Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-exterior-Heidi-min-1000x750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-34431" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-exterior-Heidi-min-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-exterior-Heidi-min-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-exterior-Heidi-min-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-exterior-Heidi-min.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<p>A 250-year-old country pub in largest of the pretty Worthy villages just outside of Winchester, The Cart and Horses has history etched into every one of its restored wooden beams and exposed bricks (if walls could talk, eh?). Once a popular watering hole for weary travellers on their way to London, the landmark pub reopened in 2023 following a near-total refurb. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Cart-and-Horses-Outside-Area-2.jpg" alt="Terrace at the Cart and Horses " class="wp-image-31638" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Cart-and-Horses-Outside-Area-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Cart-and-Horses-Outside-Area-2-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Cart-and-Horses-Outside-Area-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Cart-and-Horses-Outside-Area-2-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Cart-and-Horses-Outside-Area-LBB.jpg" alt="Cart and Horses Kings Worthy Winchester covered terrace alfresco" class="wp-image-31639" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Cart-and-Horses-Outside-Area-LBB.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Cart-and-Horses-Outside-Area-LBB-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Cart-and-Horses-Outside-Area-LBB-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Cart-and-Horses-Outside-Area-LBB-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>No wobbly sun umbrellas here! Mixing characterful heritage features with comfortable modern interiors and a foodie dining, the Cart and Horses has all weathers covered. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/09/Cart-and-Horses-terrace-Chase-min-1000x750.jpg" alt="Cart and Horses Kings Worthy terrace" class="wp-image-31892" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/09/Cart-and-Horses-terrace-Chase-min-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/09/Cart-and-Horses-terrace-Chase-min-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/09/Cart-and-Horses-terrace-Chase-min-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/09/Cart-and-Horses-terrace-Chase-min-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/09/Cart-and-Horses-terrace-Chase-min.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The light-filled covered outdoor seating area and large, partially covered outdoor terrace with plants and foliage in beds, pots and climbers are all very conducive to the Med-style social dining menu. Adding to the ambiance are flower-filled countryside-inspired gardens to both the front and rear.</p>



<p>Drinks and cocktails are free flowing from the outdoor bar and as the cooler autumn evenings draw in, there&#8217;s a roaring log burner to keep things cosy on the main terrace.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-interior-min.jpg" alt="tables at the Cart and Horses Kings Worthy Winchester" class="wp-image-34436" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-interior-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-interior-min-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-interior-min-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-interior-min-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Inside, beautiful modern interiors blend with restored heritage features like the original brickwork, 18th century oak beams and open fireplaces.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<p>Summery social eating is at the heart of The Cart and Horses menu. Local and in-season produce feature strongly with a big emphasis on Mediterranean-inspired small plates and sharing boards, as well as the usual pub classics. Open from 8.30am, as well as the à la carte, there’s also a brunch menu with all the classic roasts you could wish for on Sundays.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-alfresco-2-min.jpg" alt="Muddy Stilettos Hampshire and Isle of Wight Editor Heidi at The Cart and Horses Winchester" class="wp-image-34433" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-alfresco-2-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-alfresco-2-min-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-alfresco-2-min-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-alfresco-2-min-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-alfresco-2-min-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-alfresco-2-min-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-alfresco-2-min-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Here for lunch on a hot balmy day, we sit happily in the shady terrace with some icy water and a barman recommended rhubarb cocktail from the sizeable drinks menu and order a selection of small plates. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-platter-1000x750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-34430" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-platter-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-platter-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-platter-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-platter.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s an absolute treat. Small plates of melt-in-the-mouth burrata with juicy Isle of Wight heritage tomatoes, and a yoghurt, feta and sumac dip with flatbreads are perfect sharers. So too, the Cart and Horses&#8217; signature ‘stix’ sharers of chilli and lime king prawns, padron peppers and diet-unfriendly breaded Croxton Manor brie. (Basically, tasty nibbles skewered on sticks – and boy, they were good).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1124" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-seabass-min.jpg" alt="Seabass main at The Cart and Horses pub Kings Worthy Winchester" class="wp-image-34434" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-seabass-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-seabass-min-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-seabass-min-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-seabass-min-768x575.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>If, like me, you&#8217;ve a palate for strong flavours, you&#8217;ll love the gherkin, picked watermelon and saffron aioli served with the pan-fried sea bass and crunchy arancini on this year&#8217;s seasonal summer mains. Playing it safer, Mr. Muddy plumped for the sirloin steak (sourced here from grass-fed British rare breeds) which came with delicious chunky chips, roasted, crumbed portabello mushroom and an oversized onion ring.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="749" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-sticky-toffee-pudding-min-1000x749.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-34435" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-sticky-toffee-pudding-min-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-sticky-toffee-pudding-min-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-sticky-toffee-pudding-min-768x575.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-sticky-toffee-pudding-min.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>After the usual acknowledgement of my greed in the preceding courses and protest-filled deliberation over the pudding menu, I bow to the inevitable. Soldiering on to the end, I order a sticky toffee pudding covered in butterscotch sauce and topped with ice cream and melt-in-the-mouth honeycomb. What a trooper.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">DOG FRIENDLY?</h2>



<p>Definitely – and there are plenty of lovely walkies to take them on beforehand, too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="628" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/04/hintonampnersouth.jpg" alt="Hinton Ampner National Trust Hampshire" class="wp-image-26438" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/04/hintonampnersouth.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/04/hintonampnersouth-800x502.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/04/hintonampnersouth-768x482.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/04/hintonampnersouth-836x525.jpg 836w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Surrounded by stunning countryside, there are some fabulous walks all around Kings Worthy. They include stretches of <a href="https://www.thewatercressway.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Watercress Way,</a> which picks up the old Watercress Line. </p>



<p>For a culture fix or shopping splurge, we’re just three miles and less than 10 minutes’ drive from <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/winchester-city-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winchester</a> and the city’s lovely shops and indie boutiques. If you’ve got the time, wander and gape at <a href="https://www.visitwinchester.co.uk/listing/the-great-hall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Great Hall</a>&nbsp;with its legendary&nbsp;<a href="https://www.visitwinchester.co.uk/listing/the-great-hall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Round Table</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winchester Cathedral</a>. Or head for <a href="https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Arc city library and arts space</a>&nbsp;to catch the latest exhibitions. </p>



<p>Slightly further afield but still less than 20 minutes&#8217; away, the National Trust&#8217;s <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/hinton-ampner-alresford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hinton Ampner</a> (above) has superbly strollable gardens, immaculate borders and a lovely Kitchen Garden to explore.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ACCESSIBILITY</h2>



<p>There’s step-free access into the bar and loos and to the terrace from the rear car park.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Long lingering lunches, date nights and catchups. The quality and variety of the new menu makes it good value for money. There’s also a very well-priced kids’ menu and <a href="https://www.thecartandhorses-kingsworthy.co.uk/events" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regular events</a> featuring everything from comedy to flower arranging workshops and jazz brunches.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> Traditionalists might find some of the food and Med-vibe on the terrace a bit trendy but there’s plenty of indoor seating and traditional choices on the menu. </p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong> Decent value for the quality. Stix are £20/4, £30/6, small-plate starters from £8.50, mains from £14-£27 and desserts from £6.50. Steaks start at £30 and pizzas for £14. Kids mains are £6.50-£8. Cocktails are £10 and wines by the glass start at £7.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.thecartandhorses-kingsworthy.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cart and Horses</a>, London Road, Kings Worthy, Winchester, SO23 7QN. Tel. 01962 882360.</em></p>


Review: The Cart and Horses, Kings Worthy, Winchester

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