Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hampshire-s-woolpack-inn-reopens-with-garden-to-plate-feasts">HAMPSHIRE’S WOOLPACK INN REOPENS WITH GARDEN-TO-PLATE FEASTS</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/17/2025/09/The-Woolpack-Totford-montage_credit-Jake-Eastham.jpg" alt="The Woolpack pub Totford Alresford Hampshire news reopened gastropub" class="wp-image-38345" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/The-Woolpack-Totford-montage_credit-Jake-Eastham.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/The-Woolpack-Totford-montage_credit-Jake-Eastham-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/The-Woolpack-Totford-montage_credit-Jake-Eastham-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/The-Woolpack-Totford-montage_credit-Jake-Eastham-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Images: The Woolpack at Totford, <em>Jake Eastham</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Another major foodie upgrade for Hampshire’s rising gastro scene. Set in the teeny hamlet of Totford in the rolling Candover Valley, just a hop from Winchester, Alresford and the River Test, <a href="https://www.thewoolpackinn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Woolpack Inn</a> has just reopened its doors after a million-pound revamp, complete with eight boutique bedrooms named after game birds, a private dining room and a quarter-acre Kitchen Garden producing nearly all the veg on the menu. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/The-Woolpack-Totford-credit-Jake-Eastham-chef-local-sourced-1000x667.jpg" alt="Kitchen garden at the Woopack at Totford, Jake Eastham" class="wp-image-38352" style="aspect-ratio:1.4992503748125936;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/The-Woolpack-Totford-credit-Jake-Eastham-chef-local-sourced-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/The-Woolpack-Totford-credit-Jake-Eastham-chef-local-sourced-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/The-Woolpack-Totford-credit-Jake-Eastham-chef-local-sourced-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/The-Woolpack-Totford-credit-Jake-Eastham-chef-local-sourced.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Kitchen garden at The Woolpack at Totford, <em>Jake Eastham</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Think venison sausage rolls with black garlic ketchup, Hampshire pork chops with garden chimichurri and delicate afternoon teas from pastry chef Leah Vicary – all made with ingredients plucked straight from the pub’s own garden or sourced from within a 50-mile radius.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chewton-glen-unveils-glam-new-interiors">CHEWTON GLEN UNVEILS GLAM NEW INTERIORS</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/17/2018/12/Chewton-Glen-exterior-LBB.jpg" alt="Chewton Glen Hotel New Forest Hampshire" class="wp-image-32762" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/12/Chewton-Glen-exterior-LBB.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/12/Chewton-Glen-exterior-LBB-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/12/Chewton-Glen-exterior-LBB-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/12/Chewton-Glen-exterior-LBB-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Chewton Glen</figcaption></figure>



<p>A Five-Star country house hotel icon between the New Forest and Hampshire’s coastline, <a href="https://www.chewtonglen.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chewton Glen Hotel &amp; Spa</a> has just unveiled a serious glow-up, including a freshly revamped Dining Room, Drawing Rooms and Colonel’s Bar courtesy of London design hotshots, Goddard Littlefair. </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/17/2025/09/Chewton-Glen-Dining-Room.jpg" alt="Dining room at Chewton Glen Hotel news Hampshire" class="wp-image-38342" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Chewton-Glen-Dining-Room.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Chewton-Glen-Dining-Room-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Chewton-Glen-Dining-Room-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Chewton-Glen-Dining-Room-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Chewton Glen</figcaption></figure>



<p>The Dining Room is now all light, terraces and coastal flavours, with menus championing New Forest produce and just-plucked-from-the-sea catches, while the Tasting Room pulls double duty – breakfast pantry by day, wine tastings and cheffy fine dining by night. The Drawing Rooms lean into cosy-elegant vibes, where mornings mean coffee and pastries by the fire, afternoons are all about tea and cake and evenings roll into oysters and fizz. </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/17/2025/09/Chewton_Dining_Room_Bar.jpg" alt="Bar at Chewton Glen Hotel New Forest Hampshire luxury stays" class="wp-image-38343" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Chewton_Dining_Room_Bar.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Chewton_Dining_Room_Bar-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Chewton_Dining_Room_Bar-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Chewton_Dining_Room_Bar-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Chewton Glen</figcaption></figure>



