A Taste of Autumn in Hampshire: Local Game, Seasonal Ingredients and Proper Pub Food
Good food follows the seasons
There is something about autumn that makes a good pub meal even more appealing.
As the Hampshire countryside turns shades of gold and copper, the evenings draw in and the temperature drops, our thoughts turn to hearty, comforting food. Rich casseroles, seasonal game, warming puddings and the pleasure of settling into a cosy pub while the weather does its thing outside.
At The Three Horseshoes in East Worldham, near Alton, autumn is one of our favourite times of year in the kitchen. It brings some wonderful local ingredients, particularly wild game, and the opportunity to create dishes that make the most of the season.
Celebrating Hampshire's local game
We are fortunate to be surrounded by countryside where game has long been part of the local food tradition.
Venison, pheasant and partridge are particularly suited to autumn cooking. Their distinctive flavours work beautifully with the rich sauces, root vegetables, mushrooms and slow-cooked dishes we tend to crave at this time of year.
We source our game and venison from local suppliers, including those right here in the village, allowing us to make the most of what the Hampshire countryside has to offer.
Our South African roots have given us a saying we rather like: Local is lekker! In other words, local is good. And when it comes to autumn ingredients, we could not agree more.
Chef's Autumn Flavours
Our seasonal menu celebrates these ingredients with dishes that are full of flavour, generous and just right for cooler days.
One of the highlights is our Gamekeeper's Pie, made with a selection of local wild game, slowly cooked in a rich gravy and topped with either blue cheese and chive mash or traditional mashed potatoes. Served with seasonal vegetables, it is proper autumn comfort food.
For something a little different, there is Partridge & Pear, featuring deboned East Worldham partridge stuffed with pork and wrapped in pancetta, served with fondant potato, roasted pears and greens. The sweetness of the pears is a lovely match for the game.
Our Pheasant with Cassoulet of Bacon and Toulouse Sausage is another dish made for autumn. Tender local wild pheasant is served with slow-cooked beans, garlic-spiced Toulouse sausages and smoked bacon. Rich, warming and full of flavour.
And if you fancy something smaller to start, our Tuscan-style Venison Meatballs bring together local wild venison, a rustic tomato and red wine sauce, and focaccia for mopping up every last bit.
From wild mushrooms to warming puddings
Of course, autumn is about much more than game.
Our Foraged Wild Mushrooms on Toast is a lovely example of how simple seasonal ingredients can make a satisfying dish. Sautéed wild mushrooms in a creamy sauce, served on crisp toasted focaccia, bring plenty of flavour without needing anything complicated.
And no autumn meal would be complete without something comforting for dessert.
Our Hedgerow Crumble brings together apples and foraged seasonal berries for that familiar combination of sweet and tart flavours. Served warm with cream, ice cream or custard, it is the sort of pudding that reminds you why the classics never really go out of fashion.
These are the dishes we look forward to when autumn arrives. Seasonal ingredients, familiar cooking methods and plenty of flavour.
Good ingredients make good pub food
At The Three Horseshoes, we believe good food starts with good ingredients and knowing how to treat them.
Mark's family background in butchery has a strong influence on our approach to food, particularly the quality and preparation of the meat we serve.
Much of our beef, pork, lamb and chicken comes from Hampshire, while our game and venison are sourced locally. We take pride in offering traditional British pub favourites alongside seasonal dishes and occasional touches inspired by our South African heritage.
It is not about making pub food unnecessarily complicated. It is about choosing ingredients carefully, preparing them properly and serving food that people genuinely enjoy eating.
Autumn evenings at The Three Horseshoes
There is plenty to enjoy at the pub throughout the year, but autumn brings a different atmosphere.
The long afternoons in the garden gradually give way to evenings beside the log fires. A chilled summer drink becomes a glass of red wine, a well-kept pint or something warming from behind the bar.
Whether you are meeting friends for dinner, stopping in after a countryside walk or simply looking for somewhere comfortable to spend an evening, The Three Horseshoes is a lovely place to settle in.
We are also dog-friendly, so four-legged companions are welcome to join you after a walk through the surrounding East Worldham countryside.
And if you would rather make a night of it, our three comfortable en-suite rooms are just a few steps from the pub.
Come and enjoy a taste of autumn
Our Chef's Autumn Flavours menu is available alongside our regular menu, giving you the chance to try something seasonal or stick with an old favourite.
From locally sourced venison and pheasant to wild mushrooms, slow-cooked game and warming puddings, there is plenty to enjoy while these wonderful autumn ingredients are in season.
We would love to welcome you to The Three Horseshoes in East Worldham, near Alton, for some proper seasonal pub food.
Book a table, explore our Chef's Seasonal Menu and make the most of autumn in the Hampshire countryside.