Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-Exterior-main.jpg" alt="The Ropemaker Emsworth Hampshire Heartwood Inns review" class="wp-image-35910" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-Exterior-main.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-Exterior-main-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-Exterior-main-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-Exterior-main-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>An Emsworth stalwart of several decades, The Brookfield Hotel closed its doors in 2023. In its place, The Ropemaker is a stylish new pub and restaurant with 43 boutique rooms.</p>



<p>Opened in July 2024 after a multimillion-pound overhaul, it was the second in the fast-expanding new Heartwood Inns collection (a sister company to Brasserie Blanc with Raymond Blanc as a co-founder and culinary lead). The group’s lineup now includes The Coat &amp; Bear in Newbury, The Royal Forest in Epping Forest, The White Hart in Lewes and The White Horse in Dorking. And they’re not stopping there: Heartwood aim to open 60 sites by 2027.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-dining-CREDIT-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Ropemaker Emsworth Hampshire Heartwood Inns review" class="wp-image-35911" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-dining-CREDIT-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-dining-CREDIT-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-dining-CREDIT-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-dining-CREDIT.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic: The Ropemaker, Heartwood Inns</figcaption></figure>



<p>A nod to the area’s keen sailing links, The Ropemaker himself is there to greet you on an oversized deckchair as you approach the entrance. At the back of the pub, there’s a pretty courtyard and private dining beach huts. Done out in Heartwood’s signature warm, welcoming style, inside, there are stripped wood floors, upholstered chairs and paired-back wooden tabletops. There are other quirky nods to the pub’s coastal location and Victorian heritage too, like the painting of the pipe-smoking fisherman in his wet weather gear by the door, as well as fish prints and seascapes.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-interior-3.jpg" alt="The Ropemaker Emsworth Hampshire Heartwood Inns review" class="wp-image-35913" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-interior-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-interior-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-interior-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-interior-3-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="934" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-bar-CREDIT.jpg" alt="Bar at The Ropemaker Emsworth Hampshire Heartwood Inns review" class="wp-image-35912" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-bar-CREDIT.jpg 1400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-bar-CREDIT-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-bar-CREDIT-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-bar-CREDIT-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic: The Ropemaker, Heartwood Inns</figcaption></figure>



<p>Word-of-mouth has spread quickly. When we check-in, there’s plenty of locals enjoying a drink in the newly enlarged central bar and tables in the restaurant are filling fast.</p>



<p>The menu at The Ropemaker is signature Raymond with lots of parallels to that of sister-chain Brasserie Blanc: plenty of seasonal British ingredients with French and British bistro classics like steaks, burgers and cassoulet.</p>



<p>The wine list sits on a single page but covers all the bases with a good choice by the glass – mostly French with a few Italian, Spanish and Portuguese drops too. My Picpoul de Pinet from the Langedoc is crisp and fresh and makes a pleasant alternative to the ubiquitous sauvignon I usually default to.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-cheese-souffle.jpg" alt="cheese souffle at The Ropemaker Emsworth Hampshire Heartwood Inns review" class="wp-image-35914" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-cheese-souffle.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-cheese-souffle-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-cheese-souffle-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-cheese-souffle-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Recommended by our waiter, to start, a perfectly risen cheese souffle and cheddar sauce is utterly divine. Pleasingly, Hampshire’s own ChalkStream trout is a regular fixture on the menu here and a hot smoked fillet with beetroot and cauliflower crème fraiche more than passes muster too.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-duck-main.jpg" alt="Duck and potato dauphinoise at The Ropemaker Emsworth Hampshire Heartwood Inns review" class="wp-image-35915" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-duck-main.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-duck-main-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-duck-main-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-duck-main-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>On to mains: a very nicely cooked duck breast with Madeira sauce, dauphinoise and wild mushrooms and equally well-executed hake Grenobloise with mash, brown butter and capers.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-autumn-pudding.jpg" alt="Autumn Still Life pudding dessert at The Ropemaker Emsworth Hampshire Heartwood Inns review" class="wp-image-35916" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-autumn-pudding.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-autumn-pudding-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-autumn-pudding-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-autumn-pudding-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>For pud, a showstopping ‘Autumnal still life’ including chestnut and coffee parfait, meringue, frosted pecan and chocolate mousse really is a work of art and rounds off our meal beautifully.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pillow-talk">PILLOW TALK</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-bedroom-3.jpg" alt="Bedroom at The Ropemaker Emsworth Hampshire Heartwood Inns Really Fancy Room" class="wp-image-35907" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-bedroom-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-bedroom-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-bedroom-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-bedroom-3-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Bedrooms at the Ropemaker range from a Snug to Comfy, Really Comfy, Fancy and Really Fancy, with rainfall showers, Bramley toiletries, Roberts radios, complimentary treats and smart TVs. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1600" height="1200" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-bedroom-2.jpg" alt="Bedroom at The Ropemaker Emsworth Hampshire Heartwood Inns review" class="wp-image-35908" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-bedroom-2.jpg 1600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-bedroom-2-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-bedroom-2-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-bedroom-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-bedroom-2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" /></figure>



