Pubs everyone is most excited to visit when lockdown is over

Since then, the pandemic and lockdowns have been controlling our lives, leaving little room for normalcy.

All we want now is to get back to regular life when we get together, meet family and friends, and go for a tipple.

Pubs being one of the most important parts of our lives, we asked our readers which are the watering holes that everyone is most excited to visit when the lockdown is over.

And you didn't disappoint. There were a number of suggestions on which boozer was the very top of your list when looking for a good pint.

More than 350 of you got involved to tell us your views so we collated all of your answers and came up with your favourite pubs from across Basingstoke.

Whether it was the atmosphere, staff, food or the quality of the pint all of these pubs are loved by their customers.

The Portsmouth Arms, Hatch Warren Way

One of the most popular pubs in Basingstoke, The Portsmouth Arms also entered the hearts of residents with its owner holding a number of pub quizzes during the lockdown for charity.

A reader said: “I think we should all grace the Portsmouth Arms. The Landlord has raised shedloads of cash for charity over lockdown and kept in touch with his community doing online quiz nights and had Sunday markets in his car park. I think he deserves the patronage.”

Richard Curtis of the Portsmouth Arms

Read more: Basingstoke landlord named in Queen's New Year's Honours List 

It's not just their quizzes that makes the pub a hit with the public. According to reviewers on TripAdvisor, it is a mixture of the 'great food' and friendly atmosphere.

One person, who visited in December prior to the new lockdown, wrote: "We had Sunday roast lunch here, the beef and vegetables were nicely cooked, my daughter had fish and chip which was very generous portion for the kid and tasted fresh.

"We decided go for the pudding and it was absolutely delicious, I really liked the spiced crème brûlé, my husband had the sticky toffee pudding which he enjoyed every bit! The service was very good too. We would recommend The Portsmouth Arms! Good food with a reasonable price!"

While another, who visited in October, praised the staff, writing: "I have never known a nicer bunch of staff. I visit this pub regularly and have the best experience every time!

"Staff are friendly and food is reasonably priced and delish! And the Saturday Market is just wonderful! It's nice to have that little bit of normality after such an awful year, they've managed to make all the Covid restrictions that bit more bearable by ensuring we can still have a nice day out whilst keeping safe." 

The Fox Inn, Oakley

Another popular pub in the region, readers said The Fox Inn will be one of the first places to visit when life gets back to normal.

The Fox Inn

The pub has been keeping busy during lockdown by offering take-aways to nearby customers.

And they haven't disappointed. One woman took to TripAdvisor to praise the pub for their food, writing: "Great idea for during lockdown and a friendly service to order, collected as instructed and loved we all the food - portion size was great, tasted good and the chips were amazing - no hesitation in recommending and look forward to having another take away."

The King Of Wessex, Winchester Road

A number of people said they can’t wait to go to this pub in Winchester Road.

It underwent a huge makeover in December 2019 and reopened to rave reviews. 

The watering hole and eatery has four out of five stars on TripAdvisor, with reviewers praising its 'great value and great atmosphere'.

One person wrote: "[The King of Wessex is] a true delight, what a gem hidden in sleepy Basingstoke, great value, great atmosphere a truly enjoyable night out, thank you King Of Wessex."

Another wrote: "I took my two delightful children out for a sumptuous Sunday lunch at this quaint picturesque pub. Very impressed with the decor, the amazing food and the staff were friendly and inviting. I would encourage anyone local to try it."

Read more: The King of Wessex is utterly transformed after huge makeover 

The Gamekeepers, Tunworth Road in Mapledurwell 

It’s just not the drinks that is the favourite at The Gamekeepers, but the food too. A reader said: “It’s the best. Even the kids like it which is a rarity.”

The Gamekeepers

The picturesque pub in the village of Mapledurwell is a favourite for drinks in the summer, thanks to its lovely outdoors area. 

It is a top spot for foodies, according to its TripAdvisor reviews. One man said its dining options are a 'cut above the ordinary', writing: "Food was excellent with a good range of variety that included local game. Good friendly service. I really enjoyed my dinner and will be back again. Definitely a cut above the ordinary."

