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.
A Comfortable Pub on the Meon River
The Fisherman's Rest is housed in a Grade II listed building, circa 1740, made from local red brick. Its four 18th century bays are of special architectural interest. The building began life as a tannery before becoming the Railway Inn in the late 1800's.A pleasant spot to eat in the right weather, the beer garden is bordered by the River Meon, and a country road. It is not unusual for visitors to be joined by scrounging ducks. However Scolds beware since it was once the site of a ducking stool where punishment was administered to scolding wives.
The remains of Titchfield Abbey, across the road, can be visited, for free, year round. Although not a lot remains of the Abbey it is of historical interest, having been the home of the Earls of Southampton. The Third Earl was Shakespeare's patron and some of Shakespeare's sonnets may have been written at Titchfield Abbey.
Further down the road, opposite the Nursery is a house which was once the old Grammar School. Some wags would have you believe that William Shakespeare taught there but this legend is unlikely.
It's worth noting that this is a dog friendly pub with man's best friend welcome in a small hearthside area and in the large beer garden.
Essentials
Address:The Fisherman's RestMill Lane
Titchfield
Hampshire, PO15 5RA
Telephone: 01329 845065
Open: Monday to Saturday - 11a.m. to 11p.m., Sunday noon to 10:30p.m. Food is served from noon until 10p.m. Monday to Saturday and until 9:30p.m. on Sundays.
Directions: The pub is easily accessible from either the M27 or A27. Exit M27 at Junction 9 and follow signs for Fareham A27, then signs for Titchfield Abbey. Just opposite the Abbey in Mill Lane is The Fisherman's Rest with its car park on the right of the pub.
To Drink
An impressive choice of real ales including Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen, Abbot Ale, Ringwood Best and a seasonal guest ale. The pub also stocks such favorites as Carling, Fosters, Stella, John Smiths, Guinness and Strongbow Cider.The wine menu includes 12 whites, 12 reds, two rosés, a dessert wine, and two champagnes.
To Eat
The menu seems to include a good selection of pub favorites with a new twist here and there. Lunchtime starters included unusual tomato pesto battered chicken strips along side several rustic breads, prawn cocktail and soup of the day. Among the familiar jacket potato choices of tuna mayonnaise or bacon and cheddar, I found (and enjoyed) a jacket potato with goat's cheese and onion marmalade.There's a selection of sandwiches and tortilla wraps, a few variations on the Ploughman's Lunch and light bites, including burgers, caesar salads, salmon and cod fishcakes, soups and egg dishes.
One nice surprise on the light menu is paysanne tart - a slab of herbed, shortcrust pastry with chunks of ham, potato, onion and mushrooms.
Main dishes include beef and ale pie, lamb in mint gravy, sausages and mash as well as rump, fillet or sirloin steak.
At dinner, additions to the lunch menu include house specialities like a vegetarian pleasing brie, mushroom and cranberry Wellington; Aberdeen Angus and red wine pie, and cottage pie with crumbled Stilton. Specials of the day, on a chalk board over the hearth, cost under £11. There's also a nice selection of desserts - including clotted cream rice pudding, blackboard specials and salads.
The Cost
Beers range from £2.60 a pint for the Ringwood at £2.60 to £2.40 for the IPA.Wine ranges from £2.50 to £3.70 for a 175ml glass or £3.50 to £5.20 for a 250ml glass. Bottles are from £9.95 to £17.95 and champagne costs either £19.95 or £36.95.
On a recent lunchtime visit, five of us ate and drank - though some did not have alcoholic beverages - and the bill came to £51.
The Bottom Line
I have visited the Fisherman's Rest on several occasions, both for a quick drink or coffee and for a meal with visiting American relatives. The food has always been good, the staff pleasant and helpful, and I shall continue to extend my knowledge of their menu. If I have a criticism, some tables are a little close together - but no one seems to mind. Otherwise the setting is very congenial. You cannot book for less than a party of six but if you phone they can tell you how busy they are.
