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/17/2019/04/Wellington-Arms-exterior.jpg" alt="The Wellington Arms Stratford Turgis Wellington Estate Hampshire Basingstoke gastropub" class="wp-image-37013" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Wellington-Arms-exterior.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Wellington-Arms-exterior-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Wellington-Arms-exterior-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Wellington-Arms-exterior-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Dating back to the 18th Century, <a href="https://www.wellingtonarmshampshire.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Wellington Arms</a>&nbsp;is an elegant inn right on the Hampshire-Berkshire border. Situated on the 7,000-acre&nbsp;Wellington Estate (home to the Dukes of Wellington), to get here, it&#8217;s a short 7 mile-hop from Basingstoke along the A33 and around 10 miles from Reading along the same stretch.</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/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-garden.jpg" alt="Pub garden The Wellington Arms Stratfield Turgis Wellington Estate Hampshire Berkshire" class="wp-image-37014" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-garden.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-garden-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-garden-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-garden-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A tasteful £2.5m renovation in 2018 has stood the pub in good stead. Outside, The Wellington Arms has a large garden with views and ample parking, including electric charging points. Beyond, the private rose garden and pavilion is all geared up for alfresco wedding ceremonies and drinks receptions and separately, The Waterloo Suite, a standalone events space for up to 140 guests.</p>



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



<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/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-dining-room.jpg" alt="Dining room at The Wellington Arms Stratfield Turgis Hampshire" class="wp-image-37017" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-dining-room.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-dining-room-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-dining-room-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-dining-room-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Decor-wise, The Wellington Arms nails the balance of heritage and contemporary comfort, with a relaxed vibe throughout. Polished hardwood floors, wooden tabletops, carved fireplaces and sash windows are just a few of the trad country pub fixtures and features. Then there&#8217;s eclectic artwork, upholstered banquettes, &#8216;Wellington&#8217; boot planters in the garden and other tongue-in-cheek nods. The level of &#8220;quirk&#8221; in this place is absolutely spot on.</p>



<p>The bar area has a handful of people enjoying a drink or dining with dogs in-tow. It flows through to a smart dining area where, on our visit, couples, families and groups of friends are seated for a busy Friday night service.</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/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-bar.jpg" alt="Wellington Arms Bar" class="wp-image-37018" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-bar.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-bar-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-bar-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-bar-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<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/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-pictures-wall.jpg" alt="The Duke of Wellington Arms Stratford Turgis Wellington Estate Hampshire Basingstoke gastropub" class="wp-image-37028" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-pictures-wall.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-pictures-wall-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-pictures-wall-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-pictures-wall-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



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



<p>Dining here for the first time, it&#8217;s fair to say we were impressed. Service was friendly and relaxed and every course was delicious and incredibly well executed (and without the gastro price tag you might expect being this close to Berkshire). </p>



