BITE user comments - cfowler
Comments by cfowler
It took a bit of finding on a wet Sunday afternoon but well worth it. Three Kent micro ales and a very good Sunday lunch. A nice touch was the plate of local cheese with fresh bread and walnuts on a wooden plate. The Landlady was friendly and clearly happy to talk about the local sourcing of food and beer. Decor was comfortable without being too bistro pub (exposed brick walls, subtle darl colours). Worth finding out.
10 Mar 2012 19:09
Yes still going strong as a 100% volunteer Club and only �2-40 a pint for Sharps Doom Bar. All it needs is even more discerning ale drinkers so that the occasional guest ales can become a more permanent feature. All proceeds from the place are re-invested into this village asset. There is also now an award winning Bistro in the railway station at Etchingham. That establishment is aimed at the mid market and sells bottled drinks rather than draft ale (Wednesday,Thursday and friday). So technically on a Wednesday or a Friday nght a pub crawl is now possible in Etchingham and a train home later!
31 Jan 2012 21:59
When I say to my two kids every couple of months "we're off to the best pub in the world", they know we are coming here. Visit in small numbers please whilst Doris and her daughter provide for your recreation this perfect time warp. Enjoy bar games, drink up the unspoilt decor and period atmosphere. And by the way, there's usually at least one Goachers beer , DSB (named after the landlady), a Guest able and Kentish Double Vision Cider, all off the barrel.
31 Jan 2012 21:49
The Middle House Hotel, Mayfield
I can't find myself recommending this place from purely a drinker's perspective. Finding nowhere to comfortably stand on a Saturday night, the three of us shunted around the floor as we dodged serving staff (and boy didn't we feel like we were spare parts). So moving to a table when it became free "sorry you can't sit there" and then passing to another area with empty leather sofas "sorry this is only for people using the restaurant". The high density seating appeared to indicate they must be doing something good on the grub, as it was full and surely no one would bother otherwise. So the whole experience left me feeling I was on my weekday morning tube journey to Canary Wharf. Call me old fashioned, but despite having many of the right ingredients (OK pint of Harveys, timber beams, that olde worlde feel and visually good looking food). Just because we ain't eating your grub, we are still that rare commodity - discerning customers with cash in the pocket who tell others when they feel let down. Shame really, as I won't be rushing back to sample that high density commuter experience.
31 Jan 2012 21:41
The Bell re-opened in November 2011 following a substantial refit. Certainly first impressions are very positive. It's a bit "country life" but not in a negative way. It does shout out "Hey I'm a bit different, come and relax". The style is therfore different and quirky (clarinets for urinals, open fires, smartly dressed serving staff,stuffed animals) meets barn structure. I think it stops short of being pretentious and it is certainly not like your average chain. Lunch was good and quite reasonably priced on our Saturday afternoon visit. The beer choice was Harveys Best and Old Ale plus a bitter called Pam. So worth a visit, which we will do again in due course. Incidentally, the 254 Countryliner bus from Tunbridge Wells to Hawkhurst stops outside, now on a daily basis but finishes early evening.
8 Jan 2012 09:40
The Etchingham Club is now 100% volunteer staffed. In March 2011 cask ale returned with Dark Star Hophead available on draught. Whilst, basic the club is friendly and guests are made welcome. The club opens Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
20 Mar 2011 22:18
Top place as described in the reviews below- my favourite pub in the South East. If the pub was a car it would be a Morgan. Last few visits there have been off the barrel local beers from Goachers and Dairy Brewery and then a guest such as Skinners. Long may it continue
26 Dec 2010 18:53
Trust me this is currently the best pub in Battle town itself and rates a "Good" or 7 out of 10. It is run by Rick and Sandra who developed a good reputation in the past in Battle at the Senlac and Chequers. The atmosphere on a Friday evening was relaxed , no music, smart casual, predominantly 30-45 age group 50/50 male/female mix. The decor has been lightened up with wood floors and contemporary furnishings. The food was simple, tasty and inexpensive. At the time I visited they featured a number of guest ales; all in reasonable condition. So,essentially a decent pub ticking all the boxes and professionally run without being especially outstanding in any particular aspect. You'd think not a lot to ask of the other pubs on or off the High St in the historic town Battle but for a number of years now sadly it has been too much to ask. We shall no doubt be back in a month or two and I will post a new report if anything has materially changed.
