The Happy Cheese at Ashurst has long been renowned for its fantastic food, especially the sweet treats.

But owner of ten years Nick Hunter and family have taken it a step further with Bella's Gelato, named after eldest granddaughter Isabella, now being produced on-site in Lyndhurst Road.

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All the grandchildren 'the Hunter Clan' of Isabella, Sofia, Sienna, Thomas, Bodhi and Freddie feature on the extensive children's menu at the family-friendly pub, featuring everything from falafel bites to a steak burger, although a rewrite might be required soon with number seven on the way.

Lenny and Ralph, the dogs of Nick's daughter, are the stars of the popular doggie gelato range. 

Bella's Gelato now boasts a refridgerated van and two trikes so they can cater your event, as well as supplying several restaurants and businesses locally.

It's just one of the ways of diversifying beyond the traditional pub model with the team always looking to do things diffrently.

A new outside party space Forest Edge, complete with catering trailer providing a variety of cuisines, has been added to the indoor Green Room event space available to hire and plans are also afoot for the pub to roast its own coffee.

The team, who are now in the final 12 of the licensee of the year competition from 300 entries, love welcoming locals and visitors to their charming country pub, which lies close to Ashurst train station on the main route into the New Forest with direct Forest access behind.

The tapas grazing board, offering your choice of five tapas dishes, and sharers like nachos, a seafood basket and three cheese and ham ploughman's, go down a storm, alongside the pub's famous selection of burgers, from pulled pork to halloumi.

Bella's Gelatos offer sundaes, pancakes and waffles alongside ice cream, with pistachio a customer favourite flavour. Dairy free sorbets are also popular.

Alcohol free drinks are leading the way in a changing market with Pepsi, tea and coffee among the most ordered.

The newly refurbished outside area still boasts children's play equipment to keep all the family happy.