please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
An absolute gem of a pub and probably Winchester's finest. Good range of ales.
|
Off the beat and track and opening times are varied. It was closed at 1645 hrs but was open when I returned at 8pm. A very quirky pub, almost as if someone's converted their house to become a pub. Having said that it was warm and welcoming and the Elderquad ale was good. Definitely worth a visit if in the area.
|
Very disappointed to find the Hyde Tavern closed at 12.15pm on a Saturday & no signs of life inside, when the advertised opening hours are from 12 noon.
|
A superb pub , a step down from the street level,a basic pub with good beer and that is meant in the nicest sense. A good selection of local ales.The back room has a modern colour scheme which is slightly out of kilter,an older style ,perhaps just bare wood is more in keeping.a nice outside area at the back,our last call as it is fairly near to the Train Station.
|
Top notch. Excellent range of beer, some on stillage, and decent value. Friendly helpful barstaff as well.
|
Stop one in winchester.... Decent pint of harveys. Would be my local, if i lived here.
|
Good range of beers, eclectic collection of locals and very dog friendly and the pub dog performs tricks with beer mats.
They don't do food (just as well as it would probably come with additional canine hairs) but you can bring your own and pay a small charge for plates and cuttlery
|
Love this place, decent beer, real fire sometimes, very rustic. Staff are OK but didn't strike me as knowning too much about ale! Small "garden" out the back down some steps for smokers. There is something about this place... Mind your head as you go through the front door!
|
About 5 to 10 minutes walk of the railway station this is a lovely pub which oozes friendliness and conviviality. Some of the ales are on handpull and some on stillage behind the bar. One of mine was collected from the cellar. The only gripe I would have is, that apart from Ballards Mild, the similarity in the remaining styles: a stout or porter would have made in perfect for me. Prices are set in relation to the beer strength; seems like a fair idea. Beware of opening times early in the week as it tends to be post 5pm. Check their web site. Although there are a lot of pubs in Winchester we found this and the Black Boy so good we went to only these two and twice at that.
|
I've been amusing myself reading over old reviews. It's definitely a marmite pub - I've taken a few people there and opinion is divided.
The beers are great.
The option to have a takeaway is great - cheap and novel.
The gardens been made into something lovely.
It does seemed trapped in its own myth - the belief that if you change it, update it, it will lose it's charm. But I think the charm would be improved with a few updates (not chain style updates) just more comfortable chairs, and dare I say it a bit of a lick of paint and a spring clean.
Having said all this, I really like it. Very unpretentious - a hard feat to pull off when you have poetry readings, exhibitions and such going on.
8/10
|
The Hyde is a classic olde english Inn and especially if you dig ale, 3 on the handpumps and four straight from the casks. Beers are mainly local breweries; Flowerpots and Bowman to name but two, Ballards Midhurst Mild and Harveys Sussex Best Bitter are also regularly stocked. Although they don't do food they have a choice of local takeaway menus to order from and make a charge of �1 for use of crockery and cutlery. They will also reserve rooms for mtgs and celebrations, as a regular visitor and booker of rooms I'd give em 10 out of 10... even the toilets are getting a well deserved tart up... long live Janet and team.
|
Discovered this place on Saturday and has instantly become IMO the best Pub in Winchester. Ale was excellent especially the "I can't believe it's not Bitter" well deserving of it's Award. Mind your head on the way to the delightful Beer Garden. I love it 10 out of 10
|
and so it's not bitter should be good, it's just been voted champion speciality beer of britain 2011 at the GBBF
|
What a great little pub this is! 3 Hand pulls and 4 casks racked behind the bar. Good friendly service and lovely beer garden. Just mind your head. The Oakleaf's "It's not bitter" was particularly good.
|
Recent visit had few ales of notable strength and then to my surprise people were bringing in Indian Take Away and eating it at the tables with that stench of ghee-infested garbage spreading through the pub- I know Britain has no culinary heritage to speak of, but this is just the final straw....so the sum of all is this- if you want to pay through the teeth for beers no stonger than Evian and watch people eat rubbish in plastic containers then this is the experience for you.........yours truly, 'embarrassed to be English'.
|
you've still got it wrong, chav, accept that this pub is a world classic, everybody else does
|
Too many rough looking blokes scaring the women away.
|
I instantly fell in love with this pub.
