April 8, 2013

Winchester’s family friendly pub that’s great inside and out.

Filed under: Days out with the Kids,Hampshire Pub Walks — davidmoldon @ 3:51 pm

Bar area with open fires for our lovely Spring weather!

 

Having re-visited The Queen Inn, St Cross, Winchester on Sunday 7th April, I was really impressed with the results of several weeks of refurbishment. More bar space has been created, always a bit of a squeeze before, casual seating and cleaver use of upturned beer barrels to eat from in the bar area.

Clive Mansell’s pubs always have the same elements, Good Beer, Affordable Pub Food and Entertainment. I see Pubs are still closing at a steady rate of 12 a week and perhaps some pubs just don’t have the right location and facilities to do a “Queen Inn”, but it is such a treat to see Families and their well behaved dogs enjoying some quality time away from home.

Food is important in today’s pubs, and the Queen’s menu caters for all tastes whilst no being so lengthy that it can only come from a frozen bag!

Clive usually has 10 Real Ales available, and whilst beer today is expensive compared to petrol, we know whose fault that is, not the Landlard, you might as well drink something that has not been mass-produced . Clive intends to brew his own beer at the Queen, and this comes on the back of his success at his sister pub the The Fulflood Arms, Winchester. So we have good food, local cask beer and very soon an Outdoor Skittle Alley. The Queen Inn has run a Quiz Night for some years, and this on a Sunday night at 8.45 attracts well over 50 people, who said the British Pub is dead.

Cozy area for eating or just chilling out.

The Queen Inn is well situated for those who enjoy a good walk before relaxing by a fire to warm-up, 2013 being something I hope is not repeated too often.

All set for when we get some sunshine, great family space.

So, want somewhere to take the family this weekend, give the Queen Inn a try.

OTHER  FORTHCOMING EVENTS:

Tuesday 30th April, Meet the Head Brewer from Green King

Friday 3rd May, May Bank Holiday Beer Festival.

 

Winchester’s Keats walk gets even better, Hockley Viaduct opens.

Filed under: Hampshire Pub Walks — davidmoldon @ 3:44 pm

The car park and the Itchen Navigation with tarmacked footpath running along side.

 

Winchester now has some of the most picturesque and easy to walk paths anywhere in Hampshire. Nigel Adkins who recently returned to Football management had this to say about part of the walk, “There’s a two-hour walk – St Catherine’s Hill in Winchester, Adkins told assembled media at Reading’s Madejski Stadium. It’s beautiful – I call it sunshine mountain, I normally go out at 10am. I think about all sorts”.

Recent improvements to allow cycling along the renovated Viaduct at Hockley, now part of Route 23, make walking easy; it used to be very muddy before the tarmac arrived! I only saw the car park at Garnier Road for the first time the other day, and that has been much improved.

St Catherines Hill with felled trees in the foreground.

The other shock was to see all the old trees along the stretch from the pumping station, now The Remarkable Group, to Five Bridges Road cut down and awaiting removal to make way for returning back to a meadow, should be an improvement.

Further walk onto Shawford.

Whilst on the walk, why not look into The Queen Inn.

February 4, 2013

The very best of What’s on in Hampshire 2013

Filed under: Days out with the Kids,Hampshire Events Guide,Hampshire Pub Walks,Holiday Activities in Hampshire — davidmoldon @ 5:16 pm

Your Hampshire based website offering the best selection of things to do in Hampshire during 2013. Family Attractions, Food and Drink and Sporting activities.

How can a national website be as good as a local one, I have lived in Hampshire all my life and can bring experience and local knowledge to enhance your search for something to do with or without children this year.

Most of the events I have visited at some time, and we only post events that we know are quality, so you will not waste your time or money when you pick one to attend.

If you are thinking of visiting Hampshire this year, or live in Hampshire and are looking for events to put in your diary, look no further than Agentsmart.

Check out our Directory for other ideas.

October 23, 2012

Welcome to the Hants 40+ Walking Group

Filed under: Hampshire Events Guide,Hampshire Pub Walks — davidmoldon @ 5:24 pm

 

Hi, I’m Marie,

Please find our events programme. We welcome new members and members from any other RA group to join us at any of our events unless the events specifically state that prior registration is needed. We use the Ramblers Association grading system for our walks. For more details see this page . If you have a query regarding a particular event then please contact the event leader direct (all email addresses must be edited to remove anti-spam before use), though more general queries should be directed to me. I hope you find our events enjoyable and we always welcome feedback.

