The pretty Hiltonbury Farmhouse, in Chandler's Ford, enjoys a relaxed feel, with superb pizzas, an impressive selection of drinks and wooden cabins in the garden.

John and Keeley Mitchell, who had her first drink in the pub as a teenager, have been at the helm of the Punch Taverns venue, which dates back to the 16th Century, since November.

Welshman John, 60, moved to England 22 years ago to run The Old Forge at Otterbourne and the couple have since moved to various pubs in the South before seven years at the Fisher's Pond. 

After spells with several pub companies, experienced publican John had grown disillusioned and decided to head into the kitchen as chef at Hiltonbury Farmhouse last June. When the lease came up just five months into his tenure there, he couldn't resist taking it on. 

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"I was in the right place at the right time," he said.

"Somehow the stars aligned and I feel like we were definitely meant to be here.

"It's a lovely pub and I want to make this my last pub. I don't want to travel any more.

"I love the pub, I love the people, so I'm staying put.

"It's got everything."

John and Keeley have given the pub a less formal feel, making the menu more casual and adding more choice to the drinks menu to allow guests to just enjoy a drink if they wish.

Madri, Moretti and Timothy Taylor are popular, alongside an extensive wine selection, cocktails and gins. 

As well as pizzas, there's now a lunch menu, sandwiches, light bites and bar snacks.

Locals love to hire the wooden cabins in the garden for family celebrations and take over the green with picnic blankets in the summer, and visitors also flock to the hidden gem of a pub, thanks to its excellent Trip Advisor rating and willingness to welcome four-legged friends. 

It's quiz night every other Sunday and there's occasional live music, including the return of a bandeoke experience, already booked for New Year's Eve.

Hiltonbury Farmhouse has been a pub since 1984, bar two years closed in recent years. The building itself appears on maps from the 16th Century and was once a farmhouse for the Hiltonbury Jersey herd.