The Bat and Ball Inn in Winchester

I had the lamb rump and my partner had the buttermilk chicken burger, both were superb, my lamb was pink and juicy and absolutely superb. The staff here are so friendly and accommodating, nothing was too much trouble, they even made a fuss of our dog, with off cuts of beef as a special treat. Highly recommend 😊

Great quality and really tasty food Staff attentive and friendly I had a main course of Ox cheek pie mash and cabbage. It was hand raised and fantastic and £18.95 felt reasonably priced. For a starter I had burrata pesto and heritage tomatoes. It was delicious BUT for a price of burrata the size of half a boiled egg and 3 cherry sized tomatoes with a price of £11.50 I felt like I’d been mugged to be honest

What a wonderful pub, the best staff I’ve seen in a pub for decades and they are very very dog friendly. The food we had was very good, I had the shortcrust steak and ale pie and my wife had one of the fish specials board meals. Young Obi-Wan Kenobi (our dog) was made a fuss over and given bits of roast beef by the pub landlord. It’s a beautiful location as well. The rear garden has spectacular views over rolling hills and the area is very quiet. All in all, the best pub I’ve found in the area (and there are some good ones), but I have a funny feeling we will be back!

Wow, what a warm welcome we got here. The landlord made such an effort to make our visit memorable! He even spoilt our little dog! The menu was impressive and the roasts that the four of us were absolutely superb. The lamb was probably the nicest we have ever had. A lovely pub steeped in history that had memories for my wife dating back to her childhood. Thank you so much on behalf of my family for leaving such a great impression!

Fabulous Sunday roast at the Bat and Ball. The best we've had in a long time. Excellent service and dog friendly too. Would highly recommend.

Disappointed. Not Been here for some years . Medium sized group but waited over an hour for food after ordering. Food ordinary .Staff at table pleasant and did their best

Very disappointing, Thai green chicken curry was extremely small, hardly any chicken and the sauce was like green water, sent it back and staff agreed it didn’t look good. We had to wait for an alternative to be served and by then the rest of us had finished our food. Chicken supreme was also poor, the sauce was again like water. This used to be one of our favourite pubs and it was difficult to get booked in, however last night it was virtually empty, which says everything you need to know. Will never return

First off, I like the booking system, we arrived a few minutes early and were seated straight away. No hanging around waiting for a table. One of the wait staff was with us quickly to get our drinks order. This was followed up with ordering our food.  The food arrived, and was wonderful. 

 My wife commented that her veg was the best she’d had.. With my steak and mushroom pie was equally delicious, the inclusion of star anise was a lovely touch. We went for the Peanut and chocolate tart off the specials boards, a great choice.  Lovely friendly staff, attentive without being intrusive.
 Highly recommended.

We had a great experience at this pub although I heard the food is not great. The service was excellent and prompt. We didn’t wait more than 5 minutes to be served. We ordered two of the chef’s specials (Seared pigeon breast, pearl barley with black pudding and the south coast pork curry) and both delicious. Loved the cosy design of the interior and the atmosphere.

Excellent lunch, Fish and Chips were some of the best I have ever experienced, staff are always extremely polite and welcoming, this Pub never disappoints, keep up the good work, looking forward to visiting again soon.

I was so impressed with my first visit here. The staff could not do enough to help us and made us feel so welcome. The food was absolutely delicious. Particularly impressed that the vegan Sunday roast came with a cauliflower ‘cheese’ and a Yorkshire pudding. This is the first time I’ve ever been served this in a vegan roast dinner, at other establishments my plate looks sparse compared to the vegetarians and meat eaters, due to not being able to have this, but not at the Bat and Ball. The vegetarians and one meat eater all loved their meals too. Thank you to the Bat and Ball and all the hard working staff for making our Sunday afternoon so special. I’ll be back soon and can’t wait.

