The Eclipse Inn, Winchester

A pub which has quite an unusual feel, perhaps due to the lack of space but it has a reasonably warm atmosphere and Ringwood appears to be the Real Ale they sell.

This is a small, two room pub with a prime location close to the Cathedral and main shopping area. The front room is carpeted with white walls and dark beams, similar to those on the attractive exterior, and predominantly pew and banquette seating. The short bar counter is on the back wall to the left with a brick fireplace to the right. There are a few odds and ends adorning the walls, including a rather large fish which was mounted above our heads. A TV screen was on when we arrived, showing Andy Murray's ultimately doomed Wimbledon semi-final efforts. The second room at the back of the pub is even smaller, with a few cramped tables to choose from and all sorts of bits and bobs on the walls. A few customers were eating in here, but it seemed a bit dark and confined compared to the front room. There are a couple of benches out the front of the pub as well, which would make a nice spot for a drink overlooking the Cathedral and watching the world go by. Four hand pumps were dispensing Ringwood Forty Niner and Old Thumper, Jennings Cumberland and Sharp's Doom Bar. The Old Thumper seemed to be in very good shape and the barman was quite chatty and gave us a few pointers for the remainder of our crawl. There must be a temptation to change this pub in order to pander to the tourist trade, but it retains a local's feel in spite of its location and I would recommend it as a solid town centre option.