Shoe Inn, Plaitford

[Update July 2024: The pub has been reported as 'believed shut'. If you know more and can confirm one way or another please let us know by using the 'submit updates' or 'improve this listing' links. It doesn't look good, website off-line, email & phone not working and Facebook not being updated.]

[Further news August 2024: Pub for sale via Christie's. Rightmove reported 'under offer'. October 2024: Report in the Echo that it has been sold to new owners who plan a full refurbishment and reopening.]

The Shoe Inn is the last pub in Hampshire, right next to the busy Southampton to Salisbury road, just a few yards from the county boundary. The main car park is on the opposite side of the road to the pub, please take extreme care crossing. The current pub is a long black and cream half timbered 17th-century building. At the rear is an even older thatched building: the original pub, now the licensee's accommodation.

The central entrance, behind the railings, leads directly into the long main bar. On the right is a small lounge area; and on the left, beyond the fire, is a large dining room. Food is available during every session; it is locally sourced and home cooked. The set lunch on Wednesday through Saturday is very good value. As befits a free house only local beers are sold.

Just to the west of the pub (towards Salisbury) there is a footpath to Plaitford Common, on the extreme northern edge of the New Forest. It's a very remote part of the forest, and seldom visited.