The Cottage, Southampton

Somewhat improved since Quinno’s visit, we found the staff friendly though the locals less so. At the back is a fairly depressing garden, half paved and half lawn, there is a paved smoking area at the side next to the car park entrance, and there are some benches at the front. Inside, the long public bar to the left is fine and still has its dart board, TV screen and sweet dispenser, while the larger area at the right is now a canteen-like dining area. Food is basic pub grub at reasonable prices. A small open fire and bric-a-brac around the walls fail to make it homely but do break up the colour scheme. The beer was good - 6X, Henry’s IPA and Horizon, all in good condition, and complemented by two boxed ciders, and the music on the juke box was on the right side of tolerable. This pub was much better than I had thought it would be and I’d be happy to come back.

Is a pretty building from the outside. Enter via knocked-through porch to an awful modern refurb - two shades of grey/green, halogen lighting, wine bottle wallpaper. Utterly soul-less. A slightly better area is to the left which contains pool and darts. Rolls behind the bar, retailing at a wallet-friendly £1.50. Three Wadworth ales, IPA, 6X and an unimpressive Tipple. At least got a couple of sets of cheerios from the staff and a regular. But in all honesty, this is an utterly antiseptic place, like an alien from the Planet Zog has had a go at designing a pub. Reading reviews elsewhere, this used to be rather charming. No longer - sad.