The White Lion

The food is good for a country pub, and the bar was busy on New Year's Eve. But the bar staff were unsmiling and unfriendly. Thirteen of us went in at lunchtime for my wife's birthday, and after the meal someone brought out a surprise cake. The barman wouldn't give us a knife to cut it, saying I should have told the pub in advance. Why? Plenty of places are glad you chose them for a happy occasion, especially when your group has spent around £200. It would be great PR. Anyway, the cake was a surprise, so we had to sample it elsewhere. Such a shame. None of us will return to a place with that kind of un-festive attitude. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

There are so many lovely walks nearby, so it's worth making a day of the area and stopping at this pub. It's a lovely village place with an impressive food range and an interesting menu. I felt welcome straight away, even with a cheeky telling-off that set the tone nicely for lunch.

The meal was excellent, with generous portions of very good food at reasonable prices. We started with two choices: the homemade Hampshire beef burger in a brioche bap with fries was succulent and tasty, and the fillet steak with thick-cut fries was cooked perfectly and full of flavour. Two double chocolate brownies with vanilla ice cream finished it off. The menu had an impressive choice across all three courses, including plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. We came for a celebration at this tucked-away country pub, and it was a great choice. The outside looked welcoming, and inside was even better, with a roaring fire in the dog-friendly bar. The manager, Stephen I believe, greeted us warmly, made us feel relaxed and valued, and showed us to a nicely decorated restaurant table. They don't add a discretionary tip, leaving it to the diner to decide, and they deserve one. Highly recommended.

The food was so tasty, and the portions are amazing for the prices. It's in a beautiful setting, and the staff are really friendly and helpful. Highly recommend, and I'm definitely coming back.