The Fighting Cocks Pub in New Forest

Characterful place in the New Forest , not many places offer several roaming donkeys lazily checking you out from across the fence in the beer garden. Relaxing place for a Sunday afternoon drink

Popped in for a quick cold drink. Warm welcome and beautiful decorated. The pub felt clean, fresh l, friendly and comfortable.

We popped in on our way to Sandy Balls. It was okay, surprisingly busy for the cost and quality of the food, but I imagine it gets a lot of passing trade rather than regulars.

Called in for lunch with the wife and 3 dogs. Sat outside as very nice day, had a mego ploughman's between us and we both really enjoyed it. Great countryside and plenty of ponies and donkeys to keep the dogs amused. All in all a great lunch.

Great location and very helpful staff. Food was fantastic

You order at the till, lovely beer selection and good wines. The fish and chips were ok, my wife got the brushetta avocado and was basically covered in oil , the lamp was nice.

I had the BBQ ribs but they were very dry. Quite a noisy place due to very young kids at the time we visited.

Lovely pub and location. We probably caught the member of staff at a busy / bad time. We were given short shrift, and we felt really unwelcome. Didn't order food as a result.

Great pub, friendly atmosphere great views over the New Forest.

We came here today as a large group of 14 for lunch,we also brought our elderly dog.From start to finish the service was impeccable,the staff were attentive and the food was generous in portions and delicious! .If your staying at Sandy balls it's literally just down the road and well worth a visit. Nice play area for the kids and good amount of parking. Thankyou for a lovely afternoon.!! 🌞😁

Stopped in for breakfast after a weekend in the forest. Very impressed, lovely food, full of flavour, large portions and would recommend. Will be back to try dinner at some point...

Had the most amazing food yesterday at this pub in New Forest. We all had different, every single meal was so tasty. And the steak and ale pie was just wow ! amazing. Definitely be going back there. Staff were really lovely too, made us feel really welcome.

Loved this pub. The food was plentiful and the most tasty dishes. I can’t recommend enough the Birra beef, cheese and chilli pie. It was amazing and all the other guests were jealous. The roasts were huge and everyone loved them. The staff arriving were lovely and friendly and when they didn’t have the correct wine they upgraded us at no extra cost. I would recommend this pub to anyone. Tiny negative was that we were there for 1pm on a Sunday. We were in a group of 13 and at 4pm we had only just been given our deserts and we were informed that we have to leave for the next sitting. The group was wanting to stay and order more drinks but I can understand that they need to have sittings to allow for more persons attending.

An absolute please to stay here Rooms very bright and Comfortable amazing Breakfast and Food on offer, Staff 1st Class could not ask for better.

Excellent experience. Very tasty food with generous portions, welcoming staff, lovely atmosphere and good play areas for children. The food really was at the upper end of what you expect form a pub, very tasty, very well cooked and large portions. Even the children's menu although looks standard on paper, is well presented and really nice - with plenty on the plate. I would personally recommend the braised lamb shank, and the ice creams are wonderful! I would highly recommend and will book again if I return to this are.

Best food ever had in the new Forrest in the last 30 odd years or so ,pub has had an amazing new look, the accommodation is excellent, be prepared to put on a couple of pound’s due to the delicious food, if staying, the breakfast will set you up for the day, compliments to the chefs, the staff are Very polite, friendly, and accommodating ,and nothing too much trouble ,definitely, will be going back for many future visit’s

Setting and location is very nice but we were extremely disappointed with the food. It says the food is homecooked but we ordered the ribs and they were very similar to the ones we get at a supermarket (and only half the packet!!!) Don't get the ribs. The French fries were good though.

Staff are very friendly and attentive. Upon walking in, we were given a warm welcome. Portion sizes of food are very generous. I had the steak suet pie which was delicious and packed with tender braised beef. The menu is quite large shich makes me wonder how much of it is bought in and not prepared on site. I purposefully went for the pie as it stated it was 'homemade'. Given the quality of the pie, they would be better reducing the menu and doing a few quality dishes. The burger my friend had looked to be quite basic - bun not toasted, just meat in a bun. It is that reason which would prevent a second visit, given lack of confidence in the rest of the menu.

Absolutely amazing, menu, food and staff.

Had a slight issue with food - dealt with quickly and effectively - love it

Lovely food, The salmon en croute was delicious and not overcooked.

Great food. Amazing staff. Lovely atmosphere. Highly recommend this pub. Beautiful surroundings

Had lunch, very busy. Enjoyed our food. Nice pub

We had paninis and a couple of drinks, food was lovely and the beer excellent.

