Milburys, Cheritonback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Interesting that its in the Strangest Pubs in Britain book. I have that, but didn't realise on my visit, otherwise I would have checked out the well!
This is a rare pub on the South Downs Way - which I was so looking forward to. After 12 miles, I was really looking forward to a pint.
Three real ales on - and I went for a "Ale of Wight". It seemed to explode out of the pump and the landlord did a strange trick with three glasses to get a pint.
He said "Don't worry, it will be fine".
I did and it wasnt.
Tasted ok but cloudy and full of floaty bits. Chucked the last third on the grass outside.
Tried a Kronenbourg. Surely nothing could go wrong with Keg Beer?
You've guessed it - cloudy and full of floaty bits.
Don't think I have ever been as disappointed and a weary 8 miles to go to Winchester.
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Great traditional old pub with three or so real ales and the Wadworth one I tried was in good order. Comfortable and cosy pub in old fashioned way with roaring fire. Would definitely return when passing through and pub open (as I understand it has limited opening hours - not unreasonable given location).
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The Milbury's is included on the National Trail Guide website map as a place to stop whilst walking the South Downs Way, and on the pubs own website it says "The Milbury's is at an intersection of ancient trackways and it would have been a convenient resting place for all travellers. The South Downs Way runs right past the front of the pub. Other local routes include the Itchen Way and the Wayfarers Way."
You may therefore expect a friendly welcome to be given to walkers. Au contraire. We (2 girls) arrived at The Milbury's at 13.50 after walking for some hours on the South Downs Way on a rainy day, so we were tired and wet. We arrived at 13.50, and when we entered the pub instead of a friendly welcome we were greeted by a gruff - "the kitchen closes at 2pm so if you want anything to eat you need to order now." I asked if we could put some wet things by the fire to dry a little but this request was ignored. (there were only 2 other guests and they were also walkers). The food arrived quickly and was very tasty, but the barman told us that the pub closed at 2.30 so we didn't have long to eat it before we had to leave. The toilets were dark (no light switch that either of us could find) and only had cold water in the basin. The pub was quite dusty and the floor particularly grubby. Overall a very disappointing visit. If this pub uses the National Trail website for advertising then you would think they could make more effort to be pleasant and friendly to walkers.
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Proper Pub, substantial and tasty steak and kidney pudding and local pork rice dish shared by two hungry as gnats cyclists. Skinner's ale and another i dont recall on barrel - tasty and well kept, super chatty barman supported by mumbling older barman - overall charming place and couldnt have felt better that there are still actual pubs around that serve good and tasty fare with decent beer without needing to go all shiny and become restaurants. Great South downs stopping off point. Shuts sharp at 2pm mind...
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Excellent beer and interesting surroundings. Slightly out of the way from, well, anything - this pub could be a good base for walkers enjoying the Hampshire countryside. I seemed to get lucky with food, the steak pie was generous and one of the best I've ever had. However, others in the party weren't so satisfied with their offerings. if you're undecided, go simply because it has a 300ft well in the middle of the pub.
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Thought I'd try this pub, as I had heard so much about it. It figures in 'The Strangest Pubs In Britain' guide, so I wanted to check it out. There were a few people in the pub when we walked in, but I was surprised to see a fire roaring away on what wasn't the coldest of days, and the smoke from the fire made me think that someone had lifted the smoking ban. The barman seemed amiable enough, and I was impressed with the ale on offer, so I plumped for a pint of 'Otter', which came straight from the barrel and tasted lovely. As most of the seats were taken in the front bar, we went upstairs to the 'Minstrels' gallery which overlooked an old waterwheel, which in turn stood in front of a deep covered well which is supposedly 300 ft deep! There was a model of a guide dog by the well, and if you put some money in, the staff gave you an ice cube to drop down the well. The place looked old with cobwebs in every window nook, and dust adorning most of the window sills, but it sort of added to the 'uniqueness' of the place. Although there were a few people there, there was not much of a friendly atmosphere. It was too quiet for my liking, and when we tried to make small talk with one of the staff he just ignored us! The food looked alright, and the prices reasonable, so that was a plus. On the way out one of my friends put some money in the dog and waited for one of the staff to give her an ice cube to drop in the well, but after waiting for 5 minutes and none of the staff showing any interest, we gave up and left.
All in all a bit of a 'hit and miss' sort of place. But I will give it another try in the heighth of Summer to see if it is any different. I give it a 5 on this occassion.
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Good beer, inexpensive good food, friendly and efficient service, log fire, cosy atmosphere - what more could you want?
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Pub number two ticked off the 'Strangest Pubs in Britain'
300ft well and massive tread mill. Skittle Alley too, but that was closed.
Fantastic old building with wooden staircase and balcony.
Well kept ales - Ringwood Best and Fourtyniner at the time and something else I can't remember.
Sausage and onion baguette was very nice and reasonable at about Four Pounds Ninety Something.
Friendly cat despite the drinkers with dogs!
8/10
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Stopped here for lunch whilst walking the South Downs Way. Packed inside but a nice location and happy to sit out. Spent over �5 on one sandwich and felt thoroughly ripped off. Cheap sliced bread, bland filling, a tiny sprinkling of crisps, and some sad lettuce. Appalling! This was the worst pub sandwich in a very very long time. Toilets dirty and wouldn't flush.
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