BITE user comments - philanders
Comments by philanders
The refurbishment was so successful it's now a Morrison's local shop. R.I.P
5 Nov 2014 18:08
Dear oh dear oh dear. One of the most blatant examples of puffery I have ever seen. I have given 'you' a rating of zero to try to counteract the tens you have undoubtedly awarded yourself.
14 Jan 2014 18:31
Decent enough sort of pub serving a nice range of Ringwood ales. No special reason to go there, but also no reason not to. As it was the only one we visited in Ringwood I cannot make any comparison to other locals.
11 Nov 2013 16:12
My wife and I went here two weeks ago, when we eventually found it in the maze of roads around Burseldon. We had the table with the best view in the building, and enjoyed a superb helping of fish and chips. As we were just about the first people in that evening, service was smooth and friendly so I cannot comment on the on-going discussion about it. You have to be careful not to overdo the liquid stuff, though, with all those steps to get up again.
11 Nov 2013 16:06
Okay sort of pub, with the Red Shoot Brewery on site ( visible from inside the pub ) . My wife said I should try the beer they had made especially for me, so I did, and the Forest Grump was very decent.
11 Nov 2013 16:01
Staying nearby a couple of weeks ago , we were pointed towards this place by comments in the visitors book. What a find. My wife and I called in for a quick drink on the Sunday night to make a couple of bookings during the following week. On every visit we were given a really friendly welcome by whoever was on duty that night.
We ate there twice, and all four of our meals were absolutely superb. The steak and kidney pudding I had on the first visit was unbelievable.
The pub itself is a fabulous building with all its original features. My only possible criticism is that on our first visit we were given the table nearest to the Inglenook fireplace, and after a few minutes we were both overheating.
It used to belong to the long defunct Strong brewery , and the name 'STRONG'is still writ large in red letters on the front of the building. A fine selection of Ringwood ales completed a very fine picture.
Ten out of ten , with not a moments hesitation.
6 Nov 2013 17:49
Called in with my wife a couple of weeks ago, having spent a week in the Forest and tried several local hostelries. Nice selection of local ales and a decent looking menu. We both had trouble finishing our meals as the portion sizes were extremely generous. Service was fairly quick and friendly. Certainly worth a visit if you are eating. If just drinking , not so sure.
6 Nov 2013 17:39
My wife and I deliberately went out of our way to find this little gem a couple of weeks ago. And what a find. Superb pub , friendly staff and service. Nine barrels on serving by gravity - six on and three settling. My wife asked for a half of Guinness, but I ignored that and got her the Black Forest, described as a 'Piquant Porter' and it went down a treat.
Then I came on here to see previous comments. For what it's worth, let me join in the various discussions.
I wasn't aware of the 'no cards' policy - how many people really go around these days without some cash in their pocket ? Surely this is rarely a problem.
Childrens' play area ? What ?? Let them play on the open grassy areas over the path - there is no moving traffic to worry about for heavens sake. What are you after - one of those great plastic gorilla things with swings hanging from each arm ?
A restricted food offering - why don't they offer a larger menu of hot food ? Haven't you noticed that the whole pub would probably fit inside Blumenthal's kitchen. Their menu is what they are comfortable with , and there's nothing wrong with that. If you want more then go elsewhere.
The owners / managers are obviously happy with their business model , so leave it to them - they know what they are doing. As an indicator of how they consider themselves to be a community pub , the outside toilet block ( nicely rebuilt and spick and span ) had a notice allowing any passing Duke of Edinburgh award parties to feel free to use their facilities.
So leave this pub alone - it's a cracking little find and doesn't need changing in any way. In a comment on another pub some years ago I said I never give a mark of ten out of principle , but in this case I'm going to break my own rule. Ten out of ten , and well deserved.
6 Nov 2013 17:32
The Original White Hart, Ringwood
Adequate, run-of-the-mill type of pub. Nice pint of Old Thumper served by friendly staff.
6 Nov 2013 17:14
The Foresters Arms, Brockenhurst
Agree with Bitter Man. Was there the week before last, and it was okay. Nice selection of local beers and friendly service. Definitely worth a visit.
6 Nov 2013 17:11
The Snakecatcher, Brockenhurst
My wife and I called in for a drink a couple of weeks ago. Perfectly adequate pub - friendly barmaids , Ringwood range of beers , nice building and layout. No reason not to go back if around the area again.
