The south downs is great and just on our doorstep – whether you want cycling, polo or just a long and lazy lunch. We’ve always found it to be a bit quieter than the new forest and also found a good crop of pubs to stop for lunch in, more plentiful than in the New Forest in fact. Mr P prefers the south downs for his cycling as it is a bit more exciting, and I have to say there are some stunning views, especially riding out from Cheesefoot Head, so we’ve been more than happy to investigate eateries too.
A recent discovery is the Bakers Arms in Droxford – a lovely gastropub in the village. I’d recommend booking if you do plan to eat there, we got the last table for lunch a few weeks back, and we arrived before 12.30! What struck us most about this place was just how attentive the staff are – the are a little bit older than typical pub staff and very well spoken and educated – they really had something to say about the village and told us all about the D-Day celebrations going on rather than just giving us a flier! Fantastic food, a quirky menu – so if you want scampi and chips think again – this is more like restaurant food!
The Bakers Arms, Droxford
The Bakers Arms – Droxford
Another firm favourite is the Bat and Ball in Clanfield. This is out in the sticks and borders a cricket field, so it is quintessentially english! There are even nearby vineyards to visit if you know where to look! A great place to have a pint and watch the cricket in the summer! We didn’t find this pub on a cycle – instead we had a busy weekend of work a while back and then got in the car mid afternoon and just drove into the countryside until we found something we liked the look of! The food was good and the pub garden round the back of the pub is splendid. Not a massive place, but quite a view to enjoy!
Bat and Ball view
Bat and Ball view
If you don’t fancy a pub, then can I suggest a lovely tea room in Wickham called Lilly’s – we’d actually been aiming to have brunch in a pub, but were too early, and then we saw the tea room! Delightful and with a small amount of seating outside in the sun, a perfect spot for some breakfast (cake)!!
Cake based breakfasting at Lilly’s
Another recent good fine was the Brushmakers Arms in Upham. In fact we arrived her before opening time again, but happily sat in the sunshine and waited to hear the key in the lock! Seriously good pub grub, very enjoyable and exactly what is needed on a long ride!
Good honest pub grub in the sunshine
And a firm favourite that we are actually going back to tomorrow (Mr P is cycling from Winchester and I’ll meet him there by car!) – the Bluebell Inn at Cocking. This is between Midhurst and Goodwood and so you get quite a car-show going past outside the pub if you pick a weekend when there is either a car rally at Goodwood or something fancy going on at Cowdray! What we particularly liked about this pub is that despite being nicely fancy it was very accommodating to cyclists – always good! The food is good quality pub nosh, but they do extras like nice breads and dips while you wait.
Bluebell loveliness
Bluebell loveliness
Plenty more of the summer to find some more, watch this space!
Cake-based breakfast? Well, that sounds like my kind of place! 😉
Sadly I can’t say I know this part of the world so well, although I think I may have passed close by when driving from Surrey to the Isle of Wight a couple of years ago. Sounds like a lovely spot! 🙂
Author
Not that dissimilar – key difference is the cyclists are on mountain bikes not road bikes like they are in the Surrey hills!!
Love those types of pubs, I’m looking forward to visiting London again in over 10 years….so looking forward to it.
Author
Hopefully my ideas will pull you out of the city into our green and pleasant land!!
Loving that view from The Bat and Ball! Great tips 🙂
Author
Glass of wine and a view – Sunday afternoon bliss!
They all sound great and I live in that neck of the woods so I may well visit one of these on the next sunny afternoon (or even, morning for a cake brunch) that I have free. Thanks for the suggestions.
Author
Aha, as a local – any more suggestions that we should investigate!!!
Well if you fancy a change and a visit to the Sussex seaside I’d recommend the Lobster Pot at Felpham or Simply Delicious in Bognor Regis. The first has the better view but the second is better value. Both serve superb food.
Author
Thank you, will note them down! Mr P is doing the South Downs way british heart foundation race next month so we’ll be heading in the correct direction!!
To be honest, not my kind of thing, I get bored quickly when there’s no action involved. But I’m starting to change my mind after reading your story. Conclusion, nice and powerful post! Thx 😉
Author
Plenty of good cycling tracks on the South Downs to build an appetite!! 😉
A great little collection of pubs here! Great to be able to just relax on an afternoon after exploring another part of England and then just wandering into a local pub for a quick jar or two and maybe sampling some of the good old local grub! A perfect way to relax if you ask me.
This actually reminded me of our trip to the Isle of Wight a couple of weeks ago and we sampled various establishments similar to these such as The Crab in Shanklin, just wanted to give that place a quick shout-out because of its quaint appearance.
Author
Thanks for the tip!! Don’t know the IOW well at all, shall look out for your write up!
What a great post. I will be noting these down in case we head down this way with our tent and bikes. After a day of cycling or walking you can’t beat a good English pub! I will second the shout out that Chris has made for The Crab in Shanklin. We love the Isle of Wight so can happily recommend a few places to spend an afternoon enjoying what my other half would call a pint of proper ale and good pub grub. Some of our other favourites are The Pointer at Newchurch (IOW), The Chequers Inn, Godshill (IOW) and the High Down Inn, Totland Bay (IOW) and if you are after a Cream Tea I guarantee the best ones will be found in Godshill (the little coffee shop directly opposite the carpark is the best by far!) 🙂
Author
Thank you – I will take a note of those too! We liked the new inn in shalfleet – awesome pork pies! And in yarmouth on the rocks for cook you own surf and turf!! That’s all I’ve seen of the IOW so far beyond the yacht haven and pier view!! Shocking I know!!
I should seriously know better than to read food posts when I haven’t eaten yet. Love the view with the wineglass as well (and, not just because of the wine!)
Author
It’s a bit like doing the supermarket shop before breakfast!!