Addlestones and Stowford Press ciders on draught, an extremely friendly Landlady and a lovely little Spaniel called Jimmy ... what could be more perfect.
Decorated in a very simple fashion, but feels very lived in and comfy with lots of character.
Our first pub visited on our Winchester trip at 12:15 on a Saturday, so I'd love to return and sample the atmosphere when it's busier.
If there's a better pub in Winchester, can someone kindly tell me what it's called?
Superb.
|
As a regular at this gem of a pub I feel I need to add my two penneth worth.
The Hyde doesn't offer food (crisps and nuts and, oh, the occasional sausage) so whichever pub Chav man thinks he visited, I don't believe it's the Hyde. Perhaps, at a �1 a plate, he brought in his own sandwich and forgot where it had come from?
As for cocktails... ROFL! I wouldn't go to a cocktail bar for a pint of real ale, so don't go to a proper pub for a few drops of house spirit and some sugar. (BTW, in fact real ale is the drink of the moment. More establishments are adding a real ale to their repertoire and more and more girls and women are acquiring a taste for its hoppiness.)
As for the pricing, I cannot believe anyone is griping about that. It's not the Gaoler so the beer's not 99p a pint, but it's certainly not the KA (�3.85 for a Stella)
It's a GREAT little pub. It fluctuates between being rammed and semi deserted but the beer is consistently A1. There;'s a consistent welcome whoever you are (stitch'n'bitch, madrigal singers or smelly cyclists)
In my book it's a definite 9/10* and I won't hear another word against it.
*It would have been 10 except they allow the pub mutt to sit at the bar and the tables. Yuk and Double Yuk!
|
Lovely pub witha sun trap beer garden, walk down the steps to it could be fun if you have had a few!
Good selection of real ale, some served by gravity straight from the barrel.
If no bar staff when you go in ring the bell on the bar and they will be with you.
Well worth the short walk from the town centre.
|
I Guess Chav_Man owns a competitor pub or has a grudge with the owner - pricing aside how can you argue as an ale drinker that this has the most range and quality in town?
|
Pretty decent pub with plenty of well kept beers to choose from.I'm not sure it as good as it's current number 4 position in the bite chart would suggest, but a good pub none the less. Would return when back in Winchester.
|
For beer drinkers, this pub is an oasis in the brewery-strangled UK which is a slave to big business. A very good selection of up to 7 ales, 4 straight from the cask, all in all, very well looked after, although once I sampled the Itchen Brewery Tiger, I couldn't be tempted into anything else- but no reason to suggest the others are not as welll looked-after. This is a beer review as I have not tried any food there- although interestingly for a British pub, they had sausages (not of a great quality of course) for sale at 50p, which, in the culinary starved British Isles is something of a novelty, so some credit has to be given there. If the pub dog had not been slabbering its way through the bar and most patrons trouser legs then this might have made the meagre sausage of cattle cartilage offerings more attractive. WARNING NOTICE - you will pay the highest prices for ale in this pub than I have experienced across the two hemispheres of this planet- lamely explained away by the woman behind the bar as having something to do with the ABV ratio......expect to have to pay over a tenner for three pints of ale for you and your chums- Winchester can still solidly count itself as the head of rip off Britain. Friendly bar staff however, and a self-intellectual crowd put this one in the high scoring of my reviews, which is no mean feat.
|
Excellent pub on the way between the railway station and �chester city FC.
Plenty of choice beer wise and a pub well worth visiting when in Winchester.
|
Really very pleasant but small old pub just off Winchester's main drag. Serves an ever changing collection of cask ales from microbreweries locally. In generally good order, I don't really recognise Chavez Man's criticisms other than to note it is a pub that isn't really geared to his market. Scores a very high (and rare for me) 9/10.
|
A lot of other people agree with me - this pub is CRAP!! They just can't be bothered reviewing it on this website
|
well done chav, repeating yourself won't make you right, your still the only reviewer that doesn't like the pub, can't you see it's YOU that is wrong
|
Littlecock and Parmesan - grow up please. I am not even sure if you have ever been to this pub or whether you are having a laugh. The sandwiches are awful. Cocktails, especially vodka based ones are very refreshing and better for the sick pack and erection than a flat and warm ale. And toilets are important, especially to the ladies. And women's rights are important you chauvanist pigs. Get your ale swilling snouts out of the sexist beer trough!
|
Went to this fantastic pub last Saturday with a bunch of friends, and have to say what a a fantastic place it is.
