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Welcome to The Eclipse Inn
Located on the sunny side of The Square between The Buttercross and Winchester Cathedral, The Eclipse is small but perfectly formed. Our building dates back to 1540 and features a Tudor facade, ancient wooden beams, lots of creaky floorboards and a traditional British pub interior, complete with monks' benches and open fireplaces.
Over the centuries, The Eclipse (named to compete with a nearby ‘The Sun’) has been a rectory and a private residence before becoming an inn in 1750. It has been welcoming locals and visitors to Winchester ever since.
As well as offering CAMRA-accredited real ales, local gins, home-made food and friendly bar staff, The Eclipse is also renowned for a shocking event which took place outside its bowed windows on 2nd September 1685: the execution of the venerable and locally-admired Lady Alice Lisle, a victim of Judge Jeffreys ‘Bloody Assizes’.
Lady Alice spent her final night in the upper room of The Eclipse before being publicly beheaded just outside.
But that wasn’t the last of Lady Alice Lisle. The figure of a tall, elegant lady in grey has been seen by staff on a number of occasions, drifting along an upper corridor between the Ladies and the Lady Lisle Room. Other ghostly goings-on include chills in the upstairs rooms and the sounds of footsteps across our creaky floorboards.
Sit outside on the broad pavement - just 50 yards from Winchester Cathedral - and watch the world go by or settle inside our traditional, snug interior to sample our regulars’ favourites ales like Doom Bar, Jeremy Clarkson's Hawkstone and Timothy Taylor's Landlord - plus an ever-changing selection of guest ales and lagers.
To accompany them, enjoy one of our Pieminster pies, served with creamy mash and gravy or home-made traditional pub grub like Fish and Chips, Cumberland sausages, loaded burgers and honey-roasted Gammon.
We also serve sandwiches, lighter bar bites and very popular English puddings.
The Eclipse also boasts an extensive choice of gin including locally-made Isle of Wight Distillery Mermaid, traditional British favourite Gordon's and Italian Malfy.
We also have a full range of ciders and red, white, Rosé and sparkling wines.
Emma, Isobel and the Eclipse team look forward to welcoming you!
Beers and Ciders
A beamed sixteenth century building housing an olde-worlde snug pub, The Eclipse Inn takes its beer as seriously as you do – which is why we are a firm favourite among the traditional inns of Winchester. We are proud to feature in The Good Beer Guide, and boast a Best Bar None Award for service excellence.
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Gins and Tonics
The Eclipse has a great selection of award-winning gins, including Hampshire-made Mermaid Gin. Contrary to the ‘Mother’s Ruin’ of 18th century England, a gin and tonic has become the tipple of choice - an indulgent through-the-day drink, featuring traditional ingredients and aromatic botanicals.
The Lady Lisle Room
Our private dining room, The Lady Lisle Room is named after Dame Alice Lisle, who spent her last night at The Eclipse before being beheaded outside on a hastily-built scaffold on the instructions of the notorious ‘Hanging Judge Jeffreys' in 1685. The Lady Lisle Room provides a historic space for private parties and events.