6 Nov 2013 17:08
On the way down to the New Forest last week, my wife and I had been hungry for miles, and we came upon this place. Although a Vintage Inn, at least you know what you get. Hence we were not too surprised to find our way into the car park blocked by a bl**dy great Brakes Bros delivery truck. Just wanting a simple meal ,we ordered a main and a pudding. The mains were barely adequate, but just then a large birthday party arrived, and that was it as far as the rest of the place was concerned. Having waited about twenty minutes for our desserts, we gave up - perhaps the chef was having trouble opening the packet. Deciding to leave, we went to the bar to pay but had to wait for another customer to settle his bill. Explaining why we were giving up, we received fulsome apologies (sic) and a deduction of 20 per cent of the bill. It then became obvious why the last word the previous customer had received from the waitress had been 'apologise'. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
30 Oct 2013 22:43
Although it's almost a year since the last comment, absolutely nothing has changed. Poor quality food that takes an absolute age to arrive. Almost every table near us complained about the waiting. The supposed manageress said she was new to the pub and had already identified many problems. She was bringing in her own team and was revamping the menu for a September relaunch. Yeah, sure she is. All I can say is she won't be seeing me again.
23 Jul 2012 23:13
Can only echo the general gist of previous comments. Cosy, typical Cornish pub offering excelling looking food ( we didn't eat on this occasion ). But the highlight was continual banter between the barman / owner and the punters. Absolutely brilliant. But one thing I will never understand is why do people go into a cracking pub offering several local real ales and order San Miguel (and it happened twice in ten minutes).
18 Apr 2012 20:47
Dropped in whilst on holiday this week. As an outsider, what's the problem with St Austell beers - okay by me. Also very grateful to the locals for keeping the quizzers topped up with cash.
18 Apr 2012 20:35
The Crown and Victoria Inn, Tintinhull
My wife and I got seduced by one of those brown and white tourist signs whilst passing on the 303. Very pleasant surprise. Four local real ales on offer, and the lunch menu offered good value. Would definitely return if in the area again.
18 Apr 2012 20:25
An okay sort of pub in a very nice building. Five or six real ales on offer on Monday. I thought the prices were reasonable. If anyone thinks �2.70 for a pint of Hobgoblin is overpriced they really should get out more often.
19 Oct 2011 07:23
The Potters Arms, Church Langley
Typical Brewers Fayre - understaffed, and those that are there don't really care much. An example - 2:30 p.m. today. As I entered I couldn't help but crunch my way over to the bar through a field of spilt/dropped/thrown Quavers left behind by a "mothers group" much to the annoyance of the staff. As customers were saying, disgraceful behaviour by modern parents. But 45 minutes later all sympathy for the staff had gone as I crunched my way out again. Absolutely no attempt had been made to clear up the mess. This is an eating establishment for heavens sake, so I'm afraid the disgrace had now definitely been transferred to the staff.
5 Oct 2011 16:14
Yesterday lunchtime - 1:30 pm. A small house Chardonnay please. Yessir - �4.85. How much - I asked for a small one ??? �4.85 sir. Say no more.
4 Oct 2011 15:25
The Little Brown Jug, Chiddingstone Causeway
Took my aged father here for lunch on Monday, making a return visit after twenty years. My face fell when I saw it had gone over to Greene King, but to be fair it wasn't bad. Alongside two GK offerings they had Roosters Yankee (�3.70 a pint ) and Golden Sheep. Food menu okay, although dad's beer battered haddock and chips looked pricey ( his words ) at �12.95. But the small portion I ordered for him at �9.95 still came with a huge pile of hand cut chips and TWO pieces of fish. Apparently the normal sized order is just one huge piece.
Talking of the chips, they were the biggest I have ever seen anywhere. Staff were friendly, and we sat outside in their excellent garden. All in all, not bad. Well worth a return visit.
18 Aug 2011 15:32
What a spread of differing opinions there are about this place. But after a visit a couple of days ago my comments are firmly aligned with 'gloryglums' below. I won't bore you with every gory detail of the meal, but one particular snippet sums this place up perfectly.
One of our group ordered a starter of 'seared scallops on a bed of salad and pea puree with a pork crisp', and very nice it looked too on the plate. But after only one bite, my companion exclaimed rather loudly that the 'seared' scallops were stone cold, so he took it back to the bar explaining that seared means hot. A few minutes later the waitress brought it back with a warning that the plate was hot. Instead of removing the scallops and doing something with them they had shoved the whole plate under the grill. The scallops were now warm all right, but so were the pea puree AND THE SALAD, and the pork crisp ( which looked suspiciously like a piece of dried ham ) was now blackened around the edges. Unsurprisingly it was totally rejected, as was the offer of something different. To save both my and your time I won't even start on the other nine meals !!
