Four Horseshoes, Nursling

This is situated on the edge of Southampton (technically I think it's just outside) on a dead end road close by a motorway junction - well, actually a rare motorway roundabout with traffic lights, the M271 roundabout. There's no signpost pointing to the pub - indeed, where you have to turn off to drive to it, there are two pubs. So you have to know it is here, and you have to be determined to come here, and drive past two other pubs. It was a pub in 1893 when the road did continue somewhere before it was cut off by the building of the motorway.  The landlords on my visit had been there for just over three years, taking over in November 2013, and winning an award from Wadsworth for improving the place.

 

It looks like a country pub. Despite the nearby motorway junction it is a rural spot, and there's plenty of parking space by the pub's own field which can be hired for special occasion. There are even horses looking over the fence at the car park. It's a Wadworth pub, which is generally a good sign.

But when you get inside the interior is rather plain and tired. And the menu is equally uninspired, though from the layout of the place it appears to get people willing to come and eat here on a regular basis. The prices are fairly average.

 

Two cask beers offered

There are two Wadworth casks on offer. The IPA isn't fresh. There is not a lot here to encourage a repeat visit.


Date: Oct 2016  Score: 3 


The pub closed down for a year (not surprising, it did look to be on its last legs), then was bought in August 2018 with plans to refurbish.  The new website shows the extensive rebuilding work.  All reviews for the pub prior to the new owners taking over have been removed from TripAdvisor. It appears Wadworths sold the pub before December 2017.  

Date: 2019  


 

Wow, the new refurbished Four Horseshoes is impressive. Essentially, it is an entirely different, expanded, pub on the same site. The outside is the same, but as soon as you step inside, everything has changed, walls have been knocked down, and it has been extended, and a new, huge, area added at the back. It's all very slick, yet full of character and charm. The original pub is still present (albeit barely), with some of the original charm, but is it the new details that really impress. 

Unexciting beer choice

It is no longer a Wadworths pub. There are three pump handles on the bar (which remains in the same place) though only two are in use. One is the ubiquitous Doom Bar, though the other is a local beer, the pleasant Romsey Gold. I'm happy with that. 

 

Decent choices on the menu

I came with my sister as part of our now regular meet ups. Such are the benefits of maturity and retirement. There are some decent choices on the menu. I had the Bang Bang Broccoli from the Bar Snacks menu - only £6, and packed with flavour: Spiced Tempura Fried Broccoli, Topped with Chilli, Spring Onion, Sesame Seeds, Sriracha Sauce. There was an offer to add chips for £4, but I'm not keen on too many chips, so I asked for side salad. Rather oddly the Bang Bang Broccoli came on a small plate, with no room to add the salad, and the salad itself came on an even smaller plate from which the salad could not be touched without bits of it falling on the table. Thankfully on request I was provided with a larger plate.  The food was divine. What an imaginative dish! The Bang Bang and the salad together  provided me with a tasty and very sufficient lunch. I could have eaten the Bang Bang just on its own and been satisfied - however, the salad did provide something cooling for my mouth. The Bang Bang isn't viciously hot, but it is cheeky! 

Wild horses in the toilet

The toilets are clean and upmarket, with a little wicker basket for the paper towels. The gent's has a wonderful urinal of beer kegs, and a wall poster of wild horses. Brilliant. 


The Four Horseshoes is a pub at the end of a dead end lane. There isn't much signage leading to the place, so you have to know it's here. There aren't enough houses locally to sustain such a large pub, but it looks vibrant and successful, so clearly people are aware of it, are returning, and are telling their friends. The car park was full on our visit, and we had to use the overflow car park. Having said that, the pub is so large, there was room for us. Best to book, but it appears, with space outside as well as in, that you may be OK with just turning up - though I wouldn't advise that during the summer weekends! 

After the lunch-time crowd started to filter out, some of the locals were coming in for drinks and a chat, and it's nice to see a pub that can be successful as a destination pub for quality meals, can also work as a friendly local for casual drinking. 

Date: May 2022   Score: 9 


Nursling Street
Southampton
SO16 0YA

11.30 to 10.30
Food 12 to 3pm and 5pm to 8.30pm


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