A group of 4 of us decided to have a Xmas evening meal close to Xmas. we were welcomed and served very quickly. The meals were ordered in advance and arrived quickly, The amount of meat on the main course was plentiful and delicious.. I chose beef which was tasty,tender and generous in quantity. Staff were attentive throughout the evening. The cost of the meal was not excessive for the standard provided. I can fully recommend the Bat & Ball for an evening out

We visited for lunch and were not disappointed the welcome was friendly and the food absolutely delicious We were sat in the restaurant with a beautiful view over the countryside

We went for dinner, it was bustling but the stuff were attentive and friendly. Nothing was too much trouble. The food was delicious, the ambience was warm and decor was very christmassy. Its a popular place so I"d say booking is essential at the weekends. A great pub. Great staff. The manager should be proud. Highly recommend a visit.

This pub never fails to delight. Myself & 2 friends have spent a delightful afternoon catching up eating delicious food & watching the vast array of birds that visit the pub garden to feed on the numerous feeders. The staff left us to chat & only came over to see if we needed anything. A plus at this time of year is the wonderful mulled wine they sell. Made to a secret recipe & very delicious. I bought some to take home to my husband. He loved it too

Good welcome to the pub. Offered drinks at our table quickly and menus left. With 6 in our party, 1 had fish & cips (fish waa very large), 1 had the pork chop (said it was dry), 2 had pies (both said crust was thick), 1 had the burger and the other the chicken schnizel. All meals were excellent with a good choice. Landlord (Chris) and Landlady (Andrea) with their staff were friendly and helpful. We all had desserts which were great (lemon possee, sticky toffee pudding, ice cream and freshly baked cheesecake). Pub and eating areas was busy for a winter Saturday lunchtime. My wife (birthday) had received a discount voucher by email so this came in very handy when paying the bill. Bat & Ball was excellent, good food and friendly, helpful hosts so would recommend to others to visit. Had a nice log fire!

Three of us went for Sunday lunch - two had the nut roast, one had pork. We were bowled over (excuse the pun) by the waiting staff who were friendly, attentive and thoughtful. The first waiter checked if we were vegetarian or vegan - which I really appreciated as so often pubs only offer one vegan meal as their veggie and vegan offering - which is always disappointing as a veggie who craves cheese! The nut roast was very nice - nothing over the top and not trying be ‘different’ - I really don’t like it when weird and wonderful flavours are added in to the veggie option/nut roast as so often they don’t go with the rest of the roast (although, this is better than being offered butternut squash risotto as the only Sunday lunch option, which some local pubs do!) The vegetables, potatoes, Yorkshire pud and gravy were all delicious. The setting is absolutely beautiful with rolling hills all around and inside it’s a really traditional pub with wood panelling; the tables are really nicely spaced out so you don’t feel squeezed in. Overall, this was a great experience with lovely staff who genuinely seemed to want to help, a lovely atmosphere and lovely food.

Me and my friend, who is on leave from the navy decided to have a meal and a catch up, our server Joe was very attentive and friendly. We both had the chicken, ham and honey drew ale pie, and it was amazing! Gotta say the Guinness was in great condition too!

Pre booked Sunday lunch with a family of 8. Very enjoyable experience - pub very busy but staff very attentive - good Sunday lunch menu selection - individual mixed choices of food - each meal was excellent if not just a tad too much for some of us oldies – sweets not too ‘sticky’ with some delicate and tasty choices - and no ‘loud music’ to drown conversation. This pub has got more than most of what customers want about right. Thank you.

Popped in with the missus & dog.lovely atmosphere and the food was great.I had the faggots (god knows the last time I had them)& my wife had a pie.fantastic…we’ll be seeing you again soon 👍(love it when a pub makes a fuss of your mutt x)

An impromptu Sunday dinner, the pub was very busy but the service was excellent. We had the roast beef and roast chicken which we both thoroughly enjoyed. The staff are very friendly and attentive, thank you so much. Look forward to returning here.

