BH22 8SQ Tel A solid, Georgian brick building in the peaceful Dorset countryside, you can trust The Curlew to provide the warm welcome you would expect of a fine traditional British inn. It maintains the character of what was a wealthy farmer s home, originally the centre of Stock s Farm, built in the 1800s and which did rather well as an arable holding serving the markets and dinner tables in the growing town of Bournemouth to the south. West Parley is just two minutes from Bournemouth Airport yet showcases English village life at its most appealing. There s an equestrian centre virtually on the pub s doorstep, and open fields all around. Typical of the area in the 19th century, the parish consisted mainly of heathland. The village derives its name from the Saxon Pirigen Leah, or Pear Tree Field (All Saints Church still retains its original Saxon features), and it is surveyed in the Domesday Book. There is evidence of even earlier residents: southwest of the parish is Dudsbury Rings, the remains of an Iron Age hill fort overlooking the Stour. The former manorial lands at Parley Common are now a nature reserve and a protected heathland site. The surroundings are still largely open country, providing the ideal location for several excellent golf courses there are two at Ferndown, just one mile to the north. With the edge of the New Forest so close, many woodlands dot the area and provide a pleasant backdrop for a gentle ramble. Suggested itinerary... Take in the 1950s model town at nearby Wimborne Minster, which includes a railway based on Thomas the Tank engine. If you have youngsters, Alice in Wonderland Theme Park is just three miles away in Hurn; otherwise Bournemouth offers the delights of high quality shops and boutiques. Come back down to earth and bask in the glow of roaring open fires, warm hospitality and cheering food and drink at The Curlew! The Ferndown, Stour & Forest Trail is an easy circular walk of around nine miles or so that can be split into two single routes, ideal for all the family. Starting in Ferndown, it weaves through the forest, across open heath and then along the banks of the Stour before returning across farmland. For more information about The Curlew and activities around West Parley, visit 2

6 The Cowherds The Common, Southampton, SO15 7NN Tel A stout building on Southampton Common, The Cowherds is a favourite retreat for those seeking good food and drink in a friendly pub full of character yet it s just two minutes from the city centre. Now offering a wide range of wines and fine cask conditioned ales, it was built in 1762 for the serious business of looking after the town s cattle that grazed on the common. The post of town cowherd was no small responsibility, hence the rather grand and substantial nature of the building reflecting its importance. With its open aspect and roaring log fires, The Cowherds appeal as a hostelry was not lost on the Southampton Brewery who bought the inn and changed the name to The Southampton Arms, although tradition fairly quickly won out and it reverted back to The Cowherds in Southampton Common is a delightful, large, green open space to the north of the city, supporting a large variety of wildlife, including the largest recorded population of the rare Great Crested Newt. It s a pleasant place for a morning stroll and its importance is such that it has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. For a great day out why not... Visit the waterfront of Southampton Old Town, with cruise ships and other vessels that played a vital role in the D-Day landings on show. Just pitch up at The Cowherds, no need to book, and recount the day s findings and experiences over a rewarding meal and thirstquenching drink! Southampton Common, meanwhile, offers some 326 acres of woodland, parkland, rough grassland, ponds, wetlands and nature trails so what are you waiting for? The Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre at the southern end of the common is worth a visit as it documents the natural history of the area, with interactive resources and information about local wildlife and environmental management. To the west, bordering on Hill Lane, is an historic cemetery that attracts rare flora and fauna. Cemetery Pond is popular for birds. Steeped in history, a walk around Southampton s Old Town will take you in the hallowed footsteps of William the Conqueror, Henry V, William Shakespeare, the Pilgrim Fathers, Isaac Watts and Jane Austen. There are many ancient buildings within the impressive medieval town walls - look out for The Bargate, one of the country s finest surviving town gates. There are more ideas and information on The Cowherds and things to do in and around Southampton at 3

