If you are looking for a warm and cosy pub in winter, then you are spoilt for choice in central Winchester. We asked our ambassadors to review their favourites.
The Green Man and it’s stunning Lucky Lychee was where ambassador Grace Whiteside chose to spend New Year’s Eve.
Walking along Southgate Street, on a truly miserable wet NYE, we were delighted to enter The Green Man, to dine at Lucky Lychee. We were seated beside the log burner, which was greatly appreciated as it was a chilly evening. The pub has tasteful decor with dark green walls – think Farrow & Ball Studio Green – adorned with an array of intriguing pictures which creates a cosy yet refined atmosphere. The service and food were both excellent, which was an added bonus on NYE. We started with prawn crackers, sesame prawn toast and grilled chicken skewers with spiced coconut sauce. For the main course, my husband cannot go past the 8-hour beef rendang, and I had mandarin orange sesame chicken, with shared rice. Both were flavoursome. Continuing with the indulgence of the season, we finished with a delicious sponge cake, topped with orange-flavoured cream and mandarin segments. If you enjoy Malaysian food, Lucky Lychee is an absolute must! On leaving the cosiness of the pub, we were delighted to discover that the rain had finally stopped, allowing us an enjoyable walk home, ready to welcome in 2024.
Our style ambassador, Lauren Booth (@awinchesterwoman) is a big fan of the Wykeham Arms.
If you’re looking for a cosy Insta-worthy pub to give you all ‘The Holiday’ vibes, look no further than The Wykeham Arms. This 18th-century pub is located on a road which is often used as a backdrop in the popular Netflix series, ‘The Crown’, and so, there’s no surprise there is ample opportunity for you to get ‘THE photo’.
When you enter the pub, you’ll want to keep your camera out; the walls are adorned with old-English memorabilia, from old tankards and walking sticks to paintings of royals. Don’t be fooled by its old-fashioned interiors, it offers a wide range of new beverages with a good selection of 0.00% beers, ideal if you’re participating in Dry January.
The food is another reason to visit; The Wykeham Arms are passionate about quality, with locally sourced produce including meats for their burgers sourced from Chalcroft Farm, just down the road near Botley. The British ‘Cobble Lane’ Charcuterie board is another favourite if you just want to graze while you take in the magnificent surroundings.
Want to impress your friends with a great fact when you visit this old coaching-inn? You can let them know that Lord Nelson himself stayed here on his way to Portsmouth, and that you can still stay in the rooms upstairs to this day!
Our Winchester Food and Drink Ambassador Emma Raphael loves The Hyde Tavern in Hyde Street “The fire’s always lit, there’s always a warm welcome and generally something happening – folk nights, live music and once a year, the most brilliant pie competition – all in aid of charity. It’s also reputed to be one of Winchester’s most haunted pubs as it’s also one of the oldest.”
The Hyde Tavern gets another vote from our Culture Ambassador, Madeline Smith “it is the perfect pub for a cosy winter drink by the roaring fire, a place to meet friends after you’ve been for a cycle ride or been working hard in your allotment, or even to get together to Knit and Natter.”
“The landlady Jan has turned the Hyde into a perfect community pub always saying yes when someone asks ‘Can we bring our dog?’, ‘Can we play folk music?’, ‘Can we meet to read poetry?’, ‘Is it okay that we’re wearing muddy boots?’. The Hyde Tavern really is the most welcoming pub.”
The Winchester Ambassadors are a group of volunteers who enjoy sharing their passion for their city. They were assembled to provide visitors with a local’s view of the city and its attractions. Their thoughts, insights and tips are independent and are not paid for. The Winchester Ambassadors are not affiliated with any of the brands or businesses mentioned in their posts or endorsed by Winchester City Council.
