The Old Vine, Winchester

As described by others, below, this town inn now concentrates on the boutique hotel and dining trade, though it still manages to keep some good ales on. Ales on were Summer Lightning, Landlord and Alfred Saxon Bronze; I went for the Bronze and found it average. I didn't really warm to the place but I'd be open to coming back and trying the beers again next time I'm passing.

The Old Vine enjoys an idyllic location, overlooking the grounds of historic Winchester Cathedral, former resting place of King Alfred and home to King Cnut. This is a seemingly old pub, which has been gastrofied with a boutique hotel upstairs. The pictures on the website’s gallery show off the rooms along with upmarket food, eaten by expensively dressed customers. The interior has an array of lovely old unspoilt ceiling timbers, but thereafter it looks more like a very contemporary cocktail bar, with a grey and mushroom soup colour scheme, with trendy retro-‘60s wallpaper. The ales were as mentioned below, me plumping for a half of Alfred’s Saxon Bronze (£2.20), served by an efficient barmaid; sadly though, it was a rather dull drink. As mentioned, the place is fine for a crawl but it’s not the sort of pub where I’d choose to linger.

A good looking frontage to this free house,the interior spreads around a central island bar.Some tables were set for diners and food is a draw here ,but just drinking is fine and there are a number of bench seats and traditional furniture dotted about.Friendly welcome ,and an apology about an ale that had just run out but the replacement by Hopback Summer Lightening brought good cheer.This left Alfred Saxon Bronze and TT Landlord (fine,but served southern style ,NBSS 3.5). Worth including on a crawl,can't comment on the food but the location could be a tourist trap.

I knew this pub when it was a bustling Courage boozer several decades ago, but it is now a laid-back gastro sort of place. Located just opposite the cathedral, there are rooms either side of the central bar and further areas round the back including a small patio area. On handpump were Goddard's Ale of Wight (which promptly ran out to be replaced by Summer Lightning), TT Landlord and Alfred's Saxon Bronze. A bit touristy and quite expensive but what do you expect in this location.