The Castle Tavern, Gosport

The Castle is a very pleasant Edwardian pub in the town centre, a single large bar with plenty of comfortable seating and table space for diners. Outside is welcoming and well kept, the red brick facade and seasonal hanging baskets a pleasant contrast to the concrete and plastic which characterises most of 21st Century Gosport. The staff are friendly and helpful, while the clientele is civilised. The food is very good indeed - large portions freshly cooked by a proper chef who can improvise (rather than a microwave technician who can't), and the chips are the best in town. Three ales on, I had Doombar and Ringwood Best, both in very good condition. An essential part of any town crawl and a good place to spend time enjoying life, it is away from the shops and convenient for the Portsmouth ferry.