The Highfield, Southampton (From Daily Echo)

The Highfield, Southampton

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NOT many city pubs can boast about having a large garden.

But The Highfield is particularly proud of its own ‘secret’ pub garden.

Management at the Highfield pub believe their beer garden and family atmosphere makes their pub one to rival in Hampshire.

Redecorated two years ago, the Highfield combines character and contemporary design, something hard to balance in the modern boozer.

On one hand it has newly laid laminate floors with carefully placed sofas and on the other it has old pictures on the walls of Southampton from years gone by.

The ‘secret garden’, as bosses call it is a spacious area with barbecues held in the summer and with room for youngsters to play.

As part of its family theme, it boasts that a family of four can be fed for just £10 and children can stay in the pub until 9pm even on Saturdays.

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The pub also sponsors two Southampton football teams, AFC Stoneham, who manager Simon plays for himself and AFC Highfield, a new team started on a Sunday.

After the games the players bring their families for a whole- some meal and refreshing drink before watching football on one of the pubs screens.

Manager Simon Cocks is also keen to stress his desire to use local produce when it comes to food, ensuring that meat and fruit and veg are sourced from local butchers and greengrocers.

The pub is also carefully separated with a bar area and restaurant at opposite sides, meaning those sitting down to a meal can eat in peace and those playing pool or watching the television aren’t interrupted.

Simon, 29, said: “The pub is steeped in history, it’s been here for decades and we’re really family-orientated.

“We have family fun days where we’ll have bouncy castles and all manner of activities in our beer garden for everyone.

“We also have a number of events going on through the week; we’ve got live music starting soon featuring local bands playing and grill nights as well as deals on different foods.

“The beer garden is our gem though, it’s just a nice place to come and chill out, have a drink and enjoy a nice summer evening, if we get one.”