I know that when I stay away from home I end up reviewing the pub that I stayed in and all sounds a bit like a crap review on tripadvisor.com. This is one of those posts.
The Running Horse is pub in the village of Littleton, on the outskirts of Winchester and it is without a doubt one of the best pubs I have ever stayed in. Accommodation is in a block to the rear, with the views looking out over the beer garden. Rooms are comfortable and well decorated. This is all good of course but the main attraction is the pub itself.
Recently refurbished by their new owners, Upham Brewery, the pub has a contemporary feel to it, but it does not detract from the country pub atmosphere which is sometimes lost in a modern refurb. Food is excellent, no really I mean it. I had fish and chips for dinner and I can tell you that I have never had as good fish as this. Touches like the homemade tartare sauce make all the difference. The staff were extraordinarily friendly, all of them, smiling and happy to talk, giving the place a very welcoming feel. And finally the beer; Punter (4%) a bitter, Stakes (4.8%) a best bitter, and Tipster (3.8%) a golden ale were all available from hand pumps, all of them were delicious, as was the Orchard Pig cider.
I wish there were more synonyms for ‘bloody great pub’ that I could use to describe The Running Horse. I wish it and its staff all the success.
…oh! and breakfast was quality as well.