Enjoying a generously portioned breakfast here while staying up the road at the sandy balls, walkable from the holiday park with indoor and outdoor seating, kids play area and what can only be described in the words of my infant daughter as 'posh toilets'

Selection and quality of food, excellent. Helpful and friendly staff. Easy parking too

Just home from 2 nights at this wonderful property, we had absolutely no complaints and the staff are all so welcoming.

Brilliant pub. Food smells amazing, few of the lads have said incredible food. Smells and looks fantastic. Lovely crisp pint too ! Great for a summers day

Great food, excellent pub, service was a bit slow

Went to sit down and very rudely told you can't sit there it is reserved!! No notice on table to say this. Was told to go round corner. Had chicken panini, very tasteless and tough. We used to visit regularly but has gone down hill. Ploughmans too pricey at £18.95. Will not be going again.

Wonderful old pub just inside the park's cattle grids/fence. The home made food was absolutely superb. If you are staying at Sandy Balls this pub is within walking distance.

A very pleasant place with a good location, nice view, and a nice atmosphere. The food was very good and was served quicker than I expect. The staff were very helpful and friendly. Outside there is a children's play area, and nice garden.

Food was disappointing, especially for the prices charged. Small lamb shank which wasn't tender, although decent flavour. £10 for a kid's pizza, and £4.50 for an apple juice. Shame as the service is nice, and it is a great location within the New Forest.

Excellent sunday lunch, good wine (Fleurie) sold by the glass.

Brilliant experience all round, impeccable service, food was really nice and portion size was big, well worth the money, beautiful place and atmosphere very chilled and homely. Amazing all round ☺️

Really good food and plenty of it. I had Pan fried Lambs Liver Gf - with Crispy Bubble & Squeak Cake, Bacon, Greens & Onion Gravy. It looked good too- that doesn't show so well in my pic!

Awesome bit of ribeye, cooked to perfection and lovely staff

The pub was lovely and the server really nice but the food was terrible, we luckily ordered from a two course menu as I would have refused to pay full price. The peas were rock hard and the crumble was like sawdust. Also everything used was really cheap quality, there are plenty of much nicer places to eat in the area

Quality Sunday roast turkey struggle to finish it 5 of us all had different from sausage and mash to burgers No complaints hot food Excellent location

Was staying close by and passed this place many times. Decided to go for a meal at the end of our holiday. Beautiful setting and ample free car park, but watch out for potholes. Fabulous friendly service and gorgeous food. I had the pulled braided brisket cottage pie with horseradish mash and plenty of vegetables. It was delicious. My partner enjoyed steak pie with loads of prefectly cooked vegetables and lashings of tasty gravy. We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals and wished we'd visited at the start of our holiday so that we could have returned to sample more from the menu. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend and already looking forward to going again when we holiday in the area at the end of the year. 10/10 from us.

Brilliant food, great portions. The service and staff were very good and accompanying. Would definitely recommend

Amazing breakfast, lovely staff and relaxing environment

Arrived on a Sunday after a long journey and about to move into the area. Dog friendly pub looked very welcoming. Ordered food and drinks at 13.18. 38 minutes later no sign of even the drinks. The place was busy but still quite a few empty tables. 14.42 we were both so hungry we had ask for a refund and go somewhere else. Refund was given but no word of apology! Can’t comment on the food that never arrived!

We come to the fighting cocks every year when visiting the new forest. Unfortunately our recent visit was rather disappointing. The prices had shot up especially the kids meal for £9.99 without a drink or dessert! 3 of us decided to go for the burgers unfortunately 2 of these had to be sent back to the kitchen as it was still raw and cold in the middle, we then had to wait another 20 mins for a replacement meaning the rest of the party had already finished. I'm not sure if it has recently changed hands but it seems completely different to our last visit. Needless to say with the price hikes and sub standard food we probably wouldn't return. Shame.

Great staff & great food and drinks. We really enjoyed our visit tonight.

On holiday, went a couple of times last week. Excellent food, service and atmosphere. The only downside was a silly woman customer, with delusions of grandeur and trying to flatter herself, accused me of wanting a photo from her whilst she was photographing the specials. (I just ignored her)I only want photos of me taken by my family ! ( In case she reads this) Otherwise will visit again for sure

Beautiful location and lovely service

Had a lovely family meal before heading home. Service was great. Ideal spot within the new forest, plenty of parking and toilets. Delicious hot food, catered for every one. Nice decor and friendly staff. Allows dogs and that's why we picked it. Our door play area.

Had super lunch. We both had liver as it’s something we never cook ourselves. It exceeded expectations. The bubble and squeak potato, veg and gravy, liver and bacon perfect. Friendly and welcoming staff. We will definitely visit again when we are in the area. Well done.

Large hearty portions and good value for money for what you received. However, I wasn't able to manage the portion size.