<p>Ours (a Really Fancy, natch) has added luxuries like a lounge area, an Illy coffee machine, towelling bath robes and slippers, a super comfortable, super king-sized bed with crisp white sheets. Cleverly, the TV manoeuvres around so you can watch in bed or make it disappear into its wooden casing. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-breakfast.jpg" alt="Breakfast at The Ropemaker Emsworth Hampshire Heartwood Inns review" class="wp-image-35909" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-breakfast.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-breakfast-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-breakfast-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/11/Ropemaker-Emsworth-breakfast-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>In the morning, a Full Veggie breakfast with poached eggs and a cappuccino gets my Sunday off to a great start.</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="998" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Emsworth-BPTL-main-image.jpg" alt="Emsworth harbour Hampshire Best Places to Live coastal" class="wp-image-35296" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Emsworth-BPTL-main-image.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Emsworth-BPTL-main-image-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Emsworth-BPTL-main-image-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Emsworth-BPTL-main-image-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Take a walk around the Mill Pond or one of the beautiful coastal paths around Chichester Harbour. <a href="https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/staunton-farm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stansted Park</a> in nearby Rowlands Castle has a great tearoom, miniature railway line, play park and farm shop, with guided tours of the fascinating house by appointment. If you’ve got the kids in-tow, <a href="https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/staunton-farm">Staunton Farm</a> just up the road in Havant has animals to pet and brilliant play equipment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-child-friendly">CHILD FRIENDLY</h2>



<p>The vibe on a busy Saturday night is pretty grown-up but by day (or early evening) this would be a great spot for a family meal. There’s a decent kid’s menu with burgers, mac and cheese and grilled trout. Upstairs, The Ropemakers’ Fancy Family room has space for a cot and an extra bed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly">DOG FRIENDLY?</h2>



<p>Yes – dogs are allowed in the bar, a separate area of the dining room (book ahead) and there are several dog-friendly rooms, too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>Family meals, dimmed-light, romantic date-night suppers and staycation layovers are all well catered for here.</p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>The seasonal, on-point bistro fare at The Ropemaker is well done and well priced for the quality and star chef curation. That said, the whole place is purposefully relaxed and unstuffy – if you&#8217;re after starched tablecloths and Michelin guide fine dining you&#8217;ll need to look elsewhere.</p>



<p><strong>The damage: </strong>Starters are £7-£10, mains are £14-£32, puds are £7-9. Rooms start from £100 per night in a Snug, rising to around £200 for a Really Fancy room.</p>



<p><a href="https://ropemakeremsworth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Ropemaker,</em></a><em> 93 Havant Road, Emsworth PO10 7LF. Tel. 01243 373363.</em></p>


Review: The Ropemaker, Emsworth

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