The Thomas Lord

SquareMeal Review of The Thomas Lord

Named after the founder of Lord’s Cricket Ground (who is buried in the churchyard), this is the real deal if you’re looking for a traditional village pub. And while it may have been spruced up and given the gastro treatment, there’s still a place for drinkers at the bar amid all the bats, caps, photos and other cricketing memorabilia. As for the cooking, it’s underpinned by seasonal ingredients and pickings from the pub’s own kitchen garden. Uncomplicated but accomplished dishes are a perfect fit, with the likes of Beaulieu Estate venison hotpot finding a slot alongside more fashionable offerings such as pan-fried bream with scallops, salsify, confit potatoes, clams and a bisque sauce. A trio of hand-pulled beers from the Upham Ale Company near Winchester adds to the boozy character of the place.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - Under £30
Cuisines
Gastropub
Food Hygiene Rating

Location

High Street West Meon Petersfield, Alresford, Hampshire, GU32 1LN

01730 829244 01730 829244

Website

Opening Times

Mon-Sun 12N-2pm (3pm Sat-Sun) Mon-Sat 7-9pm (9.30pm Fri-Sat)

Reviews

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3 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Anon

10 December 2022  
Food & Drink 1.5
Service 1.5
Atmosphere 2
Value 1.5
Not worth the trip

 Over £50 a head for four people, two of whom had no alcohol and the other two were under the limit. Two and a bit courses, small portions, and fortunately I was the only one out of four who didn't have large lumps of inedible fat in their cassoulet. I also noticed, as did the others, that the main course got cold very quickly, which didn't help when it when the temperature was so cold inside. I pointed out the lumps of fat but the waitress seemed to think it hilarious until I pointed out that I wasn't joking. Still, at least the smiling girl who gave me the bill had no idea about this. I see service was included, which is basically fine by me, but neither the staff member or I could find the VAT total anywhere on the bill, so I assume the service was levied on the VATable amount. Strange. I know times are very hard for pubs, but I don't think any of the four of us will be troubling the scorers here again.

rachael P

04 January 2012  
Food & Drink 1.5
Service 0.5
Atmosphere 2.5
Value 0.5
The staff don't seem interesting in serving! Very disappointed. Food okay but very over priced for what you get. Wish we had never gone. Manager (I think it was him) seemed more interesting in talking to the London people. We are local (Petersfield). Hoped the place had got better but not. Won't be visiting again. Which is a pity as has a good log fire! It seems to have moved away from the local pub to one serving those from London down for the weekend.

Fiona M

05 October 2009  
Food & Drink 4.5
Service 4.5
Atmosphere 4.5
Value 4
We regularly travel on the A3 or the M3 and usually end up stopping for something to eat in some awful motorway cafe/similar. On this occasion we decided to take a while for a proper pit-stop and booked in at the Thomas Lord. When they struggled to squeeze us in we suspected we were on to a winner and that the 15 minute detour from the main road would be worth while. I have to say we absolutely LOVED the place and are looking forward to our next journey so we can stop off again! The Thomas Lord is a paen to tradition and full of character. From the cricket bats hanging from the ceiling to the beautifully battered furniture (1950s JCR style leather armchairs by the fireplace, stuffing oozing comfortably from the armrests), it's a really quaint little place. The back garden has a woodfired oven where they serve pizza in the summer and their own chickens scratch happily away in their run at the end of the garden (eggs from the hens, with the name of the hen who laid each egg written on the shell, are on sale in the bar). I'm already planning a trip next summer! The food is great, I had two starters; the portabella mushrooms stuffed with goats cheese and onions, and the pigeon breast with beetroot salad. Both were beautifully cooked. My boyfriend had the beef faggots with mash, gravy and the freshest veg ever and polished it off in super-quick time. The Thomas Lord is one of those country pubs, which, like The Griffin Inn in Sussex, make a journey a joy. Having said that, West Meon is a charming village and worthy of a weekend visit in itself.
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01730 829244 01730 829244

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