The Crown Inn in Fordingbridge

A single piece of elm roughly seven metres long forms the bar top at The Crown Inn. The whitewashed front and red-tiled roof have stood on Fordingbridge High Street since the building went up as a coaching house in the 17th century. It remains a Grade II listed fixture on the street.

Drinkers gather around that bar while diners sit in the area beyond, separated by a large fireplace that is lit on cooler evenings. An impressive staircase rises from the main room to the four en-suite rooms above.

Wooden settles fill the space, a dartboard hangs in one corner and a pool table sits ready for quieter moments. Outside, the beer garden has room for families and dogs on sunnier days.

Food stays with pub classics and a few variations. Roasts of beef or lamb come with Yorkshire puddings, seasonal vegetables and parsnip puree. Seafood runs from fish and chips to tacos that add a sharper note.

The kitchen uses local suppliers where it can, and portions are sized to satisfy without excess. Real ales rotate on the pumps alongside lagers for a cleaner finish and a solid wine selection.

The rooms upstairs offer straightforward overnight stays: comfy beds, free WiFi and tea trays, with parking at the front. They suit a night after time on the nearby New Forest trails.

Baby-changing facilities are downstairs. Quiz nights draw people midweek, live music fills weekends, and sports fans watch TNT and Sky broadcasts on HD screens.

A recent refurbishment has freshened the interiors while keeping the coaching-inn character that still marks the place as a High Street anchor for both locals and people passing through.