Bought family and visiting friends here many times and been very nice, last week however was terrible, waitress very slow and kept getting thing's wrong, food took 50mins and was very dissapointing, hardly any fish in dish, pie was very dry and rock hard, desert cold and stodgy,we did complain and just couldn't understand why on such a quite night, it was so bad and so dissapointing that we even asked if the pub had been taken over, such a shame......

Pleased to enjoy a special dinner here on a Monday night. Good menu choice and the specials board had some lovely extra options. All four starters and mains were excellent. The chicken with courgette fritter off the specials was particularly good. All the cricket memorabilia was interesting as was the history of the Hambledon Cricket Club across the road.

Made to feel very unwelcome , arrived at 9.10pm for drinks , no good evening hello , just ignored , stamping the wooden floor when going to clear a table and banging from the flat above the ceiling felt like like it was going come down whoever was living there,. if you don't want to be open after 9pm then put closed on the door there's plenty of other pubs in the area . Have been using this pub for years such a shame as this gives the hospitality industry a bad reputation. Won't be back for a while.

The meals were great . I had a special of lemon chicken, parmesan and corgette fritter and warm slaw. It was perfectly cooked and the fritter, and slaw were amazing. The other meal was the chicken burger , also off the specials board. It was very nice and also perfectly cooked. Both meals came out really hot and didn't take too long - well done to the chef!

Saw the cocktails menu including Aperol spritz at £9.50. Having just returned from Italy, an Aperol spritz there costs €5 and that includes a plate of nibbles! A bottle of Aperol is not expensive in U.K. nor a bottle of relatively cheap Prosecco. I can make Aperol spritz at home for about £2 per glass. Are you having a laugh?

Great lunch, nice location, highly recommended. We stopped on Saturday at 12 and got a table ( was full by 1) lovely fish and chips with great view. Will be back.

Great location, friendly, delicious food, good size portions, a little expensive, dog friendly, atmospheric, specials board.

If you are a cricket tradgic then this is a must to stop in and enjoy a drink at the very least. Located across from where the old Hambledon Cricket grounds, the pub has a long history, it is where many of the cricket laws for the modern game were created, like the introduction of the 3rd stump. There is amazing memorabilia all over the walls. It had a great atmosphere and seemed to be enjoyed by many of the locals.

We arrived 6pm greeted and a lovely available for a family of 6. We hadn’t booked due to we had been out in the day and unsure time we’d make it here for dinner. It was the BEST Sunday roast I’ve had in a pub for a long time, it was delicious, hot, plenty on your plate unlike some places, and cooked to perfection. Staff all attentive and friendly, i definitely recommend here for a sunday roast. However it’s a pub with beautiful surroundings to sit outside and enjoy the countryside and great food. 10/10.

Our family have been coming here for years, the menu is extensive, hearty portions and always excellent quality. The staff at this pub are exceptional, friendly and welcoming.

First impression, always important, a warm welcome to a pub which is full of cricket memorabilia. The three of us had excellent 3 course meal. Well cooked and well presented. Good value and friendly and efficient service. Couldn’t ask for more.

Visited for Grandads 90th birthday. We were well looked after with table service in the bar area. Staff are extremely friendly and welcoming. They chatted to us throughout the visit and were just a delight. Food was great as well. Would highly recommend

Excellent meals again, had children’s portions as meals are very large, but even so generous portions with excellent vegetable selection, most enjoyable. Despite busy Easter Sunday staff cheerful and welcoming, even though it was 5 pm. Thoroughly recommend.

Superbly attentive staff, greeted on arrival with recognition of a coeliac diner, directed to allergens info onQR code on menu with GF filter (all v easy to navigate). Additional questions answered immediately and kindly with double checking with kitchen and manager clearly all over it...

This venue has a fantastic countryside view and very good seating arrangements. Staff are courteous and helpful. It is an historic eighteenth-century pub near Clanfield and it is said that the earliest widely accepted written rules for the game of cricket were drafted at the...

