The Cricketers Arms in Test Valley

We called in for a pub lunch after 40 years since we last visited as we was based in the camp just up the road. And it was one of our local pubs, not a lot changed but I do say maybe a few landlord's. Brought a few memoirs back to us all. Very friendly landlord's Man n Wife team the ploughmans lunch was well proportioned and very tasty the beverages had a good choice. Loverly village pub well worth the visit recommend. Only thing I can find fault with is parking limited but no fault of the pub . Also has loverly beer garden when weather permits which it did for us. We will be back next year for our reunion see you then.

We decided to go for a decent walk this morning and found ourselves at the Cricketers in time for lunch. Quite empty when we arrived but filled up a bit. Roaring log fires at both top and bottom made it lovely and warm. Good mix of dishes on the menu even though they don’t do pizzas on a Sunday. Burrito was slightly soggy but I had a really decent portion and it was nicely cooked. Pork belly can be a bit hit and miss I’ve found (in a lot of places it can be all fat) but that was delicious too. It deserves to do well as it ticks all the country pub boxes.

I lost a wonderful Saturday afternoon and evening with old friends at the Cricketers. Landlord could not have been more accommodating, and the accommodation was just perfect for an overnight stay - there was no way any of us were driving home after the wonderful real ale, gin & tonics and wine! The food was excellent; the home made pizza was the best I've ever had - anywhere! There was a roaring log fire and the whole experience could not have been more enjoyable. Will most definitely visit again - so look out Ed! Oh, and apparently the vegetarian options were great too - the chef was prepared to mix and match to suit requirements!!!

Can't believe we found this lovely unspoilt true country pub. Landlord was super lovely, food even better, fire roaring. The best pub ever found on a cold Saturday afternoon!! In fact we decided to stay the night it was good!

El personal en este pub rural son amables y la comida es excelente. Está un poco apartado del camino, pero bien vale la pena el viaje.

An out of the way country pub with a good atmosphere and roaring log fire on a dank day. Straightforward good pub food with generous helpings, and they do good steaks. The pub also has a number of clean and comfortable chalet style B&B rooms, with a notable full English breakfast. It can also cater for a party of 20 plus without being cramped

We stayed the night at The Cricketers... very basic but very cheerful. Great little pub with excellent wines, complimented by a superb breakfast served up by the extremely friendly big boss himself! We'll be back

Good value food and nice atmosphere. Bit higledy piggledy inside and locals tend to hog best seats. By fire so get there early!

Had phoned booked a table for four the week before, as a farewell dinner with friends before moving. You can imagine our disappointment on arrival to be told that it was the chef's night off and they had no trace of a booking. As our table was booked for 8pm, there was little chance that we could travel to another restaurant in time to order some food. The waitress was very apologetic and said they could cook a pizza or scampi and chips, so that was our choice of menu for the night. I had always thought the pizza's were freshly made , but as there was no chef I guess they are premade/ frozen . There's not much to say about scampi and chips, and the pizza was good, but would be nice is it came with something i.e. salad or a side. We decided to have dessert and the pancakes and cheesecake were good. The staff were friendly and very apologetic and even put extra logs on the fire so we could sit in the main restaurant. Came to £78 for four of us for a two course dinner and a round of drinks ( mainly soft drinks) which I thought for what you got was a little expensive.However it was a disappointing experience due to the mix up in the booking and lack of menu choice, and maybe something like a free drink or even a portion of chips might have made a nice gesture.

Out of the way country pub with loads of character. Proper home made food that is not over priced . A good selection of pizzas and real ale straight from the barrel .The same dedicated landlord for over 20 years. We were impressed .

OK, I can say this place is not for everyone, but it was great when a few old mates got together there for the weekend. Nice ambience, low beams, a small menu with good food. Thai curry, sausage and mash, good steak with sauces available. There are little log cabins to the rear with two single beds that can be put together if required. Everything was clean, though the whole place in honesty would benefit from a spruce up, but that's money, tight in todays pub world. The landlord, Ed, is at hand to chat with, good sense of humour and pleasant; he has an issue with modern things that interfere with a good pub, so no fruit machines, TV's and he likes people to put their mobiles on silent, and I get that. Additionally, he works in a circle with Terry and Dave who run a Landcover and clay shoot day. More about that in another review, but look it up and have a great weekend.

This should tick all the country pub boxes and quite often it does. But go on an off night and it falls short. A limited but sensibly priced menu, real ale from the cask, lots of crusty locals, dog friendly and a huge open log fire all in its favour. But if your car survives the third world style pot holes on the way to the car park and you enter when chef is off or otherwise engaged and key menu items simply not available then a smart about turn is required. Always a journey into the unknown.

I came here with my other half as he wanted 'proper English' food after being away in Canada for 2 months. We found the Cricketers arms and are glad we decided to go there. The food was amazing, good sized portions and very tasty. The pub itself was lovely and cozy too with nice staff. 5 out of 5 easily!

Delicious meal at lunchtime ,the best pork I have tasted with amazingly good crackling ...and plenty of it. Good selection of beers and wine. Home cooking at its best and prices are reasonable.friendly atmosphere also. Have eaten here before and the homemade pizzas are lovely with plenty of toppings to choose from...exception value.

The cricketers is our favorite country pub. Ancient place with bags of character, friendly service And fantastic food. Local game when available is superb, steaks are cooked to perfection (and we're pretty fussy!), and the wood over cooked pizzas are superb. You can't go wrong.. Unpretentious, understated, excellent value. Love this place!

All one could ask for, particularly the fire in winter, and unlike many pubs no frequent changes in management. Edward and Karen organised our wedding reception in 2011, my family having stayed there the night before, and it was as happy and successful an occasion as we could have wished. We live in Abbotts Ann and it is our most frequently visited pub.

We have just moved into Tangley, and went to the Cricketers within hours of moving. We were made welcome by Ed and all the staff. We had a great meal and now get there whenever we can. Ed keeps a great pint and a roaring fire is always blazing.