They charge �1 a plate to bring food in, which not only is a great idea, but means they are very much focused on being a pub.
The ale was well kept and delicious.
The bar staff were all friendly and pleasant.
First time I have scored a pub 10/10
|
Can I just point out that as I write this the pub is at 24 in the top 40 and recently held the No.1 spot which I think counts for something. it seems like the famous/infamous 'Chavman' causes controversy where ever he goes and I can only reiterate my earlier review of this classic. I pointed out to CAMRA the value of this boozer for their 'Pub Heritage - Historic Pub Interiors' and at the moment it's under consideration to be listed. Yes you can bring your own food with a �1 a plate charge but who cares when your in a place that's this good.
|
Can I just point out that as I write this the pub is at 24 in the top 40 and recently held the No.1 spot which I think counts for something. it seems like the famous/infamous 'Chavman' causes controversy where ever he goes and I can only reiterate my earlier review of this classic. I pointed out to CAMRA the value of this boozer for their 'Pub Heritage - Historic Pub Interiors' and at the moment it's under consideration to be listed. Yes you can bring your own food with a �1 a plate charge but who cares when your in a place that's this good.
|
Can I just point out that as I write this the pub is at 24 in the top 40 and recently held the No.1 spot which I think counts for something. it seems like the famous/infamous 'Chavman' causes controversy where ever he goes and I can only reiterate my earlier review of this classic. I pointed out to CAMRA the value of this boozer for their 'Pub Heritage - Historic Pub Interiors' and at the moment it's under consideration to be listed. Yes you can bring your own food with a �1 a plate charge but who cares when your in a place that's this good.
|
Can I just point out that as I write this the pub is at 24 in the top 40 and recently held the No.1 spot which I think counts for something. it seems like the famous/infamous 'Chavman' causes controversy where ever he goes and I can only reiterate my earlier review of this classic. I pointed out to CAMRA the value of this boozer for their 'Pub Heritage - Historic Pub Interiors' and at the moment it's under consideration to be listed. Yes you can bring your own food with a �1 a plate charge but who cares when your in a place that's this good.
|
Can I just point out that as I write this the pub is at 24 in the top 40 and recently held the No.1 spot which I think counts for something. it seems like the famous/infamous 'Chavman' causes controversy where ever he goes and I can only reiterate my earlier review of this classic. I pointed out to CAMRA the value of this boozer for their 'Pub Heritage - Historic Pub Interiors' and at the moment it's under consideration to be listed. Yes you can bring your own food with a �1 a plate charge but who cares when your in a place that's this good.
|
Can I just point out that as I write this the pub is at 24 in the top 40 and recently held the No.1 spot which I think counts for something. it seems like the famous/infamous 'Chavman' causes controversy where ever he goes and I can only reiterate my earlier review of this classic. I pointed out to CAMRA the value of this boozer for their 'Pub Heritage - Historic Pub Interiors' and at the moment it's under consideration to be listed. Yes you can bring your own food with a �1 a plate charge but who cares when your in a place that's this good.
|
Can I just point out that as I write this the pub is at 24 in the top 40 and recently held the No.1 spot which I think counts for something. it seems like the famous/infamous 'Chavman' causes controversy where ever he goes and I can only reiterate my earlier review of this classic. I pointed out to CAMRA the value of this boozer for their 'Pub Heritage - Historic Pub Interiors' and at the moment it's under consideration to be listed. Yes you can bring your own food with a �1 a plate charge but who cares when your in a place that's this good.
|
A true classic with a very friendly and chatty landlady. She had 7 real ales on when I visited. I plumbed for the Harvey's Best and it was exquisite!! It appears to be the home of the local CAMRA clan (not my cuppa tea I must admit), but luckily they weren't in attendance. This is a "must visit" pub. 9/10
|
An absolute belter. Unspoilt, friendly and welcoming for all. Beautiful and fascinating historical interior. Open fire. And, best of all, so many well-kept beers from independent breweries that it takes all your willpower to actually leave the place!
