Clos du Marquis

Clos du Marquis is located in the premises of an inn dating back to the 18th century, which was converted into a restaurant a few years ago. The story goes that drovers from Wales used to stop at night with their sheep on the way to London via Southampton to sell some of their animals to the Royal Navy. They used to leave small coins with the inn keeper to provide food for the hungry sheepdogs who had to trot back on their return to the farms, the same way they came, the drovers having sold their ponies at the market. One can see inside the restaurant a 310 ft deep well which had to be deepened over the years as the water table was lowering. The water is still pumped from this ancient well. The menu emphasizes the specialities from the South West of France for which Clos du Marquis's team have a great affinity. To complement the food, there is a wine list which reflects the diversity of the Gascon Wines and surrounding area. In the heart of the Test RiverValley, in keeping with the Country Inn atmosphere, Clos du Marquis offers the quaint elegance of a "French Auberge" with small beamed dining rooms and a lounge with log fires in winter. The private dining room is situated in the oldest part of the building, the original stable. The garden, where the herbs grow, offers a gazebo for summer dining. All this is conducive for a relaxed and memorable time, with professional but unobtrusive service where guests are made to feel like they are in a little corner of France without having to hop across the Channel.