IT'S the grade two listed 16th Century thatched pub famous for a signature steak and kidney pudding which has been on the menu for three and a half decades, a dog menu and a former landlord who is said to haunt the place.

The Rose and Thistle at Rockbourne is known for its fantastic food, including popular Sunday roast dinners, and busy Friday nights in the bar with locals from the picture postcard village on the outskirts of the New Forest near Fordingbridge.

Landlord of eight years Chris Chester-Sterne told the Daily Echo: "We offer a traditional English menu, sourcing local meat and produce to create a seasonal menu. Our star dish is the steamed suet steak and kidney pudding which has been on the menu for almost 35 years!

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"We offer a rotating change of local ales alongside various lagers and a large gin selection. Our new favourite product at the moment is Goram IPA zero - a non-alcoholic draught IPA.

"We are so well supported by the village, over the years lots of locals have become friends rather than customers."

Built around 1580, the pub was originally residential cottages and became a bakery, which later started to retail liquor.

The first listed landlord was Richard Pope in the early 1890’s whose photo can still be found on the gentleman’s toilet door. The pub has had several colourful landlords over the years, one of whom is rumoured to still haunt the building.

With Pete and Pam Reid at the helm in the 1970s, the pub became famous for its seafood and customers travelled for miles to taste the lobster.

A consortium of villagers then owned the pub before Chris took over the reins in 2014. Customers are guaranteed a warm welcome and delicious freshly prepared food.

Daily Echo:

Outside The Rose and Thistle is a lovely cottage garden surrounded by hedgerow and featuring variety of different roses and plants.It's the perfect place to while away sunny days and watch the world go by.

Inside, the pub boasts a traditional interior of beamed ceilings, carved wooden benches and cosy log fires in the winter.

With delightful dog-friendly walks on the doorstep, canine companions are very welcome and will even be offered a dedicated dog menu, which includes rabbit ears, chicken feet, beef lung, bone broth iced treats and, of course, Jude's dog ice cream from Twyford.

Daily Echo:

Their human companions will find plenty on offer on a varied menu served up by Head Chef Natalie Barrett and her team. Some of the delights on the current menu include cheese souffle, sausage and mash and sticky toffee pudding with changing daily specials like whitebait, sea bream and panna cotta also available.

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