The Wellhouse at Lainston House

Barbecue, Bars, British, International, Steak, Vegan, Vegetarian·
££££
·
Silver Award
·

SquareMeal Review of The Wellhouse at Lainston House

Silver Award

This old well house once operated as a lounge area for Lainston House’s cookery school, but a refurb has turned the space into a proper second restaurant for the old country house hotel. As you enter, a glass window in the floor lets you look way down into the murky depths of the old well. This might be a little disconcerting if you’re averse to heights, or you’ve been scarred by Hideo Nakata’s seminal horror The Ring. Don’t worry though - you can always just walk around it.

Lainston House is the sort of hotel we’d happily spend a few days exploring, so it makes sense to have two good restaurants on site. The Wellhouse’s USP is that everything is cooked between two fierce wood-fired ovens and a smoker - there’s no conventional oven or Chef Mike to be seen.

This sort of concept can often be better in theory than execution, but head chef Tom Younger and team clearly know their way around a wood fire. Something as simple as sourdough focaccia shows real attention to detail - the starter is made with fermented Lainston apples and faithfully baked each day, bronzed against the superheated walls of the mighty oven. Thin-crusted with a supple, oily crumb, it’s a nigh-on perfect bit of baking.

It’s not the only thing that impresses. An aged bavette is just the right side of medium-rare, with juices that run off into a slick of squash puree and caramelised shallots. A hefty old slab of pork chop is perhaps just a tad over, but that is fixed by a glossy sauce and a lovely bit of charring. Both of these are extremely generous portions, and along with a side you’d probably find you might not even need a starter. To skip the latter would be a mistake though - the pork burnt ends we tried are probably the best thing on the menu, slathered in barbecue sauce with pickled chillies bringing a touch of brightness.

The drinks menu is fairly limited, but you won’t struggle to find a good bottle of wine to wash everything down with, and service is very personable and friendly. All in all, we’re mighty impressed. There’s no doubt that Tom Hamblet’s The Avenue is still Lainston House’s main calling card, but we’d absolutely stay a second night to enjoy some flame-licked goodies at The Wellhouse.

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Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £50 - £79
Cuisines
Barbecue, Bars, British, International, Steak, Vegan, Vegetarian
Ambience
Cool, Fun, Lively, Quiet conversation, Quirky, Romantic, Traditional, Unique, Widely spaced tables
Food Occasions
Dinner, Lunch
Alfresco And Views
Great views, Outside seating
Special Features
Gluten-free options, Vegan options, Vegetarian options, Wheelchair access
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Child friendly, Dates, Romantic, Special occasions

About

Nestled in the Winchester countryside sits Lainston House, a listed building which is home to The Wellhouse restaurant. Impressively, The Wellhouse is one of the very few restaurants in the UK where everything is cooked over woodfire, not just the meat and fish mains but starters and desserts too. Coupled with the striking woodfired ovens that guests can get a glimpse of due to the semi-open kitchen, is a Weber smoker, resulting in an experiential menu filled with deliciously barbecued flavours.  

Head chef Phil Yeomans is also enthusiastic about the sustainability element of The Wellhouse. The gardeners have made use of the lush fertile surroundings by growing plenty of the fruit and vegetables in the grounds and in the onsite heritage orchard, hence the motto that the food has travelled ‘metres not miles’.  

On the menu, expect grilled, smoked and baked delights. Start off with the woodfired flatbread served with the garden dip of the day or crunch on pork scratchings served with smoked apples from the orchard. For mains, try the sharing plates like the BBQ octopus with rhubarb rojo and charred cucumber salsa, or dig into the Tuscan grilled rib-eye steak for two served on the bone with black garlic butter. If you’re feeling adventurous, finish on the unusual smoked chocolate cremeaux with raspberry and cinnamon. Wash all this down with local beer from the Flower Pots Brewery or indulge in a cocktail, all crafted with British spirits.  

The dining room has stayed true to its historic roots, creating a casual and rustic ambience. Striking wooden beams cross the ceiling meeting the exposed brick walls where local art is hung. Wooden tables and chairs sit beneath hanging plants creating an inviting and unfussy vibe where the food can shine through, perfect for a relaxed evening with friends and family.  

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FAQs

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes.

Helpful? 0

This venue also offers

Location

Lainston House, Woodman Lane, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 2LT

01962 776088 01962 776088

Website

Opening Times

Lunch
Mon Closed
Tue Closed
Wed Closed
Thu Closed
Fri Closed
Sat Closed
Sun 12:00-14:30
Dinner
Mon 18:30-21:30
Tue 18:30-21:30
Wed 18:30-21:30
Thu 18:30-21:30
Fri 18:30-21:30
Sat 18:30-21:30
Sun Closed

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01962 776088 01962 776088

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