The Hourglass

Picturesque, classy, good value - these are all epithets richly deserved by The Hourglass, a 16th century thatched restaurant half a mile from Fordingbridge town centre. The smart country set and Londoners on weekend escapes never fail to fall for the olde charms of the low-beamed, open-fired restaurant where they enjoy formal dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Good British food with an emphasis on seafood is the gist of Trevor Lovell's menu, such as scallops with mushy peas, black pudding and bacon sauce. The place to lounge after your meal is in the modern rustic bar where you can melt into a state of loose-belted relaxation in the inglenook. The staff are young and buzzy. Sounds like a smashing set up for a lovely weekend, doesn't it?Average price - £35 (€49)In-house Bar The Hourglass has a relaxed in-house bar, so head along early if you'd like to have a few glasses of wine before your meal.