H.O. Ward, a British pensioner, who visits pubs in the South of England, is our occasional columnist. Read more pub reviews by H.O. Ward.
Brave Horse - Brave Rider
The Horse and Jockey, Hipley, (not to be confused with the pub of the same name at Curbridge) has a pleasing ambiance. Although the exterior architecture has no significant features, inside reveals beams and other evidence of antiquity. The sign outside the pub commemorates the remarkable achievements of a local horse and rider, which gave the pub its name.According to information available in the pub:
- "The Lamb - a horse- was raised and trained on the nearby estates of Lord Poulett and was ridden to a memorable victory in the 1868 Grand National by Hampshire all round sportsman, Mr George Ede.
"On the night of December 14, 1870, Lord Poulett dreamt he saw his elegant gray horse winning the next year’s national. A dream that came true when The Lamb rode into history, as one of the few mounts, to win the event on more than one occasion."
Essentials
- Address: The Horse & Jockey
Hipley,Denmead,Waterlooville,Hampshire - Telephone: +44 (0)23 9263 2728
- Open: Monday – Saturday 11:30a.m. to about 12pm. Food is served from noon until 2:30 p.m. and from 6p.m. to last orders at 9:30p.m. Sunday hours are noon to 10:30 p.m.
To Get There
From the M27, exit and follow signs for Porchester. Turn left at the first set of lights into Downend Road. At Nelson’s Monument turn left into Monument Lane. This is quite narrow. Keep right and go straight across the B2177. Take a left into Shoot Hill, then right at sign for The Horse and Jockey. Take care since country lanes are not always named.To Drink
Beers include Fosters Super Chilled, The Lamb Bitter, Tangle Foot, H.S.B, Kronenburg 1664 and Carling. Strongbow Cider is also available. There's a longish wine list with eleven reds, two rosés, eleven whites and four champagne and sparkling wines.To Eat
At lunch there is a choice of five starters, including mashed carrot tart (not sure about that one), crab beignets, a trio of smoked fish with baked field mushrooms. Mains include eight meat dishes, three vegetarian choices and four old favorites - chicken, leek and smoked bacon pie; steak and ale pie, sautéed lambs liver and pan fried pork sausages. If you have room for dessert (click on the photos on this page for a sample list), there are at least ten different choices, ranging from old-fashioned, traditional puddings to eight ice creams and sorbets.The dinner menu (last orders at 9:30 p.m.) is similar but the venison terrine is added to the starters list.
Cost
Beer ranges from £2.65 to £2.85 a pint, Wine, by the bottle ranges from £10.95 for the least expensive white wine to £45 for champagne and higher priced whites. Reds cost from £12.95 to £35 per bottle and the rosé costs £12.50.Starter prices range from £3.95 to £5.25 and mains start at £8.85 for the pork sausages, on up to £15.95 for an 8oz. fillet steak. Most desserts cost £4.50. Ice creams and sorbets are priced by the number of scoops and cost somewhat less.
The Bottom Line
I have visited this pub three times - twice at lunch time and once in the evening. In the evening I had French Onion Soup. It was good but I have had better.Otherwise on each occasion the food was very good and my only complaint is that the generous main courses precluded both myself and my guests from sampling the sweets, however tempting.
At my first lunchtime visit we had chicken pie, lamb rump and carbonara, with a variety of vegetables. Two halves (half pints of beer)and three coffees brought the bill to £40.
Another visit was for Sunday lunch with a different menu. The place was packed. The bill for three was slightly in excess of £37.The service was good and the menu caters for coeliacs if you ask.
My lunch time guests and I plan to go again and see if we can sample the interesting starters and explore the sweets. For those with large appetites the place is a must.
