New Forest country pub reopens with garden pizza oven and cider festival

A country pub in the heart of the New Forest has reopened after refurbishment, offering a pizza oven, cider festival and more.

The Rising Sun in Bashley, a long-term favourite with locals and visitors to the area, has been completely transformed, keeping the country pub feel while adding more modern features.

Traditional colours, wood panelled walls and a cosy fireplace are complimented by large windows flooded with light and overlooking the beautiful countryside around the pub where New Forest ponies and other animals roam free and are regular visitors to the car park where they try to make friends with customers.

READ MORE: This 16th Century pub has reopened with a village shop and wine from next door

Outside, new wooden seating and huts make the garden perfect for year-round enjoyment – whether it’s for golden-hour pints when summertime finally rolls around, or to stay warm in the colder months. With its outdoor children's play area and large garden, The Rising Sun is a place for all the family to enjoy.

The delicious menu features pub classics, elevated by fresh food and seasonal ingredients – alongside a kids’ menu and bar snacks. Also to come in time for summer is a pizza oven, so customers can enjoy a wood-fired pizza in the beer garden.

A full calendar of events has been planned for the forthcoming months – including wine tasting events, a cider festival, a steam rally and Opera in the Garden,  which is set to bring Bizet's Carmen and William Makepeace Thackeray's Vanity Fair to pub gardens across the Fuller's chain this summer.

For family entertainment, Trivial Pursuit game cards will also be available on the tables to enjoy for free.

Manager Sasha Greenshield said: “I’m over the moon about the reopening of our lovely pub. We have put a lot of investment and dedication into making The Rising Sun the best it can be.

"However, I doubt the number of horses that wander our car park will decrease. But I think they add to the tranquil location that really makes this pub a wonderful experience for the customer. My team and I are really looking forward to welcoming you all.”