Hen and Chicken in East Hampshire

I thought I was lucky getting a table booked just a few days before Mother’s Day but little did I know what was in store for us. Our table was right next to the serving area so we had a continuous stream of people coming within inches of our table as they collected their roast buffet and added vegetables and gravy to their plates. We were sat down for 20 minutes without and service and I had to eventually go to the bar myself to get a round of drinks, which was frowned upon by the manager/landlord. Only after 40 minutes and me requesting someone come and take our food order were we able to order what we wanted to eat. The buffet was mediocre at best with a small helping of meat, not the best Yorkshire puddings or roast potatoes and a smattering of basic veg and a watery gravy. The temperature became unbearable at our table and we had to request to open the window next to us. We left soon after finishing our meal and probably won’t be going back in any hurry.

The ribs were very good and it has an amazing feel about the place nice fire and good food, couldn't be happier 10/10

This is a very warm and welcoming pub. We would like to thank the landlord for staying open when we broke down on the A31 so we did not have to wait in the cold. We will definitely be returning. Thanks so much

A most excellent carvery, highly recommended.

Quick and friendly service and excellent quality food. A wide choice of foods on the menu, although a bit pricey.

They were taking bookings for Christmas Eve but were closed when people turned up. No phone call. No email. Nothing.

Booked a table for christmas eve a week or 2 prior, only to turn up on the day and the pub closed. would have been nice to have had a phone call to let us know that they weren’t open or not accepted our booking in the first place. very disappointing.

The carvery was excellent with 3 choices of good quality meat very well prepared. One of the widest choices of vegetables I've seen. Service was OK but a bit mixed. Getting drinks was quick and efficient. Settling up the bill for individuals in a group proved problematic. All resolved in the end and prices were real value for money.

Didn't receive the Christmas menu we had pre ordered just the everyday carvery. No parsnips/pigs in blankets/cranberry or bread sauce. Waitresses were unhelpful and useless. Managed to bring a dish of parsnips when requested but pigs in blankets never turned up even after they said they would get some. Manager reduced bill but then added over £10 service charge, which we did not pay as service awful and our Christmas celebration with family who will be away on the big day was ruined. What a shame as this pub used to be lovely with previous owners.

For lunch out with my Daughter in Law I chose this place based on their website. We chose the Carvery as this looked good in the photos. However, the truth was totally different! To start with, we were charged £14.95 for the carvery when it is advertised at £12.95! The choice was very limited and it was a one time visit only, the amount of food fitted on a coffee table sized servery. The roasted Parsnips were pale and limp, the roast potatoes could have done with another hour in the oven and tasted of garlic! The rest of the veg was either over or under cooked and tasteless and the gravy was very weak and thin. On the upside, the staff were friendly and polite and the surrounds were very comfortable and pleasing to the eye. Overall, the quality and quantity of the food was very poor. We have eaten carveries all over Hampshire, but never came across one as bad as this.

Carvery better than on previous occasions - though it can be very variable with meat portion servings. Service could have been better. We had one guest having a fish pie whereas the remaining group of several people had carvery. It was challenging to get the waitress to understand we really wanted a heads up when the fish pie was to be served so we could all go to the carvery for our meals and eat together. Eventually, we were told the fish pie was due in 10-15 mins so we waited and went to the carvery on,y to be told by the Chevy serving that the fish pie wouldn’t be ready for another 10-15 mins. We turned about heel and returned to our seats at which point the fish pie was served, so we all got straight back up and headed back to get our meals. It was almost as if we were in a comedy farce. Especially as the salt refused to be released from the salt pot owing to the layer of congealed dried covering over the holes. Perhaps time to give them a clean or at least check they’re functioning for the guests. However, whose idea was it to create a lemon meringue desert without a layer of whipped cream? So sweet and sickly just served as meringue and a thick layer of lemon curd. It was hardly a roulade in shape when served - rather a slab of desert with a layer of thick lemon curd between a sandwich of thin meringue. Perhaps the creator needs to go back to the drawing board with that creation. At least we had the presence of mind to ask for some cream to be served with it, though just a tad thicker than milk.

Lovely evening with great food and service

Need to fix the catch on door to outside.

