The Cricketers Inn, Easton (From Daily Echo)

The Cricketers Inn, Easton

10:47am Wednesday 22nd April 2009 in

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NESTLED in the pretty village of Easton, the Cricketers Inn is open to villagers and visitors alike.

And it only takes a moment of chatting to the regulars to realise why this watering hole is so popular.

Again and again, the good quality and the value of the food is mentioned as the jewel in the crown of this picturesque inn.

Alan Robinson and Pauline Brice took over the Marston’s-tied house in July 2008, having previously run pubs in Oxfordshire and Worcestershire.

Pauline runs the kitchen and is responsible for the tasty menu, which includes several local delicacies.

They include Hampshire trout, along with steaks sourced from R Owton butchers in West End, which typically cost around £10.

Meanwhile, Alan is in charge of the bar, which stocks a good selection of real ales. Most are from the Ringwood brewery, which is owned by Marston’s, but a few guest beers also feature.

He said: “It’s a very nice village this, and people have made us very welcome. I like it here.”

The pub has a busy social schedule, with darts club fixtures on Monday, while the cribbage team visits on Tuesdays.

There is also an informal ‘drinking club’ that meets on Wednesdays and Fridays where villagers enjoy a sociable pint or two.

The pub also hosts live music on the final Friday of each month, along with occasional folk and jazz concerts.

However, it is the food that attracts a lot of visitors to the watering hole.

Mr Robinson added that for Mother’s Day they had no fewer than 42 bookings in a two-hour period.

So, if the food is good enough for mum…