Guidebook for the Mill
Food Scene
Lovely local gastro pub with excellent seasonal food. A cut above the ordinary. Named after the founder of Lords Cricket Club. Accessible on foot if you fancy a 45 min walk along the old railway line. Very popular so advance booking needed.
19 locals recommend
The Thomas Lord
Lovely local gastro pub with excellent seasonal food. A cut above the ordinary. Named after the founder of Lords Cricket Club. Accessible on foot if you fancy a 45 min walk along the old railway line. Very popular so advance booking needed.
The Bakers Arms
High StreetAnother good, friendly gastropub.
Kyoto Kitchen
5 Parchment StJapanese cuisine. Very full menu and friendly, attentive staff.
Great food - and they do fabulous, upmarket pizzas which they deliver if you're feeling really lazy.
10 locals recommend
The Bucks Head
Bucks Head HillGreat food - and they do fabulous, upmarket pizzas which they deliver if you're feeling really lazy.
Quirky, upmarket restaurant in former pub. Featured in Michelin Guide. One of Winchester's 'top' restaurants. Have yet to go myself but reviews are glowing.
31 locals recommend
The Black Rat Restaurant
88 Chesil StQuirky, upmarket restaurant in former pub. Featured in Michelin Guide. One of Winchester's 'top' restaurants. Have yet to go myself but reviews are glowing.
Lainston House
Woodman LaneThe restaurant here has a great reputation.
Parks & Nature
Stunning walking/cycling/riding countryside.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/south-downs-way/plan
South Downs Road
South Downs RoadStunning walking/cycling/riding countryside.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/south-downs-way/plan
Meon Springs
Fishing lessons to hone your trout catching skills.
If you want a fabulous walk, Old Winchester Hill is a great choice. The hill is made of chalk and is surmounted by an Iron Age hill fort and a Bronze Age cemetery. It's a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve. The hill fort has never been fully excavated. To reach it, just follow Peake New Road to the end where the farm/Pony Club is and take the footpath to the right. Stunning views. Great for blackberry picking in the Autumn too!
12 locals recommend
Old Winchester Hill
If you want a fabulous walk, Old Winchester Hill is a great choice. The hill is made of chalk and is surmounted by an Iron Age hill fort and a Bronze Age cemetery. It's a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve. The hill fort has never been fully excavated. To reach it, just follow Peake New Road to the end where the farm/Pony Club is and take the footpath to the right. Stunning views. Great for blackberry picking in the Autumn too!
Meon Valley Trail
Fabulous walking/cycling/riding
Arts & Culture
Jane Austen's House
Winchester RoadHinton Ampner House
Check out the iconic Round Table of Arthurian legend in Winchester's ancient Great Hall. The Great Hall is One of the finest surviving medieval aisled halls of the 13th century and was once part of the magnificent Winchester Castle. The castle was founded in 1067 by William the Conqueror shortly after his victory at the Battle of Hastings. Admire the soaring Purbeck marble columns and beautiful Gothic pointed archways.
There's a gorgeous medieval garden and underground secret passages created to surprise an enemy or to return to the safety of the castle in times of battle and besiege.
55 locals recommend
The Great Hall
Castle AvenueCheck out the iconic Round Table of Arthurian legend in Winchester's ancient Great Hall. The Great Hall is One of the finest surviving medieval aisled halls of the 13th century and was once part of the magnificent Winchester Castle. The castle was founded in 1067 by William the Conqueror shortly after his victory at the Battle of Hastings. Admire the soaring Purbeck marble columns and beautiful Gothic pointed archways.
There's a gorgeous medieval garden and underground secret passages created to surprise an enemy or to return to the safety of the castle in times of battle and besiege.
If you fancy a day out and want to visit somewhere a bit different, then why not try the beautifully restored house and gardens of local natural history hero Gilbert White?
40 locals recommend
Gilbert White & The Oates Collections
High StreetIf you fancy a day out and want to visit somewhere a bit different, then why not try the beautifully restored house and gardens of local natural history hero Gilbert White?