Top notch roast lunch carvery, great staff and building

Had lunch here. Food was nice but fairly expensive. Staff very pleasant and helpful. The decor and atmosphere in the pub was rather drab and in need of an upgrade. Very busy as they serve a carvery. Advised to book.

The Carvery was very poor. Only a choice of Beef or Turkey, Beef was inedible and Turkey just about Ok but cut far too thick, The Carver not helpful when we went up to speak to him about the beef. No partial refund offered and the 10% service added to the bill . What service. We last dined here about 18 months ago when it was terrific but it has gone downhill beyond belief. We will not be returning

There was a meat choice of turkey or beef only . The beef joint seemed if it had been cooked days ago and reheated. it was so tough we could not cut the meat. The service at the carvery by the chef was at best offhand.to add insult to injury a 10% service charge was added to our bill, which included our drinks. We ordered and paid at the bar and helped ourselves at the carvery. How can they justify this charge. An awful experience. This is the first and last time we will dine here

The carvery was poor. Beef was very tough and we could not eat it. Chef was unhelpful. Complained but nothing was done. 10% service charge added despite ordering at the bar. we would not return here. we used to have lunch here a couple of times a year but since we last visited it has gone from good to terrible

Food and service under the new management seems good and cannot complain however.....i was shocked to get my receipt which included a 10% service charge when we had the carvery buffet and I ordered the drinks from the bar. To make things worse, the pub have withdrawn kids puddings from the menu. £7.95 for a pudding is a bit steep for a family. Have been coming here for years but am afraid I won't be coming back any time soon with these prices and automatic service charge.

Food and service under the new management seems good and cannot complain however.....i was shocked to get my receipt which included a 10% service charge when we had the carvery buffet and I ordered the drinks from the bar. To make things worse, the pub have withdrawn kids puddings from the menu. £7.95 for a pudding is a bit steep for a family. Have been coming here for years but am afraid I won't be coming back any time soon with these prices and automatic service charge.

Great food especially the carvery

A fabulous roast dinner but it was extremely disappointing that the Hen and Chicken does not serve chicken for their roast dinners :(. It would also be good if they labelled up their sauces as I lathered on horse radish thinking it was bread sauce which then ruined my dinner, such a sad time. Nice staff, though; very friendly and polite customer service.

Not sure how her review says it all? Basically, the pub is grotty, there were no 'happy customers', just an empty pub. You are an ignorant, rude and delusional owner. Customers can see the pub has gone massively down hill since you took over. I've just seen you have a habit of being incredibly rude to paying customers. Your grammar is terrible and applying too. Your sentences don't make sense. So when you're bad mouthing your customers for their honest reviews, remember your customers pay your wage.

Used to be a lovely village pub but sadly since new owner it has gone down hill. Saw the new owner briefly but didn't even get a greeting of hello, just the view of his arse crack! Visited in summer, briefly, sad to see the outside area was very untidy, tables and chairs stacked up, garden unkempt, mayonasie bottles left outside in the sun for hours. Rubbish on patio floor. Visited again today (second time since new owner) mold in the toilets, clothes and homeware being sold in what used to be a nice barn pizzeria - just weird! Atmosphere dead and overpriced microwaved food. So sad.

Very impressed with the carvery. Nice tender pink beef and lovely selection of well cooked vegetables. Malbec wine and Fursty Ferret ale were very good too. Service was friendly and efficient. For the best atmosphere, choose to sit in the bar area! Will return!

Genuinely disappointed. Seating was awful, as they have concentrated on getting as many in as possible, rather than the comfort of guests. Had the carvery, served on a small dinner plate, the chef had attitude and we waited for 5 minutes for him to come out the kitchen, after being asked several times by FOH staff. The food was mediocre, a d very much in need of seasoning, the roast potatos were a mic of fresh and old, the old ones being powdery and hard. Service was slow, with young employees who seem to be lacking in the training needed to do their jobs. Dessert menus dropped off to table, but no one returned to take orders or check ? Icing on the cake was a waitress poorly stacking plates and dropping a gravy soaked knife down my partners back and covering his cream jumped. Then returned with 1 napkin and disappeared again. Will not return. Would not recommend.