25 Sep 2010 12:58
Well I am pleased to say that since my last posting of Oct 2009, no worries here. How many pubs can you go to when the answer to a casual question from the bar tender to "Who brews Walters Pale Ale for you?" is "Me!" And an establishment that is selling 10 cask ales, is busy mid week and selling top condition ale at a reasonable price in a contemporary environment - enough said. Keep the good work up Al and Paul. And can you open a branch in Canary Wharf please where I work and beer costs over a pound a pint more, from a child of Hull!
20 Aug 2010 01:23
We stayed here for 3 nights in August. Pretty good - nicely furnished accommodation (if not especially cheap), on the whole good food and beer including Black Sheep, Farne Ale and a rotating guest beer. Staff were enthusiastic, friendly. Got most things right so wouldn't hesitate to recommend on the evidence of our visit.
20 Aug 2010 01:14
We spent 5 nights here in August. Overall gets a 7.5 out of 10 i.e. Good rather than excellent rating. The plus points were - value for money for a Lake District hostellry, friendly staff, good breakfasts and reasonable choice of ale - excellent Bitter end Lakeland Blonde, OK Yates, OK Tirrell. The public bar and hotel entrance were also atmospheric and as mentioned in other guides/reviews the garden a really nice place to sit with a book and pint and soak in the views. For walkers this is the real strong point - as you are straight into the trails. The minuses were a pretty basic family room (not helped by being over the kitchen roof, extractor fan etc) and wholesome rather than particularly imaginative bar meals but clearly very popular. But you get what you pay for especially in the Lakes and the management of this pub knows its market and focuses on good service, reasonable value for money and a good atmosphere. Conclusion - good touring spot for the North West Lakes without the crowds and good rather than outstanding accommodation/food/beer combination.
and the management knows it markets and works hard to serve it .
18 Aug 2010 11:27
We visited during their 2010 May Bank Holiday Beer Festival which featured 25 ales, 6 ciders and a Perry. It looks as if they had at least six regular ales on tap.
What an eclectic place - first impressions were a bit off putting - builders rubble in the car park and peel painting. But we ended up staying all night, having had a great time? Beer was top condition, in one part of the pub was an excellent band in the other part of the pub a guy playing acoustic guitar. Each room is best described as "individual" think hotel lobby with loose fittings and bare board floors and high back chairs. Staff friendly but disorganised. But somehow the whole place had a great atmosphere and as I said every beer was excellent.
So a real curates egg of a place, when next in the area will have to try it again! By the way the East Yorkshire Bus 78 goes almost by the day back to Hull just after midnight six nights a week! So try the place but have an open mind.
8 May 2010 18:52
Reasonable and traditional boozer with a cosy interior in the two front rooms and a large rear open eating area with good views over the Humber. Serves Cumberland and Banks Bitter, like the other two pubs in the village i.e. not exactly local beer but at least a choice of two real ales . And now facing renewed competition in the village from an upgraded Humber Tavern and soon to be refurbished Crown. So with a last number 78 bus back to Hull after midnight six nights a week, good enough for a mini crawl. One of those pubs you wouldn't have reason to crticise nor rave about either.
