BRITAIN'S beloved beer gardens have certainly been getting some use lately.
With the glorious weather set to continue as we head into June, pub goers will continue to spend their free time soaking up the sun.
Here's our guide to some of the best beer gardens and watering holes with a view across Hampshire.
The New Forest, Ashurst
Blessed with gorgeous vistas of open Forest with grazing ponies and cows, this gem of a pub sits beside Ashurst train station and is well used by locals and visitors alike, particularly those staying at the nearby campsite.
Sip a Fuller's pint of or a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc as the children enjoy the play equipment. Or stop for supper from a menu which includes beer battered haddock and superb burgers.
Quayside, Woolston
It's a view that makes you 'fall in love with Southampton'.
Waterside bar Quayside at Centenary Quay in Woolston enjoys uninterrupted views across the water to Southampton Harbour Hotel and Ocean Village and owner Mike Lawrence believes it's the very best view the city has to offer.
The venue specialises in tapas, freshly-made cocktails and pizzas and also boasts an extensive wine list and a selection of draught beers.
The Mayfly, Fullerton
This picturesque inn nestled on the banks of the River Test was named pub of the year last year.
The Mayfly, at Fullerton, was the 2022 winner of the Griffin Trophy, the annual competition between Fuller's 208-managed pubs and hotels and 178 tenanted inns.
Lying in a picturesque weirside spot between Stockbridge and Romsey, customers travel from far and wide to enjoy delicious pub meals, a diverse range of drinks, nearby fly-fishing spots, and walking and cycling routes.
The Cocky Anchor, Romsey
A small, traditional, family-run pub in the heart of Romsey, the rear patio area boasts spectacular views of the 900-year-old Abbey.
The Cocky Anchor is in a Grade II listed building that has been lovingly and sympathetically restored. It's teeming with original features and boasts a nautical theme throughout.
The Shoe, Exton
IT'S the riverside pub on both the South Downs Way and Meon Valley Trail where customers can pick up bread baked on the premises or homemade ice cream.
The Shoe Inn at Exton has its own 'Hampshire Pantry', boasting sauces, jams, chutneys, breads and coffee beans made on the premises using the freshest local ingredients.
It also enjoys a large riverside garden with fantastic views of Old Winchester Hill. Swans, ducks, herons, egrets and occasionally a kingfisher visit. An ice cream shack and barbecue do a roaring trade in the summer months, while a garden den serves meats, king prawns and paella and a heated outdoor stretch tent erected outside during Covid has proved a popular now permanent fixture.
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