The Temple Inn, Liss Forest

After a disastrous year - tenant left in January, various get-rich-quick merchants tried, and failed, to make a fortune - the pub closed for a re-furb in the autumn with the prospect of some professional pub people taking it over. Credit where it's due to Fuller's, who could so easily have closed it and seen it turned into 'executive apartments'. It reopened just before Christmas and seems to be doing very well. I had a dodgy pint of HSB but the barrel was changed without question. The new menu looks good, but may be a little expensive for what is, after all, a village pub in a backwater. I play Petanque regularly there, so you can imagine we missed it while it was closed. Last week we had our belated Christmas dinner. The food, to give it its due, was excellent, but I suspect they will pick up more lunchtime trade with some more typical country pub grub.

14 Jan 2014 11:19

The Greyhound, Wilton

In Wilton recently with my disabled wife and our dog I stopped there at lunchtime. The car park was deserted. There was a covered seating area in the yard in which a grumpy-looking man was standing smoking. On enquiry I found he was the guv'nor. I asked about dogs: not allowed. I said we would sit outside: no good, he replied, you'll be troubled by wasps. Looking in the bar I saw it was empty - I wonder why? We drove on and went to the Pembroke Arms where we had a very different experience.

14 Sep 2013 22:34

Pembroke Arms Hotel, Wilton

I visited recently with two potential problems: my disabled wife and able-bodied dog. After an experience with another Wilton pub I went in to check access and dog policy. The access was quite easy, and dogs were welcome in the bar, so in we went. As we approached the door a member of staff spotted the wheelchair and hurried to open the door with a smile. The bar was comfortable and welcoming. There were two draught ales; I went for the Wessex Brewery Golden Apostle. Pale in colour, quite light in taste but with a pronounced hoppy flavour, it was 4.8% and very drinkable. We ate a chicken salad and fish and chips, and Madam had a pudding - rhubarb crumble - which was plenty for two sharing. It wasn't cheap, but it was very good value, and the sincere welcome from the staff was outstanding. Last but by no means least: there was a properly fitted-out disabled toilet. We shall certainly visit again. Highly recommended.

14 Sep 2013 22:28