Booked for a table of 17 well in advance for a birthday. Booking was confirmed. When we arrived we were told it was cancelled due to staffing. We were never notified of the cancellation until we had arrived. Then we were told they would put us in a separate function room (an out building that was quite cold and only made up for 13). We had children with us and a new born. We were told they had emailed the cancellation (they hadn't) and they couldn't call as phone lines were down (mobile phone call??) Despite saying staffing was a problem, when we looked in the main restaurant, it was completely full so the manager had basically given our seats to other customers. We were told we had to wait a little for food. This turned into an hour and 3 of our group left. When we were told we could eat we were only allowed in 5 at a time to go up to the buffet area. At this point most of the other customers in the main restaurant had all eaten and started leaving. The food we were offered was rushed and undercooked (potatoes & parsnips) We ate our food and asked for the bill. When we went to pay some of our group disputed the service charge due to the long wait, failure to properly accommodate us in the main restaurant and that we essentially served ourselves at the buffet. Legally we were not told in writing or verbally the service charge was mandatory. Staff were insistent on us paying service. If I were the manager I would have been more likely to offer a small discount or a complimentary soft drink rather than demand service after messing up a large group booking, it would have made all the difference to the experience. Instead they wanted extra payment for poor management and service. None of our group would go here again as you have no certainty that they will honour the booking.

Had the carvery. Very good value for money. Lovely choice. Staff very attentive.

Really friendly staff & we had a great meal

We met at this convenient pub on A31, intending to have a simple sandwich lunch. However the carvery appeared and it looked so good we all chose that. It was excellent value at £14 a head. There was a choice of turkey or beef. Both large roast that were moist and succulent. Beef on rare side and very tender.

After being a local at this pub for 20yrs it’s really disappointing to see it now! My family and I (2 adults and 3 children) popped in this evening for dinner, called and booked a table this afternoon, but when we arrived there seemed to be no record of the booking ?, not an issue as the pub was quite and we were allocated a table, out came the menus and the prices have gone through the roof, Ordered 2 adult and 3 kids carvery’s, no roast potato’s ready when we plated up our dinners, so these had to be brought to the table 10 mins later, only 2 meats for the kids carvery’s now not 3, portions are no where near the same as they used to be, along with the cost! Best part of £100 for 2 adult and 3 kids meals! It’s safe to say we will never return here which is a real shame

Don’t come here if you feel hungry. Portion sizes are very small. The main courses look like starters. If they want you to order a dessert. they’re doing a good job because you need it to fill up.

Food was fresh, delicious and prompt. Service was good and welcoming. Carvery was delicious. Other meals were excellent quality.

Under new ownership and the standard of food and service has decreased significantly.

Used to come here regularly and came today but didn’t realise it had new owners. Really disappointed during our visit, food was of a poor quality with some of it looking like it was just microwaved. The service was really bad and unprofessional, we ordered and were finishing our pudding/coffee and were told we needed to leave soon for another booking even though we hadn’t been there long and had booked our table too. Some staff were lovely but others were rude and seemed to have an attitude. Really disappointed considering it is a nice pub which we used to visit regularly.

A nice old pub on the A31. Good food and beer in a welcoming atmosphere. What more could you ask for.

What a nice cozy pub. Good food at fair prices with friendly staff. I was passing through on my own and called in. I had the homemade pie, carrots, mash and gravy, which was great. Followed by the homemade sticky toffee pudding which was very good too. Wish I lived nearer. Go try it 👍

A friendly and efficient pub experiences. The food was excellent and even had a dessert that someone with food intolerances could indulge in! Will be back!,

Convenient stop on the way to Southampton. Lovely interior, friendly staff and food was lovely. Only downside is that it's slightly on the pricier side. Worth it though.

We stopped in for a quick drink and snack. Service was great, nachos were okay. Garden setting was lovely.

Just called in for coffee and bathroom stop whilst travelling. On entering we were greeted by a wonderful roast aroma. The pub was very busy with diners. The carvery looked amazing. If ever you were passing I'd thoroughly recommend. Just a shame we had to be back on the road after coffee.

First visit here and very impressed. The staff were very friendly and the food was delicious. Has accessible access. We will be back!

We dined at this pub on Friday evening. Once we had sat down in the restaurant area, they were quick when coming to take drink orders and when serving them . However, when we wanted to order food, we waited for 40 minutes and no one even looked in our direction even when serving other tables around us.(We did try to single multiple times). We ended up going to the bar and asking for menus and then that’s when they took our orders. Food came out at an okay rate, everything was rather bland and over priced for what we got. Okay, atmosphere and nice pub garden but I would recommend spending your money elsewhere!

