Out and About
The Mayflower, Lymington
CELEBRITY customers have included Hollywood idol Johnny Depp and rock star Elton John, plus some of Britain's sailing elite.
Surrounded by yacht clubs and exclusive marinas, The Mayflower is one of Lymington's most popular pubs.
Two of its biggest draws are its position and its large garden, which overlooks the Solent and the entrance to the Lymington River.
Neighbouring buildings include Lymington Town Sailing Club, the headquarters of Lymington Harbour Commissioners and the town's new lifeboat station, which all add to the nautical atmosphere.
Customers can watch cross-Solent ferries and other vessels enter the picturesque river while they enjoy their food and drink.
The pub is particularly popular at the height of summer, when staff often find themselves serving up to 1,000 meals a day.
Owner Chris Troup said: "The Mayflower used to be a completely different pub. It had a very traditional interior and a small restaurant - and half the garden was a wilderness.
"We ran it for a few months before embarking on a major improvement programme that cost between £250,000 and £300,000.
"We lightened it up and made it contemporary with a traditional feel."
Staff operated out of a marquee while builders extended the restaurant area, demolished all the old buildings on the site and resurfaced the car park.
The Mayflower reopened in June 2002 and is now often the first port of call for visiting yachtsmen.
Mr Troup added: "We're a yachting-orientated pub that majors in good food.
"We're next to two yacht clubs and quite close to marinas so we get quite a few yachtsmen as well as locals, although a lot of the locals are yachtsmen themselves."
However, the 80-year-old pub is equally popular with landlubbers.
Customers include people in need of refreshment after completing the popular coastal walk from Lymington to Keyhaven and back.
Run by Rob McKenna and his wife Jenny, the Mayflower stages curry nights on Mondays, quiz nights on Wednesdays and a daily happy hour.
Barbecues are held each day in July and August and every weekend in May, June and September.
4:29pm Friday 25th April 2008
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