Welcome to The Dolphin, Hursley

The Dolphin dates from the 16th Century, and was built around 1540-1560.
It was reputedly built using the timbers from an early HMS Dolphin, hence the name of the inn.
(The name HMS Dolphin has been used many times by the Navy, and the current one is a shore establishment in Gosport.)

There were originally only three chimneys, but over the years another four were added as the building grew in size.
There used to be stables and a barn for the horses and carriages of travellers, and until the 1950's a blacksmith occupied the building nearest the car park entrance. There were also workshops, and a smallholding at the rear, an area now occupied by houses.

Like most of the village, The Dolphin used to belong to the Hursley Estate, until 1953 when it was sold to Strongs Brewery of Romsey. Since then, the smallholding has been sold, and the inn acquired by Whitbread Brewery when they bought Strongs.
The Dolphin is now a leasehold tenancy with Enterprise Inns.

More of Hursley's history can be found by clicking on the following websites.

Hursley at Wikipedia
John Bull's Highlights of Hursley History
John Keble's Parishes - A History of Hursley & Otterbourne

Telephone 01962 775209 - Fax 01962 775151