Great pub and the carvery is amazing, it tasted immaculate. Only complaint is that £4.60 is quite expensive for a pint of coke.

We recently hired The Barn for a family party & Rob & his team of amazing staff could not have been more accommodating! From my very first enquiry email through to collecting items the day after the party nothing was too much trouble! Communication was faultless, service on the night was above excellent, we had a lovely girl staffing the bar at all times & another lovely colleague of hers helping when needed…gorgeous girls…so very kind, friendly, chatty & helpful! The food was exceptional, extremely generous portion sizes & the Barn was just the perfect venue for what we wanted, I cannot recommend this place enough…I’m looking for an excuse to through another party now as we can’t wait to return🎉🎉

We parked up and walked into the pub which was still old style country the staff seemed nice we decided it was nice to sit in the garden which was at the back of the pub which had two ways to get to through pub or around the side of the pub.Here you order and pay beforehand which is really good as no waiting around for the bill.We ordered of the menu and carvery which the carvery was nice but had go warm rather then hot and strange it didn't have peas with the carvery.The other dishes were nice but a little over price compare to other restaurants/pubs if passing then it's nice to go in

We enjoyed a midweek the Carvery which was good value. A reasonable selection of vegetables and an excellent choice of Cask ales The interior is interesting you can sit in the restaurant area by the carvery or in the room near the bar area which has more atmosphere. Friendly service. There is ample free parking

Great food and wonderful setting. One of our favourites which we will keep recommending to the guests we have staying at our Glamping, Caravan Park and Campsite near Alresford/Winchester in Hampshire. Especially useful for them to know for their day trips out from our holiday park.

Surprised at the negative reviews. We had a perfectly pleasant lunch. Friendly staff, well presented food - not haute cuisine but well above "pub grub". Drinks, starters, mains and coffees for 2 came to £73, which seems to be the going rate at this level these days. Certainly stop over if you're passing.

Overpriced carvery, not great to be fair. You're probably better off going to a Toby at least you get value for money. Two drinks and two carveries was just short of 50 quid. Poorly seasoned vegetables, meat was ok. Everything have been sitting under the lights for goodness knows how long It looked like there were three chefs working and to be fair the food was pretty poor. Somebody was just helping themselves to the meat using bare hands not washed or not like I could tell if they were washed, could have been the landlord. By giving this three stars is actually doing them a favour. Shame because it's a great location but looks a bit dark and dingy inside. I for one will not be returning.

A good old fashioned pub. I was forced to go in because of a fallen tree on the A31 last week. The barmaid was very good and attentive (and attractive too!). Food was good Locals were polite which is unusual for the Alton area! Trust me ! I have worked around Alton for 45 years and this is one of the best pubs near the miserable place. Cheers Greg Hall LR MRICS MCIOB MASI MICE and Architect Hall and Company Surveyors Ltd.

Lovely and cozy inn with a crackling fireplace. We spent a lot of the day there and felt taken care of. We got coffee, a cuppa, the salmon, and the tuna steak.

We visited 5.30 on a Sunday afternoon, sat outside in the garden which was lovely. We ordered food at the bar, one roasted red pepper burger, and one carvery. The veg burger was delicious, 100% will go back for it, the carvery was disappointing and we wouldn't have one here again. Unfortunately it was the 2nd time we have had the carvery and we haven't enjoyed it and didn't think it was worth the cost, Toby carvery is better in our opinion. The rest of the a la carte menu is great though. Cost £47 for 2 meals, a side, a pint and a lemonade.

Lovely village pub with a chilled vibe I'd defo recommend for a gathering as they catered for our large family of 12..Scotch egg starter and calamari was delicious x

Great friendly service. Made to feel very welcome. Carvery or choose from menu. Food is excellent. Carvery is especially good.

Amazing experience!! Love the huge fireplace!! The food was great!!!

What a disappointment. We went for a family meal and they staff said “we no longer do steak night.” We aren’t going to return in a hurry unless the new owner changes his stupid decisions. I wouldn’t recommend going, the menus dead, no one’s there, it seems that they are short staffed. BYPASS!

