Claimed to be the oldest pub in Portsmouth, The Wellington has quietly reopened under new ownership, and we couldn’t resist popping in to see what had changed. In just four days of refurbishment they have done something rather bold. They have moved the entire bar.
Not just shifted it slightly, but returned it to its original position, restoring the flow and feel of this beautiful old pub and firmly bringing it back to its roots. The space already feels warmer and more intentional, with the history of the building doing much of the talking. This is very much a pub again and should be celebrated in Portsmouth’s 100th year of being a city.
The team have only just reopened but they are not stopping there. One of the next changes will be by the windows, where tables will be replaced with bar stools so customers can sit with a drink and look out towards the Hot Walls, Sallyport and along the High Street towards the cathedral. This is definitely the kind of spot you imagine lingering in a little longer than planned.
We will definitely be back soon to explore the food properly too, which has been described to us more than once as something a bit special.
Our visit also doubled as part of our current personal routine. Jennifer is now seven days overdue with our first baby, and we have been told long walks help bring on labour. Since Christmas we have clocked up six of them but still nothing. Not even a lemon and ginger herbal tea paired with a cinnamon bun from Baffled Coffee on Broad Street managed to do the trick. Pregnancy or not though, this is a walk we would recommend to anyone.
And there is more reason than ever to plan a visit, because this year Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday and The Wellington are marking it properly. They are running a special Valentine’s menu that focuses on quality rather than overload, with a few standout dishes and some lovely extras included.
To start, we’d suggest the roasted red pepper soup; rich, warming and served with sourdough. For the main event, pheasant stew for us is the star of the menu, slow cooked and comforting, served with creamy mash and seasonal vegetables, a dish that feels both indulgent and very much in keeping with the pub’s character. Dessert is a trio all included in the price; a combination of chocolate brownie, lemon cheesecake and latte pannacotta rounding things off.
The Valentine’s menu is £40 per person and includes two glasses of bubbles, which feels like a generous touch and very on theme. Tables are expected to fill quickly, so booking is advised.
The Wellington is at 62 High Street, Old Portsmouth. To book, you can call 023 9281 8965 or email bookings@wellingtonportsmouth.co.uk.
Now all we need is The Duke of Buckingham and the old Monks Bar to reopen and Old Portsmouth will really be on a roll.
