The Wykeham Arms, the much-loved pub with rooms on Kingsgate Street in Winchester, has long been renowned for its delicious homemade pie The Wyk Pie. 

Now staff have announced that 50p from every sale will be split between Play to the Crowd, the arts and education charity  that runs Theatre Royal Winchester and Hat Fair, and Winchester Cathedral, the magnificent 900-year-old building opposite. 

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The Wyk Pie was conceived in the 1960s by then-landlord of the pub, Phillip Marshall. It has been a staple of The Wykeham Arms’ menu ever since.

Current Head Chef, Luke Emmess has elevated the pie to new heights with a decadent mix of braised mutton and lamb, mixed with a rich jus and topped with fluffy mashed potato in crispy peaks, served with a quinell of crushed peas.

Jon Howard, General Manager of The Wykeham Arms said: "The Wyk Pie is a dish of legendary tastiness and I’m delighted that we can now use it to help support Play to the Crowd and Winchester Cathedral. A great pub should always provide hearty food to nourish the soul and be at the centre of the local community – and this initiative beautifully combines those two key principles.”

Kirstie Mathieson, Play to the Crowd’s Communications and Development Director, added: ‘We are hugely excited by this new collaboration. If you’ve not tried one of these famous pies then get down to the Wykeham Arms today – they are absolutely delicious!"

The Wykeham Arms is part of the Fuller’s group and is sandwiched between the Cathedral and 14th Century Winchester College.

There has been a pub on the site since 1755 when it was a coaching inn. Lord Nelson, himself, is said to have stayed there on his way to Portsmouth.

Long respected for the quality of its menus, The Wykeham Arms serves a seasonal mix of high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients and a great selection of ales and wines.