At the time of the 1841 census the building now known as “The Game Keepers” was just a house occupied by Joseph Phillips – a shoemaker, his wife Elizabeth, four children and his brother who was a farm labourer.
In the 1861 census Joseph Phillips is described as an inn keeper as well as a shoemaker and the building is referred to as the “Queens Head”. Interestingly, in our dining room at “The Gamekeepers” there are two bricks, one on either side of the fireplace: one is carved “JP 1854” and the other “EP 1854”. These clearly refer to Joseph Phillips and Elizabeth Phillips and one can infer that 1854 was a significant year – maybe the transition to an inn. Make sure you look for these bricks when you next visit us.
Joseph Phillips died in 1869 at the age of 82 and the building has continued as a public house ever since with the name changing from “The Queens Head” to “The Gamekeepers” in 1973.
Owners Sandra & Philip Costello have been at The Gamekeepers since April 2003, we welcome you all to visit our wonderful country inn and sample our homemade food and local real ales.
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Really friendly atmosphere. We had a great experience, the food was amazing. They ran through the menu when we sat down, and they just really 'know' the food they're serving. Really great with allergies too.
Great food. Not fancy it pretentious, but really good ingredients, very well cooked. Locally sourced food that clearly has a lot of thought behind it. The perfect place for a really good meal.
Lovely old fashioned pub in very tranquil surroundings. The food is incredible, with some amazing choices. I had the fillet of beef for a main course and the taste is to die for. If you have not been here, definitely give it a try, I am sure you will not be disappointed.
Fantastic food. They have a specials board and are so passionate about their food. They were so good at catering to allergies, I didn't feel that anything was compromised on. The fillet was perfectly cooked and after we retired to the sofas to enjoy another pint. We will definitely be back.
Great tasting food with engaging staff and a friend-of-the-family atmosphere. The venison was so tender and flavoursome, and a lovely dish to follow the wild boar gnocchi which was gobbled up by all. Definitely worth going back to!
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Old Basing, Basingstoke, RG24
The Hatch pub in Old Basing, Basingstoke is situated in the historic village of Old Basing, just a stone’s throw from Basingstoke. It is a charming, traditional old building with just a hint of a modern fresh look.
Old Basing, Basingstoke, RG24