<p>Formerly in the kitchens at top London restaurants and hotels including Mews of Mayfair, Quaglinos and The Orange in Belgravia, Head Chef Sam Rider joined The Wellington Arms in late 2023 and has created a menu with real flair.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1100" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-starter.jpg" alt="Seared scallops with kholrabi and wakame crisp at The Wellington Arms gastropub Hampshire Muddy Stilettos" class="wp-image-37024" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-starter.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-starter-800x587.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-starter-1000x733.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-starter-768x563.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Creative starters are seriously tasty. Our plump, seared scallops are served with a Japanese twist of kombu dashi cream, kohlrabi and a contrasting, meaty-tasting wakame (seaweed) crisp. And with indecision on what to go for leading to plate hopping, we&#8217;re both in raptures about a meltingly soft burrata with hot honey (very on trend) and pickled carrots.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1100" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-steak.jpg" alt="Steak at The Wellington Arms Hampshire " class="wp-image-37026" style="aspect-ratio:1.364256480218281;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-steak.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-steak-800x587.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-steak-1000x733.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-steak-768x563.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Friday night is steak-frites night at The Wellington Arms, with a bargain set menu for £25 including rump steak and a glass of wine. For a bit extra, you could upgrade to a dry-aged ribeye. Mr. Muddy can&#8217;t believe his luck and goes into raptures about the quality and flavour. (I can vouch for the chips, too). Meanwhile, I devour a well-executed gastro classic of smoked haddock fishcake with a side of greens.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1100" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-pud.jpg" alt="Rhubarb pudding" class="wp-image-37027" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-pud.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-pud-800x587.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-pud-1000x733.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-pud-768x563.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>After his sizeable steak, Mr. Muddy calls time. I soldier on, intrigued by the rhubarb and custard choux bun, which brings our very good meal to a delicious conclusion. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay">STAY</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/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-bedroom.jpg" alt="Bedroom at The Wellington Arms inn Hampshire Berkshire Wellington Estate" class="wp-image-37021" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-bedroom.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-bedroom-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-bedroom-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-bedroom-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The hotel has 31 rooms&nbsp;– six in the main house and 19 in the modern extension to the back. Located up a small flight of stairs, the decor is simple but tasteful. I rather fell in love with the king-sized leather sleigh bed with its crisp white sheets and comfortable mattress. Like the rest of the room, the white-tiled bathroom was extremely clean, with a rain shower and Espa smellies. </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/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-breakfast.jpg" alt="toasted sourdough breakfast with smashed avo, poached eggs, watercress and fresh chillies at The Wellington Arms Wellington Estate Hampshire
" class="wp-image-37022" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-breakfast.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-breakfast-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-breakfast-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-breakfast-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Breakfast in the morning was next level. After picking through a choice of fresh fruit, coffee, juice, cereals and pastries laid out on the large dining table we moved on to cooked-to-order options from the sizeable menu, including this toasted sourdough, laden with smashed avo, perfectly poached eggs, watercress and a light sprinkling of fresh chillies.</p>



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



<p>Kids are well-catered for here. Family rooms sleep up to four with a king and sofa bed or there&#8217;s the option of interconnecting rooms if you book ahead. The &#8216;Young Diners&#8217; menu is simple but full of good choices and local produce.</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1170" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-dogs.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-37033" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-dogs.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-dogs-800x624.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-dogs-1000x780.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wellington-Arms-dogs-768x599.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Sure! Dogs are welcome in the bar (with a handy jar of treats for the well behaved). They can also stay over with their own bed and treats for a £15 supplement.</p>



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



<p>The Wellington Arms is wheelchair accessible in the dining areas. There&#8217;s adapted ground floor rooms and access from the car park.</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="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/06/Wellington-Country-Park-play-areas.jpg" alt="Wellington-Country-Park-play-areas" class="wp-image-13908" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/06/Wellington-Country-Park-play-areas.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/06/Wellington-Country-Park-play-areas-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/06/Wellington-Country-Park-play-areas-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/06/Wellington-Country-Park-play-areas-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Fancy a walk in the countryside?&nbsp;<a href="https://wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wellington Country Park</a>&nbsp;is a five minute drive and a great place to do it. An absolute must for little kids, it has an amazing adventure playground and you’ll find farm animals, a miniature railway and more. A few minutes down the road, there&#8217;s <a href="http://wellington-riding.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wellington Riding equestrian centre</a>&nbsp;for lessons and hacks. And if you want to nose around the Duke of Wellington’s ancestral pile, head to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wellingtonestates.co.uk/stratfield-saye-house" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stratfield Saye House</a>. For more historical hotness, <a href="https://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Highclere Castle</a> (Downton Abbey) and <a href="https://janeaustens.house/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jane Austen’s House</a> are 30 minutes by car.</p>



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



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>A romantic weekend away in the country, a meal out that won&#8217;t disappoint, or post-walk pitstop. <br><strong>Not for: </strong>An ultra-modern metropolitan vibe. The Wellington Arms wears its rural heart on its sleeve. The busy road won’t please everyone but once you’re inside, you neither see or notice passing vehicles.<br><strong>££:&nbsp;</strong>Very reasonable for these parts &#8211; and the quality. Starters are £6.5-£12.75; Mains are £15-£30 and puds are £7.50-£10. Rooms start at around £110 per night including a full breakfast.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.wellingtonarmshampshire.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Wellington Arms</a>,&nbsp;Stratfield Turgis, Basingstoke RG27 0AS. Tel:&nbsp;01256 882214</em></p>


Review: The Wellington Arms, Stratfield Turgis

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