Celebrating a granddaughter’s birthday with a walk around Old Winchester Hill on a cold March day followed by a celebratory Sunday lunch. The landlord and staff were welcoming and helpful and the food was well cooked, nice and hot and very timely.

We met up again for a Thursday lunch with our son and as always it was superb. We had liver and bacon, pork and a wonderful Thai curry cooked by their Thai chef Kitty. Chris, Andrea the manager’s husband, recommended the bread and butter pudding...

A very beautiful restaurant; when walking in the layout and view was picturesque, very clean, welcoming staff and lovely food

Nice atmosphere, good food, family and dog friendly. Good range of food options including vegetarian. Interesting cricket paraphernalia on the walls.

We came in for Christmas and it was phenomenal - great food and a real merry atmosphere. Our first year out for Christmas and definitely one to remember!!

I absolutely love this pub and have been many times over the years and the food is always beautiful so thought it was be perfect for our Christmas Day. The food was such a let down! Their normal Sunday roast are much better than what...

We had a fantastic lunch at the Bat & Ball after a beautiful countryside walk. It is a lovely, cosy, quaint pub nestled in the countryside. The staff were really welcoming, service was awesome, and food was absolutely delicious! Can't wait to come back!

It was a Monday lunchtime and we fancied a pub lunch. Drove over to the Bat & Ball. It was quite quiet which was good for us retired couple, but not so for the landlord we can understand, We received a warm welcome and were...

Been to the bat and ball many times , always a very good experience. Lovely ambiance, landlady Andrea and husband Chris, perfect hosts. The staff are very nice , and always helpful. The food is good , and would recommend a visit. Unlike most other...

Lovely pub, with the most attentive staff and wonderful ambience. The food was superb and nothing was too much trouble. Would 100% recommend!!!

On arrival, in the bar area seemed to be the meeting place for the local kennel club! Dogs everywhere, even some on the seats!!! Cold reception even though we booked. Shown to what seemed like the worst area of the pub. I thought, lets not...

We hadn’t visited for Sunday lunch for quite some while and as my wife had a 25% discount voucher from Fullers for her birthday we thought we’d take advantage before it expired. My wife and I ordered the roast turkey dinner and our son the...

I can’t give enough praise for this romantic old English pub, with its style and historic importance. I just love the place and the warmth inside from the staff is embracing. The food is poetry, excellent quality and very reasonably priced indeed. The chef is...

Chicken, ham and leek pie ( very salty) served with red wine gravy? I don’t think so! Veal escalope was so over cooked, with salad - not very exciting. Did not complain as we were with a very elderly friend who was footing the bill....

We met up with my wife’s son again for lunch and as always were were very happy with the food and service. My wife and son had the chicken schnitzel and I choose one of their specials - grilled sardines with salad. My meal was...

The three of us booked a Friday lunch not realising it was an important day for the pub to celebrate 250 years from the first cricket match. There was even a special beer for the occasion. A large crowd attended the memorial match and even...

Family meal, Friday evening. Table booked. Staff were friendly and welcoming, but the meal took forever to reach the table. The quality was not too clever, particularly the desert, a tasteless Bakewell tart. The main meals, shepherds pie, was thought to be of beef, not...

Luckily for my husband and I we live in walking distance of this wonderful pub. Over the bank holiday we met with two friends for lunch. As always a warm reception on arrival and our dog was made to feel welcome. This place is extremely...

We met our son who lives at Clanfield for lunch and we are always happy with the food here. I had the cottage pie, he had a chicken schnitzel and my wife the fish pie. Good vegetables too. We had deserts of coconut rice pudding,...

Sunday lunch.. we’ll, a poor excuse for Sunday lunch. Tepid food, tasteless food and less than average service. There are better places. Never again.

I took my parents out for a meal first time since pandemic, to start with the lady was lovely, (she must have left her shift as we didn’t see her again), great scenic views and saw a wood pecker on the the bird feeder. It...

