It's the stunning riverside country pub which has hosted a three Michelin star chef and won several awards in the first year since its glamorous relaunch.
Marco Pierre White, who was enjoying a spot of fishing on the nearby river, is among the satisfied customers at The Duke on the Test, near Romsey.
The 16th Century Inn reopened last July reimagined for the 21st Century.
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Officially opened by Saints legendary manager and nearby resident Lawrie McMenemy, it was extended to include 12 en-suite bedrooms and an inviting sunroom.
Since then the Greatbridge Road pub, previously known as The Dukes Head, has received a stunning five-star rating from VisitEngland as part of an assessment and scored a 9.1 (out of 10) in the Traveller Review Awards 2023 from Booking.com.
The Duke on the Test, which serves Flack Manor ales from Romsey alongside Guy Ritchie's brews from Salisbury, boasts an extended bar and restaurant area for nearly 100 customers, as well as an outside patio space.
Other features include a double aspect log burner, a snug and a library area. Many of the original features have remained including oak beams and an Inglenook fireplace.
The Duke dates back to 1583 when the first hostelry opened on the site. Since then, the pub has had a rich history until its closure awaiting rejuvenation in 2017.
General manager Mark Pinn said: "It's a wonderful place to meet, eat, drink and sleep in the heart of the Test Valley. We are a stone’s throw from the River Test which makes for a stunning location for customers. We are a dog-friendly in the bar and can offer a river walk just a few hundred yards away. We are serving delicious home-cooked gastropub dishes alongside local real ales and a fabulous selection of wines and spirits.
"As members of Hampshire Fare, the emphasis is on all things from the Test Valley region – fresh produce, locally sourced. We are using Chalk Stream Trout and the local Vineyards Black Chalk and Danebury for our wine list."
The Duke on The Test is managed in conjunction with the Four Horseshoes in Nursling which was refurbished and extended in 2019.
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