please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Good ambience last night in this characterful pub and the subdued lighting (including candles on the tables) adds to the atmosphere. My pints of Gales HSB and Timothy Taylor Landlord were above average but not exceptional.
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Strange Pub, looks like a Tea Room from outside. As you walk in off the you are immediately hit by the amount of wood and exposed Bricks. Very dark interior every light was on at Lunchtime in August. London Pride, Youngs Best Bitter, and English Pale Ale available. Marstons, Timothy Taylor and Gales HSB were not. Had the London Pride which was excellent, but was disappointed that local brews were not available. Small enclosed Patio available at back bit no views. Seemed to be doing a roaring trade in Food with over 50% of the tables full.
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Visited on a very busy Saturday night. We phoned ahead to book a table and were apparently just in time because the table we were given was right by the door - and hence a bit draughty on what was a chilly evening. No complaints there though, we should have booked earlier. Food was excellent and beer was fine, as was the service. My only complaint, which is obviously not really the fault of the staff, is that the place was incredibly noisy. I'd revisit at a quieter time though because other than that, it was excellent.
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The beer was fine, and the inside has a quirky kind of feel about it. With the big TVs and 'brasserie' style seating mixed with large chesterfields I don't think this pub really knows what it is though...
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Hi
I feel we need to comment. We have been to this pub over the past few years with no complaints. a visit today was not good! 2 dirty wine glasses that had to be changed. (No problem with the staff. very polite.) We ordered the snack bites "home made" beef lasagne, �5.95 each, my husband said no problem with his. Mine, I had to send back as it was cold in the centre. The "salad!" on both was very limp! We also ordrered a bottle of blush Pinot Grigot (not checking the price) total bill came to �27.40p. Definitely not worth the money for the experience.!!! Also the cleanliness of the toilets leaves a lot to be desired. So, I automatically worry about everything else. (To me the toilets are always the benchmark!)
So sad as previously We have enjoyed this pub.
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Quiet night - only one group of foreigners in the bar - Oh dear, walked in to bar - bar person reading book - walked up to bar. Stood still for a good minute choosing beer - barperson still reading book. Stood for another minute waiting for attention and then walked out - barperson didn't stir at all.
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Last Friday made my regular monthly visit. All three staff behind the bar were friendly and welcoming as always, but struggling with customers returning beer which was undrinkable. The lad behind the bar was the only one who seemed to really care. Too many returned pints is a sure sign that all is not well. Surely this is basic stuff. No business can afford to tip beer away like that!
And while I am moaning, for goodness sake, sort that bar floor out. It looks terrible.
Time to sort this out as word travels fast.
xpdnc - 26 Aug 2010 10:57 |
I visited this establishment on the recommendation of a yachting chum of mine who used to live in Lymington, and to be honest, I was not disappointed in the least. 5 ales - Hog's Back "T.E.A.", Fuller's "London Pride", Adnam's "Best", and Ringwood's ubiquitous, at least for the area, "Best" & "49er".
I had a couple of superb pints of the Hog's Back, a starter and a main course, all for a gnat's whisker in excess of �22.00! The food was excellent, as was the service.
Certainly the best pub that I visited on the day, and therefore merits a highly respectable 8/10.
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Salute the 2004 reviewer blessed with a rare gift for accidental comedy (even if his timing is out). Amidst painfully crafted praise bearing the tone of a desperate landlord attempting to boost trade, we learn of the �simplistic� menu at the Kings Head. Hahaha. How to put your customers down before they arrive! I guess he meant �simple� (a word more aptly applied to himself).
But back to business�the combination of gravity and the gradient of the High Street propelled me into the Kings Head on a quiet Monday night. An �Indian meal for �10� in Lyndhurst the previous night had tasted so corrosively poisonous that the menu should have borne a skull and crossbones. If that was �Himalayan Chicken� then Joanne Lumley has every right to throw our borders open to the Ghurkhas, on gastronomic grounds alone (albeit they would demand repatriation if they had to eat in Lyndhurst).
It took sausages, mash and four pints of Stella in the Kings Head�s to restore my faith in the innocent pleasures of eating and drinking. Long before closing time I was in love with the place. Where else would a fellow~drinker let his pet scorpion roam over you? Had he known that I came from Colchester he would have bought his pet lizard. An excess of Stella even made that seem logical. Given the choice I would still be there now, and no doubt seen the whole menagerie.
My night in the Kings Head was life-enhancing (or as Derek and Clive might have said, �just a normal Monday night drink, then�).
So there we are. Top marks, and then some. No marks for the churlish reviewers who don�t understand that a night out is what you make of it. I will visit again soon even if it is 200 miles from home. Jim, a U�s fan.
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I feel I have to write another comment regarding the Kings Head and its service. The venue is nice. Ale - so so. The service however on the last visit was appalling. Priority is given to the wine swilling sailors. A 'stuff the locals' attitude was evident. I've been going to The Kings for years. This particular evening there were two at the bar - a girl and the owner presumably. The owner could see me waiting to be served (for about five minutes) but continued with his conversation over the bar with a group of friends. I was ignored. Eventually I was served a duff pint of ale. Myself and pal left, not to return!! (This was a few months ago). Make taking care of the locals who visit all year round your priority.
