The big house on Hursley Estate was once home to Lord Protector Richard Cromwell and in more recent times it served as wartime HQ for the boffins working on the Spitfire. As a local watering hole, The King’s Head has soaked up all of this, while moving along nicely with the times and earning praise for its “amazing food, great decor and warm welcome”. Soups, steaks and pies satisfy the traditionalists, but also look for more upbeat ideas ranging from tempura courgette flower with chive cream sauce to rump of lamb with Wye Valley asparagus, gazpacho and pesto. There are artisan flatbreads too, plus desserts such as pavlova with passion-fruit curd. “Outstanding Sunday lunches” get the thumbs-up, likewise the “fabulous” selection of wines and beers. The pub’s skittle alley comes into its own on ‘games nights’, and can also be hired for private events. Overall, “nothing is a problem here”.