Heritage Trail

Possibly because of its long association with brewing, Romsey has had an abundance of inns over the years. Sadly, as in many towns, many have long since disappeared, but Romsey and brewing go hand in hand.

The Old House at Home is just a stone’s throw from the town centre and is one of the oldest to survive, although there are some which can claim still older ancestry.

Parts of it date from the 17th century and it is the only thatched roof pub in the town, and inside there are still a host of period features.

In recent times it has built its reputation on its range of wines and real ales, along with its menu, and is popular with locals and visitors to the town because of its blending of old world charm with a friendly atmosphere, and has the claim to being pub of the year by London brewer Fullers on at least three occasions.

Romsey was once at the heart of the Strong Country and billboards alongside the main railway line out of London would proclaim “You are entering the Strong Country.”

That related to the brewery of that name which for nearly 100 years was the principal industry of the town, founded by a Thomas Strong in 1858.

Records show that previously there had been a number of smaller brewing concerns. The brewery was taken over by Whitbread 45 years ago, and though brewing was to remain until the 1980s, Whitbread eventually withdrew. Much of the old brewhouse was demolished and the brewery tower, known locally as the Horsefair Tower was converted to a suite of offices.

Today, the tradition is maintained by an independent brewer, but many townspeople still have fond memories of what was once an institution in the town.