And talking of salad, which was the accompaniment to several items on the menu, it merely consisted of those trendy mini chard leaves with a few small bits of red lettuce added. Probably straight out of 'gloryglums' plastic bag. There was nothing else that you might get elsewhere to make it more interesting, like onion, beans, beetroot or peppers.
And don't get me started on the price of drinks or I'll be here all night.
Very expensive, extremely disappointing, and they won't be getting our custom again. I'm surprised that their current rating is as high as 5.3.
29 Jul 2011 09:57
Popped in with the family during the recent Scarecrow Festival. Nice little pub - no gastro pretensions, just an honest boozer offering a range of decent ales. Would definitely go back, especially if the chap cooking burgers is outside again, selling superb burgers from the butcher next door.
13 Jun 2011 12:31
Went here with my wife whilst in town for our fortieth. Dropped in for an evening meal in between visits to the two Michelin starred restaurants in town.
What a great pub. No problems with the staff, and there were four real ales on, of which the Town Crier was spot on. They are proud of their home made pies, and they have a special of any three mini pies for about a tenner. They are served in coffee mugs, topped by a crust that has obviously been cooked on top of the pie, and contain lots of large chunks of meat.
Incidentally, my wife copped out by having ham, egg and chips. Two large slices and two eggs !!!
Keep it up, Church Inn - this is what a decent pub should be like. We obviously dined superbly all week, but this was definitely the best value for money. Very highly recommended
13 Apr 2011 09:24
Re my previous comment, I've just answered my own question. Googled it to discover there was a fire just before Xmas. The article in the local press seems to suggest it's being rebuilt ("seven months loss of earnings for the owners"). Let's hope so, as it's the best pub in that part of town.
29 Jan 2011 16:15
At the moment it's a building site. No indication whether it's a refurb or a conversion to something residential. Any idea, anybody ??
29 Jan 2011 16:09
My wife and I called in on spec for lunch yesterday and were pleasantly delighted. Nice location, nice layout and an interesting menu. As Gristy said earlier the prices don't seem cheap on the blackboard, but on the plate they were certainly decent value. Small but decent selection of real ales, and we wlould definitely go there again. But on our visit, we were privileged to overhear an interesting cabaret. On the next table were a couple of a certain age ( okay - the same as us ) who were obviously on a first date ( seriously !! ) His stories were all food oriented, and he was describing and criticising the meal of marrowbone he had eaten in a "Michelin starred restaurant" in Edinburgh the previous week. It just so happens we had also seen that edition of Professional Master Chef the previous evening. I wonder whether he pulled ?? Anyway, back to the pub. Certainly worth a visit, compared to some other places we had visited during the week.
31 Oct 2010 00:07
The Foxton Locks Inn, Market Harborough
Called in today on the way back from Derbyshire, after all the flight of locks at Foxton are famous. Having had to pay TWO QUID in the pay and display car park we walked into the main "pub" only to be hijacked by a waitress showing us to a table. Upon asking about sandwiches and baguettes we were dismissed to the outer building. This one had run out of its only real ale ( don't know what it was - the clip had been turned around ) but the barman offered to go over to the other place to get one ( Yeah - I bet !! ) Over the bridge was the other pub, Bridge 61. As previous reviewers have said, this is a bit "shoppy", but it looked friendlier. Alas my wife had given up by this stage so we left to continue our journey. Lots of interest in the flight of locks, as to be expected, and probably loads of fun in summer, but TWO QUID to park in a pub car park ?? I shold coco !
30 Oct 2010 23:43
Must agree with Jimdee on the whole, but having called in today on a quiet Wednesday afternoon, I wonder which I am - local, tourist or tycoon. Okay, I'll admit to being a tourist, but I was the only customer which makes it hard to comment on service and attitude. Lovely outside terrace for river watching, and bearing in mind the relatively dark passageway leading in to the pub congratulations are due to whoever maintains the plants and hanging baskets. Very impressive ( see photo ).
