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The King's Head Inn, Lymington

SAILORS make it the first port of call after returning to Lymington and author Leslie Thomas often pops in for a pint between chapters.

The 300-year-old King's Head Inn at Quay Hill is one of the town's most popular pubs.

Sandwiched between the high street and the town quay the building is also among the most picturesque in the New Forest.

It stands at the top of a cobbled hill leading down to the Lymington River and has appeared on countless calendars and post cards.

The interior is equally inviting, with candles on wooden tables and a roaring log fire that helps keep the winter chill at bay.

Customers are surrounded by photographs of famous yachts and other reminders of Lymington's maritime heritage, plus pictures of the King's Head at various stages in its history.

The pub is popular with residents and tourists alike and attracts people of all ages, despite the absence of jukeboxes and one-armed bandits.

One of the reviews on a "good beer" website describes the King's Head as the best pub in the Forest. It praises the busy but relaxed atmosphere and congratulates the kitchen staff on serving huge portions.

"Beware of having a starter and a main unless you've done some serious biking, hiking or sailing," says the reviewer.

Landlord Paul Stratton and his brother Gary bought the King's Head 14 years ago after deciding to follow in the footsteps of a relative who ran three pubs in the Forest.

Paul said: "We put my house up as guarantee and borrowed every last penny we could - even the money for the float."

Gary died ten years ago at the age of 31 but Paul stayed on and has seen the business go from strength to strength.

The King's Head is famous for serving restaurant-style food in a pub setting.

Paul added: "It's a nationally acclaimed pub that's been featured in every daily national newspaper apart from The Independent.

"We also have a full page in the Good Pub Guide, the publicans' bible and the only publication you can't pay to get in."

The pub's most famous customer is Leslie Thomas, author of The Virgin Soldiers, Waiting for the Day, and other best-sellers, who lives nearby.

Staff have also served Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie and fellow sailor Lawrie Smith. Actor Warren Mitchell, who played Alf Garnett in Til Death Us Do Part, has also been spotted at the bar.

Mr Stratton added: "It's a lovely pub that's full of characters - it just works very well."

12:26pm Friday 2nd February 2007

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