The Eclipse Inn, Winchester

Old town pub with timber beamed ceilings and posts, old fireplaces, some exposed brickwork. The Tudor style black and white frontage is apparently much more recent. Two small rooms, the bar is in the corner of the front, upholstered banquettes and settles here, old theatre flyers in frames and an enormous stuffed pike in a glass case (caught 1898 it says). The TV in the corner was showing motor sport but no one seemed to be watching. The rear room felt bleak and spartan to me and I'm not surprised nobody was sitting here, cut off from the bar and no windows. There is plenty of external seating to the frontage. Beers were, on handpump, Ringwood Best Bitter & Old Thumper, Pride and Flowers Original.

Terrific listed building in the cathedral close. Although not a sparkling choice of beers, fairly mainstream casks and kegs, they're decently kept but a tad cold for my taste. Mixed generally friendly clientele enjoy the characterful but scruffy surroundings. There is a smallish front bar and a tiny back area with lots of wood panelling and exposed (very old) brickwork. Quite an eclectic range of furniture in the back room, which is just how it should be. The ladies is upstairs but the gents is at the back in a sort of lean-to affair.