Went for Sunday lunch with friends. Everyone loved it. Terrific food, big portions and great selection. The roast dinner was really good as were the desserts. Would recommend booking as it was very busy - understandably so.

Ok, it was a cold Friday evening in January Service was initially quick, shown to table and drinks ordered. Main bar area was warm enough, but main dinning room was definitely on the cooler side. Food arrived & looked underwhelming and a little lack lustre, was more warm rather than pipping hot, No we didn't send it back as we choose not to sit and get cooler as we waited for food to be re-done / re-heated. Food & drinks prices seemed a little pricey, but to be expected in the New Forest & next to Sandy Balls. Choose to go elsewhere for Food & drinks over the weekend, which was a shame as pub was a short walk from our accommodation.. Not for me, I'm afraid..

All great such amazing setting, staff, and decor, the duet pie was lovely, I’ve had it before, it’s evident that it’s reheated, as mine was not that hot, everything else was lovely, and everyone else was 100 percent happy with their meal, although I have to say the price of lamb shank was way to much,

We have visited this pub on every trip to the New Forest over the last 10+ years as its always been à cosy and welcoming place to especially with dogs although not a huge fan of the food previously. We decided we would return again this trip and we were plesently surprised at the new look it's had since our last visit. The gentleman serving us was extremely accommodating with us having two young children and two large dogs in our . Service and food amazing, definitely recommend!

We stayed the night at the fighting cocks pub in one their brand new rooms it was outstanding. On arriving we were greeted by the friendly staff who showed us to our room which was beautiful spacious and clean with every thing you needed . We ate in the restaurant and chose from the specials board, the food was absolutely delicious and such good value for money. We had breakfast in the morning with so many choices . I would just like to say thank you for making our stay so special. see you again soon.

fantastic pub, great service, brilliant food and lovely people, took my wife for her birthday yesterday and I can't recommend this pub highly enough

Really good food and drink menu. Could do with a few more logs on the fire to enhance the cosiness!

I had soup which came out with a layer of skin on it and so much salt and pepper. Not edible sadly. Wasn’t clear whether you had to order at bar or they came to you, no one asked how the food was so just paid and left. It’s in a great spot for walking so if you just want to walk and have a drink it’s lovely.

What a great pub! Staff were friendly and accommodating, food was fabulous and well priced, service was great. Can't recommend enough. Thank you Fighting Cocks.

Stopped by for an unplanned lunch today with my husband, we both had amazing burgers. He had the "appetite for destruction" and I had the "slumdog millionaire". We both absolutely loved them, it's rare to find an actually exciting veggie/vegan burger, they mostly seem to be an afterthought for restaurants but this was clearly well thought our and delicious. The service was really good, the staff were friendly and the food came out fairly fast. The prices weren't cheap, both burgers were £17/£18, but I do think this is quite standard for nice pub food these days. I definitely think it was worth it in this case.

Very friendly and welcoming point. Food is amazing and very generous portions. Shout out to Linda who was an amazing hostess. A credit to the pub

Best roast I have had in a very long time ! Proper home cooked food . Staff where so friendly and relaxed to .

Visited for dinner with my wife and kids on New Year's Day 2025. Had a great time - the food, staff and surroundings were all excellent.

Excellent food, big portions, great service would recommend if you're in the area.

I absolutely love this pub for the food and fantastic staff who always give me a warm welcome being alone I feel safe here. It makes my day when the four legged visitors come over great opp for pictures.

OVERPRICED, FOOD WAS DRY, SERVERS CLUELESS AND OVERPRICED FOOD AND SERVICE CHARGE

Beautiful country english pub in a very scenic area. The food was absolutly wonderful, has been more than once. We have been a few times. Some good beers on at the bar. Def worth popping in if you are passing. We will be there again.

Great food, busy pub. Had to move the table so I wasn't repeatedly barged by staff and customers trying to get past behind my chair but lovely otherwise.

The staff and friendly and the service is excellent however the food was expensive. The burgers were £18/19 for only a burger and chips. The chips were overcooked.The burger was ok. We are local and it's unlikely we will be returning. It was kid friendly however the kids menu is limited and a lot at £10 a meal. They did make a smaller portion for my toddler which was appreciated.

After returning after a year or so, found it has now been bought out by a chain of other pubs, food was very reasonable before & beer good, on this occasion, food prices gone up a lot & beer not good, didn't help from a miserable manager as well who just didn't want to make you welcome by serving a frothy, flat lager in a pint glass even though it was a half ordered & served as a half, then chucking some down the sink & slamming glass on bar before walking off with the hump, not busy as use to be....wonder why !!! , we didn't even have chance to order food as they weren't interested, bit like us, so we left & spent our money elsewhere, shame as been going there for over 40 years, goodluck with your takings as I can assure they will not beat your predecessor, wont return, like another family agreed, shame.....

