Chequers Inn, Lymingtonback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
What a lovely pub good beer and fabulous fire BUT in an empty bar on a Tuesday about 330 pm the landlord would not make me a cup of tea Thought he was joking at first particularly when he said it was girl's work I even said I'd make it myself He then remained in solitary splendour at end of bar If he had been apologetic it might have been acceptable
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Ate and drank here back in August after a trip to Beaulieu. Simon Thoyts, the landlord, initially seems gruff and authoritarian - but by God does he know how to run a pub, and a very warm and friendly exchange was had when we left at the end of the evening with the last of the locals. Those in my party who drink beer (I can't stand the stuff!) pronounced themselves thoroughly satisfied with the real ale (Ringwood, I believe). Unfortunately, there wasn't a draught real cider to be had: I opted for a perry, which was a little bit gassy and too sweet for my tastes. I think there was a bottled real cider, I can't remember now - that'll teach me to review a pub immediately after the visit! - but one pint was enough for me. Dogs - Simon's two yellow labs were very friendly, but much better-behaved than some of the yappy little rats belonging to clientele. However, the locals were a friendly bunch - not the frosty welcome you sometimes hear of with other pubs! Food - excellent - had a Thai sweet chilli chicken starter followed by scampi, chips and salad. Be warned - the portions here are HUGE. I'd have skipped the starter and left room for pudding if I'd known. The quality simply could not have been bettered, as far as I'm concerned. The prices initially seemed representative, but given the size of the portions, I thought them extremely good value indeed. I am a very difficult man to please, I tend to be intensely critical of most pubs these days, but this came closer than any pub I've ever visited to being my absolute ideal. Beautiful historic building, warm ungimmicky decor that avoided seeming dark or oppressive, wonderful setting - if hard to find! Several wrong turns were taken before the pub was eventually located. I was told this is not uncommon. However, for those who do know it, it's well worth the trip. Yes, they did have a Christmas tree up in August. Seems to be a running in-joke. I don't get it, but it's one of the personal quirks of this wonderful pub - no corporate image or upmarket pretentiousness to be found here. A well-known company check website lists two current directors for the place: Simon Michael Thoyts (b. Oct 1962) and Daniel Earnest Algar Wells (b. Jul 1954), Mr Thoyts being the sole shareholder. No pubco involved here! It has that all-too-elusive feel of a really personal, old-fashioned pub, where the bloke pulling your pint isn't just some hired manager, but has invested his own time, cash and emotions in making his home a thriving, viable pub. Well, the place was packed out all evening from 6 to 11, doing a roaring trade - if that's representative, the turnover here must be enormous. I dare say this isn't the only really good pub in the New Forest, but I would stake my reputation on saying you won't find a better one anywhere in the south of England. You can't go far wrong here - just remember the huge portions, you might want to starve yourself all day if you want to pack in three courses here! As Simon Thoyts said to me, "we want to make sure a customer never goes home hungry" (or words to that effect). Well, he certainly achieved that! I hope to explore the New Forest more in the coming year, and a return visit to the Chequers is definitely on the cards. Very highly recommended - and a big, grateful pat on the back to Simon and his staff for the best pub experience I've had in a very long time. If I was going to be really churlish I'd knock a star off for the lack of a draught real cider, but I think that would be a bit of a slap in the face to those who work so hard to make this such an exceptional pub. To the local regulars, all I can say is, you lucky, jammy bastards! One of England's truly great pubs...
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fantastic pub. exposed beams and low ceilings but a suprisingly spacious feel to the place. theres a covered courtyard bit as you enter, and also a fatastic walled garden, and an eating area in a permanent tent thing, so the choice of where you want to enjoy your pint is yours. didnt eat, but saw nice handsome protions coming out to happy customers.
the locals were a friendly bunch, plenty of dogs snffing around, nice atmopshere, and i did have to laugh at the christmas tree up by the bar, in july, with a sign saying "dont ask" attached.
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Had a lovely two pints of Ringwood Best Bitter this Lunchtime whilst sitting in the Garden in glorious sunshine. A relief after all the rain we have had. The Fish,Chips and peas were good as was the Salt & Pepered Calamari, I recommend this busy pub, especially if you are doing the coastal walk from Lymington to Keyhaven, where The Gun is another popular pub.
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Whilst doing the six mile walk along the Spit from Lymington my mate and I dropped in yesterday Lunchtime for some liquid refreshment. Found thre Real Ales on Ringwood Best Bitter, Ringwood 49er & London Pride. we opted for the Best Bitter which was very good and had good laceing, however at �3:20 a pint was 20p Pint more than other pub in the area. Nice Pub with olde world charm and whitewashed interior walls,(although why the Christmas Tree was still up in March with working lights beats me). Got a large garden area attached with heaters, ample seating and the ability to make it covered in bad weather, making it ideal for functions as it also had an outside Bar!. Would definately like this for my local as the Bar person and those in the bar seemed OK.
