IT'S the 300-year-old Hampshire pub saved from the jaws of developers and given a new lease of life following a five-year campaign to reopen it by villagers.
The Plough Inn is a community-owned pub and hub in Longparish which has become a foodie destination in the 15 months since it reopened.
Dating back to 1721, the pub was sold to a developer in 2015 to be turned into housing. After lots of campaigning and fundraising, it was bought by the parish council and community by way of a government grant and more than £300,000 raised by a shareholder offer, which attracted 240 investors from the village and further afield.
General manager of 18 months Steve Howard said: "After months of incredibly hard work, inside and out, and 300 years after it first began trading, The Plough Inn is once again at the heart of the Longparish community.
"The opening night on Friday September 17, 2021 was our most memorable moment. Following almost five years of hard work and fundraising to save the pub and then seeing it full to the brim of happy customers was amazing.
"The main challenge has been re-establishing The Plough as a destination pub. There are so many great places to eat and drink in the area. To start from nothing was a massive challenge. We're happy to say that after a year of hard work, we are regularly fully booked and receive fantastic feedback and reviews."
Steve and Lucy, who are originally from Hull, are known for their Northern hospitality as much as their fantastic food and ales.
The menu centres around locally-sourced modern pub classics with specials added throughout the week. Some of the most popular dishes are trio of Bere Mill sausages with creamed mash and seasonal vegetables and Middleton Estate venison burger served with fries and slaw. Roasted cauliflower steak served with pan-fried potatoes, sautéed spinach and salsa is a vegan favourite.
The family and dog-friendly pub, which is right on the Test Way with access to great walks, even serves doggy roasts on a Sunday.
Behind the bar, River Test Distillery gins, Timothy Taylors cask ales, Finely Tuned Brewery cask ales, Camden Hells lager and Thistly Cross whisky cask cider are particular favourites.
The Plough also enjoys a large patio area and an impressive garden looking out onto the fields of the Middleton Estate.
Locals enjoy the quarterly quiz nights and through the winter months, every Friday evening the pub is illuminated purely by candlelight, creating an amazing ambience.
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