Keepers Arms, Trottonback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I was almost a regular here for a time, and the reviews seem to say that despite change of ownership it's much the same.
Must look in again if passing.
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Really lovely country pub with a real log fire - very warming on a winter day..
Took my family with my Mum to celebrate her birthday. Landlady was very pleasant, held our baby whilst we were eating and made a real fuss of him.
Bar staff were very attentive to our other two children and us. Food was superb. It may be a little more pricey than other pubs/restaurants in the area, but the quality of the food is outstanding. very fresh and full of flavour. Our bill for 3 adults and 2 children was less than I usually pay for 2 adults in London, so it felt like very good value for money to me.
The beer is well kept and good quality wine by the glass. The staff could not be more helpful. We were the last to leave at lunch time and we took our time, meaning the staff were missed most of their afternoon break - that's why they got a decent tip and they were very appreciative of this gesture.
Strongly recommend.
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Surprisingly quiet pub for a Friday night particularly it is very much a gastropub, although there remains a drinking area. The beer was fine and the food pretty good. Even so there was a slight air of desperation.
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I feel compelled to lodge a refreshed review of this pub, as it has changed hands since my previous visit, and some changes have been effected. The new proprietors have cleared much of the unnecessary clutter and nick-nacks, which does make for a more comfortable and spacious seating area. Some items have been retained and so some character still can be found.
The menu looked fabulous - various classic dishes were included from duck confit to mushroom risotto. All were to my taste, and although the price tags are high, from what I observed so is the quality of the food. I simply wasn't hungry enough to sample it on this occasion.
The service when we ordered drinks was ultra-polite and very decorous, but I am bound to say lacked some genuine warmth, especially when we declined to place a food order after our beer.
The disappointment for me is that the new owners have rendered the pub even more of a restaurant than it was previously. It never had a thriving "around the bar" scene, but now I felt the bar area to be entirely incidental; an afterthought to what is essentially now a restaurant. I accept and appreciate that "gastro" has its place, but it was a shame that the pub side couldn't have ben balanced a little more with the food.
Moreover, we felt that although acceptable, the cask ale was not served to its best - certainly it was over-chilled. Otter, Hophead and I think 49er were on. Not bad, but not as adventurous as I remembered (no Ballards for a start!). 1 handpump had been completely obscured by a vast chariot of over-priced crisps, and I suspect is never used at all now.
A good place for a high-end and hearty blow-out. I should also acknowledge the wine selection, which covered a good range and was notable for the availability of some fine Clarets, and Rioja. but for a pint or two only? I fear not. Especially when there are so many other great hostelries only a short drive away.
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Went here as it is listed in the Good Beer Guide. Pleasant location and decor and very friendly staff. Three beers were on offer including Dark Star Hophead which was nice, although it tasted 'softer' than in my local Dark Star pub. Food is interesting, but as others have commented they seem to be catering mainly for up-market diners with deep pockets, so a few more reasonably priced snacks wouldn't go amiss. My 'Raging Bull' burger at �8.95 was very tasty, though not worth the extra �1 over the standard burger with the only difference being a small amount of chilli relish.
Yes I would go here again if I was in the area looking for a quiet comfortable place for a pint, but probably wouldn't make a special journey again.
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Expensive, but probably worth it. Some excellent beers here and the food is a far cut above the average, but don't go in the hope of getting much to eat for under (say) �6.00 for a ciabatta at lunch. Having said that, it WAS an excellent ciabatta.
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This upmarket gastropub, with its starchy and formal dining area, is OK for a special occasion. But by failing to offer any snacks or sandwiches at lunchtime they're turning their back on a lot of customers - eg. walkers - who don't want to sit down for a �15 main course.
For lunchtime sustenance don't count on the �7 plate of cheese and biscuits (which is really intended as a dessert). It features mouse-like portions and is incredibly bad value.
Ballards Best and Horsham Best head up a decent list of local beers, but my pint of Dark Star Hophead tasted horribly musty.
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The food in this pub is quite excellent. Nice people and good ale too. Well worth a visit.
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Expensive! The beer is excellent and the food was good and well presented but tiny portions. Nice staff and a pleasant location but it didn't feel like a real pub to me. I guess they're going more for the gastropub thing.
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Brief visit a couple of weeks ago. Tried a pint of Wood's Wallop (I think) in the sunshine on the terrace. Wonderfully refreshing. A welcome stop on a 10 mile walk. Keen to re-visit.
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Hard to rate the place properly, as it was in mid-conversion when we arrived. However a few facts are inescapable:
1)The location is wonderful, you�d give an arm for a summer beer on the balcony. Not your drinking arm though.
2)There were two ales available (Dark star Hophead and WJ King Horsham Best) with more to come.
3)The interior is tidy, and would do well in the winter too I think.
4)The electric towel dispenser in the toilets was a source of much fascination
So that bodes well. Landlord was keen to tell us of his plans, so if that keenness translates into talent, this place should be a sure-fire winner in six months time, so long as the foodies don�t overwhelm the place.
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Change is underway at the Keepers' since it fell under new ownership. People are reckoned to fear change, but their fears will be proved groundless here. The entertaining but migraine-threatening interior of yore has been stripped back and toned down to a much cooler, lighter space while retaining the intriguing nooks and crannies which make it a great pub to visit with any number of people. Still a work in progress - the kitchen and restaurant will be revamped shortly and some highly promising accommodation is scheduled for later in 2007, a la The Hawkley Inn, its sister pub - but already a fine destination pub, with the expected quality menu (three starters, three mains daily) and some intriguing beers (Bowman's Quiver, newly produced by expertise from the former Cheriton Brewery was on offer when we dropped by).
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This pub commands attention, not least because of its location nestling in the rural hinterland of E Hants, but because of its fascinating interior. The place is crammed with the landlady's assorted artefacts gleaned from years of globetrotting, and whilst one might question whether the displays amount to good taste, the huge variety of bric-a-brac is always a talking point. Some of it looks entirely useless and one suspects it's largely tat, but amongst it there could well be some priceless antiquities!
Aside from the decor, it should be said that this pub attracts a broad customer base, with many young folk enjoying its wares as well as older visitors. The ale (Ballard's) is well-kept, although an increased range mightn't go amiss; I would say this place could handle it.
The food is pricey - don't confuse the starters for mains on grounds of pricing alone. Nonetheless, it is home-cooked, adventurous, and of a high quality. The Keepers attracts numerous eaters so I wouldn't let the price get in the way.
All in all this set of characteristics really makes this one stand out, in an area already blessed with many good freehouses.
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Good beer, the menu looks excellent (the Hungry Man's Hock sounds particularly tempting) plus the pub contains the world's most comfortable leather sofa. A shame there won't be any more Cheriton Pots as the brewery's gone :(
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Fascinating decor courtesy of the worldwide travelling of landlord Jenny. Excellent range of food - especially the ploughman's, and always a good selection of ales inc Cheriton Potts. An ideal place to while away a Sunday lunchtime on the terrace during the summer.
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