The Bucks Head — Restaurant in Winchester

The Bucks Head appeared as a little slice of Heaven to my friend and I after a very wet, cold walk across the South Downs. They welcomed us in, showed us to our lovely rooms (me downstairs, her upstairs) and were at pains to ensure we had all we needed before leaving us to the joy and luxury of the wonderful power showers and baths with endless hot water.

Each room had its own en-suite. Each one beautifully decorated and appointed with lots of helpful extras. The bedrooms were similarly stocked with tea & coffee etc etc (though it was also easily obtained in the bar. The rooms were far enough from the bar that we weren’t disturbed, but still part of the main pub so I felt comfortable goin in in stockinged feet!

After our ablutions the manager Luke had reserved us a cosy corner table in the pub, near to one the two open fires. All the tables were candle-lit, and a large glass of wine and one of the magnificent house specialty pizzas each helped dissolve away any remaining stresses from our cold, wet walk.

We went to bed and slept soundly all night on the very comfortable mattresses. In the morning our respective choices of cooked breakfast were waiting for us at the pre-arranged time, and this, plus another incredibly helpful bar manager -Liam- meant that we set off on the next stretch of our walk two very different women from the shivering drowned rats who had arrived the previous day.

I know it sounds like I work for them, but I assure you I don’t! I just don’t have enough words to express how special this place and its two managers were. I haven’t even mentioned the special boot drier, the helpful tumble drying, the local taxi advice and how the whole place is designed with walkers in mind - right down to the flooring! Seriously, don’t even think about staying anywhere else. To miss out on this little gem would be madness. We will be...

I wish we could have provided a 5* rating, but we stayed in the accommodation for one night and the standard and hygiene of the accommodation has depressed the rating, but the food is definitely worthy of 5* rating, particularly the 🍕 which are yum 😋. We stayed in the Delux Double room and the room was advertised with a ‘Countryside view’, but in reality the view is ‘road and Carpark’. There is damp and mould around the window and the curtains are patterned with mildew and mould, the ceiling light is loosed and detached and there are many stains around the sink and bath tiles, there was a bottle of cleaning agent left on the top of the bath, so I assume we were suppose to clean the room… The hotel provides fresh milk in a well used flask and the TV is little small for the room… It is with sadness that we need to mention these issues, but I think it is only fair we...

We have been to the bucks head on several occasions and the pizzas have been very good. Last time we had to remind the waiter of our drinks order which wasn't a problem. But tonight we stopped by for a pizza take away. We paid and pointed out where we were sitting and the waiter said it would be about 30 mins. As we were sat by the pizza oven we could see it was busy. After about 40 mins it had quietened down so I asked if our pizza was ready and we were handed a box which had sat there for at least 10 to 15 mins. No apologise and when we asked if we could have a fresh pizza our old pizza was clearly warmed no apologise from the member of staff who took the order and the young weekend person was left to deal with it! Appreciate it was busy but there was a better way of dealing with the situation! Don't think we will be...