A place to make dog lovers prick up their ears. You can come to The Jack Russell Inn for a break without even having to put your four-legged friends in kennels – in fact, dogs are positively welcomed. In the capable hands of landlord Ross Nicol, helped by trusty canine companions Barnie and Betty, The Jack Russell holds the Pets Pyjamas’ award for the Best Dog-Friendly Pub with Rooms. There are 11 to choose from, each named after a different breed from Chihuahua to Great Dane. Dog beds and bowls are provided. It’s certainly not compulsory to have a dog to stay here. It has a host of other selling points: great views, attractive decoration mixing traditional and modern, friendly staff and excellent seasonal, locally-sourced food served in the cosy pub and airy dining room. Little luxuries such as memory foam mattresses and espresso machines raise the bar in the bedrooms, and the wonderful surrounding countryside is great for walking … with or without a dog.
Faccombe Estate and The Jack Russell’s deer pen
The Jack Russell boasts a broad variety of locally-sourced farm to table produce and to realise the philosophy of sustainability they use as many seasonal ingredients as possible. Therefore, they rely heavily on the natural wildlife and the many fruits of the forest in the surrounding four thousand acres. Faccombe Farm & Estate don’t just provide them with an abundance of organic fruit and vegetables but also Roe, Fallow and occasionally Muntjack venison. It also provides them with game birds such as pheasant, partridge and pigeon, and more seasonally duck and woodcock. This land is rich with lush, aromatic carpets of wild garlic and its vibrant bushes are weighed down with elderflower, sloe, logan and blackberry. Many of the herbs on the menu are grown around the building and in the pub gardens, whilst they source rare breed Dexter Beef from just down the road at Hollington Farm in Highclere. Whatever the time of year, just ask them for advice on what has been locally, reasonably and seasonably sourced.
Whether it’s in celebration of a birthday or you’re simply looking to surprise someone special, their gift vouchers make for perfectly unique presents to suit any occasion.
Nota Bene
Their water comes from a bore hole on the estate, the electricity from a wind turbine on the hill and their warmth from a wood pellet burning biomass boiler that provides all the heat to the pub, lodge and surrounding community.