Winchester Cathedral
9 The ClEssentials
Lovely local shop supplying good selection of fresh fruit and veg, amongst other things. They also sell a little green book with details of local walks.
West Meon Village Shop
14 High St Lovely local shop supplying good selection of fresh fruit and veg, amongst other things. They also sell a little green book with details of local walks.
Very small, but surprisingly well stocked. Lovely locally produced fruit and veg, deli bits etc.
Meonstoke Post Office & Village Stores
Warnford RoadVery small, but surprisingly well stocked. Lovely locally produced fruit and veg, deli bits etc.
Budgens
43-47 High StNearest supermarket. Not massive, but quite well stocked.
Entertainment & Activities
Lovely old cinema with comfy seats and space for drinks etc. Not your run of the mill multiplex.
47 locals recommend
Everyman Cinema - Winchester
Southgate StreetLovely old cinema with comfy seats and space for drinks etc. Not your run of the mill multiplex.
The Watercress Line, is one of the most successful heritage railways in the country. It's huge fun - you can enjoy a traditional Sunday lunch on The Countryman, step back in time to 1950's ocean liner glamour on the Watercress Belle or brush up on your sleuthing skills on the Murder Mystery trains.
They have amazing First Class dining trains if you want to splash out for a birthday or anniversary. If you're feeling particularly flash you can even chartered the trains privately.
58 locals recommend
Mid Hants Railway 'Watercress Line'
The Watercress Line, is one of the most successful heritage railways in the country. It's huge fun - you can enjoy a traditional Sunday lunch on The Countryman, step back in time to 1950's ocean liner glamour on the Watercress Belle or brush up on your sleuthing skills on the Murder Mystery trains.
They have amazing First Class dining trains if you want to splash out for a birthday or anniversary. If you're feeling particularly flash you can even chartered the trains privately.
Sightseeing
Visitors can see the remains of this grand medieval residence dating from the 12th and 14th centuries, which includes the Great Hall, a three-story tower and a moat that once encircled the palace and grounds.
Bishop's Waltham Palace
3 Station RdVisitors can see the remains of this grand medieval residence dating from the 12th and 14th centuries, which includes the Great Hall, a three-story tower and a moat that once encircled the palace and grounds.
For centuries, City Mill has been an integral part of Winchester’s heritage. From its early Anglo Saxon origins to the present day, it has withstood the demands of time. During the heavy floods over the winter of 2013/14, the Mill suffered huge damage with much of the building inundated by the main flow of the river. The sheer weight of water posed a real threat of carrying the building’s walls away.
34 locals recommend
Winchester City Mill
Bridge StreetFor centuries, City Mill has been an integral part of Winchester’s heritage. From its early Anglo Saxon origins to the present day, it has withstood the demands of time. During the heavy floods over the winter of 2013/14, the Mill suffered huge damage with much of the building inundated by the main flow of the river. The sheer weight of water posed a real threat of carrying the building’s walls away.
Shopping
West Meon Pottery has a small team of craftsmen who specialise in traditional techniques. They are able to produce pretty much any piece of architectural ceramic for restoration or new build projects. They also make garden pots and ornaments – traditional and contemporary. Have made chimney pots for the like of Kensington Palace and Windsor Castle.
West Meon Pottery
West Meon Pottery has a small team of craftsmen who specialise in traditional techniques. They are able to produce pretty much any piece of architectural ceramic for restoration or new build projects. They also make garden pots and ornaments – traditional and contemporary. Have made chimney pots for the like of Kensington Palace and Windsor Castle.
Charles Normandale is an amazingly talented blacksmith who produces amazing pieces from sculptures, to gates, to fireplace furniture. The gate to our property was made by him and is based on the Japanese character for river 'kata'.
Wheely Down Forge
Wheely Down RoadCharles Normandale is an amazingly talented blacksmith who produces amazing pieces from sculptures, to gates, to fireplace furniture. The gate to our property was made by him and is based on the Japanese character for river 'kata'.
Local garage with Budgens mini supermarket attached. Open 6am - 10pm daily.
Meon Hut Service Station, Budgens & Vapestore
Local garage with Budgens mini supermarket attached. Open 6am - 10pm daily.