Prize draw!

When you book this event you will be entered into a draw. If your name is pull out the hat then you get to stay overnight in room 4 after the investigation. Good luck! 

History

Built in 1810 during the height of the coaching era, The King’s Head in Hursley served passing stagecoaches on major southern routes. Its name honors the village’s ties to Oliver Cromwell, whose son Richard owned the local estate. The Grade II listed Georgian building later operated as a World War II Home Guard meeting spot and evolved into an award-winning country inn.

Origins and Architecture

• Coaching Era Roots: Constructed in 1810 alongside a busy arterial route handling stagecoaches traveling between Winchester, Southampton, Salisbury, and London.
  • Name Origin: Linked to Oliver Cromwell and his family, as Richard Cromwell (Oliver’s son) owned the adjacent Hursley estate from 1649 to 1718.
  • Early Records: Mentioned historically under the alias name The White Horse in a 1908 county history volume before transitioning back or permanently to The King’s Head.

Wartime and Community Heritage

• World War II Cellar: The pub’s basement cellar and manual skittles alley famously served as a regular meeting hub for the local Home Guard during World War II.
  • Spitfire Proximity: Hursley House (located nearby) served as the central control base for the design and development of the famous Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft during WWII, leaving aviation history dotted throughout the area.
    

Paranormal

This inn has never been investigated before, during our site visit it was fairly active during the day.

Areas to investigate

Cellar
Police cell
Snug – until midnight
Bar area – until midnight
Bedroom 4