1 Sep 2010 21:23
The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping
There seems to be all sorts of opinions about this famous pub. Called in today whilst walking the Thames Path, so my limited comments are as follows. The pub itself - yes, it's a bit dark, but what do you expect in a 500 year old pub. Expensive drinks - my pint of Youngs London Gold set me back �2.75 - not bad I would say. Food - I cannnot comment upon the quality as I didn't eat, but I did peruse the menu and the prices seemed reasonable for the food on offer. There is a nice terrace for watching the river traffic, also an upper room and terrace. Admittedly it was a Wednesday afternoon, and I can imagine it might be horrendously crowded on summer weekends, but to be honest, what would draw the crowds to Wapping?? Whatever might befall this place in the future, for heavens sake don't touch the fabric and layout of the building - it's magnificent.
1 Sep 2010 21:14
Called in today whilst doing an "East End" walk from a collection by the AA (No, not Alcoholics Anonymous). As others have said, just an ordinary pub. The only indication of its history is a photo and press report, framed upon the wall. The same two real ales as described by South Yorkshireman were on offer, and when I went in I was the only customer (okay, it was one o'clock on a Wednesday). Mind you, when I took fifteen quid out of the quizzer I was only too pleased that Ronnie and Reggie weren't around.
1 Sep 2010 21:03
Modern gastropub type of place. Five handpumps, but three were labelled "coming soon", so we were offered the ubiquitous GK IPA and London Pride. A place to eat (semi pricey) but not a drinkers pub.
27 Aug 2010 20:42
Went for the first time today, and it definitely won't be my last. Have to agree with all the comments below, especially those articulated by Binman. What an amazing little haven of good ales in a friendly atmosphere.
25 Aug 2010 22:41
Further to my previous comment about their real ales, today they had five ales from the Tring Brewery on handpumps. What a dilemma !!!
18 Aug 2010 23:30
So Bloxham has fetched up at the Blue Anchor !!! His other place in Datchworth (The Tilbury) only has two comments and they make interesting reading, as does the current rating of 1.3 (Yes - that does read 1.3 !!!)
15 Aug 2010 15:03
The Axe And Compasses, Braughing
My wife and I lunched there today for the first time and were very impressed. A very simple choice of courses which were obviously freshly cooked. The same menu applies in the restaurant at the back, and in my opinion it would be a little lacking for a special evening meal, but for lunch it was ideal, so much so that we are going back on Monday with my daughter and her family. Two real ales on offer - Adnams Broadside and Wadworths Henrys IPA. I can also personally recommend the liver and bacon, whilst my wife devoured her sausage and champ mash. Delighted to have discovered it.
11 Aug 2010 18:52
Have to totally agree with Edchambers. I cannot comment on the range of beers as I was on Grandchildren duty in the garden, but as we left I could certainly see kegs set up for gravity dispense. Food both good quality and value. My crab baguette was excellent which was most fortunate, as two hours later we still hadn't caught any of the little blighters.
6 Aug 2010 20:02
Dropped in for a meal on Thursday with our grandchildren, on the last night of our holiday. Adequate, but no more. Whilst ordering drinks I opted for a pint of the 'Suffield Bitter', but whilst it was being poured I then noticed the dreaded words 'Brewed by Courage'. Live music nights on Fridays in season, and a large beer garden which was disappointing. If we had gone in on the Monday, would we have gone back? Afraid not.
6 Aug 2010 19:52
Personally, I don't think the outside appearance does much to invite you in. (Probably those words 'Greene King'). However my wife and I tried it for lunch this week and it certainly delivered. Apparently the newish landlord used to be an area manager for the brewery, and was sure he could run it better than the then incumbent. Well, he's doing a decent job. Homemade pies are excellent - on our visit the choices were chicken and mushroom or lamb and apricot. Also the staff were friendly and welcoming. Will definitely return.
17 Jul 2010 14:19
The Royal Standard of England, Beaconsfield
Never mind commenting about this pub, I must have a gripe about this whole entry. Sixteen images above, supposedly, and only five different pictures amongst them. Pathetic.
25 May 2010 15:15
The Green Man of Grantchester, Grantchester
Can confirm, from the outside only, that this is now re-opened. No other comment, although it looked a bit restauranty.
20 Feb 2010 23:08
This is a cop-out, I know. Was in town today for a wedding, so I took my wife along to see the award winning renovation work. To be honest, it was outstanding, and I can understand why it has won so many awards - nice rooms with exposed beams, and a superb ( absolutely full ) garden out the back. Unfortunately, knowing what was to come later, we were looking for a very simple lunch such as a sandwich or a baguette, but there was no such offering on the menu, so we moved on. But under different circumstances, we will definitely be back. For the above reasons only, no rating given at this time.