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Visited for the first time the other night, great pub, good ale, nice food and very friendly. Prices very reasonable and over all very glad that I followed the recommendation of a man walking his son's dog. Loved the courtyard and the garden looked nice, the dogs were welcomed and comfortable.
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Our walking party popped in for lunch this Sunday. Although we have visited & eaten here several times before I have not previously left a review. The landlord mentioned is still in situ, get him talking about sailing. He has crewed on many of the yachts featured in the photo's which adorn the walls.
This is a popular pub & as usual it was a busy Sunday service. Most of the waiting staff are mostly East European with the exception of one fulsome local lady for who nothing was too much trouble. We arrived with two extras above our booking & they were accommodated without any fuss.
The food is reasonable & at a fair price for the area. The beer on this occasion was rather below par, only two Ringwood ales on offer & my pint of best was slightly lacking. Overall the pub still manages to maintain some old world character & create a decent ambience.
We shall return but on the next occasion I hope the beer has improved. My rating a 7
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Was there on Saturday. Massive amount of kids in the garden. No kids inside. Everyone's a winner!
Good quality Ringwood ales and a nice pub.
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Great pub. Great atmosphere. The landlord very funny. Can be very rude but when you get used to him he's hilarious. Doesn't like children in the place and most people agree with him. The Irish girl who works there is great - very entertaining. Always pay a visit here when in the area.
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Went in there recently for the first time for over 25 years. Still much the same as I remember it. Had a decent pint.
Incidentally, re a previous review, pubs are NOT for babies. I don't blame the landlord for being rude about some screaming brat, and so I have added an extra point for that.
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i have been in this pub many times. i fing the land lord very amusing and says what we are all thinking!! food is great and staff are fantastic. irish girl very pleasent.great in the summer outside and cosy in the winter.
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Went to this pub two nights running - first night 3 people ill from a fish dish, second night landlord very rude about our friends baby who was crying for about 2 minutes. Also was similarly rude to us when we complained. Should this man be in hospitality?? Otherwise lovely looking pub with good ale and good waitresses...obvioulsy not a child or baby friendly pub.
anonymous - 29 May 2006 22:24 |
My favourite pub in Lymington. Lovely and cosy, great atmosphere and delicious food. Always spend the afternoon here when I am visiting the folks in the New Forest.
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There aren't many pubs like this left, no its not all contemporary and bland like many others, its full of character and character's. yes its very boozy with the sports events and you could cut the smoke with a knife but hey enjoy it whilst it lasts.
p.s. the food is great and so is the landlord ST.
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On a sunny Saturday morning, visit the excellent market in Lymington (stop at George's plant stall as he sings "They're cheap, there're cheap Gawd Blimey they're cheap today!")then walk through Pennington Marshes with great views of the IOW. Aim to finish here at Noon and sit in the gardens (front walled or back grass & umbrellas). Good food (recommend the Stilton/Bacon/Walnut salad)and beer, then saunter back.
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Yachties Pub and great for watching Rugby with a Creme de menthe. Great summer lunch boozer, loads of yachtie tottie about from May through to September looking for a weekend sail. Beers well kept and food is above average
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nice pub,great in the summer hit with the yachtys
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The best pub in Lymington without question, obviously I dont know who anonymous is (comments 2/12/2004) but the pub is probably better without him in it!! So dont rush back with the 'many people you know'!
The landlord has a sense of humour yes, but is loyal always happy to accomadate and great fun, a real asset to the pub. The only Venue to watch the Rugby!
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Only good pub for Private Parties when a decent band is playing, especially in the Summer. Have had some great nights here shame the landlord has to be so dam rude and arrogant to so many poeple who I know avoid going here on a regular basis due to his unpleasant personality.
anonymous - 2 Dec 2004 16:16 |
Good Pub, Good Beer, Good Food, Lovely Walled Garden. Good place to start (or finish ) a walk around Pennington Marshes. Bit Yachty in Summer
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A True English Pub and not a juke box in site. Try the Mount Gay Rum evenings as they are great. Simon the publican is excellent and the walled pub garden is a picture.
Robert - 25 Sep 2003 23:38 |
best atmosphere and lovely people food is brilliant and staff are very friendly, set in a lovely location, Landlord is A1
Brian Hill - 1 Aug 2003 14:00 |
Secluded Pub, five minutes walk from the Solent. Varied and Tasty menu. Well kept Fine ales (Ringwood) and well stocked Rums (Mount Gay Rum & occasionally Bundy). Friendly Female Australian Bar Staff (Its IIIIInstinct). All International Rugby Union matches shown, which packs out pub. Very busy Friday & Saturday Evenings and Sunday Lunch. Book in advance for food. Outside bar and BBQ patio and Rear Patio Garden, Parking is limited, but where there's a will theres a way.
Drew - 31 Jul 2003 17:26 |
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