IT'S the cosy pub on the edge of the New Forest with a roaring fire and fabulous home-cooked food, which has even been known to host live bands on its roof.

Customers just love the famous steak and ale pie, slow-cooked lamb shank, lasagne and other pub favourites at The Forest Home in Holbury. 

Sunday roasts and rib night also go down a treat.

READ MORE: Hampshire pub The King Charles named best in a village

The popular watering hole in Long Lane, Hardley was built in 1876 as a coaching inn and has been a pub ever since.

Landlady Aileen Brogan has been at the helm for nine years now. 

Her friendly staff include Gemma, Jan, Darryl, Daria, Eloise, Keesha, Donna, and, of course, pub dog Monty.

Daily Echo:

He's the star of the show at the family and dog-friendly establishment which has great walking routes into Dibden Inclosure and the open Forest.

Inside, there's a jukebox, big screen TV and a weekly quiz on a Thursday for guests to enjoy while supping their Birra Moretti draught lager or house wine, the establishment's most popular drinks.

A glowing wood-burning stove and comfortable sofa seating area welcomes customers on wintry days.

Daily Echo:

While outdoors, the pub garden is half grassed and half paved with young guests able to enjoy a children's play area and, sometimes, even a bouncy castle.

The Forest Home plays host to live music on special occasions.

Over the years, the pub has hosted quite a few charity events, raising money for Lymington palliative care specialist Oakhaven Hospice as well as other charities, locally, nationally and internationally.

Daily Echo:

One major highlight during Aileen's time was an August bank holiday weekend gin and cider festival with six local bands playing on the roof of the pub over the weekend.

The pub supplied local NHS staff with hot meals during its lengthy Covid closure and introduced an app to allow customers to order direct from their table.

Aileen told the Daily Echo she loves meeting a variety of people in her busy role, but could do without the long hours! 

  • The Forest Home is our pub of the week. We love featuring Hampshire watering holes, from back street boozers to inns set in acres, online and in paper each and every Friday.  If you'd like us to write about your pub, click on the link below, visit dailyecho.co.uk/pub-of-the-week or email lorelei.reddin@dailyecho.co.uk

 

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