The Hawkley Inn, Hawkley

What is there to say about this pub - it was a great place to go - the previous manager (think he was the fat bloke other posters refer to) was at least passionate about the pub. Having been an overnight guest on more than one occassion he (James, I think) was always there to make sure you went to bed safely and more often than not there again the next morning cooking breakfast and smiling whilst doing it - a true professional and superb manager / landlord. I re visited recently to find that he had been asked to leave (the staff's words) and it seemed to be a ship without a captain, rudder, mast or indeed any wind to drive it forwards, still i was prepared to give the new incumbents a chance - so how was it - food distinctly bloody awful the chef (oasis reject?) was the same as my previous visit but seemed to have lost any passion for his work, the beer was nowhere near as good as it used to be - ok sometimes the choice was limtied but at least you knew it would be good quality, the morticia alike who served me seemed to know more about alcopops than beer - this is not why i use the hawkley.. On my last visit i spoke to a few of the locals, they told me that as a rule either the White Horse (think this is the Pub With No Name) or one of the offerings in Selborne would be a better option for me in the future. Having done a bit of research on the pub and finding out that a company that appears to specialize in plastic wrappings own the pub I can only suggest that they either sell the pub quickly before they destroy what was once a glorious establishment or they get rid of the gods awful "management" that are there now and employ people who are senstive to the needs of a country pub serving locals and tourists alike. Such a shame it has gone this way. however on a lighter note this years beer festival was absolutely brilliant so well done to the the management team who were there at the time.

17 Oct 2009 05:13