The Drift Inn

I was afraid that I’d be subjected to yet another pub style Christmas Lunch — where the menu looks fabulous, but the execution is border-​line mediocre. I was pleasantly surprised.
I had ordered the tomato soup for starters, roast beef for a main, and a warm chocolate brownie for dessert. The soup was rich and very warming. The roast beef was so tender it broke apart on the fork. my only issue was that there weren’t enough carrots. there were plenty of other veggies, just wish there were more carrots. I would like to state this here and now. I HATE BRUSSEL SPROUTS. everywhere I go they are served and no one eats them. It’s like there’s this big brussel sprout conspiracy to support the shady sprout mafia.
The dessert was very rich, very scrumptious and when I was done there wasn’t even a crumb on the plate.
I would highly recommend this place for a Christmas Lunch. It’s a nice & cozy place, a fireplace by the bar and nestled in the midst of the New Forest … plenty of ponies wandering about the place and a lovely enclosure across the road for walking off any over indulgences.

Now called The Drift Inn, it’s one of the best places to go in The New Forest.
All food is locally sourced and cooked to perfection.
The chips are the best I have ever tasted!
Staff are very friendly and helpful and although there is limited parking outside there is a large parking area across the road.
Great to sit outside in the very large rear garden, which also has a large play area for kids.
Love the fact that dogs are allowed in the bar and bowls of water are available for them.
Have recommended this place to several friends and they all love it and now I’m recommending it to whoever reads this — go! You won’t regret it.