The Freemantle Arms, Southampton

A splendid backstreet local with some nice etched windows. We were somewhat surprised by the dark exterior and darker interior, then discovered that, in an effort to save power costs, they have an individual light switch at each table, which you can turn on as you arrive and turn off as you leave. This did mean that much of the pub was dark, with little pools of light, which was either atmospheric or peculiar. That apart, it is an excellent locals' pub with (I think) a green and red colour scheme round the U-shaped bar. The back yard has also been covered over to form a further room behind. There were five interesting ales on: Bowman Sorva, Dorset Knob, Robinsons Trooper, Flower Pots Goodens Gold and Steamtown Stoke. A total contrast to the noise on the main road and well worth the short walk off.

Another backstreet pub on my Sunday afternoon wander, this one has been slightly modernised inside, though not overly so, but as a result maybe has lost a little of its original charm along the way. A U shaped room with a light blue and brown colour scheme, the walls were decorated with various old woodworking tools along with some old black and white pictures from yesteryear. Five handpumps, I noted 4 beers,Otter Bitter,Doom Bar, Flowerpots Goodens Gold and Red Cat Prowler Pale. Not a bad pub but I dont think I'd make a special effort to return.