IT’S the Southampton pub with 250 years of history.

Built on the site of the old cowherd’s house in 1762, the country pub now sees 25 staff serving food and drink to the people of the city.

Assistant manager Darren Palmer may just be getting his feet under the table, but he says it’s the history coupled with the atmosphere that’s seen him fall in love with the watering hole already.

“Learning from the best”, Darren, 28, has been in the city since he arrived to study sports science at Southampton Solent University.

The 28-year-old said: “I’ve been at a few pubs and bars, but I’ve already fallen in love with this place.

“It has a great history and everyone is so friendly.

“The city is an amazing place, it’s no wonder I haven’t left since I arrived here years ago.

“I’m learning from the best here too, even though I’ve only been here for six weeks,.

“I know all of the staff here are eager to see everyone leave happy.

“I know the pub is a lot busier than I first thought it would be.”

Those thoughts are echoed by other members of the team, including front of house staff Claire Bodenham.

Claire has been at the watering hole for three years, and says it’s easy to see why people keep coming back.

The 25-year-old, from Shirley, said: “I am really enjoying my time here, I’ve spent some time in far more hectic places, so it’s nice to be a little more relaxed.

“I think we have seen a focus on our food as our customers always seem to enjoy the drinks that we offer here.

“It’s got such history and everyone here tries to embrace that, and I think it gives us a little edge.

“We just have to keep doing what we’re doing!”

John Laird, 79, retired from Dibden Purlieu said: “We have been coming here for 20 years and the service has always been very good and suited our needs, so there’s no reason not to return.”

Sue Sefton, 79, from Bargate, said: “I think it’s fantastic here, everyone is polite and I’ve never really been kept waiting for anything.”

Mike Young, 83, retired from Lyndhurst said: “The food is very good, you can see it’s been worked on and as everyone says, there’s never anything to complain about with the service.”