8 Aug 2009 23:40
The Hen and Chicken, Upper Froyle
Must agree with previous comments. We stopped over after a footplate experience at the nearby Watercress Line, when the first priority was a drink ( God it was hot on that engine ). GREAT garden for children, whilst the grownups had a choice of four H&W ales - Badger, Tanglefoot, Sussex ale and what I assume might be a seasonal Lemony Cricket. As I had promised beforehand, the first pint of shandy ( what a waste of Sussex ale, I know ) never even touched the sides.
28 Jun 2009 19:53
Having driven past on many, many occasions today I decided to pop in and have a look. Nothing bright and brassy, but a real old fashioned ( in the nicest possible sense ) pub. I was originally going to use the word boozer, but that perhaps has connotations of being full of drunks. Original looking building, many ( I forgot to count ) real ales on tap, darts, pool table and that almost indefinable thing called ambience. I know it doesn't exactly stand out visually as you crawl past in prevailing traffic, but if you need a break, give it a try. I certainly will be back.
26 Jun 2009 18:20
Went there last weekend with a family group of nine and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Food was more than adequate at a decent price, and there were SIX Adnams ales on handpump so all the men were happy. As a previous reviewer said, it was superb sitting out in the sun looking across towards the brewery, and the children had fun drawing pictures of the lighthouse.
Yes, it's been modernised. Yes, it's a bit too much chrome and polish. Yes, it's changed from the old days, but what do you expect. Let's be honest, it's well known as Adnams flagship pub, and it's definitley aimed at the tourist. I don't know what it's like on a wet Thursday evening in November, and I don't really care. Also, I haven't been in when the "luvvies" walk in, but the staff were certainly friendly enough towards us. If this sort of thing is not for you, by all means go to the Nelson or the Kings Head (both excellent pubs, by the way) but don't knock this place. It does what it does very well.
Sorry folks - rant now over.
26 Apr 2009 15:49
The Sun Inn, Welwyn Garden City
Went for lunch yesterday with my wife and maiden aunt. The whole place was friendly enough and the food was excellent. I had the beer battered cod and it was the best fish and chips I've had in a pub for ages. Then afterwards the landlord came over to ask about the fish - he'd just changed his supplier and I was the first customer to have it. The place was full of people of "a certain age" and they all semed to be enjoying themselves.
There were six real ales on offer, including Adnams Explorer as their "surprise" guest. I had the Joseph Holt 5 percenter ( possibly Fifth Sense, but i might be wrong ) and it went down extremely well. We will definitely be returning.
As an aside, to judge by the number on laptops on show there were quite a few business lunches taking place around the tables at the front !!!
16 Apr 2009 08:53
Went for lunch yesterday with my wife, daughter and granddaughter in a pushchair. Staff couldn't have been more friendly. We had the run of the back room, and the pub was absolutely full of locals, which speaks volumes. Bar lunches were very good value, and my pint of Jack Frost was superb. Will definitely return should we be in that neck of the woods again.
1 Mar 2009 18:30
Came across this place purely by chance on a country drive. We actually parked in their carpark to go and take some photos, but then we saw the sign about their 2in1 pies and decided to have lunch. Only a couple of real ales on offer ( mine was okay ) but macho man here had to have a go at the "turkey and the trimmings" pie. I like my food, but even I couldn't finish it. Pub okay, with a real log fire. Would definitely go again, but I'm not likely to be in that area again - unfortunately.
17 Feb 2009 18:37
Got taken here whilst visiting friends. "We've got a CAMRA award winning pub locally". Going to be boring now, but have to agree with previous reviewers. Happened to be the last day of their Valentines Beer Festival and there were seven real ales on offer. Only had time to try the Top Tottie and it was superb, although very dangerous - the sort of beer where five or six pints could quietly slip down unnoticed, and suddenly you're in trouble.
The pub itself, typical old fashioned boozer, very sympathetically restored. What's more, they are proud of their reputation and do typical CAMRA type things e.g. on March 17th there is a "Meet the Brewer" evening where someone from St Austell is coming along, and they are offering a "Pint and a Pasty" for a fiver. Just wish there were pubs like this near where I live.
17 Feb 2009 18:30
Shave Cross Inn, Marshwood Vale
Not been there personally, but this place a very good write up in the Pint to Pint column in todays Telegraph. Serve food with a Tobagon touch plus fine selection of real ales on offer. And no, don't get suspicious, I have no connection with this pub at all, so no rating given.
