Introducing you to the Greyhound on the Test in the Test Valley, Hampshire
When it comes to a rustic retreat, the Greyhound on the Test makes for a superb staycay sojourn. This gastropub hotel with boutique accommodation is quaint, stylish and is located in a
quintessential English village jam-packed with rural charm, plus it’s completely dog-friendly too meaning your pups can enjoy a fun weekend away too!
But, the hotel which is in the heart of the Test Valley countryside certainly packs a punch when it comes to the aesthetics, location and of course, the food!
Situated on the village’s attractive high street which has a number of lovely independent shops and cafes, the Greyhound on the Test is located on the River Test and has a picturesque garden that leads down to the river. We visited on Coronation weekend and the entire village was decked out in bunting and Union Jack flags.
The main area of the pub which is over 600 years old has character in abundance with its oak beams, exposed brick walls and sumptuous velvet furnishings. It also has a wood-burning stove, eye-catching fisheye mirrors and a spectacular starburst style clock made from wine bottles.
Our room ‘Left Three’ was nothing short of cosy chic, nestled at the top of the building, it’s adorned with soft soothing hues of Farrow & Ball paint on wood-panelled walls, decorative headboards, lamps, cushions and stylish furniture.
The bathroom is bathroom goals personified and is almost as big as the bedroom area. From the sumptuous Molton Brown toiletries to the large roll top bath, you may find it a tad tricky tearing yourself away from here.
But, we here at House of Coco are nothing but troopers and the prospect of an exciting meal definitely was the motivation of saying a fond farewell to the bliss-inducing bath and heading down the stairs to check out the food in the 2 AA rosette restaurant that offers flavoursome and seasonal dishes.
There were six starters to choose from which included sage and mustard sausage roll, a leek & potato soup, a chalk stream trout & smoked cheddar tartlet and my personal choice – a confit duck terrine with truffle butter, a burnt onion emulsion and rhubarb. The starter was expertly cooked with a real fresh and zingy taste and was beautifully presented.
For the main, we opted for the Hampshire beef sirloin with triple-cooked chips, which was delicious, but the chips were a tad heavy. There was a fantastic selection of dishes to choose from which included treacle-cured lamb, roasted cod, roasted heritage cauliflower and a beautifully-seasoned pea, broad bean and courgette risotto.
The dessert selection was chock-full of English traditional dishes like a raspberry trifle, a Rhubarb and Blood Orange Alaska and a Eton Mess with sable crumb teamed with a bottle of sparkling rose.
When it comes to the hotel’s breakfast, you can choose from a selection of pastries, granola, fruit and yoghurt as well as ordering off the menu which includes a Full English, Test-smoked trout with scrambled eggs and smashed avocado with poached eggs.
Trout is a BIG deal here, it can not only be found on the menu at the Greyhound on the Test, but in other restaurants too.
The Test Valley is a mecca for those who love to fly fish and the proximity of the river to the Greyhound makes it an absolute must-visit for those who want to cast their lines into the pretty river.
The Test Valley region was voted one of the best places to live in 2022 and it’s easy to see why thanks to the soaring hills and landscape of the Test Valley which yield the most scenic views to die for.
It is absolutely beautiful and it’s an ideal place for walking, hiking and cycling. You can also try clay pigeon shooting which sadly wasn’t available at the time of our visit, but there’s a fantastic selection of interesting things to see and do in this stunning area of Hampshire.
Our favourite thing to do in the Test Valley is to pay a visit to the Black Chalk Vineyard and Winery who are doing brilliant things for English wine.
Situated in the heart of the valley by the River Test, you can enjoy both tours and tastings (booking is recommended) where you can learn more about the history of the vineyard and see it in action and learn more about the winemaking process from the cultivation through to the finished product.
Nick, the General Manager helpfully takes you through the wine tasting which you can also pair with either an Afternoon Tea, a selection of cheeses, charcuterie, smoked trout and paté all of which taste absolutely divine with the stunning wines.
There are three wines all of which are an absolute must which includes the Black Chalk Classic, Wild Rose and the lovely Dancer in Pink which is crafted using Pinot Noir, Pinot Précoce and Pinot Gris and tastes of summer strawberries and cherry blossom.
The only thing left to do is to take a bottle of fizz and head back to the sanctuary of ‘Left Three’ to reacquaint ourselves with that impressive bathtub!
Check in: An overnight stay costs from £175 for two sharing a King Room, including breakfast. To book, visit https://thegreyhoundonthetest.co.uk/ or call 01264 810 833.
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