The White Hart, Basingstoke

Live music at The White Hart is another wonderful thing that is missed by a lot of readers. Affectionately know as the Tart, this pub is a popular place among a lot of our readers.

For those into music, revellers say it is the place to be. 

One person wrote: "I had a bit of time to kill and when in totally on spec. Glad I did, very friendly with a good range of beers (on tap and bottled) and felt comfortable and at home there.

"The owner was very welcoming and very glad to be able to chat about a bunch of things, oh and enjoy some good music. Will go back next time in Basingstoke."

The Bounty, Bounty Road

There are many fans for these Bounty Road pub, and is referred as a “nice place to visit for a quiet drink with friends”.

Many are a fan of its pub garden too. And it is a stone's throw from town, which is handy for those finishing work.

One punter wrote: "[It is a] great pub for a Friday and end of the week. It has a lovely garden to catch the last rays of summer sunshine after a hard week's graft."

The Beacon, Kings Road

Another popular pub in Basingstoke. One reader wrote: “The Beacon for a catch up with all the old faces.”

The Rising Sun, Chapel Hill

This pub located just a stone's throw from town is another hit with residents in the South View and Chapel Gate area.

Described on Google Reviews as a 'good little pub', regulars will know there is nothing small about its fantastically-sized beer garden - perfect for a tipple in warmer climes.

One person wrote: "Friendly staff and great British food. This has been my local for almost a year but today was my first visit and very impressed especially with the food and friendly waiting staff."

The landlord of The Rising Sun on Chapel Hill

Another said: "[It is] one of my locals. Good little pub with a massive beer garden which is nice in the summertime." 

While someone else said it was the 'best Sunday roast in Basingstoke', writing: "Service good, had a choice of three meats and plenty of vegetables."

Here's hoping we'll be able to visit pubs again soon for a delicious roast. 

Bartons Mill Restaurant, Old Basing

Many readers said Bartons Mill is first on their list of pubs when the lockdown is lifted.

The Old Basing pub and restaurant is a hit with locals for its menu and impressive outdoor space.

Bartons Mill

The pub has been highly commended for its efforts to continue operating safely under Tier 2 restrictions last winter.

Erecting large canopies outside, the eatery was able to stay open and continue serving delicious food to diners visiting while following government guidelines.

One person took to Google to celebrate the hard work of staff, writing: "Thank god for pubs like Bartons Mill who have been able to invest in huge canopies like this so that groups of people from different households can meet.

"They've created an intimate and warm atmosphere with loads of heaters, twinkly lights and bunting. It looks fab. I visited on a cold December evening and wasn't cold at all, although we did wrap up warm for the occasion.

"As with all pubs these days we couldn't order alcohol until we ordered food and everything was table service using their app but they served quickly and food was good.
Highly recommend."

J D Wetherspoon The Angel, Potters Walk

You either love Spoons or you loathe the chain. Either way, you can't deny they are popular. 

One reader said he is most excited to go back to Spoons because he is "missing Steak Tuesday". We can't argue with that. 

The Holly Blue, Bradley Way

“The Holly Blue or the Dragonfly, for a meal not just a drink,” said one reader who is waiting for the lockdown to be lifted.

In total, readers said they couldn't wait to visit nearly 30 pubs around Basingstoke. They included: The Fur & Feathers, King Johns Lane; The Hoddington Arms, Bidden Road; The Plough, Tadley; The Queens Arms, Bunnian Place; Laarsens, Wote Street; The Kestrel, Buckingham Parade; The Purefoy Arms, Preston Candover; The Wheatsheaf, Winton Square; The Old House At Home, Overton; The Red Lion Hotel, Basingstoke; The Northbrook Arms, Winchester; Dragonfly Basingstoke, Carpenters Down; The Vine At Hannington, Tadley; The Watership Down Inn, Whitchurch; The Royal Oak, Worting Road; The Soldiers Return, Upper Sherborne Road.

• Do you have any other pubs in your mind that have not been mentioned in this readers’ pick? Feel free to give them a shout out below.