7 The Crown Ringwood Road, Bransgore, Christchurch, BH23 8AA Tel Offering the very best in pub hospitality, delicious food and drink, The Crown sits at the heart of village life in Bransgore, which lies just to the north of the pleasant seaside town of Christchurch. The old inn is five minutes from Highcliffe Beaches and makes an ideal base for visitors exploring the attractive countryside and rich history of the area, and a recent restoration has brought out the full character of its interior and its friendly atmosphere. Bransgore is largely unspoilt and sits just inside Hampshire s border with Dorset on the edge of the New Forest. The village retains its rural charm, with many trees and open areas which are perfect for exploring on foot, cycle or horseback. As late as 1759 the area was known as Bransgoer Common, a part of the county with deep Saxon roots. Local historians explain that its name is derived from gore meaning a triangle of land belonging to an individual called Bran. Just a half mile from the pub is MacPennys, a nursery of rare and choice species, offering woodland walks all the year round. The nursery itself was bought in 1934 from a lady who grew drought resistant plants and sold them in small pots for one penny each. Her name was Marcia Ashley- Corbett, hence the name MacPennys. Take a day off from the nearby beaches and Join the ramblers and nature enthusiasts that flock to the New Forest National Park. Then try your hand at fossil hunting on the renowned geological area of Barton on Sea. Finish off by discovering why The Crown is so revered for its real ales, quaffable wines and tasty pub fayre. For centuries, shepherds drove their flocks through the village from Ringwood on the way to market in Milton, and today many people still travel the same road on their way to the New Forest, the most obvious attraction in the area. A short drive from the inn, the New Forest is a haven for walkers and cyclists and is famous for horse riding. Full of things to do on a day out, you are spoilt for choice with paths and bridleways criss-crossing the entire area. There are more ideas and information on things to do in and around The Crown and Bransgore at 4

8 Bakers Arms Dorchester Road, Lytchett Minster, Poole, BH16 6JF Tel The Baker s Arms is a long established, fine Dorset country pub with an enviable reputation for serving first class food and drink, and providing a convenient stopping point for travellers seeking rest and refreshment on the road between Dorchester and Poole. The pub s pedigree goes back at least as far as 1851, acting as the meeting place for the local rural community. Throughout its long trading life, The Baker s Arms has been a family run concern, and it still retains its homely identity and friendly atmosphere. The pub also served as the headquarters for many a small local business: now, over a glass of your favourite tipple and a bite to eat, it is a great vantage point from which to explore the picturesque village of Lytchett Minster and the countryside beyond. It is close to idyllic Lytchett Bay and surrounded by numerous grand manor houses. Nearby Beacon Hill is one of the highest viewpoints in the hinterland of Poole Harbour and in Elizabethan times was the natural location to site signal fires to warn of the advancing Spanish Armada. For a great day out, why not... Spend a morning exploring the delights of Poole and Brownsea Island. Why not take your time over lunch at The Baker s Arms? Continue an enjoyable day exploring the rest of Dorset s rugged coast. Given the glorious countryside, there are plenty of delightful walks to be enjoyed around the area. The Lytchett Bay and Rockley Park Walk follows the shore to the railway line and returns to the car park via the children s playground at the end of Foreland Road. It is an easy route and can be extended by walking through the holiday park to the viewpoint at Rockley Point. Poole is just a short drive away and well worth a visit; its five miles of beautiful beaches having attracted the super rich to set up home there. Within the protection of this natural harbour is Brownsea Island, the birthplace of the Scouting movement founded by Baden-Powell, now owned by the National Trust. For details on more attractions around The Baker s Arms, Lytchett Minster, and other ideas for days out in the area, visit 5

9 Fishers Pond Main Road, Fishers Pond, Eastleigh, SO50 7HG Tel The Fisher s Pond is every bit as appealing as its name suggests: a traditional country inn happily seated in a quiet countryside nook a mile or so outside Eastleigh. Its picturesque rural surroundings and the delightful pond which it overlooks have made it a popular getaway for a long relaxing drink on a balmy summer evening, or a hearty meal by a roaring log fire in the winter. Now well respected across Hampshire for its quality wines and cask ales, The Fisher s Pond is actually a former tea room which was known as Fisher s Café in the 1930s. And this is where its intriguing history begins. The café was originally planned as part of a garden city, a concept much in vogue in the first part of the 20th century. However, the area was declared Green Belt in 1937 and building ceased after only a few cottages had been erected. We like to think these efforts were not entirely wasted and that they at least resulted in what is a welcoming hostelry that has brought great cheer to its many guests. Suitably refreshed at Fisher s Pond, there s plenty of note on the doorstep, particularly if you re interested in the great age of steam. The Lakeside Steam Railway and Country Park is a miniature railway running from its main station (Eastleigh Parkway) to Monks Brook Halt - the enchanting one and a quarter mile journey takes under 20 minutes. There s plenty more about Eastleigh s railway heritage to be found at Eastleigh Museum. Here s our suggestion for a pleasant day out... Spend an entertaining morning with the many exotic animals at Marwell Zoo. Allow plenty of time to enjoy a long lunch at The Fisher s Pond. Pop into Eastleigh to see the museum or head north to historic Winchester. For those not steamed up about the railways, there s a lively zoo and park at Marwell that s worth a visit. Also, just to the north is historic Winchester, once the seat of Alfred the Great and the capital of Saxon England, which remained a royal residence for centuries afterwards. For details on more attractions around The Fisher s Pond at Eastleigh, and other ideas for days out in the area, visit 6