27 Dec 2009 08:36
St. Vincents Arms, Sutton on Derwent
Super village pub we visited on the way to the Yorkshire Air Museum. Of particular note is the sense of attention to detail - the excellent sandwiches, the beer, the service from the attentive waiting staff, even the choice of soap in the gents. If only most pubs were this good. The unspolit character of the lounge and bar can then be enjoyed and almost taken for granted! Highly recommended
27 Dec 2009 08:23
27 October 2009
Never been here before, but visited twice in one weekend. Does what it says on the tin - aimed at 40+ beer lovers, not yobby, comfortable and for Hull slightly upmarket. Excellent beer choice 1 - Perry, 2 Ciders, 8 Ales (including 3 from local brewer Newsome). Focused and know its market, I hope it is still good when I next visit in a few months.
28 Oct 2009 21:19
27 - 10 -09
Our visit - beer was fine and certainly the place has atmosphere. However, we waited 50 minutes for lunch (the place had only two people who were already eating) and whilst cheap was pretty mediocre stuff. As I walked out I noticed the Council Food Establishment hygenie award Grade C i.e. acceptable - which was a fair summary. I have been to much worse places but have to say I was a little dissapointed overall for what is a Good Beer Guide local area pub winner. Probably deserves a second visit but for the beer. Could be better
28 Oct 2009 21:15
28th October 2009
Visited today and barmaid told us that Larkins were not renewing the lease and the pub would be closing at the end of October 2009. First visit, seems a real shame as the pub has unspolit features. Therefore, recommend calling before visiting to ensure it is open. Difficult to say how good as pub was running stock down but Larkins on tap was fine, if a little expensive.
28 Oct 2009 21:09
Beautifully preserved interior but and this is a big but, I won't be rushing back at �3.40 for pint of Coach House Blueberry bitter.
27 Mar 2008 22:58
Two visits in the last month, once for a Sunday lunch the other on Christmas Day. So far so good, food was fine, beer was OK and despite being a bit tatty the place clearly seemed to be trying fairly hard. Must visit again soon to see if the negative comments elsewhere are justified but so far so good.
2 Jan 2008 23:37
Eight of us met here on 2nd January for a game of darts, a beer and some food. I understand this pub is up for sale and this is reflected in the absolutely vile food we were served. Think dodgy burger van, the food actually smelt and tasted so bad that four of us left it. Meanwhile, the landlord and lady sat opposite eating their steak and never battered and eye lid. So the sooner they sell it the better and good luck to whoever buys it if that's how these people treat their customers. Given that some of our group were known to them quite an achievement.
2 Jan 2008 23:30
Eaten here twice recently and certainly the food, while not cheap was good quality and a smart environment in the back dining room made it civilised. I think given its proximity to Bodiam Castle you get what you'd expect i.e. no bargains but a competent family focused, well run food establishment rather than a particularly cosy and characterful place for a pint.
10 Nov 2007 10:09
The Grove Tavern, Tunbridge Wells
Not as good as it used to be in terms of beer quality (a few good and a few below par pints) and cleanliness (i.e. grubby/smelly toilets in last couple of visits). But having said that still a worthwhile visit on any crawl for the reason that it has a lot of character,seems fairly friendly and there sadly aren't exactly a lot of particular good other pubs in the area. In otherwords, average out the other reviewers' comments and you have it about right.
10 Nov 2007 09:59
The Compasses, Tunbridge Wells
Oh dear, no reason to drink here anymore as all the nice beers have gone now, who wants to drink beers Greene King pretends are brewed by someone else. No Harveys, No Timmy Taylors any more, no my custom now.Real shame.
10 Nov 2007 09:50
The Angel, Rotherhithe
Two aspects of my visit dampened the otherwise fine views and old fashioned, quirky atmosphere of this place. The first was �5.50 for a bottle of Sam Smiths Pale Ale and the second was no cask ale (available at the Anchor Tap owned by the same company at �2.90 a pint). I savoured my visit and convinced myself that it was a nice place with a �2 admission charge. Shame it damaged my 30 year belief in Sam Smiths standing for a fair price (wherever you are) for a pint. As all the other customers appeared to be foreign tourists, presumably they know their market, fair enough but I won't be back in a hurry.
18 Aug 2012 12:41