Traditional Victorian corner local in a backstreet part residential part industrial area of Freemantle in Shirley. Looks run down and unwelcoming from the outside. One door is locked, and the other door is shut. Dead plants hang from the flower baskets. It hasn't been cleaned for a while. The impression is either that this is a closed down pub, or it is frequented by gypsies and bikers who feel uncomfortable in clean surroundings. But on entering the mood changes as it is clearly a beer focused pub with 11 different cask beers split between the front and rear bars.
The pub was in existence as the Swan Inn during the early 1860s when a Miss Belford was the landlady. It changed its name to Wellington Arms in 1975. As an attempt to get around the smoking ban the pub became a consulate to the Caribbean island of Redonda in 2007 and attempted unsuccessfully to become an embassy as well.
During my visit on a Saturday afternoon after I'd taken part in the New Forest 10K there was one other customer, and the barmaid was out the back. There was a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and both the fellow customer and the barmaid, who was summoned by a bell, were chatty enough.
Date: Sept 2015 Score: 7
I've been back here many times since my first visit in 2015. I'd like this pub to be in Woolston. Always friendly. Always easy to chat to the people. There's been some changes over the years. New owner. Fresh lick of paint. And they do food these days. But, sadly, they've had to cut back, and now only do food Friday to Sunday. Also, there are fewer beers, and mostly well known brands.
I came here as I was looking for a pub which did food and cask beer for lunch near Shirley precinct. But as I came on a Wednesday, they weren't doing food. There were several suggestions as to where to try for food - Wetherspoons, of course, was offered, and then the Pig and Whistle, but that opens at 4.00; so it was suggested I try the Mayflower Village next to the Mayflower theatre - but that's well out of Shirley. Beer selection has been reduced, with pumps on the back bar repeating the beers on the front bar. There were seven pumps in the front bar, but only five had beers. I had a rather good Dark Star Hophead, then made my way back to my car.
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| Seven cask beers in the front bar |
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| And another four in the back bar |
The pub was in existence as the Swan Inn during the early 1860s when a Miss Belford was the landlady. It changed its name to Wellington Arms in 1975. As an attempt to get around the smoking ban the pub became a consulate to the Caribbean island of Redonda in 2007 and attempted unsuccessfully to become an embassy as well.
During my visit on a Saturday afternoon after I'd taken part in the New Forest 10K there was one other customer, and the barmaid was out the back. There was a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and both the fellow customer and the barmaid, who was summoned by a bell, were chatty enough.
Date: Sept 2015 Score: 7
I've been back here many times since my first visit in 2015. I'd like this pub to be in Woolston. Always friendly. Always easy to chat to the people. There's been some changes over the years. New owner. Fresh lick of paint. And they do food these days. But, sadly, they've had to cut back, and now only do food Friday to Sunday. Also, there are fewer beers, and mostly well known brands.
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| Five casks available in Nov 2021 |
I came here as I was looking for a pub which did food and cask beer for lunch near Shirley precinct. But as I came on a Wednesday, they weren't doing food. There were several suggestions as to where to try for food - Wetherspoons, of course, was offered, and then the Pig and Whistle, but that opens at 4.00; so it was suggested I try the Mayflower Village next to the Mayflower theatre - but that's well out of Shirley. Beer selection has been reduced, with pumps on the back bar repeating the beers on the front bar. There were seven pumps in the front bar, but only five had beers. I had a rather good Dark Star Hophead, then made my way back to my car.
Date: Nov 2021 Score: 7
Independent
56 Park Road
Independent
56 Park Road
SO15 3DE
Opens Noon to Midnight
Food Fri to Sun.
* Pubs&Beer
* Pubs Galore
* Trip Advisor
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Food Fri to Sun.
* Pubs&Beer
* Pubs Galore
* Trip Advisor
* WhatPub
* BITE
* Pub Website
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