The Wheatsheaf, Basingstoke

One of only two Basingstoke entries in the 2025 Good Beer Guide, I'm not so sure about this one. Situated on the edge of the town centre, it's a busy local that seems to have a big focus on sports TV. I think there were at least 4 TVs showing the football when we arrived. With all tables taken by those watching the match, we were forced to stand near the bar. There is a pool table and a dartboard at one end of the pub. The pool table was in use throughout our visit. There was also a jukebox and a couple of games machines. The 3 regular ales are Sharp's Atlantic, Butcombe Original & Otter Ale. The 4th beer was Otter Bitter. Ciders were Strongbow & Inch's. The atmosphere was quite rowdy and I couldn't quite take to this one, especially with no seating available. I may have enjoyed it here at a different time, but with a fairly average beer range to boot, I can't score this more than average.

A pub that's been smartened up over recent years, I remember a time when it was a rougher prospect than today. Well attended on my most recent visit, mostly by locals with maybe a couple of stray shoppers. Three beers were on, Buttcombe Original, Sharps Atlantic and Otter Bitter, the latter being in fair condition. It is one of the better pubs in the town centre but that's not saying much.

This is a very lively street corner pub just a short walk from the town centre. A corner entrance leads into a bare boarded room with a sizable seating area in the initial left-hand space, where comfy banquettes can be found to the left and rear with various padded chairs in support. There is plenty of standing room here before the servery appears in a U-shape in the centre of the room. The bar has a plain tongue and groove counter beneath a basic canopy with "Welcome to the Wheatsheaf" painted across it, and very dull bar back decorated in neutral shades that matched the rest of pub's decor. High tables and stools stand to the front in a rather squeezed space past the end of the bar, eventually giving way to tables and chairs and a raised, far right space with a pool table and dartboard. An enormous modern art print dominates the end wall and many TV screens were showing Sky Sports News, some with sound on but none particularly audible over a hectic Saturday afternoon crowd. The bar support four handpulls which were dispensing Sharps Doom Bar and Atlantic, Butcombe Original and Otter Ale (£4.30 a pint). There was a bit of a scrum at the bar, which is an increasingly rare sight these days, and some great banter between the locals and bar staff, all of which made for a cracking atmosphere and relaxed vibe. I think this pub is probably pretty average in the grand scheme of things - the beer range isn't the most thrilling, the decor is quite bland and the sports TVs are predictable enough, but I loved the friendly welcome and lively atmosphere which turned a forgettable pub visit into a memorable experience. I suspect enjoyment may well depend on the timing of your visit, so I was glad to have picked the ideal time to stop by. Date of visit - 17th February 2024

A lively town pub with a modernised interior, popular with the working man judging from the clientele and accordingly featuring pool, darts, jukebox, sports TVs etc. A nice bank of handpumps on the bar offered Doom Bar, Atlantic, Otter and Butcombe Original. Fits its niche admirably.

Pub appeared open from the outside as there were people in, but must have been a private gathering as could not get in! Odd pub.

[Reviewed as Winton incarnation] Surly female member of staff got mardy when I asked to take the sparkler off the Pride before they poured it. Given that there were only four other customers I can't quite see what the big huff was about. Suffice to say I didn't hang around much longer, despite the comfy chairs and pool table going begging.