About the Iron Duke pub

Our story

The Iron Duke takes its name from the 1st Duke of Wellington and stands proudly within the Wellington Estate, a landscape steeped in history and still home to the 9th Duke today.

The building once served as a workers’ building for estate staff and has been lovingly brought back to life in 2025 with a thoughtful renovation. While the character and charm of the original pub remain intact, the new Iron Duke is a cosy space for locals, visitors, families, and food-lovers alike.

Surrounded by rolling Hampshire countryside in the village of Stratfield Saye, just a short drive from Reading and Basingstoke, The Iron Duke is the kind of place you come across once and keep coming back to.

Our Food

Whether from our own small farm on The Wellington Estate or trusted local suppliers, every ingredient reflects the countryside values we live by. We rear our own 100% grass-fed Hereford beef, grazing naturally on the parkland meadows of Stratfield Saye, producing rich, flavoursome meat. Our lamb is pasture-raised for a tender, well-balanced taste, shaped by time and good husbandry.

When in season, we also offer Wellington Estate venison and game birds, sourced by the Estate’s Head Gamekeeper; lean, characterful meats that bring bold flavour to our menu. Fresh, seasonal vegetables from nearby farms and a close partnership with Wellington Farm Shop to help us create a menu that’s simple, traditional and unmistakably Hampshire.

Our Heritage

The 1st Duke of Wellington returned to Britain and was treated as a hero after his final victory at the Battle of Waterloo. He was formally honoured and presented with the Estate in Hampshire, England, in 1815.

The centre of the Estate today is Stratfield Saye House, where the 1st Duke lived from 1817. To this day, it is still the private home of the 9th Duke of Wellington. Now, over 200 years later, the Estate encompasses a portfolio of businesses and activities, including: Wellington Country Park, Wellington Farm Shop, Wellington Riding, The Barns at Wellington, Wellesley Prep School, and The Iron Duke.