The Wykeham Arms Kingsgate Street Winchester

Alright, gather 'round, folks. I've got a tale to tell about a little gem nestled in the heart of Winchester, a place that's been pouring pints and serving smiles since before your granddad was even a twinkle in his dad's eye. I'm talking about the Wykeham Arms on Kingsgate Street.

Let's rewind, shall we?

Picture this: it's the 18th century, and the Wykeham Arms is just a wee babe, fresh off the historical assembly line. It's not just a pub, mind you; it's a coaching inn. You know, the kind of place where weary travelers would stop to rest their horses, quench their thirst, and maybe even spend the night if they were feeling particularly knackered.

Now, I'm not saying the Wykeham Arms was the Ritz of its day, but it certainly had its charms. And let's not forget, this was back when a good night's sleep meant you didn't wake up with fleas. So, it was practically the Four Seasons, right?

Fast forward to the 21st century...

Walk into the Wykeham Arms today, and you'll find it's still got that old-world charm, but with a modern twist. It's like stepping into a time machine that's had a few too many pints and decided to stick around for the party.

First things first, the building itself is a bit of a looker. It's all wonky walls, low ceilings, and creaky floorboards that tell tales of centuries past. It's like the set of a period drama, but with better beer.

Speaking of beer...

Oh, the beer. The Wykeham Arms is like the United Nations of pints. They've got local brews that'll make your taste buds do the conga, and they're not afraid to show off their international credentials either. I mean, have you ever had a Belgian beer in Winchester? Didn't think so. Until now.

But here's where things get a bit... unusual. You see, the Wykeham Arms isn't just a pub. No, no, no. It's also a hotel. And not just any hotel, but one that's home to the smallest bedroom in Britain. Yes, you read that right. It's so small, you'll need to learn the art of contortion just to change your mind.

Now, I've stayed in some dodgy places in my time, but this? This is next level. It's like sleeping in a cupboard, but with a view. And a bed. Sort of. But hey, at least you can say you've slept in the smallest bedroom in Britain. That's got to be worth something on your bucket list, right?

Food glorious food

Alright, so maybe the bedroom situation is a bit... cozy. But fear not, for the Wykeham Arms has a secret weapon: the food. Oh, the food. It's like they took every delicious thing in the world and said, "Let's put that in a pie." And you know what? It works.

They've got pies that'll make your mouth water just thinking about them. We're talking steak and ale, chicken and leek, even a veggie one for the plant-lovers among us. And the best part? They're all homemade. None of that frozen nonsense here. This is real, honest-to-goodness, comfort food at its finest.

But wait, there's more! The Wykeham Arms isn't just about the pies (though, let's be honest, that's a pretty big selling point). They've also got a whole menu full of deliciousness, from burgers to salads, and everything in between. And the Sunday roast? Well, let's just say it's so good, it's practically a religious experience.

Now, let's talk history

You might be thinking, "That's all well and good, but what's the deal with the history?" Well, grab a seat, because things are about to get interesting.

First off, the Wykeham Arms is named after none other than William of Wykeham, the man who basically invented Winchester College and New College, Oxford. You know, no big deal. Just a couple of tiny little educational institutions.

But here's where things get really spooky. The Wykeham Arms is said to be haunted. Yes, you heard me right. Ghosts. In the pub. Now, I'm not one to believe in all that supernatural nonsense, but let me tell you, there are some weird things that go on in that place.

Staff have reported all sorts of strange happenings - from glasses moving on their own to full-blown apparitions. And get this, one of the ghosts is said to be a monk who was supposedly walled up alive in the building centuries ago. Charming, right?

Now, I don't know about you, but I find all that ghost stuff a bit creepy. But then again, I'm not the one sleeping in the smallest bedroom in Britain. Maybe I should just stick to the pies and leave the ghost-hunting to the professionals.

So, what's the verdict?

The Wykeham Arms is a bit of a gem, isn't it? It's got history, it's got character, it's got pies. What more could you want? Sure, it's not the biggest or the flashiest place in Winchester, but it's got something special. Something you can't quite put your finger on. Something... magical.

So, next time you're in Winchester, do yourself a favor and pop into the Wykeham Arms. Have a pint, try a pie, and who knows? You might just see a ghost. Or at least, have a good story to tell.

And if you do see a ghost, do me a favor and ask it if it knows where I can find a bigger bedroom. Cheers!