The best pub in Winchester, and actually one of the best anywhere (and I habitually take the Good Beer Guide with me whenever travelling so have seen a few gems!)
Chavman's reviews are odd - I just don't recognise his description. Factually incorrect for a start as the pub doesn't serve food or sandwiches. I think he must be thinking of somehwere else!
|
Sorry chav, your wrong, I've never had a flat or warm pint in here, just excellent ale and a proper pub atmosphere, a true gem of a pub, so thinks every other poster apart from you
|
I guess Middlebrook owns the pub after a review like that!
|
A true gem. Tiny tavern offering great hospitality, friendly locals and a slightly bonkers spaniel. Good for ale drinkers (up to 7 available, 4 straight from the cask, with local breweries preferred), cider drinkers (3), and some good wines too. The pub's too small to do food, so instead operates a �1 a plate scheme - allowing customers to bring in their own from the plethora of Winchester takeaway establishments - you don't even have to wait 'til you stagger home to eat your curry! It's slightly out of the town centre, so you do have to hunt it out, but it's well worth it. Hosts its own beer festival around summer solstice.
|
Littlecock and Parmesan - grow up please. I am not even sure if you have ever been to this pub or whether you are having a laugh. The sandwiches are awful. Cocktails, especially vodka based ones are very refreshing and better for the sick pack and erection than a flat and warm ale. And toilets are important, especially to the ladies. And women's rights are important you chauvanist pigs. Get your ale swilling snouts out of the sexist beer trough!
|
have to agree with littlecon if every pub served a good long island ice tea i would commit many more sins against humanity - cocktails are for bars (see town centre) and proper wonky pubs are for beer nee 1900's no? timeless. A crapper is a crapper, again if you go to the pub for a poo your mad as name a pub where the loo isnt covered in badly aimed pee? top pub - ale spread is outstanding - spirits spread is supposed to be crap as is wine and food (does this pub actually do food? i think not)
|
oh thank you, chav, it's not often that I laugh out loud at this site, but you are a genius, why would you want a cocktail(esp ready mix), in a pub like the hyde? horses for courses, if you want crap drinks go to a crap pub, and leave those of us that are stuck in the 90's to enjoy the best pub for miles, but thanks for the laugh
|
Okay - based on the reviews by some people I thought I might cream myself in here. Alas that did not happen. Ordered a sandwich and it was absolutely disgusting - the bread felt like soggy cardboard. Then I ordered a long island ice tea and that was awful too - might as well have been sunny D with paint stripper. There is a decent range beer but beer is so 90's. Spirits is the rage now. And I normally comment on the toilets as it's a sign of hygiene, management and patronage. Well these bogs were okay for wee wees but not for poo. The seat was dirty and too low.
|
So laid back the regulars help themselves when the landlady's away. Not a right angle in the place and all the better for it.
|
Supposedly the oldest and smallest pub in the city, it is reputed to be haunted by a ghost that pulls the bed clothes off visitors. The ghost is blamed on a woman who is supposed to have died from cold and hunger in the one of the rooms centuries ago. Don't let that put you off as this is the sort of pub Americans dream off. Every things in place, low ceilings, sloping wooden floors and a 'hidden' lower garden. It is at the lower end of Hyde Street - a comfortable 10 to 15 minute walk from the center of town. Hogs Back TEA, Ringwood Best Bitter and Ballard's, Midhurst Mild on handpump, while Bowman's Quiver and Flowerpots Bitter were on stillage behind the bar. Yes a bozzer from a time past and I love it!'
|
A good old pub, really nice Bowman bitter. Didn't eat as weren't serving at the time, but looked a nice cosy pub to get a traditional pub meal. Cooked by the Landlady no doubt. Will be visiting again. Foodybloke
|
Visited this little gem last Thursday lunchtime. Very quiet and does not usualy open weekday lunchtimes. Had a pleasant pint or two of Wallops Wood and conversation with the local who had opened up in abscence of the Landlady. Dog friendley, good range of beers. Must try to get back when a few customers present.
|
This pub is one of the best in Winchester, and there's a few good one's (althought many more awful ones as well). the atmosphere is Great, the beer is Great, the Landlady is Great, the fire is Great, even the Grate is Great! Try not to miss dropping in each time I'm in Winchester. You'd be foolish to miss it. Mind you, if you stay away, It'll be better for the rest of us.
|
This was my first visit to this pub, recommended by a friend and i loved it. Quirky furniture, direct dispense beers in great condition, open fires, just right for a quiet beer and a catch up.
|
Basically a gem, proper to its bones, from cask ales, to a great selection. Friendly (more gentrified than layabouts) folks,quirky place.
