The Linden Tree, Bursledon

I thought I had reviewed the Linden Tree on my blog, and came here to record a second visit, but I seem to have visited the place before I started doing my blog, so my review went on BITE:

I'm new to the Southampton area, and still exploring the pubs. I'm finding that Wadworths pubs are pretty good. They tend to be well run, and with lots of character. The Wadworth's beers are to my taste, and sometimes there'll be guest ales. This is fairly typical. A very pleasant characterful place. Real fire in the corner, cats and a dog in the bar. Lots of wood. Everything clean and in good shape. No guest ales on my visit, but apparently they do sometimes put one on. However, there were four casks of Wadworths ales available, which is plenty enough. 

I like the place, and could see myself popping in here for Sunday lunch, or lunch before doing shopping in the nearby Tesco. But they no longer do food - not even rolls. The pub is apparently busy enough that they don't need the food trade, and they don't find it profitable enough. That's a real shame for me as it's too far to be my local, and without food on offer or a frequently changing guest ale or a nice location, or some other special draw, other than being pleasant, I doubt I'll be visiting again. 

This is, essentially, a pleasant locals pub. If you're close by, it's worth a visit, but if you're more than a mile away, then the Cottage Inn in Butlocks Heath is also a Wadworths, and has a lot of character, and does food. Or go to Hamble-le-Rice, which is a pleasant village with a good selection of pubs to choose from. 

SilkTork - 25 Mar 2015 03:43

Since I wrote the above, the Cottage has stopped doing food. And I have discovered the Fox and Hounds  just down the road. And I've just noticed that I haven't reviewed the Cottage, even though I've been there several times.   [Note, I have now reviewed The Cottage, and they are back doing food. Good pub. Nov 2021] 

Anyway, The Linden Tree is the same as it was on my previous visit. Four Wadworth cask beers, a cat and a dog, roaring fire, laid back atmosphere, mildly charming,  quirky nik naks, friendly locals, and no food other than snacks. The place is clean and well run, and makes for a pleasant local, but it's not really a pub you'd go out of your way to visit. Indeed, I would say if you are on the road leading to The Linden Tree, you'd be doing yourself a favour if you kept on driving a little bit until you came to the Fox and Hounds - that is a pub worth seeking out.

Date: Dec 2018    Score: 5 



11-11 Mon-Sat; 12-11 Sun

School Road
Lowford
Bursledon
SO31 8BU


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Wadworth Pubs in Southampton