The Gun Inn in Keyhaven reopens after refurb

A GRADE II listed Keyhaven pub has reopened following a kitchen extension and garden revamp.

The Gun Inn at Keyhaven closed for two months for renovations to improve the layout of the kitchen, and for the re-landscaping of the garden, which now features a large covered tent that can accommodate up to 60 diners.

The business is managed by partners Peter Troup and Jim Gedge, who also run the Bosun’s Chair in Lymington; and head chef Mark Young has been at the helm since they took over in early 2021.

It was acquired in late 2020 by local resident Chris Cecil-Wright, who runs an established superyacht brokerage based in London.

With a focus on seasonal and local produce, The Gun Inn has forged a reputation for working with local suppliers to showcase the very best of the region's ingredients.

During the summer months, much of the menu is prepared and cooked on a covered three-metre charcoal grill.

State-of-the-art kitchen equipment has also now been installed as part of the upgrade to improve efficiency and cut energy costs.

Mark said: “We have a brilliant team of chefs who have been with us from the very start. The new kitchen layout allows us to work together much more effectively – and it will enable us to produce meals more quickly in the busy summer season.”

Current menu highlights at The Gun include grilled Sopley Farm asparagus, potted smoked mackerel, pulled harissa chicken and truffled mac and cheese. Fresh local fish is another favourite among csutomers.

Mark said: “The menu evolves all the time to feature the freshest local and seasonal food, we really work with local suppliers as much as we possibly can.”

He has developed the concept of small sharer plates which can be enjoyed between a table of diners.

“The idea is to have lots of interesting small dishes, so people can come in and create their own meal rather than me telling them what they are going to eat,” said Mark

“You could come in and order a little portion of smoked mackerel, cuttle fish, garden greens and fries between two of you and it’s a lower cost lunch – people are really going for this idea.

“It also gives us the creativity to come up with small dishes which we are really loving doing.”

Regular pub events include live music nights and a monthly quiz night.

Peter said: “There will always be a pub in two parts – in the busy summer months we are full of day visitors and holidaymakers, but it’s also really important to us that we are a local pub and feel like part of our community. “

In the longer term, a more significant refurbishment project is planned to create a larger indoor dining area to the rear of the pub. To find out more, visit www.theguninn.co.uk