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The Wykeham Arms, Winchester
Winchester
SO23 9PE
Pub Type
Fuller'sReviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Wykeham Arms
I think the words backstreet boozer isn't fitting enough, so backstreet corner public house might be more in line. The pub was very busy on our Friday lunchtime visit, so a quick look around and vertical drinking was in order. This pub did hold a certain charm for me and a place you could relax in over a couple of pints. Five ales on large looking handpumps, Flowerpots Goodens Gold, Seafarers English Ale, Gales HSB, London Pride and Dark Star Hophead. We went for the Flowerpots, which was decent enough.
On 12th December 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Wykeham Arms
No change in the interim, so full of character and always look forward to a visit. Line-up of the Fullers ales with a Gales slant, plus Hop Head and Flower Pots Goodens Gold. I went for the Gales HSB which didn’t quite hit the spot (NBSS 2.5 – an aspirator at work?) and the beer is probably the most expensive in Winchester so I’ll always be a harsh judge in that context. It’s still a default choice to visit in the city though. GBG’22 listed.
November 2017
Still a Winchester must-visit, very little changes in this timeless place. Four Fullers standards available - HSB, Red Fox, Seafarers, Pride – as well as Flowerpots Goodens Gold. My HSB was very good and at £4.50 I'd bloody well hope so. Amusement value provided by the foreign tourists who have obviously come here via guidebooks and reviews, trying to ‘get’ British pub culture, some more successfully than others (the pair of olive-skinned girls I saw sat together mutely drinking tea and looking confused was a highlight). The atmosphere is, as you might guess, very upmarket in an ‘old money’ sort of way. Rated 8.5
July 2011
Attractive pub located close to the college and behind the cathedral, which means that the clientèle are often a few notches north of what you’d find in a lot of other places. There are lots of things to admire, from the unique curved entrance doors that lead to the main bar rooms (with a number of other rooms leading off them), to the Old Winchester College desks which double-up as tables, with flowers in the ink wells – these are an interesting touch but are awkward to sit at. The main bar features numerous walking sticks and drinks jugs hanging from the ceiling. A large tidy courtyard garden is located to the pub’s rear. No mobile phones allowed I noted, understandable in the context of no piped music or TV. There are two hearth fires to warm the place during winter. The ale is from Fullers, with a nod towards the old Gales range – (though sadly no more Butser), HSB and Seafarers alongside a guest (Flowerpots Goodens on my last visit) and the quality is usually pretty damn good, even if it is expensive (£3.50pp). Well-worth a visit. Rated 8
On 7th August 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5089 recommendations about 5072 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Wykeham Arms
Attractive corner pub with an unusual curved main door and L-shaped arrangement of two bars supplemented by dining rooms at each end and at the back. Very traditional but upmarket interior, full of breweriana and other miscellanea, with a mix of furniture including a row of old school desks along one side. As a Fuller's house, we found London Pride, Seafarers, HSB, Hophead and Flower Pots Goodens Gold (£2.75, half) as a guest from the five handpumps.
On 27th July 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Wykeham Arms
As described by others,below,this 17th Century town pub feels cosy and atmospheric, full of clutter that gives it an historic feel. It's jusst a shame that it's run by Fullers. The staff were helpful enough and there was a good convivial crowd in - mainly us, it must be said, but others too. Ales on were Pride, Seafarers and Fake-HSB, Goodens Gold and Hophead Dark Star. I had the Hophead, which was in good condition but way overpriced. It's a nice place to visit and spend time, and could be an outstanding pub under a different pricing regime.
On 22nd July 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3285 recommendations about 3250 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Wykeham Arms
Located between the cathedral and Winchester College, this pub dates from the mid-18th century, taking its name from William of Wykeham, 14th century Bishop of Winchester and founder of Winchester College, whose pupils past and present are known as Wykehamists.