We booked breakfast at the Hen & Chicken for our overnight wedding party guests, and I definitely would advise anyone thinking of doing the same to avoid. We would just like to express how disappointed we am in regards to the breakfast service, all employees minus 1 found it hard to crack a smile, be polite to our guests and to speak to them like they were human, with just 1 word responses. It felt like a school dinner service with ‘meal tickets’ to make sure people only go up once, which was not and never was the case, with your ‘head chef’ arguing behind the counter telling us that it’s not an all you can eat, and laughing at us when I was adamant that it was. A lot of people chose then not to go up, as they were confused as they didn’t have another meal ticket, more than half of that food would’ve been wasted... £777.00 well spent! The bartender barely spoke, she only said three words - ‘tea or coffee’, and even placed the juices (which we had already accounted for) behind the bar so people couldn’t pour their own drinks and had to request it. It was really really disappointing, people were not impressed with the food or the service, and it really dampened a very good day beforehand. The reviews prior to this one are all really good, but the pub now has new owners, hence the downfall in service.

Had the most amazing meal here last week. Was a party of 6 and all of the meals were delicious, hot and fantastic value for money.

Delicious panninis. Great value week day carvery.

Fabulous food, friendly staff, good atmosphere, what's not to like. Would highly recommend, and visit regularly.

Great local pub. Had an issue with their booking system when we last went but they looked after us after a wait. Might have been a nice idea to comp our drinks given we had to wait 30 mins for lunch but other than that service was decent and the carvery was good.

Having read good reviews we decided to call in midweek early evening for dinner. No greeting or warm welcome despite bar being quiet. Was not made to feel welcome and left after one quick drink. Sadly, it must have been an off day as there are lots of good reviews on here from previous customers!!

Four of us went here for a friendly lunch because it’s conveniently located and we found the food excellent for what it is last time. But today was different. I again had the fish and chips and I have to say this was the most overcooked piece of fish it has been my misfortune to eat. The fish was almost cooked away and what was left was a great wedge of very crisp batter surrounding - nothing. The staff are friendly and the service was good, but all of the food looked stodgy and uninviting. My fish was the worst, but two of my companions had fish and chips too and I could see that their’s was not much better than mine. I never complain in restaurants, but I did today. They took the price of mine off the bill. My advice is give this place a miss until they appoint a chef who knows how to cook.

Good food and a homely atmosphere with an open fire

Great easy to get to pub, cavery linch was great, beef cooked to perfection, will definitely be going back and recommending.

What a table service by a tall, filled out strapping man. Great beard and a well maintained pony tail. Top notch table service. Really polite. If he is the new owner then this place will do very well.

We ate here few weeks back and found there service fantastic food came out great brilliant staff great experience

Popped in for lunch and panini and was impressed. Chips and salad leaves with the panini. Very busy but didn’t have a long wait. New management but seems to be just as good as before. Will continue our regular visits.👍

Recently had a change of ownership. Stopped in today and tried the carvery, everything hit the spot. Service was really good from the ladies at the bar and the kitchen staff too, even though it was quite a busy lunch period. Thanks Rob, Tracey, Kate and the rest of the team for making me feel so welcome, I'm sure I'll be back again!

A very nice meal here this evening.....food and service very good.

Food is absolutely delicious! Best carvery I’ve ever eaten,highly recommend this one also nice pleasant relaxing and welcoming environment.

Proper pub with proper pub food.

A last minute birthday celebration booking. 6 of us dining, 5 of us ate off the main menu and I ate from the carvery. Starters and mains for all of us. The nachos are yummy but be warned it’s a large portion. Everyone was really happy with their choices, I can only speak for the carvery. I was given all 3 meats, beef, turkey and pork, whilst the beef was a little chewy they other two meats were lovely. A good selection of vegetables and roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and gravy, my plate was quite full. The meal was lovely, the atmosphere was good, the staff were lovely. We will be back.

Never fails to impress and have been coming here for over 20 years. The carvery is always good and value for money

Great little pub carvery great selection of beers family friendly I would advise booking a table as it gets very busy.

Fabulous. Been going there on odd visits for many years, always good food and service.