If you would like to see what walks the other Ramblers groups have in this area look at the Ramblers Walks Finder

Last year we walked 17095 miles, since our AGM in November we have walked 17844 miles – (events x people) x miles
Pre AGM walk to St Catherines Hill – Saturday 3rd November
Grade: Leisurely , Mileage: 6
This will be a short pre AGM walk, heading north up the Itchen Way from Shawford, then climbing St Catherines Hill where we will stop for lunch and to enjoy the views from the hillfort ramparts, then back across Hockley golf course.
Start Point: Car park at the foot of Shawford Down SO21 2AA, Meeting time: 10:45 Start time: 11:00
Logistics: Shawford is accessible by rail. Trains arrive Shawford, from both south and north, at 10:54. If not travelling by train, there is free parking at Shawford Down car parks, post code SO21 2AA. Bring a packed lunch. NOTE the later start time of 11:00.
Afterwards: Post walk refreshments at the Bridge Inn then, at 15:00, the Annual General Meeting of the Hants 40+ Walking Group will be held in Shawford village hall. After the AGM there is the opportunity to attend the 54th Annual Winchester Round Table bonfire and fireworks event at North Walls Recreation Ground. This includes entertainments in Winchester Broadway from 18:00 and a torchlit procession through the town, leaving the Broadway at 18:30. The Mayor will light the bonfire at 19:15, and the fireworks begin at 19:45. This is a free event, and all profits are donated to charity. Trains leave Shawford for Winchester at 17:19 and 17:48. Location: Lat & Long: N51.02237, W1.329088 OS Map Reference: SU471249 Sector Post Code: Hampshire SO21

If you prefer to walk on your own or without groups, take a look at some Agent Smart could recommend.

A walker’s lunch at the Royal Oak, Fritham, New Forest.

September 24, 2012

Hampshire walks that are too good to miss

Filed under: Hampshire Pub Walks — davidmoldon @ 5:58 pm

Dynamic walk from Winchester to Salisbury

 

Walks by the shore at Lepe Counrty Park, Hampshire
Wonderful walk by the shore at Lepe Country Park

Full of wildlife and interest, Winchester to Shawford

Hampshire walks that are too good to miss, check out other reccomended walks.

Gilbert White and his brother cut this Zig-Zag path at Selborne

What are these golf balls

September 11, 2012

Autumn Walks with a pub at the end in Hampshire.

Filed under: Hampshire Pub Walks — davidmoldon @ 3:18 pm

The Autumn walk I really enjoy is what I term the “Flower Pots Walk”. Around an hour and a half, not too strenuous and a welcoming Pub at the end, dogs welcome.

Relax after a long walk at the Flower Pots, Cheriton, dogs welcome

Park at the Flower Pots, I am sure they don’t mind if you have a lifesaving drink and something to eat after your walk, and either go to the corner of the playing field or find the footpath by turning right from the Flower Pots and just walk a few yards to pick up the path.

Follow the route on the map until you come to Cheriton Mill, here you cross the 3046 to again pick up the footpath which will take you via old chalk tracks past Middle Farm until you reach a turning to the right, this is not immediately the obvious way to go, but I can assure you it is preferable to continuing further onwards.

You pass through a lovely meadow of wild flowers and grasses and back into Cheriton Village. Turn left and right at the crossroads and the Flower Pots awaits You.

More walks in Hampshire, some with pubs at the end.

Where to stay in Hampshire

 

 

 

September 4, 2012

Hampshire has two award winning Pubs in the 2013 Pub Guide’s top 16

Filed under: Hampshire Pub Walks — Tags: — davidmoldon @ 5:43 pm

Town Pub of the Year

Wykeham Arms, Winchester (Hampshire)
What the guide said: ‘Civilised and warmly welcoming to visitors as well as their loyal regulars, this inn has bustling rooms filled with interesting collections, good food and drinks, and comfortable bedrooms; the cathedral is just a stroll away.’

