IT’S the award-winning 18th Century Hampshire country pub with an indoor barbecue and big beer garden boasting a wood-fired pizza oven.

Sally and Stuart Downie opened The Cricketers Inn at Curdridge just after the first lockdown in July 2020.

They heavily invested in the historic village pub, sprucing up the interiors, organising a huge kitchen refit and reconfiguring the large beer garden to create a secure space for children to enjoy the new play area.

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All the hard work is really starting to pay off now after several awards have come their way. The Cricketers scooped Country Pub of the Year at the Prestige South Awards and the National Pub & Bar Awards with a runners up spot in the Beautiful South Awards Pub of the Year, which was announced last month.

The Cricketers Inn is thought to have started life on the other side of the village where the Cricketers Pond is currently located and before a cricket ground was laid.

The current pub dates back to the 18th Century and is thought to have moved to its current location on Curdridge Lane following problems with flooding.

Daily Echo:

These days it’s a modern and welcoming family and dog friendly venue renowned for its great food and service.

Head chef Tarren Noyce has a passion for serving seasonal and locally sourced food. The Josper Grill, essentially an indoor barbecue, reaches temperatures of 500 degrees and gives a delicious flavour to meals like the half grilled piri piri chicken, double lamb chop, whole seabream and selection of steaks.

Sunday roasts are a popular fixture as are pizzas from the new wood-fired pizza oven, brought in after the lockdown pizza horse box proved such a hit.

Daily Echo:

Neck Oil is a new addition behind the bar, selling well alongside the pub's selection of ales. The wine list is extensive and Cricketers regulars like their gin with Mermaid Pink from the Isle of Wight a firm favourite.

The large outside area boasts a patio with dining table and chairs, plus heaters for the cooler evenings. The garden is grassed and enclosed with picnic benches and a play area for the children. There's also a covered seating area.

A Platinum Jubilee Garden Party taking place today between 12 midday and 3pm is just one of a calendar of events that take place at The Cricketers. The first Thursday of the month is music night and regular quizzes and flower arranging workshops are also held.

Daily Echo:

  • The Cricketers Inn is our pub of the week. We love featuring Hampshire watering holes, from back street boozers to gastro pubs set in acres. If you'd like your pub to feature on our Friday platform in paper and online, click on the link below, visit dailyecho.co.uk/pub-of-the-week or email lorelei.reddin@dailyecho.co.uk

 

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