Great for a group dinner for 17 of us. Lots of fun and great value

As a large family, big family meals out are difficult. Even more so at short notice! Having only driven past a few times, we called the Hen And Chicken and they could offer a table for 10 on a Sunday evening with full roast carvery. On arrival we were sat at our table immediately and offered drinks and menus... some of us had carvery, some had menu meals... not a problem. Drinks great. Food fantastic. In fact, the carvery had taste and texture where it should. I havent had a carvery this good for many many years. They sorted out our birthday cake without a problem and made sure we were fed and watered. And then came the bill. This was another pleasant surprise, and one I had to question because it was so low! So, excellent value food and drink in a lovely location with great service.

Lovely buffet roast .Very efficient and friendly staff

Wow great Sunday roast food was ama zing the staff were so friendly just like a real pub should be would highly recommend

Another great Christmas meal at The Hen & Chicken. Great food and a fantastic atmosphere. As we have been here a few times before, this is our go-to venue for Xmas events. I recommend this pub/ carvery and has traditional values in a great setting.

Great food and the staff were so friendly and helpful. Food was home cooked. Would recommend and will be back.

Have previously had a lovely carvery with family here before, but whatever has happened? Chose beef and turkey. The chef couldn’t have sliced a thinner piece of beef if he’d tried - and not a full slice either. It was also gristly. Turkey a bit better and more thickly sliced. Stuffing - dry and hard ( I got the end piece). The roast potatoes and parsnips were good. Some almost empty dishes of veggies - red cabbage, carrots and cabbage - to choose from - left overs perhaps from earlier servings. Gravy could have done with being hotter. Let’s hope this was just a bad day for the carvery and not replicated in the future.

Always a good place for a Christmas carvery

Wonderful pub! Driven past it a million times but the first time I’ve eaten there. Very nice and warming pub. Sunday carvery is pictured is lovely but we opted for other items on the menu. The garlic prawns were outstanding! Staff were very friendly and the service was quick. I’ll be back soon!

First visit tonight with friends. Great warm friendly atmosphere. Wonderful attentive staff provided great service. The carvery was hot fresh and delicious, desserts equally so. Nice broad selection of good beer on the bar. Very, very reasonably priced. The perfect local pub.

I went to a Rotary dinner in The Barn. The waiting staff were great and the food was delicious. Another Rotary dubbin last night. The staff and venue were excellent.

Friendly staff, very accommodating and nice atmosphere. Lovely food too

Went specifically for the roast dinner carvery, great food for a decent price. Friendly and welcoming staff.

Lovely food. We were looked after very well.

I miss the carvery they used to do. It’s only lunchtime now. Wednesday evening is now Pie and a Pint £18. We also asked for veg - broccoli It took a while to come. Pie and chips isn’t a difficult menu. The broccoli - four small stalks - was £2 extra. Memo to caterers - don’t be mean on small things people will notice. I don’t think we’ll be back any time soon.

Quick sandwich in between site visits, just the thing. Very good.

Popped in at 11:30 and met with a great greeting and allowed to choose where we sat. Had a beef panini and a bacon and Brie. Great service, food hot and served quickly. Would have liked a bit more salad with mine rather than a few sprigs of rocket. Overall great time keep it up.

We booked our wedding here at the barns they have attached to the pub. Everything was amazing!! Laura and Kevin could not have done anymore for us. From start to finish they worked so hard to make our day special. The venue itself is so beautiful. All of our guests were talking about how delicious the food was. We opted for the buffet as our day was a very relaxed affair. The pricing was very good for all that was included. I just can't thank them enough for everything they did. We were lucky enough to have a good day weather wise. As the evening came they brought out the patio heaters which made it cosy.

Lovely, friendly pub. Good service and lovely food, though I have to say the cheesy chips were not value for money! Very small portion!

The staff were really friendly, food was amazing. The ascetics are beautiful, especially the garden. Can't wait to visit again 🍻

Nice old building and a good place to stop on the road

Wonderful service by Megan and excellent food. Looking forward to visiting again, plenty of great options on the menu.

Where do I start..... my daughter and now son in law had their wedding in the barns at the Hen and Chicken Laura Kev and team were and are AMAZING nothing was to much trouble food also AMAZING hot and plenty of it thank you doesn't seem enough but thank you all so much for helping the day go so smooth and perfect very much appreciated.