The Mailmans in Lyndhurst has undergone a complete transformation since being taken over in mid-November by Maria and Steve Harris, the owners of award-winning pub The Stag next door since February 2021.

It aims to celebrate the area and all it has to offer. 

READ MORE: Beachfront Hampshire pub reopens with fresh new look following refurbishment

Maria, who also runs The Old Mill at Harnham, near Salisbury, with her husband, said: "It's pretty over the top, a bit quirky and out there. There are swans heads and funky vases and  it's all very Instagrammable.

"Everything in there has come from Lyndhurst High Street, bar one lampshade and a pair of curtains. It's about showcasing what our lovely High Street has to offer.

"The Mailmans is very different. We have the Fox and Hounds, The Crown and of course The Stag, but we wanted to offer something different that you can't get anywhere else in Lyndhurst. 

"We celebrate all the businesses and we want to entice people into the village and keep all tills clanging. It's a difficult time and no-one's spending like they used to, it's just not a priority. So we all work together."

The boudoir boasts squashy sofas, leopard print armchairs, as modelled by The Stag's pub dog George, and pampas grass, while the 'dog's house' is the place to play pool or darts or watch sport on some of the pub's many TVs.

Small plates of street food made with local ingredients are served in the hope of encouraging sharing and sociable dining. An ever-changing menu currently includes the likes of Coca Cola bang bang chicken burger, Vietnamese rolls and pork belly bites.

Ales and IPAs, supplied by Greene King, will be subject to regular change, and customers can also enjoy a menu of lager, spirits, wines, soft drinks and other pub staples. 

The refurbishment of the pub's five rooms gets underway next week and will be complete in time for the busy summer season. 

A series of regular events, including open mic nights, comedy and speed dating, will be launched soon.