The Fighting Cocks in Godshill

Ponies and donkeys cross the open ground in front of The Fighting Cocks with nothing between them and the beer garden. The current building went up in 1927 after an older thatched pub was cleared for road widening. The name reaches back to cockfighting in the area, though some still connect it to the wartime squadron that used a back room as a mess.

Tim and Lyn Eyre ran the place for two decades until early 2023. After they left, a full refurbishment updated the interiors while keeping the traditional layout of a snug by the fire, wider tables for groups, and quieter corners. The garden looks straight out to the forest, and paths leave the car park into the heathland, where autumn bracken turns the ground fiery.

Dogs are welcome in the bar and dining rooms, with treats at the door. The front benches catch the last sun on milder days and stay sheltered when the weather turns. Food is prepared on site from local suppliers and shifts with the season.

Slow-cooked shoulders and root vegetable stacks appear alongside staples such as fish and chips and stacked burgers. Sunday roasts offer three meat choices plus a vegetarian centrepiece, served from noon. Breakfast starts at half past eight and runs through to midday. Four regional ales rotate on the pumps, with lagers, ciders, a wine list and soft drinks available. An app covers menus and bookings.

Six rooms upstairs combine modern fittings with beams and forest-facing windows, available to book direct at a straightforward rate. The pub belongs to the Country Inns group, sharing the approach of places such as The Bold Forester nearby. A play area sits out the back and the large car park handles coach parties.

Walkers fill the place in summer; the fires draw people in through winter. Recent changes after the refurbishment have eased service flow and updated the facilities.