3 Jan 2009 13:51
I read in a local Camra newsletter that the old landlord had moved on and this had been taken over by a regular and his dad. As an infrequent visitor I popped back for a look and all seems okay. Decent range of real ales as evidenced by the incredible collection of pump clips hanging from the ceiling. Also real ciders and an acceptable selection of house wines. So no immediate need to worry. One thing I've never seen before - on each handpump there was a clip for the beer which was to follow on that pump.
11 Oct 2008 15:10
Another classic example of a pub being operated by a shoestring staff. Went in this afternoon and after a couple of minutes at the bar no-one had appeared, so I had a look round the corner AND GOT NOTICED. Still no service. Two more minutes and I went and looked round again AND GOT NOTICED AGAIN. When the barman eventually appeared, an old feller who was sitting at a table shouted out an order and the barman bloody well served him ! Blow this for a game of soldiers. I just went over to the quizzer and relieved it of a tenner, without even buying a drink. He who laughs last . . . ,etc.
7 Oct 2008 23:17
An excellent place. My daughter works nearby so this is their local when lunchtime calls for a special occasion.
Our service was excellent, but to be fair we had made sure we were the first through the door, as we hadn't reserved. Yes, maybe the beer was a bit too chilled, but there are far worse ways of getting it wrong.
But enough of that, what about the food? Excellent !
A superb range of meals, and all really good value. Although none of us had the Sunday roast, we will next time, having seen a few being carried past. My wife's crumble was to die for - my cheese board was the nicest I have seen in years - and my daughter had her usual treacle tart. Tart ?? It was more like a cake, about two inches thick and dripping with treacle. That'll be my choice next time.
As an aside, there is no children's menu, but they do serve half portions of four of the normal items.
And just think - a few years ago this used to be a Beefeater / Brewers Fayre ( can't remember which). Somebody obviously saw the possibilities in this place, and boy have they delivered.
21 Sep 2008 20:18
I know it's stating the bl**ding obvious, but we have three reviews by three newcomers who have just logged on and commented on no other pubs. For how much did you sell your souls, boys ?? Surely more than a pint ??
16 Sep 2008 20:44
Fairly basic pub, but you cannot knock it for its ales. Went in on the way to the footie today and they had six real ales on plus a decent cider. fair enough.
13 Sep 2008 18:09
Great pub. Six real ales on last night and when I went back for my second pint two had sold out and been replaced by two different ones. How's that for planning and preparation. Didn't eat, but they have what looks to be a very interesting take on the tapas concept. I must try to get my Friday night crowd to move here.
13 Sep 2008 09:23
.... and while I'm at it, how does it get a rating of 8.7 from three users when I'm one of them and I didn't give it a rating ???
29 Aug 2008 17:56
Looks like I won the race to comment. 29 Aug - 16:44 - "opening very shortly". 29 Aug - 16:57 - "totally transformed , well worth a visit". Both Cheekypint and Smooveb have only ever commented on this pub. Nice try chaps !!! Say no more. Cynical ??? Moi ???
29 Aug 2008 17:54
Never mind the previous comments about the miseries, you should see the prices !!!! As I often drive past this place I haven't seen the car park full for yonks. Say no more !!!
7 Aug 2008 19:27
The King Canute, Canvey Island
This is on the M&B website as one of their 'Sizzling' branded pubs. Hardly off the boil, even though some of their internal slogans include the word 'sizzle'.
No real ale - no real reason to go there unless you live VERY locally on Canvey.
7 Aug 2008 19:19
Just to give a more recent update from the previous three comments - nothing has changed. Will it ever ?
7 Aug 2008 19:14
I can only assume that Quagmire ( what a very appropriate name for someone whose only comment is about this pub ) has very low expectation. Just look at all the other comments going back over the years, and decide whether I am taking the proverbial.
1 Aug 2008 19:26
For heavens sake get this place off this website. As it admits on its frontage, it's a restaurant and tapas bar. There's not even a bar on which to rest your elbow whilst enjoying your pint. Heaven only knows what beers they serve.
10 Jun 2008 19:18
Never mind the scruffy clientele and landlord, this place is worse inside than it looks outside. It's just a dump !!!
29 May 2008 09:04
Lunched there today with family, and can see where some of the previous comments came from. Food adequate but nothing special. Service at the bar was incredibly slow, and I heard at least two diners asking where their food was, having ordered it over half an hour ago. Why do so many pubs, as here, try to muddle through with a skeleton staff?