Garden isnt lovely exactly, but its got a fine multischaired smoking area. what a pub should be like, best in town.
|
I like this pub. Stopped here early one Saturday and was the first customers here. Made very welcome even by Jimmy. Has a nice dining area at the back and if your brave enough to walk down the old steep steps it will lead you to a nice little garden at the back. It also has a large cellar which i had a little peep in!
|
I instantly fell in love with this pub.
Addlestones and Stowford Press ciders on draught, an extremely friendly Landlady and a lovely little Spaniel called Jimmy ... what could be more perfect.
Decorated in a very simple fashion, but feels very lived in and comfy with lots of character.
Our first pub visited on our Winchester trip at 12:15 on a Saturday, so I'd love to return and sample the atmosphere when it's busier.
If there's a better pub in Winchester, can someone kindly tell me what it's called?
|
Deserved of its reputation for flawlessly conditioned ale and comfort.
I re-visted yesterday after many years away and if anthing it has got better. A perfect place to chat and play a game of perudo.
|
Fantastic pub, great selection of varying guest beers always in great condition. Quirky little front room with a garden down the stairs for some al-fresco drinking.
Can't stress enough how olde-worlde this pub feels, but has managed to combine it with a modern twist - the paintings on the wall change regularly; they encourage you to have business meetings in the back bar during the day; there's craft groups that meet there.
Fantastic community pub with brilliant beer!
|
Without doubt the pub of the weekend for me. Stepping in here is like stepping into a timewharp. The low ceilings and the flagstone floors give this small pub real character. The atmosphere was quiet, with no music or television, meaning conversation is king. Beer is served from either handpulls or by gravity. Harveys Sussex Best, Ringwood Best, Ballards Midhurst Mild, Itchen Valley Pure Gold and Stonehenge Heelstone were all available. Weston's Old Rosie was the real cider. The fire lended a cosy feel to the place, and you could well imagine spending a whole afternoon here relaxing and getting away from the stresses of modern life. I hope pubs like this continue to survive.
|
Superb traditional rustic pub, low beams with a wonderful atmosphere, dogs, good bar staff and good selection of ales. On this occasion Great Bustard (4.8%) and a nice Hop ale.
|
Excellent pub full of character and with great beer from local breweries including Midhurst Mild. A must-visit when in Winchester. 10/10
|
This is a fantastic find. Art and literature and great ales and cider. I wish I lived in walking distance. But please put some more wood on the fire!
|
Uncompromisingly a proper pub with four or five real ales and one cider, a warm welcome and friendly staff. The landlady was even good enough to rustle us up some cheese sandwiches even though food is not on offer here. Dogs welcome too. A million miles from the identikit norm. and what a difference to the screaming kids and droning extractor fans in the garden of the nearby King Alfred.
|
Down a couple of steps from street level into a genuine old tavern with uneven floors, wonky walls and a low beamed ceiling ("Duck or Grouse"). The log burning fire would be grand in winter, there is a mixture of seating, from settles, stools and old benches, to an old threadbare armchair which appears to be the pub dog's favourite. Hops are entwined along the bar and picture rail, some of the photos and paintings on display are for sale.
There is another room to the rear (available for hire so it says), and down a flight of steps to a rear garden area.
Beers priced according to gravity, currently from �2.80-3.20, my visit had Hogs Back TEA, Ringwood Best Bitter and Ballard's Midhurst Mild on handpump, while Bowman's Quiver and Flowerpots Bitter were on stillage behind the bar. A real cider was also available, name unrecorded, sorry.
Snacks available, no main meals, but you are allowed to bring your own takeaway with a nominal �1 charge for crockery and cutlery. Two pint take outs are offered, and curiously hammocks are sold here.