10 Lambs Green Inn Lambs Green Lane, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, BH21 3DN Tel Nestling deep in the Dorset countryside, our popular inn at Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, retains the rambling old character and thatched rustic charm of the farmhouse that it once was. Originally Lambs Green Farm, the land was farmed until recent times, raising pigs, poultry, dairy cattle and sheep, producing the sort of honest food at the heart of the mouth-watering dishes now cooked up at the inn. The Lambs Green Inn sits at the very heart of Thomas Hardy s, Wessex, and it would have been part of the typical timeless rural landscape that so gladdened the poet s heart and inspired his work. Hardy would have been familiar with Corfe Mullen - and according to one source a local servant girl may have contributed to the development of his illfated heroine, Tess of the D urbervilles. There are many bridleways criss-crossing the locality and unsurprisingly horse riding is a popular pastime here, catered for by a number of nearby stables. And there are many quiet lanes to wander for those with a stout pair of boots and an appetite to sharpen. Today, the village is surrounded by Green Belt, preserving the natural beauty of the area. Corfe Mullen takes its name from the old English for a cutting or pass; corf, and the old French for a mill; molin. The mill referred to is on the River Stour, mentioned in the Domesday Book, where the village originally stood. Discover Hardy country for yourself... Pick one of Hardy s novels or books of poems and see if you can recognise the landscape and places he portrayed. After a light lunch at The Lambs Green Inn, continue an enjoyable day exploring picturesque Poole Harbour. With such a varied and tempting menu, why not come back to us for a hearty dinner? Hardy once lived at the ancient market town of Wimborne Minster, a Georgian town whose narrow streets grew around the large Norman church. There is much here to please the eye and the imagination of those with a taste for history. The Museum of East Dorset Life provides an informative narrative on the lives of local people, just as Hardy himself would have known. For details on more attractions around The Lambs Green Inn, Corfe Mullen, and other ideas for days out in the area, visit 7

11 Titchfield Mill Mill Lane, Titchfield, Fareham, PO15 5RF Tel You couldn t ask for more distinctive surroundings in which to enjoy great British pub food and drink than at The Titchfield Mill which, as its name suggests, really was once a working mill. Set in a delightful location near Titchfield Abbey (where it s claimed Shakespeare wrote and saw some of his plays performed), the pub provides a warm welcome for all guests, particularly the yachting and boating enthusiasts from the Solent and Hill Head. The changing coast and rivers have played a huge part in the life of this part of Hampshire, leaving a rich historic legacy that is well worth exploring and it starts with our pub. There have been mills in Titchfield since at least the 16th century, powered by the waters of the River Meon. James Stares, son of a wealthy gentleman, is recorded as being in occupation of our mill in It eventually passed to the Titchfield Abbey Co-operative Society Limited and milling continued into the 1950s. Until late in the 19th century, the Meon provided a vital transport artery and was navigable as far as Titchfield, which was once a significant port in the area. However, with time, silting restricted the passage of larger ships and in order to maintain the port, the Earl of Southampton began the construction of a canal, which opened in Ways to spend a pleasant day... From Titchfield Haven, take the footpath that follows the second oldest canal in Britain to Titchfield village - a lovely two mile stroll. Travel back in time to the grand mansion, Place House (on the site of the former Titchfield Abbey) where Henry VIII and Elizabeth I were once entertained. Eat, drink and be merry at The Titchfield Mill for another experience to remember! As part of the construction of the canal, the outfall of the River Meon to the sea was dammed, creating the wetlands that now form the Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve. As Portsmouth grew as a naval base in the 19th century, forts were constructed to protect its vital harbour. At Fort Brockhurst you can see the parade ground, gun ramps and moated keep. The fort also stores a treasure trove of objects from English Heritage s extensive reserve collections. For information about The Titchfield Mill and activities around Fareham, visit 8

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