Went up to the Bat and Ball for lunch today. Haven't been there for years. Lunch order taken by a very pleasant waitress, Paulina. I ordered whitebait and a side of chips and my husband had a Cajun chicken wrap with chips. Both meals were...

Can't believe how time has passed, anyway, went back to Bat & Ball. Very efficient staff, who once table vacated immediately cleaned down the area, which seemed clean anyway. Ordered HSB and yes same high standard, shame some other public houses cannot get to this...

Was very unimpressed by the food on our visit today. The service was good and the lady was nice but the food was poor and very expensive. The buffalo chicken wings had a half inch thick batter on them I left most of them. The...

I'm not sure if we were unlucky, or just caught the Bat and Ball on a bad day, but we had a very poor experience dining at the Bat and Ball. When ordering our choices from the menu, we asked about the portion sizes of...

Another fantastic meal in this charming pub. Service was good and HSB is on tap. There was a log fire helping further with the atmosphere

There was a good variety of food on the menu with some interesting specials. Our meal was well cooked and tasty but what makes this place really special is the management and staff who, as ever were warm, welcoming and attentive.

Met friends here for lunch last week; for us a 70 minutes drive and well rewarded; serice could not have been better; interesting food especially the specials; great ambience; wine list good; and something we dont normally record either way but no music and just...

Sunday lunch was fantastic and staff were great. Would thoroughly recommend this place. I had the pork which was cooked perfect and my wife had the beef. Veg was good.

The food service was outstanding, the atmosphere as warm and inviting, all cooked to perfection and its what we like good food and great service , we will be coming back again . Thank you to you all

Thankyou, we booked a table for 12 for my 50th a fair way in advance as it was the week before Christmas. Communication was great, everyone was friendly and helpful and most importantly the food was delicious! As it was my birthday I ordered steak...

The original home of British cricket, the Bat and Ball is an atmospheric and welcoming hostelry. The menu has some great British food including various pies, bangers and pork belly. The restaurant area has lovely views over the Hampshire countryside, whilst the lounge is comfy...

Just been for a Christmas Dinner with four friends and the pub is lovely, the staff are warm and friendly but sadly the food let it down, the Chicken Liver parfait was delicious, the mains where ok.....just ok.... but the desserts where awful, poached pear...

First time visited pub for a few years although live local and were very impressed by the food and service by staff who were very friendly, a very warm and cosy venue for lunch

The "Bat & Ball" is very important in the history of cricket. As such I'm sure it gets visitors who's only real interest is cricket. We come into this category, but decided to have a "snack lunch" while there. Food is excellent, plus friendly/helpful young...

After a long day of travelling, the staff were welcoming and friendly. The food and drink was great and we left feeling fully recharged and refreshed.

Our main courses of steak pie, boar linguini and fish pie were excellent. Two of us had the bread and butter pudding for desert which we found rather dry and crusty - not soft enough. The chef needs to use James Martin’s recipe. Our son...

We enjoyed two pies this evening at the Bat and Ball. Homemade steak and mushroom, and ham and leek. Both super and triple cooked chips were amazing. Service excellent too.

Wow, staying in Sandy balls, 2 miles up the road, we thought we would try this pub for our Sunday roast. Whoa, they did not scrimp on the beef. Food absolutely top nosh, portions superb, staff & management very friendly and helpfull. Definately would recommend...

We had visited a few time before and decided to try a Sunday lunch. Two of us had the pork and my wife had the chicken. The dishes came with 4 vegetables, 3 roast potatoes and a Yorkshire pudding. Mustard and apple sauce was also...

Very disappointing meal tonight sadly returned to the kitchen. Service not brilliant - shame as Bat and Ball usually good.

My husband and I had dinner here after walking a stretch of The South Downs Way. All of the staff were warm and welcoming and the menu had something for everyone. I am vegan and there were a couple of vegan options on the menu....

