Red Lion Inn

A proper English pub in the village of Boldre in the New Forrest. Wooden beams, open fires, copper pans adorning the walls… you get the picture!
It’s a surprisingly large pub, although I’m not entirely sure it’s laid out in the best possible way. My boyfriend and I were seated on a table that felt a little like it was in a corridor, with wait staff and customers squeezing past us on a regular basis.
The food menu is big and focuses on fresh, local produce. They also have a number of daily changing specials on top of the standard menu. I went for the beef wellington, and the boyf went for the whole gurnard, one of the specials. The gurnard was apparently delicious — the boyf leaving nothing but the bones (he even ate the eyes!!). The wellington was pretty good, and certainly large. A big chunk of fillet steak, pâté and mushroom encased in light flaky pastry. Admittedly, it was easier to eat when the wait staff remembered to bring me a steak knife, unfortunately, I was three quarters of the way through by this point! Both dishes came with separate veg, a great selection but looking a little microwaved.
We could only manage to share a pud — we went for the crème brûlée which was good but not exceptional.
The wait staff were mainly youngsters but they were friendly and efficient.
The pub also has a nice garden, can imagine it would make a great place for a pub lunch when the summer eventually arrives.

It was such a pleasure to find the Red Lion Inn, I was on a walk through the countryside while visiting Brockenhurst. The decoration is very traditional and you’ll find all sorts of antiques on the walls. The beer selection is great and I enjoyed some of the local bitters that were on tap.
The food was very tasty and was your traditional pub grub. The fact that I went here twice during my four days in Brockenhurst proves that I really like this place. Would definitely return.

A popular local pub that is great in both summer (a lovely garden) and winter (a big open fire). Still unbistro-​ised (unlike the once great Hobler pub which is now ghastly) and serves good, honest food (although avoid the tuna salad). Cheery landlady and pretty barmaids. Good beer and the pork scratchings are unmissable even if they are probably extremely unhealthy.

This pub dates back to the 15^th century. It is a traditional English pub in a pleasant setting not far from Lymington. It has beamed rooms with a roaring log fire in the winter. In the summer there is a large garden with numerous tables and chairs. It is lovely to sit out there and listen to the birdsong. I don’t drink beer but my husband says that it is good. Last time I went there I was served by someone who didn’t speak very good English — there were several people queuing at the bar getting impatient. The food good when it eventually arrived.