Sir John Barleycorn, Southampton

A long, low, white washed, thatched pub surviving between the rebuilding of the A31 and the M27. Now owned by Asahi it’s beer range is their stuff so it’s Gales HSB and Fullers London Pride, which was off and the pump handle covered with a glass, a third pump might get used occasionally but not today. I obviously had the HSB but the brim measure was an aspiration not a fact. Standard keg range for Asahi. It may be in the depths of Hampshire but the South Asian operators meant that in addition to a plain English food menu you get decent curry on an extensive menu and it does takeaway too. The counter is fairly central in the building, three pulls as above, a T-bar and a couple of solos. The pub is long so there’s eating areas to both ends with the servery in the middle.

Elongated thatched building in an attractive setting by a small green on the former main road to Southampton, now a quiet cul-de-sac sandwiched between the M27 and A31. Features a central bar with substantial dining rooms on either side. Also has some benches out front, and a sizeable beer garden to one side. London Pride, Dark Star Hophead (£4.30) and Gales HSB on three handpumps.

Official site of Sir John Barleycorn - www.sir-john-barleycorn.co.uk

Official site of Sir John Barleycorn - www.sir-john-barleycorn.co.uk