<p>Over in The Colonel’s Bar, oak panelling, tartans and buff upholstery set the scene for cocktail sophistication. With new GM Guy Owen steering the ship and a big 60th birthday bash on the horizon in 2026, it looks very much like Chewton Glen is setting itself up for its most stylish chapter yet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pumpkins-pastries-and-coffee-sunnyfields-opens-new-tonic-rooms-cafe">PUMPKINS, PASTRIES AND COFFEE: SUNNYFIELDS OPENS NEW TONIC ROOMS CAFE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="934" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Tonic-Rooms-cafe-at-Sunnyfields-Farm-Hampshire.jpg" alt="The Tonic Rooms Cafe Sunnyfields Farm Totton pumpkin fields Hampshire" class="wp-image-38351" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Tonic-Rooms-cafe-at-Sunnyfields-Farm-Hampshire.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Tonic-Rooms-cafe-at-Sunnyfields-Farm-Hampshire-800x498.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Tonic-Rooms-cafe-at-Sunnyfields-Farm-Hampshire-1000x623.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Tonic-Rooms-cafe-at-Sunnyfields-Farm-Hampshire-768x478.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: The Tonic Rooms at Sunnyfields Farm</figcaption></figure>



<p>Famed for its legendary pumpkin patch and autumn festival, Sunnyfields Farm in Totton has just upped its game with the arrival of <a href="https://tonicrooms.com/">The Tonic Rooms</a>. Previously the site of fine dining Restaurant AO, the farm now has a new café and events space with a focus on good coffee, proper cream teas and a brunch menu packed with locally sourced loveliness.</p>



<p>But it’s not just about the food – The Tonic Rooms is a new social venue too, with a calendar of live music, creative workshops and seasonal celebrations. Add in Sunnyfields’ rustic backdrop and you’ve got a perfect pre- or post-pitstop for pumpkin-picking season (try saying that at speed).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-basingstoke-star-baker-tickles-tastebuds-on-tv-s-bake-off-an-extra-slice">BASINGSTOKE STAR BAKER TICKLES TASTEBUDS ON TV&#8217;S <em>BAKE OFF: AN EXTRA SLICE</em></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="720" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Bob-i-tea-Boo-Caravan-1000x720.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-38344" style="aspect-ratio:1.3888888888888888;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Bob-i-tea-Boo-Caravan-1000x720.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Bob-i-tea-Boo-Caravan-800x576.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Bob-i-tea-Boo-Caravan-768x553.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/09/Bob-i-tea-Boo-Caravan.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: (Left) Carole&#8217;s <em>Bake Off </em>cupcakes. Right: Dolly the Vintage Tearoom. <em>Facebook</em>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bobiteaboo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@bobiteaboo</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Move over soggy bottoms, Basingstoke’s very own queen of teeny tea parties has had her moment in the <em>Bake Off </em>spotlight. Carole Turner, former owner of the Parlour Tea Rooms at the Viables, now runs <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bobiteaboo">Bob-i-Tea-Boo</a>, her dinky six-seater back garden tearoom in a vintage caravan called Dolly. </p>



<p>Jumping at the opportunity to showcase her tasty bakes, she hot footed it to London for an appearance on TV’s <em><a href="https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-great-british-bake-off-an-extra-slice/on-demand/78356-001" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bake Off: An Extra Slice</a></em> last week. </p>



<p>Joined by her farm shop colleague Kieran, Carole wowed host Tom Allen with a spread of dainty bakes, all served up in delicate teacups. Behind the scenes, the comedy panel and<em> Bake Off: The Professionals</em> judge and cake legend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cherish_finden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cherish Finden</a> were all sneaking seconds – leaving Carole happily pinching herself at the surreal experience.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sweet-like-chocolate-bartlett-boutique-opens-in-ringwood">SWEET LIKE CHOCOLATE: BARTLETT BOUTIQUE OPENS IN RINGWOOD</h2>



<p>Over in the New Forest, Ringwood has a delicious new arrival with the launch of <a href="https://bartlettdechoc.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bartlett De Choc</a>, a chocolate and French patisserie boutique on Meeting House Lane. Owned by husband-and-wife duo Tracy and Nicholas Bartlett, the space is part live kitchen, part art gallery, with artist Nicholas’s sculptor’s eye shaping the stylish, hand-built design. The opening menu stars hand-crafted autumn-inspired bon bons, alongside glossy truffles, chocolate bars, chocolate-coated pistachios and six pastries baked fresh each morning – from elegant choux and fruit tarts to feather-light madeleines. Enter with caution.</p>


Superflash! Hot new openings, Bake Off cameo and more

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