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The Spotted Cow, Waterlooville
Cowplain
Postal town: Waterlooville
PO8 8XJ
Pub Type
Fuller'sReviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
BARRY TAYLOR left this review about The Spotted Cow
An inn called the Spotted Cow appears on a map dated 1867. Cowplain is believed to get its name from the pub. Locals called the stretch of land around it Cow Plain. (In those days 'plain' meant any stretch of open land, not necessarily a large area). More houses were built on Cow Plain and by the late 19th century it had become a thriving little village. A claim to fame is Mark Wingett, the actor who played police constable Jim Carver in The Bill television series, grew up in Cowplain and attended the local secondary school. This is an ex Gales pub now Fullers who aquired the Horndean brewery in November 2005. In the middle of Cowplain, just north of Portsmouth (8 miles) and Waterlooville (2 miles). All of the normal Fullers ales plus a seasonal ale (Bengal Lancer was Available in cask (5.0% ABV)) and 'the Pride' I had was in tip top form. There is a quiz on Thursday nights and live bands appear from time to time. Families are welcome and there is a large play area in the garden and a covered seating area for the the people who want a 'gasper' and so they won't miss any of the action on the telly an outdoor large screen. Pool and darts are in a separate games room. Large 3D screen in the main bar (it's funny to watch a room full of 'Roy Orbison' impersonators, watching a match). The menu (12pm - 2pm) has a selection of traditional old pub favourite meals, light bites and healthier options and meals that appeal to the younger generation. There's a very popular Sunday Roast (12pm- 3pm)! A warm welcome for anyone seems to be the motto here and the locals are friendly. Just in case you can't get any food in the boozer may I recommend 'The Lobster Pot' fish and chip shop over the road, which is fantastic!!!!! My friend the Cosham Connoisseur commented "this place knocks the spots off anywhere else round here", I think he'd already had too much of the excellent ale.
On 7th March 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 42 recommendations about 35 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Michael Wright left this review about The Spotted Cow
Just to keep it updated
No changes from my initial review, except the bars have had a lick of paint plus new carpets & furniture. Food prices increase a bit, but still around £2 for a sarnie & under a fiver for a hot meal, all good value
Casque marked ales, around £3 a pint
As before, no reason to detour to go here, but it is a good pub if in area
Fuller's brews only [or Gales look alikes]
On 10th June 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 526 recommendations about 382 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Spotted Cow
Popped in here for a swift one as I'd exhausted the possibilities at the rather good Cowplain Social Club further up the road (my colleagues deemed to have not). A tidy Fullers (was Gales) outlet with five (three more than I would have expected) from the stable and the two I had were in good shape. Got a friendly if somewhat blokey welcome and had a chat the customers as I caught 10 minutes of the football on the big screen. A two bar pub, broadly split along the public/lounge model with pool and darts in the public room. Food served. Not a bad little place.
On 5th December 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Michael Wright left this review about The Spotted Cow
A very popular pub, went in lunchtime, 4 bitters available, all casque marked Fullers / Gales, I chose HSB at £2.80, and very nice too, but just the one as driving
Has two bars, smaller Games / public, other is Lounge / food
Food available lunch times only, not fine dining but usual and reasonable priced pub fare in egg & chips sort of way, sarnies £1.50, pie & chips £4.50ish
Not one to take girlfriend / wifey / boss to if you wanted to impress, but fine for night out with your mates
Chip shop opposite & KFC just up the road, ideal location for a night out
On 8th January 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 526 recommendations about 382 pubs]