IT’S THE award-winning Winchester pub that is home to a piece of the Berlin Wall.

The Wykeham Arms has been serving the public since 1755 when it was a coaching inn.

Lord Nelson is even said to have stayed at the famous inn before going making his way to Portsmouth.

Some 263 years later and the Wykeham Arms is still going strong, having recently refurbished its accommodation featuring both single and double rooms, the Wyke currently has been awarded two rosettes from the AA an honour granted to less than ten per cent of hotels in the UK.

The Wykeham has also opened their new Saint George tea rooms in March, which serves lighter meals as well as traditional tea from 9-5. The tea rooms are also available for hire for evening functions.

However, the heart of the Wykeham Arms remains its friendly, well stocked bar featuring an extensive wine list with 100 different bottle available, as well as ten varieties of gin and five real ales on tap.

Jon Howard has been the landlord of the pub since 2009, but the current unique look of the Wykeham was created by its previously landlord Graeme Jameson who made the pub what it is today.

The Wykeham Arms also recently crowned Town Pub of the Year by The Good Pub Guide for a fourth time, having previously won the prestigious accolade in 2016, 2013 and 2008.

It was Jameson who started the pub’s impressive collection of artefacts which includes hundreds of tankards and a sceptre used at Winston Churchill’s funeral, and even a piece of the Berlin Wall.

He also installed the slots in the tables that collect funds for the Cathedral. A year after the slots had been installed Mr Jameson ordered for the collection boxes to be emptied and that he would would match whatever they raised.

The public had donated £30,000. true to his word Mr Jameson matched it.

Mr Howard said: “It’s full of character and characters.”

“When I say I’m from Winchester people always say - ‘I know a really good pub in Winchester’, I’m always worried they will say the Black Boy, but they always say the Wykeham.”

Here's what customers had to say:

Colin Nutbeam, 69, retired craftsman, of Culver Road, Winchester, said: “I have been drinking here for 50 years. I come over a couple hours every night and used to work behind the bar in the 70s. It’s all very friendly and I have never seen any trouble in here.” Its the kind of pub lady’s can drink in and feel safe.”

Julian Havil, 65, retired teacher, of Edgar Road, said: “I have been coming here since 1975. The atmosphere is outstanding, it’s safe, there’s always an eclectic bunch of people. As regulars we feel it is our responsibility to make sure anyone who comes in here feels comfortable.

Rob Vowles, 56, semi-retired actor, of St Michaels Gardens, Winchester, said: “It’s just got a very friendly atmosphere and you get to know the people behind the bar and the other customers. It’s great that the bar and the restaurant are separate. I like that it’s a proper pub without menus cluttering up the tables.”