LOCATED in the centre of the picturesque village of Hursley the King’s Head is at the heart of community.

Immediately inside the 'boutique bar' in Main Road it is hard not to be drawn in by the warm atmosphere – and its striking Georgian theme that is very easy on the eye.

Staff at the King's Head describe it as a 'boutique bar' , as it has eight guest rooms as well as doubling up as a pub and restaurant.

The King's Head is one of four in Hampshire venues owned by Cirrus Inns.

The current landlords are Penny and Mark Thornhill, who took the pub on in February, while their daughter Amelia is the restaurant manager.

Amelia Thornhill, 25, believes it is the mixture of food, drink and quality customer service that keeps people coming back.

Amelia, said: "I think the package of the King's Head is important, we have good food, good drink and we pride ourselves on good customer service."

The King's Head isn't just known for its customer service, it also has a unique skittles alley - which is popular and hired out for private functions and events.

The history of the King's Head is a colourful one.

Its name stems from the village’s close connections to Oliver Cromwell whose son Richard owned the Hursley estate from 1649 to 1718.

The first coaching inn was built on the site of the King’s Head in the early 1800s, before the Hursley Estate was owned by the Heathcote family and then the Baxendales.

Pictures of the Spitfire are dotted throughout the pub, as Hursley House was once t the control centre of the Spitfire programme in World War Two.

The restaurant is also one of its main selling points with its varied menu that focuses heavily on traditional meals but also offers up handcrafted flatbreads at reasonable prices.

For instance a Wye Valley Smoked Salmon flatbread which also features Lillyput Capers, Creme Fraiche and Lemon Verbena Oil costs just £7.95, while a main meal like a Hampshire Grazed 8 oz Rump Steak costs £14.95.

Real ale fans are also well catered for at the King’s Head as they have five to choose from including Ringwood, Doombar, Swift One, Double Drop and Hunter.