The Bell Inn, St Cross, Winchester

Oddly spartan Greene King pub by the Itchin and presumably popular with walkers. Two rooms, a front bar that is trying to be rustic but in truth is crushingly bland with scuffed wood flooring, white and duck egg shades, overpainted wood panelling and a general air of ingrained scruffiness. To the rear is a slightly more upmarket dining room off a corridor (which, oddly, houses a piano). Grassed side garden with a faint view of the nearby church. Random Welsh paraphernalia dotted about including a jumbo flag in the front bar. Quiz night and TV footy advertised. Three ales at the bar; GK OSH, Gangly Ghoul and the Penpont /GK collab of Cornish Coast. My OSH was perfunctory and was maxing-out the GK twang of which I’m never fond. Not much to write home about really, which is worrying given that three other pubs within a couple of hundred yards have all closed and been converted. This one needs a rethink and a few quid spent to make it what it could be.

Excellent pub, which I believe is owned by the same people as the similarly popular Fulflood Arms. Interior is similar in style to the Fulflood (modern), but pub is possibly aiming for more of the restaurant trade. Selection of local ales. Garden includes mock cricket pavillion and interior of the pub includes a number of items relating to Hampshire CC. Located close to nearby pitch. It is a bit of a walk from the centre of Winchester, but worth it.