26 May 2008 18:52
The Sun Inn, Welwyn Garden City
Decent enough pub. Have never eaten there, but the choice of ale is always good.
26 May 2008 18:48
Tried this place after golf yesterday evening. Not at all bad for one of these Pubco places. Good range of foreign lagers if that's your thing, but I had the Speckled Hen. Cracking pint, if slightly on the cold side, but there are far worse ways to cock up a pint.
9 May 2008 11:22
Can confirm the 2 year old rating below. Nothing special as a pub, but what a super selection of real ales.
28 Apr 2008 18:47
Killing a couple of hours in Wycombe on Monday, I was trawling for quiz machines. Passing this one I thought there might be an outside chance (no such luck) but outside there was a sign advertising "Exotic dancers - now on". I thought someone had left it outside from the weekend, but no, there was one girl dancing away at 10 past 3 in the afternoon on a Monday. But here's the rub - there were four customers in the pub and not one of them was watching the dancer. What was the point of it ??
8 Apr 2008 17:41
The Dorset Arms, Withyham Hartfield
It's me again - see 25th October 2007. Went back yesterday, and can now also recommend the steak and ale pie - a real pie with meat embedded in the gorgeous thick pastry crust. This time I saved room for the Malva pudding, and it definitely didn't disappoint.
Four Harveys ales on offer - Pale Ale, Bitter, XXX and Porter. Had the Porter, and to be honest it might have been a little off, but hey, that's real ale for you. It won't stop me trying it again.
28 Mar 2008 08:02
The old feller behind the bar is one of the grumpiest, most miserable old sods it has ever been my misfortune to meet.
5 Feb 2008 11:49
Obviously in no great hurry to build the houses. Yesterday the pub was still standing behind the barricades.
16 Jan 2008 11:04
Right on the button, richardhoward. I never even went beyond the doormat - I had seen enough. Does south Bucks really need more eateries like this ??
16 Jan 2008 11:00
Was driving past and stopped on spec. Totally soulless refurbished place, surely completely out of place in E17. Just drank my pint, took money out of the quiz machine and moved on. But never again.
28 Dec 2007 21:56
The Catherine of Aragon, West Byfleet
Absolutely spot on, NJJ. Only consolation was the quiz machine paying for all my beer, even though it's got a dodgy screen.
28 Dec 2007 21:41
An honest, friendly, local village boozer with good beer, unlike the pretentious "inn" on the corner with their couldn't care less attitude. Guess which is the one to avoid !!
21 Dec 2007 18:29
Lovely little pub with an interesting internal layout. Fabulous selection ( eight at least ?? ) of real ales. Went in earlier this week on a cold, wet evening, and the lovely smile of the dark haired barmaid warmed me up a treat.
8 Dec 2007 16:01
My whole family met here last week merely as a convenient spot on an onward journey. Unfortunately I have to agree with many of the points made by earlier posters. Conveyor belt food service - food prices - surly staff - heaped salad spoons extra , etc. But the final straw was being charged �3.15 for a pint of Summer Lightning and having to ask for it to be topped up. Everything good about this place is outside.
30 Oct 2007 09:51
The Dorset Arms, Withyham Hartfield
Went down to T.Wells to take my 87 year old father out for lunch, and 'found' this place from the GBG and this website. Boy, what a good find.
The building dates from 1790 and retains the great majority of its original features, including a magnificent fireplace, actually in use. As a previous reviewer mentioned, a wonderful aroma of wood smoke, and every 30 minutes, as a new log was put on, that crackly sparky visual effect.
The menu had about 18 mains on it. Dad had the 'lamb chop'. I've put it in inverted commas because a lamb chop it most definitely wasn't - it was a slice through the fat end of a leg of lamb, complete with the circular bone in the middle, and it was an inch thick. I thought there was no way he was going to cut it, but he didn't have to - when he touched it with knife and fork it surrendered and just fell off the bone. And according to Dad, who's no gourmet, it melted in the mouth. I had the biggest plate of liver and bacon I've ever had in a pub, and I usually go for that when out as it's my favourite. The final touch was the scrummy onion gravy.
But the biggest regret of all was that we were so satisfied that we couldn't manage a pudding. Why regret ?? Because amongst the list of usual (superb looking) suspects was Malva Pudding, and I haven't seen this ANYWHERE since my wife and I had it at Miller Howe in the Lake District, ten years ago, where it was created by the great John Tovey. I would have loved to have tried it.