A lovely spot with real old rustic charm, from another age. Highly recommended.
|
Excellent little pub with interesting beers on offer in addition to the more usual Ringwood. Pleasant small garden, and you can also bring your own food, though I've not tried that. An oasis in a sea of urban chains and closures.
|
Wonderful character place; with low beams, small bar areas and (I guess, in the winter) open fire. Good range of beers. Friendly staff and, if you stop for a while, the locals soon start talking to you too. Highly recommended.
|
Low ceilinged ancient pub, I used to drink here 25 years ago and it looks about the same and the beer is still excellent. A range of beers from mainly smaller breweries, Ringwood (ok I know they're Marstons), Ballards, Hogs Back and Hidden on my visit. Quiet bunch of customers apart from a loud mouth builder, but this was on a very wet monday night.
anonymous - 16 Feb 2009 11:20 |
Yes, yes, yes! The last time I went in this pub was just after Greene King bought it from Martson's. My weekend was ruined by the disappearance of the cracking Pedigree they used to serve.
Now, many years later a return trip has brought great news. It's no longer a GK pub and now stocks Ringwood beers on handpump with a couple of Bowman beers and a Pots beer served by gravity. The two pints I had were both superb - favourite being the Bowman's Quiver.
The atmosphere in this cosy little pub is relaxed and friendly and the classical guitarist practising in the corner is a nice addition to the mood.
My view is that this pub is one of the finest in Winchester - up there with the Black Boy.
|
An excellent pub where the beer is kept well.
They now have beers on gravity behind the bar including Bowmans. A little bit away from the city centre but easily reached and well worth the trip along Hyde Street.
|
Pub has now reopened.
Well worth searching out - it's just a bit too far from the City centre for most tourists to bother.
Good range of beer.
|
Has this pub closed?
|
Probably not the best pub in town, but more than worth a visit. This is the oldest non-ecclesiastical building in Winchester. The dipping floor and low ceiling make it a devil if it's the last pub on a crawl.
Different, quiet and good beer.
Excellent.
|
Ding Dong the witch has moved on.
This pub lost it's way over the last 3 years.
Awaiting new management, we can but hope.
Good Luck
|
Now a free house, changing its range of beers so fast it's hard to keep up. Has a secret garden out the back. No food, but serves a range of "Classic Snacks of the '70s" - where else can you buy Scampi Fries, Twiglets and Pork Scratchings?
|
Just perfect - a quiet pub away from the visiting crowds - and the landlady seems to positively welcome middle-aged gentlmen who enjoy good beer in a relaxed environment!! I hope to return. No need to serve food in a good pub, just stick to the beer is a formula that seems to work.
|
I have a feeling it is no longer Green King - as the Green King part of the sign has black tape over it! Friendly small, no food just beer, and that has to good, and increasingly rare.
Worth seeking out. Tack on the King Alfred for a mini pub crawl, its just round the corner.
Mind your head.
|
Aberjed, I'm not from Nottingham but I will argue with you about the oldest pub in England which is the Fighting Cocks in St Albans and not this place, fine pub though it is.
|
lovely pub, but not more Green King beer!!
|
Not very good if you are over 6 foot tall, the Hyde Tavern is another of Winchester's gems.
sross - 17 Apr 2006 21:28 |
Another wonderfully characterful building that really does a pub justice. Enjoyed the whole experience as far as I can remember. Friendly barmaids.
|
No food, a proper pub. Probably the oldest pub in England ( people from Nottingham__ please don't argue)
|
Excellent pub. Got thrown out for swearing too loudly once but then again, it was all my fault, was absolutly hammered at the time.
That said, just as welcoming next time I went. An excellent place for a few Sunday lunchtime pints of guiness with a few homemade pickled eggs. Brillant.
anonymous - 18 Oct 2005 22:41 |
A gem, not a right angle in the building, and a place to enjoy a decent pint in a proper old pub
anonymous - 15 Dec 2004 20:03 |
I used to work in this pub. The people who drink in there are completely mad, but very friendly. You can get pickled eggs made by the landlady! Just mind your head...
Katie Rushbrooke - 4 Nov 2004 22:22 |
This is one of the oldest pub buildings in the UK, but it has only been a pub for the last 300 years. Very low beams, a conversation & drinking pub, with its own cricket team, Golf Club, but no food served.
G Morgan - 11 Aug 2004 23:14 |
