After a good walk, climbing the steep slopes of Catherington Down with The Hound, where better to enjoy a quick bite or a glass of wine then at The Bird in Hand, Lovedean … literally a two minute drive away.

The staff are very friendly, the service is brisk and considered – but best of all, dogs are welcome if they are well behaved.  All the rather delicious food is homemade and freshly prepared with two courses from the Handy Menu starting at GBP11.50 and three at just GBP14.00.  The Sunday Special Roast from just GBP9.95 for the main course is popular with locals.

Thanks to the local Waterlooville website, I learn that the FA Cup spent part of WWII at this Victorian pub.  Portsmouth FC won it in 1939 just prior to the war and the cup had been kept in the City until the threat of bombing raids necessitated a move to the safer surroundings of The Bird in Hand.  The landlord kept it hidden under his bed!  Due to the war in fact, Portsmouth FC can claim that it has held the FA Cup for the longest period.  It returned briefly in February 2009 for a charity fundraising event.

Address: 269 Lovedean Lane, Lovedean, Hants, PO8 9RX.  Tel:  02392 591 055.  The Bird in Hand is on Facebook too.