Lovely late lunch served by Lovely friendly staff,the food was cooked at a high standard and tasted delicious,this pub gets better and better The best local

We visited in June and thought we’d try a lunch again. This time we sat inside in the restaurant and had the round table in the window which gave a good view of the little garden and the bird boxes visited by lot of birds....

Last Thursday we took our 90 year old aunt for lunch, we had already booked a window table looking over the South Downs. A birthday card had been placed on the table together with a small rose bottle of wine. She was so surprised as...

With so many restrictions due to Covid making your choice of options limited we were glad to eat here twice in a two week period with family and then friends. On both occasions we were served promptly and the food was hot and tasty. The...

Great food , an imaginative and well put together menu with excellent service, friendly staff. The large gastro pub has a lot of cricketing history & memorabilia, set in an excellent location. Where the rules were set for the game- a must for cricketing and...

We're met at the door by the manager and another member of her staff,they were very pleasant and welcoming we were given a table near to the bar,the guy preparing the drinks Chris was a character and very entertaining,lovely menu has lots of choice which...

Many thanks to the kind manageress (Andrea?), who took time and pleasure to show us around the pub and memorabilia closely linked to this 'home' of cricket. It was one of many highlights of our trek around The King Alfred's Cycleway (though not on the...

Beautiful view from the outside “benches”, across the blue flaxseed fields to Clanfield. A great place to stop at whilst walking. The food was lovely - we had a burger & the salmon. Interesting cricketing history too.

We visited with my fiancé’s son and had a super lunch outside looking over the blue flax fields. Our son had the duck, my fiancé the chicken tikka pie and I had the wild boar on a bed of pappardelle. We all found the main...

We booked a table for late lunch as wanted to get in a walk. Car park was full when we arrived so parked.ong the road. It was well set out to enter and leave the pub. Friendly staff and good menu. Eay to order at...

We visited the Bat and Ball for my Mother’s birthday and have to say a fantastic thank you to Andrea, Scot, Matt and team for the fabulous welcome we received! The service we received went above and beyond expectation so we would like to say...

Friendly and helpful staff. Had booked at the wrong Bat and Ball ! but they managed to fit us in . Clean and good choice of food. Very tasty food and great service.

Booked ahead via pub website. pleasant staff throughout meal, varied and interesting menu. Great value for good quality food and service.

We visited the Bat & Ball as my hubby is a cricketer, and it's the 'Cradle of Cricket' - allegedly where the rules of cricket were made up, so is steeped in cricket history and memorabilia. We were shown to our table which I would...

Always have a lovely meal here but am disappointed in the new menu, the onion rings were to die for but are now gone. Also the brownie was incredible but that’s also gone. Just a bit disappointing but still the atmosphere, staff and food is...

We have been here many times before but not for a while. First evening out after having our baby and we were not disappointed. A few changes to the menu especially the starters. We had the squid and prawns and also the duck which were...

I have visited the Bat & Ball many times over the past few years but this has to have been the worst meal I have ever been served. Broccoli & Stilton Soup that you could have cut with a knife as it was so solid,...

Just enjoyed a lovely lunch with friends at the Bat and Ball. Unfortunately it was spoilt by the very brusk and officious waitress. We all agreed a course at a charm school wouldn't go amiss. Such a shame its put us off going back.

Booked a Covid table for Saturday lunch as we would be passing on our walk. We were welcomed very well and seated at our table. Having seen we were walkers they explained that they do not normally have a sandwich menu on a Saturday but...

Lovely pub in lovely settings, staff was polite and helpful and felt very safe and distanced while inside and seated however the food. Albeit is written very well on the menu and it entices you in, it was very very average and doesn’t warrant the...

Great Sunday Roast Fab food on a wet dreary day. Covid controls in place, felt very safe . Great job guys, thanks

Went with friends. Very covid friendly. An absolutely charming waiter. Visited for a Sunday lunch. It was faultless. We asked for more gravy and veg and this no issue and wasn’t charged for. If in the area again we would definitely call in. Absolutely delicious