It’s actually a beautiful pub! People are amazing, servers are amazing, the Christmas vibe and feel for it is amazing! My partner ordered the battered halloumi and really enjoyed it. NOW! I ordered the Buffalo Dream Burger. It looked great until I noticed half way that the chicken was pure grey inside. Not a single bit of real chicken in it. You can tell when something is frozen. It was a perfectly shaped frozen lightly fried chicken breast. Then when you started paying attention to it, the texture was mushy and literally felt like having mushed up bananas in your mouth I’m a proper people pleaser, so I wasn’t going to say anything but I had to inform them that I projectile vomited into the toilet shortly after eating. Not to embarrass anyone but more to make them aware to take it off the menu perhaps. The staff - super apologetic about it! Said sorry loads and took it off the bill! Which I appreciated but not necessary. Other than the grey chicken it was a great evening! I don’t live in the area but I’d come back….. not for the chicken but for the vibes.

A lovely pub in a beautiful location with a buzzy atmosphere, however... we had the Sunday roast which was very disappointing, the vegetables were very under cooked and rest of the dinner pretty unremarkable, considering the high prices we paid for an average sized roast dinner, we were very disappointed.

New owners & staff are doing an excellent job. The food is great, the beers are good & the staff are very friendly. What more could you need?!

Been here twice with a year between visits. Great food. Great service

The website said you were open but you weren't. That wasn't helpful.

We booked a table for lunch for 4 people for Sunday 24th Nov a few weeks ago Arrived to find the pub closed for refurbishment!! No call to advise us and according to google the pub is still open, very disappointing Mr & Mrs Budden

Lovely old world atmosphere. First time trying to try bubble and sqeeck....strange but good

Very very average. Staff are friendly and the pub probably relies on trade from the campsite down the road; passing trade that by its very nature won’t return. Basic Burger and chips £18? (No salad served outside the burger either) not much else is cheaper! Unfortunately I’d suggest going to The George in Fordingbridge (a little dearer but miles better)

Have been coming to this pub for many years and it has always been a favourite. Unfortunately on this visit 2 of our party of 10 ( one being pregnant) ended up with food poisoning and 3 feeling very sick. To top it all off they tried to charge us for the previous guests on our tables meals, and had the cheek to ask us what we were going to do about it. The burgers were inedible, food seemed nothing more then shop bought heated up food which cost an absolute fortune. Will not be returning and if your value your stomach you won't visit either!

Lovely looking pub with lots of character, first time we have been there and was really excited! Unfortunately the food didn't wow us at all (I know it was just a panini - but you'd still expect it to be nice) however drink wise, I asked for a pint of apple juice as I was driving which turned out to be almost £8 when we went to settle the bill !!? Absolute madness - Go careful what you order as felt royally ripped off from this establishment!

Beautiful pub, lovely place to meet & socialise, food was wonderful we all left stuffed ! Can't wait to return highly recommended

Lovely place to stop for lunch and very accommodating with our 1 year old.

Food food pleasant fast service.

Nice pub and friendly staff. They weren't shy with the food portions either. Kids pizza served in a takeaway box which was a nice touch.

Lovely country pub with great food great staff and great atmosphere and views.

Great food, great service, friendly staff :-)

One of my favourite eateries in the forest, never disappointed by the specials board either

Home cooked local food and a menu with lots of options

Fantastic location, friendly welcoming staff and excellent food.

Friendly staff, food arrived in good time, no complaints.

Great location and dog friendly. Food was good, but huge portions, so bring your hunger. Staff were friendly and welcoming.

I've been here a few times it's always busy and has a lovely home-cooked menu. Most of the menu is on the wall on talk boards and they lift them off when they run out. It's definitely a first come first serve with the food but that makes it very fresh and very tasty, I recommend booking as this place is always busy. I'm looking forward to my next visit already.

Wonderful atmosphere, and lovely to see New Forest ponies and donkies wandering around outside. Fantastic food each time I've been and great service. Will definitely go back again.

Excellent food and service (and they welcome dogs)

Lovely location, but service isn't brilliant. Had a Guinness, and it had a head nearly an inch. Nevertheless, it really is a nice location.

Popular pub for passing trade, but the beer was decidedly average. What the food lacked in quality was made up for in quantity. Service was good, so it's worth popping in for a quick snack, but nothing more for me

Lovely, traditional village pub. A lot of ponies, horses and donkeys around. Plenty of free parking. Indoors and outdoors seats.

Super pub in the New Forest. Popped in for a quick lunch, pizzas were superb.

Very nice pub and a good atmosphere.

This pub is great we have been here many times and really enjoy ever visit