A BRAND new family-pub and dining room will be opening in Hartley Wintney next month.

A new pub called the The Mutton is set to open in October and it will be housed in a lovingly restored 19th century public house and former post office.

The Mutton is set on the fringe of Hazeley Heath Nature reserve, offering locals and travellers alike a comforting countryside dining spot.

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The Mutton is a project of passion, bought and lovingly restored to its former glory by the Taylor family and close friend Ashley Hatton with support from hospitality specialists and founders of Truffle Hunting Consulting, Nigel Sutcliffe and James McLean.

The Taylor family said: “We are so excited to bring new life back to this beloved building, which has long been a favourite spot for locals. For us, it was extremely important that we support local businesses, that’s why The Mutton’s menu of ers revamped British classics with a conscience; we focus on seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients which we hope will showcase the quality of UK produce. The design also reflects the same fusion of old and new: while the pub has fun contemporary features, we have also been careful to maintain that countryside charm of this classic pub. The Mutton is a piece of North Hampshire history and we hope to do it proud through our ownership."

The kitchen will be headed up by Rob Boer, who began his career in Cornwall under Nathan Outlaw before continuing to stock his larder with best of British produce at classic pubs including The Montagu Arms in Hampshire as sous chef.

A concise selection of pub classics have been reimagined to champion local producers, starting with small sharing plates such as the mutton fat crumpets, which pairs the pub’s namesake with pickled red cabbage; and torched mackerel, which fills delicately spiced pakoras.

When it comes to the mains, the produce has been chosen with the same ethos. Guests can enjoy the rich flavours of venison from Medstead Meats served alongside salt-baked celeriac, rainbow chard, beetroot and pepper jus or discover new iterations of offal in the grill section of the menu, which pairs Cote de Boeuf, roasted onion and beef fat potato with tender beef tongue. 

For something sweet, desserts will include the likes of a silken dark chocolate crèmeaux, with a tropical accompaniment of lime parfait, coconut and raspberry, or more traditional puddings such as plum upside-down cake, made with locally grown fruit and finished with ricotta ice cream.

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The interiors of the picturesque pub have been curated by Jojo Barr, founder of London-based interior design studio House Nine Design, sympathetically taking into account the building's history as a quintessential village pub and post office, carefully restoring it in a classic and authentic way bringing the vibrancy of the Hampshire countryside inside.

The pub is set to open on Ocotber 5.