The Wykeham Arms famous Wyke Pie like 'a warm, cosy hug'

The centuries-old pub, near Winchester College, is famed for its Wyke Pie.

I recently got to try the legendary meal, which has been recently elevated to new heights by head chef Luke Emmess.

It has a decadent mix of braised mutton and lamb, mixed with a rich gravy and topped with fluffy mashed potato in crispy peaks, served with a pot of crushed peas.

Tasting the Wyke Pie can be best described as getting a warm, cosy hug. As soon as I put it in my mouth, I was flooded by a warm, comforting feeling. 

Imagine the scenario. It's a cold, wet day in the ancient captial. You want to find refuge somewhere. So what better feeling than to happen upon The Wykeham Arms, in Kingsgate Street, and be hit in the face with the glow of a roaring fire. Then being given a huge pie, full of meat and mashed potato. Heavenly.

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The Wyke Pie was conceived in the 1960s by then-landlord of the pub, Phillip Marshall. It has been a staple of The Wykeham Arms’ menu ever since. 

Now is the best time to get a Wyke Pie because the pub is donating 25p from each sale to the arts and education charity Play to the Crowd.

Jon Howard, general manager, said: “The Wyke Pie is a dish of legendary tastiness and I’m delighted that we can now use it to help support Play to the Crowd. A great pub should always provide hearty food to nourish the soul and be at the centre of the local community – and this initiative beautifully combines those two key principles.”

Kirstie Mathieson, Play to the Crowd’s communications and development director, said: “We are hugely excited by this new collaboration. If you’ve not tried one of these infamous pies then get down to the Wykeham Arms today – they are absolutely delicious! The money that the pies will raise is absolutely vital to Play to the Crowd and our mission to delight and unite our community through live performance. Our sincerest thanks to Jon and his team and to all their customers for their support. We are incredibly grateful.”

Play to the Crowd is not the only charity to benefit from this scheme, as 25p from each pie also goes to Winchester Cathedral.

There has been a pub on the site since 1755 when it was a coaching inn. Lord Nelson, himself, is said to have stayed there on his way to Portsmouth.