please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
1st time at this pub. First pint was off (Palmers IPA), a fella I took to be the landlord just grunted that he wasn't surprised but I wasn't charged for it. Second pint (Razorback) was fine though. Had 2 meals - mine was Pasta which was nice enough but a bit uninspiring, my wife had deep fried Haddock which wasn't great - our nearest co-customer left hers altogether. Bar staff - the young lady serving the bar and food was very friendly and thoughtful, however other than this we didn't experience a particularly friendly ambience. Maybe we just picked a bad day (Friday).
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HenPen, I think you'll find it re-opened in May 2016. It's still just a boring boozer. There are vastly better pubs in the area.
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Re-opened (as of January 2016) and still a good, reliable, and friendly place to come, with excellent food. Not such a wide range of beer as before, but still one of the better places if you are in the area. 7/10
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Closed due to fire. If the locals are to be believed the current owner didn't have the place insured!!! Oh dear, I can see someone picking up a bargain. But then again, that's if you believe the locals......
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I was passing this way and I had hoped to have lunch (and a pint) here, as I had thought it was a good, reliable place. But it is closed and boarded up, with no sign if it might re-open. So I went on to the Bear and Ragged Staff down towards Romsey instead.
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Time before last, it took nearly an hour before my soup order was delivered. Ever hopeful, I called in again but couldn't reach the bar due to the pub being full of walkers and cyclist. Left to find another pub
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Ringwood Bitter, Hobgoblin and Palmers on offer yesterday afternoon. The Ringwood was fine but nothing special. £3.40 a pint.
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We waited for this pub to be refurbished and it looked very nice when it was finished with a nice beer. However the food seriously let it down. Slow service, expensive (for what it was) poor quality food.
My wife's fish pie should have been called cheese and potato pie and my Lasagna was a small block with side salad not salad.
Good for a drink during your test walk and the sandwiches looked ok but not for a meal.
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As a local of this much loved pub, I can confirm that the pub has been relaunched December 2012 under the new management of Steve and Tracey. Ales are local and there is a now a guest ale to suit the season and wines come from the excellent Test Valley Wine company. New chef, Simon, is a veteran of London restaurants and he produces a different menu each day. As per the previous review, customers are very impressed and their clientele is growing. It should be noted that in October 2012 when reviewer Bojangles visited the pub, it was running on temporary staff awaiting the arrival of the new managers. I can confidently predict that the future of this pub is most definitely excellent!
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Popped in today and its been taken over again (under new management sign above the door). Now being run by a lady called Tracey. The Ringwood best was in good nick. I wish her all the best. This pub will never make a fortune but will attract good custom. Haven't tried the food but a few people were eating. Good Luck!! 8/10
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Had sunday lunch here last week.Very dissapointing.Beef was grey and over cooked.We also had to pay for the food in advance!!! Had such high hopes for this place, but sadly looks as though it is going to die again.
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Found this place after walking part of the Test Way. Set near the meeting of two country lanes, in peaceful surroundings by Horsebridge Mill, my brother and I ventured in to see what was on offer. Nice interior with some tables set out for food and a small bar, we were welcomed by the Landlady, who was a very pleasant person. She was telling us that the place had only reopened in April, after some redecorating, and she hoped to make a real go of getting the place popular. Obviously on a quiet Thursday afternoon it was hard to tell if it was paying, but there were enough people coming in to create a moderate atmosphere. Ales on tap were Ringwood Best, Ringwood 49er, and Palmers Bitter. Tried the 49er and Palmers, and both were in good nick. Also noted they had a quiz night advertised and specialised food nights. I really hope it does well, and will return again in the near future.
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This post is to let everyone know that the John O'Gaunt will be officially open for business on Saturday 14th April. The pub has a new lessee who will continue the JOG tradition of real ale and home-cooked food. And yes, dogs are still welcome. Please come along and support this free house. It's a great pub with exciting new management!
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I read the previous comments on this pub so decided to trek over from Winchester. When we arrived the pub had a sign on the door - "Closed for Refurbishment Until Further Notice".......I take it the '�9 a pint to dog haters' didn't catch on then??!! Looks like another pub that may be consigned to the history books. Can't rate it, 'cause I couldn't get in!!!! lol !!!!
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Lovely pub, welcomes dogs, great food, excellent hosts. Suggested improvement: new sign saying "Dog Haters - beer is �9 a pint to you".
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We had a great evening here, met up with relations in the UK.
The hosts were very attentive and friendly. the food, lamb skanks, and the misic, trad Irish was pleasant to listen to.
I would recommend this pub, what we as colonials would call an "English" pub to all that visit nearby. We will certainly go back when we next visit the UK
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This is such a charasmatic pub with some fine real ales. I myself am a fan of real ale. I live closer to The Boot in Houghton, but I class O'Gaunts as my local. I don't know if they clean their lines more or something but the beer definately tastes better.
Bar staff are very friendly and they always know what I'm going to order, and usually have it waiting for me by the time I've left my chair and walked to the bar!
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Had to post this in response to some of the negative comments I've read here. The pub is a traditional country pub, with real food and real ale. It is a cosy place and the landlady always makes you feel welcome. It's a great place for a break if you are on the Test Way - especially if you have a dog with you, dogs are always welcome. If you want a genuine traditional country pub then this is for you.
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Worked in the area circa 2007 and the pub was a nice one. returned to the area for work recently - revisit - dont reckon this pub will last much longer with the lack of clientele. shame although pub isn't what it was sadly. Use the Boot in Houghton.
odbod - 25 Jun 2010 11:46 |
Visited the other night. Dead as a door nail. Just some yappy silly little dog holding court withits owners. Avoid like the plague!!
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Very friendly little pub, with a very smiley, chattey welcome. In addition to the comment above..just to let you know the price of the beer has gone down ot �3 for palmers and �2.85 for Ringwood Best which me and friends thought was very resonable.
The food was also very pleasant and i have been back since for a pie night...also very impressed with.
Altogther a very pleasant pub, with lovely food and i must say what a beautiful area Horsebridge is. Well worth a walk and a stop off a in the John O Gaunt for food or a pint.
Thanks again for a Lovely visit.
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A great pub in a very pleasant setting selling good beer. I had a pint of Palmers which was well kept and was much appreciated. There were various pictures - framed photos and watercolours - for sale dotted around the walls.
What let's this place down, though, is the attitude I experienced from one of the bar staff. He gave me a short measure than glared at me when I (politely) asked him to top it up. Some of the locals I spoke to were surprised at this, though, so maybe I shouldn't let this one individual cloud my judgement. In addition, it cost �3.20 pint, about 40p more than similar beers in other nearby pubs.
Worth dropping in if you're in the area.
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