There were three Harveys real ales on tap, but I can only vouch for the quality of two of them. The place was pretty full of diners of 'a certain age' which speaks volumes for it, as it's in the country and is not really reachable on foot from anywhere.
A great little pub - I only wish I lived closer.
25 Oct 2007 18:09
Oh dear ! Just reopened after a refurb - another example of a pub trying to turn into a restaurant. Now just looks like hundreds of other places. Bye !!
17 Oct 2007 07:32
Having not been here for over twenty years, what a shock. I can only agree with the previous three reviews, even though they are fairly old. Excellent food, wine list and friendly efficient staff. Only gripe / concern is that does this still qualify as a pub? I couldn't see an area where you could just walk in off the street for a pint or two. Wouldn't go so far as to say this is the best food in the area, but they are certainly near the top of the Premiership !!!
27 Sep 2007 11:51
Following on from my last review, popped back to try the BeeWyched but it had gone. Instead they had Flash Harry, so there seems to be an established policy of rotating their guest real ales. Nice to see in this Greene King / McMullens dominated area.
21 Sep 2007 07:42
Considering I have worked locally for five years, I didn't even know this pub existed until I saw it on this website. Typical old fashioned estate type pub with lots of dark interior wood, especially the ceiling of the pool room. They also seem to have gone out of their way to make outside smokers feel comfortable. Slightly weird feeling though - at 2 in the afternoon I was the only customer !!
Two real ales on offer the day I popped in - Exmoor Gold and BeeWyched from the Wychwood brewery. Must go back to try the second one.
9 Sep 2007 21:11
Stopped for lunch with friends on the way through and had a very pleasant surprise. A little worried when I saw it was now part of the burgeoning Greene King empire, but couldn't knock it. Although just the usual GK ales, they were well kept.
The original intention was to just have a sandwich ( which incidentally come with a huge pile of salad and crisps )but we noticed that for the same price we could have a starter off the full menu. What good value, and excellent quality, from very friendly staff. I can particularly recommend the Burford taster plate !!
The final point about the staff is that when one of us asked for some cream to go with coffee, we thought they had forgotten when nothing had appeared five minutes later. Upon giving them a reminder, we were told that she wasn't back yet. Instead of just apologising for a lack of cream, a girl had been sent down the street to get some. How about that for service.
3 Sep 2007 13:16
The White Horse, Brancaster Staithe
This place is owned by the same person who owns a very good gastropub near us in Herts, so I just took my wife for her birthday. Wow !! As a pub it looked okay, with Woodforde's Wherry and Adnams on draught at reasonable prices. The only critical comment I could make was that the bar billiard table was out of order, but at least they had one - they are very rare beasts these days.
But as a place to stay it is superb. Great food, very good rooms ( we had the 'Room at the Top' with magnificent views over the salt marshes and viewing scope provided ), very friendly staff. Perhaps a bit on the pricey side, but we will certainly go back ( at some point in the future !! ) I'm only giving it 9 / 10 because on principle I never give anywhere the full 10.
19 Apr 2007 18:04
Nice riverside setting with a great selection of real ales. Although I didn't eat, the food I saw being carried past looked good value. Certainly one of the top two pubs in town, but you have to know about it to go there - you definitely wouldn't just happen upon it by chance.
29 Mar 2007 11:49
Typical Brewers Fayre - what you expect is what you get. But as it's attached to a Lodgey Hotel Thingy, it's the only pub I know where you have to pay to use the car park.
29 Mar 2007 11:45
Had never been here before until a walking trip last Saturday. Lunchtime food was excellent value, but I can see why one or two reviewers have called the place shabby. Very popular with younger people, some of whom were sitting around playing pub supplied games such as Connect-4. Considering there is no road access and all customers have to walk or cycle, it was surprisingly busy for the time of year. Could easily envisage enjoying a summer pint or two in the front garden watching the watery world go by. If I lived in Oxford this would definitely be one of my more regular haunts.
5 Mar 2007 12:46
The Killingworth Castle Inn, Wootton
Stayed for two nights recently. Ex Morland pub taken over by Greene King. Food adequate, the ales were all GK. Great folk night on the Friday but the Saturday night group surely didn't need the mike and four( FOUR !!) speakers. Bedrooms needed a hint more investment to make them a bit more welcoming ( eg soap and shampoo would be nice )
20 Nov 2006 11:40
The Oddfellows Arms, Alnwick
Relax - it's dead !
9 Aug 2018 09:30