It has been a year since the United Kingdom reported the first case of coronavirus in the country.

Since then, the pandemic and lockdowns have been controlling our lives, leaving little room for normalcy.

All we want now is to get back to regular life when we get together, meet family and friends, and go for a tipple.

Pubs being one of the most important parts of our lives, we asked our readers which are the watering holes that everyone is most excited to visit when the lockdown is over.

And you didn't disappoint. There were a number of suggestions on which boozer was the very top of your list when looking for a good pint.

More than 100 people got involved to tell us your views. So we collated all your answers and came up with your favourite pubs from across Andover.

The Walnut Tree in Andover

One of the most popular pubs in Andover, The Walnut Tree is “a small local pub with great service from lovely people.

One of our readers wrote: “[I’m most excited to go back to] Walnut Tree. I'm looking forward to having gammon and chips.”

A user on Trip Advisor who visited the pub in September 2020 has said: “They were so hospitable and went out of their way to make us welcome and accommodate our food and drinks requirements. The food was basic pub Fare but tasty and very reasonably priced.”

The Wonston Arms Freehouse Village Pub in Winchester

The Wonston Arms has the “best HQ ever”, according to one of the persons who commented on our question.

A Trip Advisor user who visited this pub in February 2020 has given an excellent review to the pub.

“During a weekend away in Sutton Scotney, one of our group mentioned that she’d like to visit the Wonston Arms as she’d heard it had been rated best pub in the country. We therefore took a short walk up to the pub for a quick drink and agree, it’s lovely! Set back on a country road, it’s small and quaint inside but has a real charm to it.

“It’s clearly popular as there weren’t any seats when we got there, but even in the February cold we sat outside to enjoy our drinks (there were some heaters outside which helped!). Although we didn’t eat, we loved that there was a little street vendor van parked outside where pub goers were able to order Thai food and take it back into the pub.

“It was clearly popular! We enjoyed our visit and glad we made the effort to pop by for a quick drink - no doubt if we’re local again, we’ll be back.”

The Foresters Arms

One of the most popular pubs in Andover, Forester Arms also received a number of votes from the people who commented on our Facebook post.

According to reviewers on TripAdvisor, this pub “has it all – a varied bar that serves such a variety of drinks that you will be spoilt for choice, a fabulous Sunday lunch and buffet food for parties. They never skimp on entertainment and offer a different act on the weekends that will suit most tastes. They have a pool and darts team with both accessible for people just wanting a quick game.”

The Oak at Smannell

Another popular pub among the people who commented, The Oak has everything you imagine at a traditional local pub.

A user on Trip Advisor who visited The Oak in October 2020, said: “A lovely village pub - friendly staff, log fire burning, little fairy lights in the conservatory, wooden beams...everything you imagine a traditional village pub to look like!”

Another user who visited this pub in January 2020 said: “Had a lovely evening here with family and friends. A well organised and good value evening with friendly staff and great disco. Goulash was delicious.”

Other popular pubs

Other popular pubs and nightclubs that people are keen to get back are The Clatford Arms, Town Mills, The Cricketers Inn in Longparish, The Plough Inn in Grateley, The Hatchet Inn, Andover Central Club, Andover Tap, George & Dragon at Hurstbourne Tarrant, Anton Arms, The Globe Inn, Cameo & Vinyl, The Queen Charlotte, The Welcome Stranger, The Red Lion in Overton, The Fox Inn Tangley, The Rock House, The SP Bar, The Lardicake, The Redbridge, The White Hart, and The White Lion.

One person said: “I really miss the pool at Town Mills.”

Whether it was the atmosphere, staff, food or the quality of the pint all of these pubs are loved by their customers.

  • Do you have any other pubs in your mind that have not been mentioned in this readers’ pick? Feel free to give them a shout out below.