A carpeted traditional backstreet boozer, there are knickknacks aplenty inside with as mentioned, an enormous collection of pewter and ceramic mugs and jugs hanging from the ceiling; they and the interior are on view on the pub’s website gallery.
This is a Fuller’s house and their pricing policy lets you know it, with a half of Hophead at £2.60, easily the most expensive drink of the day though fine.
This place is decent enough despite the near London pricing and if it weren’t for the Fuller’s beers (Hophead aside), I’d be happy to make a prolonged stay.
On 16th July 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Wykeham Arms
A very civilised pub located in the genteel area between the cathedral and the college, nicely furnished and decorated with a large collection of jugs hanging from all vertical surfaces. Some back rooms are laid up for dining and there is a patio area off the car park at the rear. Ales were mainly from the Fullers range with Flower Pots Gooden's Gold as guest, sadly at Fullers guest prices. A very nice place for a pint or two though.
On 16th July 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Wykeham Arms
A famous pub very near the public school,it's popular with the teaching staff and therefore rather off limits to the pupils.The curved brick work to the corner entrance with pub sign above is very pleasing.All very traditional inside ,which splits into a L formation with the main serving bar to the right.Scrubbed wooden tables and traditional chairs throughout,there are several brass slots in the furniture to a cathederal collection.There are lots of photos on the walls,some famous people but many regulars and locals.Elsewhere prints and portraits but it's not hugely school influenced apart from some desk seating.At the end of the each legs of the L are small dining rooms,very atmospheric with tables that really must be booked,it's a popular dining venue.
When a major terrestrial sports even is on ,it will be screened but otherwise it's a smart place to drink.Tied to Fullers ,on my trip their London Pride,Hophead,HSB,Seafarers and Spring Sprinter were offered (best to check both the large and small serving areas in the L with a great guest in Flower Pots Goodens Gold (NBSS 4).
A must visit for the interior,and good ale range being a GBG regular.
On 2nd May 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about The Wykeham Arms
A little out of the city centre in an architecturally interesting area near Winchester College (a private boarding school) the source of the name, the College being founded by William of Wykeham and the old boys being known as Wykehamists. It's a big multi-room corner pub and restaurant with accommodation, the main bar area is in the apex of the corner and has a central servery with a room off to each side. These rooms are decorated with a number of collections; hats, walking sticks and a huge number of tankards. Flanking the drinking rooms are two dining rooms decorated in similar fashion, every wall is covered with prints, photos and mirrors and there are lists of old Wykehamists by the Gents. Furnishing in places is old school desks joined together along with chairs on a metal frame - don't try to move the chair to make space for your beer gut, they don't move separately. Five handpumps serve a range of Fullers beers plus thankfully a guest, Flowerpots on this occasion and in good condition but nothing to rave about. The punters are generally affluent and at almost £4 a pint they need to be, that's a bit above average for well-heeled Winchester. There's also a garden at the rear. A Winchester institution in many ways, that doesn't seem to change much over the decades.
On 22nd September 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3269 recommendations about 2978 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
dave stray left this review about The Wykeham Arms
Not much to get excited about on the whole. I expect they make a decent effort but the atmosphere suggested it was a locals pub.
On 26th April 2014
- rating: 3
[User has posted 265 recommendations about 183 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Wykeham Arms
A very nice traditional pub tucked away in the backstreet's of Winchester behind the cathedral.It has two drinking bars and further restaurant areas. There were five hand pumps in the first bar area you enter and a further three around the corner at the second the second bar, most providing a range of Fullers/Gales beers plus as mentioned a permanent guest of Flowerpots Goodens Gold,another guest beer of Itchen Valley Belgarum leaving one unclipped. I tried the Goodens Gold at a quite steep £3.95 a pint and although a nice clear pint I felt it lacked a little of the depth of flavour I know this beer possesses.We were through doors early at the opening time of 11.00 so it was a little on the quiet side but the atmosphere was good given the fantastic character of the pub.
On 22nd March 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]