Agent Smart’s blog of 2011

Country Pub of the Year

Royal Oak, Fritham (Hampshire)
What the guide said: ‘Part of a working New Forest farm with pigs and ponies out on the green. Roaring log fires, friendly locals, antique furniture on oak flooring, a fine choice of real ales and simple lunchtime food ensure plenty of happy customers at all times.’

Agent Smart’s Blog of 2009, our first!

More Hampshire Pubs worth a visit.

September 2, 2012

A dissapointing Beer Festival and a great New Forest Pub in Hampshire.

Filed under: Hampshire Pub Walks — Tags: , — davidmoldon @ 11:10 am

My journey yesterday, 1st September was to try out the Somerley Beer and music festival just outside Ringwood, and as it was the Bournemouth Air Festival I avoided the A31 and instead drove through the fantastic New Forest to Fordingbridge.

The Beer festival was not only a disappointment, very few people there by 2pm, but I was not allowed in with my Jack Russell on his lead, health and safety, I think they could have done with the trade.

Having passed the Fighting Cocks Pub on my way, I headed there for a refreshing pint in a most charming New Forest Pub, just how they should be with no restrictions on animals, the New Forest ponies seemed to be regular visitors and we were even given a fly past by the Red Arrows.

Well, some you win and some you lose; having spent a relaxing time at the Cheriton Beer festival over the bank holiday, a sort of what Glastonbury is to music concerts, Cheriton is to beer festivals, and this event with security guards in bright yellow tops did little to set a relaxed scene, perhaps they take note if they want to continue this event in a great setting.

More great pubs in Hampshire

August 23, 2012

Crabbing, Hurst Castle and a stunning walk along the solent at Keyhaven.

Filed under: Hampshire Pub Walks,Hampshire's South Coast — Tags: , — davidmoldon @ 10:14 am

Hurst Castle ( Wikipedia) on the south coast of England is one of Henry VIII’s Device Forts, built at the end of a long shingle spit at the west end of the Solent to guard the approaches to Southampton. Hurst Castle was sited at the narrow entrance to the Solent where the ebb and flow of the tides creates strong currents, putting would-be invaders at its mercy. Also known as a Henrician Castle, Hurst was built as part of Henry’s chain of coastal defences to protect England during the turbulent times of his reign.

Charles I was imprisoned here in 1648 before being taken to London to his trial and execution. The fort was modified throughout the 19th century, and two large wing batteries were built to house heavy guns. It was fortified again in World War II and then decommissioned. It is now owned by English Heritage and is open to the public.

Crabbing a wonderful pastime with children that costs very little but gives unforgettable memories. I took my daughter and Grand daughter to Keyhaven today with fond memories of years gone by, and it didn’t disappoint, still magical in it’s simplicity and friendship of fellow crabbers. GIVE IT A GO BEFORE OUR SUMMER VANISHES.

 

The Pennington Walk.

From Keyhaven this circular walk takes an inland route towards Lower Pennington. After taking a footpath through fields the walk turns towards the coast and returns to Keyhaven via the Solent Way through the Lymington – Keyhaven Nature Reserve.
This walk offers excellent views of the Solent and Hurst Castle. You may also see some interesting birds in the saline lagoons and marshes along the coastal path.

Map of Walk

Other Crabbing places in Hampshire.

 

 

May 21, 2012

A summer’s walk along the Cliff at Titchfield, Hampshire.

Filed under: Hampshire Pub Walks,Hampshire's South Coast — davidmoldon @ 4:03 pm

I have driven past the sign to Thatcher’s Copse Car Park in Brownwich Lane many times, but never took the time to try out the walk. Well I can recommend it as a steady 1hr walk that is flat but full of interest. Half way round you come to the shore looking across the Solent to Marchwood power station, great place for a picnic with the children. I chose a loop that was about an hour, but this could be extended quite easily.

Try this walk out and let us know what you think, write a review on this walk or any of our listed businesses in our Directory and receive a much valued gift from Agent Smart.

More information on Hill Head

An early sighting of a Speckled Wood on the walk, check out the butterflies I saw in Hampshire last year.

Take pictures of butterflies with your mobile and keep them for a competition we will be launching next month. Superb Camera to be won.

Places to stay near Titchfield  see accommodation

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