IT’S the pub that is a ‘home from home’ for its customers.

Sitting at the top of Winchester High Street, on the corner of Romsey Road, The Westgate pub is a short stroll from the fortified medieval gateway from which it takes its name.

Though the real Westgate served as a debtors prison for 150 years, with friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere, visitors to The Westgate pub are guaranteed a far more pleasant experience, than the inmates of its namesake.

The bustling city centre drinking hole boasts an exciting range of ales from local breweries that changes with the seasons, with fresh light beers in the summer and denser ales and stouts in the winter.

The Westgate takes it commitment to using local produce very seriously, aiming to make sure that many ingredients as possible are from producers within a 15 minute drive from the pub.

Dishes popular with publicans include their range of sandwiches and traditional Sunday roasts with all the trimmings.

Assistant Manager, Shannon Pettifer said that the best thing about the pub was how it manages to accommodate both families and people on a night out.

“During the week we get a lot of people coming in with colleagues for a drink after work, while at the weekends it’s the kind of pub that you can take your mum for Sunday lunch. It’s really special.”

Subject to an extensive renovation in 2012 the Westgate also runs a bed and breakfast with ten unique rooms available (from £90 a night), that offer wonderful views of the city, that further the establishments “home away from home” ethos.

Shannon said: “If you go to a Premier Inn everything is all the same, so you know exactly what you’re getting.

“What makes our rooms so special is that each is different, so no two stays are the same.”

She continued: “I have been working here about four month now. I love my job, it can be stressful, but I love the hustle and bustle, it’s never the same from one day to the next, we get a really great mix.”

PUNTERS' POINT OF VIEW:

Ian Gamon, 45, from Chandler’s Ford, said: “It’s a great place to meet up with colleagues after work. Great food, and nice big sandwiches.”

Katie Wrigley, 27, from Winchester said: “It’s a great place to have a drink and meet friends. They make a really great club sandwich too,

Olivia Wood, 23, from Winchester said: “Since the renovation the pub has become far more inviting. Its a lovely pub, that is cosy quaint and welcoming, with really friendly staff.”