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As my posting is negative, maybe I should point out that I go in here at least once a week but have never posted on this boozer yet. Gutsy the landlord was in miserable mode and the place was full of 12 year olds out for a screw before going to Longs. Oh dear, what happened Paul. Chuck em out and start again for pitys sake, locals can always go somewhere else.
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I went in on a Friday night after a school quiz night. I thought the place had a very good atmosphere, perhaps enhanced by it being rather cramped. Staff were very friendly and I found the beer (Speckled Hen) fresh and tasty. I made a mental note to return.
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like this pubby atmosphere but the food is really poor so only drink here now.
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I like the Kings Head for its interior. Little nooks and crannies to sit down in. Unfortunately, it is home to alot of the yachting fraternity and always busy with the tourists during the summer season.
Food is good - this seems to be the priority though as in alot of pubs these days. The booze (in particular the ale) is so so. A range from HSB, Speckled Hen, London Pride, Adnams, a Ringwood, maybe a local Romsey one - good range but not always looked after properly. Can be a bit of a lottery whether or not you get a pint of vinegar.
Recently, the Kings Head has been good. Full pints too instead of stopping a few centimetres short like days gone by. All in all, not bad. A staple boozer on our circuit. Shame can't do away with the pesky 'I'll speak louder than you cos I'm more important' type posh people.
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seemed to be always packed with tourists trying to get food in a pub not realy designed for it. Consequently had a strange feel to it. We headed to the smokers courtyard off the side which was pleasant enough (despite being non smokers) for a reasonable pint of Ringwood
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Been visiting this pub since Paul first took over. He is the ultimate landlord. Friendly, always aware of what if going on around him. Best run pub in Lymington. Food is excellent.
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Situated at the top of a picturesque cobbled street that leads from the quayside, the Kings Head is quite a large rambling pub with several nooks and crannies to explore. The interior contains plenty of exposed brickwork, tongue and groove paneling, old beams, handsome brick fireplaces and bare floors. Dotted around the rooms are plenty of old pictures, reproduction posters, newspaper clippings, pewter tankards, portraits of Kings Heads, a collection of brewery clocks and keep an eye for the 3d pub picture. The bar itself is quite small and slightly raised from rest of pub - 5 Real Ales � Speckled Hen, Ringwood Porter, Pride, HSB, Adnams Explorer. It�s all very homely and civilized in winter but I magazine during the summer months it can all get a bit too crowded. There is also a seasonal garden / patio area to the rear. Well worth a visit.
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Friendly pub, best food we had over the weekend in the forest and a good selection of beer! They allow dogs in so the floors are comfy as he slept through as we ate to much!
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A great pub if a little cramped, got stuck in front the fire for about an hour, face like a smacked bottom.
nuff said.
p.s. good fodder...
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Leslie Thomas of Virgin Soldiers fame was holding court with a load of his mates here last Saturday The food that the three of us had was excellent but the basket in which the cutlery came in was disgustingly filthy and this was pointed out to the waitress who promised she would tell the landlord...I wonder if she did? Selection of beers OK but the service was a bit slow considering not many people in...worth the wait just listening to Leslie and his mates having an enjoyable lunchtime.
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I really like this pub, especially the food! I live in London but used to live near the new forest in my teens and visited this pub many years ago. Since then whenever ive stayed in Bournemouth or the New Forest Ive always bought my friends / family there for dinner and they've always been impressed.
Im hoping to travel there soon and nring my parnter for the first time. I really like the oldy worldy surroundings, and tyhe way the place is lit with candles at night time. Makes it a most romantic place for dinner. Definatly recommend!
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Not the most friendly of people staff this pub. The landlord is OK and the beer is very well kept - occasionaly a short pint poured by the scowling faced barmaid, other than that a jolly good drinking hole.
anonymous - 4 May 2005 19:49 |
I ate at The Kings Head on Friday 14th Jan.I am a great fish lover and noticed that monk fish was on the menu.My initial thought of the meal was it looked great however it tasted odd!It had a strange after taste of which I really didn't like.After a few minutes I noticed a dark hair in my food which totally put me off the meal so I left it.When the waitress came I informed her of this and she took the plate away.Not one member of staff apologied,offered me something else to eat or gave me a refund.I am totally disgusted by this service and surprised that customers are treated in this way.I will be advising as many people as possible about this disgusting service and food.
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Best pub in the New Forest. The kings Head is warm, friendly, and busy, whilst remaining relaxed.
The food is British pub grub at its best, good produce, simplistic menu, and huge portions !!
Beware of having a starter and a main, unless you've done some serious biking, hiking, or sailing.
D & N - 14 Nov 2004 21:53 |
Nice pub - great for food (huge helpings) although oddly it is closed during the day. Yachtie crowd from the marina (& wannabe yachties too) but doesn't detract from it
anonymous - 7 Jul 2004 20:04 |
This is a great pub. We visit it every time we are in Lymington - which is every 6-8 weeks. The atmosphere is a little bit "Fulham-by-sea" but apart from that excellent in all areas. The food is probebly its key strengh. For the 7 years or so that I have been going there the quality has never dropped. Good beer as well, along with an appropriate wine list. The Landlord is great value and will often join your table for a natter.
Matthew Furneaux - 22 Aug 2003 09:33 |
Good food, great beer, fun atmosphere, jovial landlord. Close to waterside marinas and public moorings along side the quayside.
anonymous - 28 Apr 2003 18:52 |
