please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Saw the mixed reviews on The Cross Keys so thought I'd take a squint at it. Pub is an old brick and flint high street affair, like every place had, before people stayed in so much. Weather was hot so we sat outside, in fact everyone seemed to and garden terrace was packed. Everyone we spoke to said food was very good and as most of them were locals, it was interesting that they rated it one of just two in the village worth a visit. Menu looked interesting and restaurant was pretty and cosy looking, food prices looked very reasonable, so we will be back to eat here soon.
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This is a really bland bland pub. But the worse bit is they try to 'sell you up' its not far removed from a macdonalds.. There must be better in Missenden.
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I used to visit this pub on a Sunday lunchtime when I lodged nearby; sadly at weekends it now becomes an extension of the nearby Roald Dahl museum complete with screaming babies and unruly children running around the bar unchallenged. Hardly a pleasant atmosphere in which to enjoy Fuller’s ales. So now I only consider visiting the pub late in the evening. However, do not travel far to visit this pub as you cannot rely on it being open. I have made this mistake on several occasions, the last of which was on yesterday. 8:15pm and The Cross Keys was shut with no sign of life. My friends and I were very disappointed having made a ten mile trip in three cars. We will not bother again.
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Packed on a Saturday early evening. Perhaps the food is good, the menu looked good at any rate. Smallish, cosy and historic pub. A Fullers house that does a good selection of their beers, including Chiswick a weaker parti-gyle of London Pride and not that common. They also do a guest beer. The pint of London Pride I had wasn't very good with hints of vinegar but not bad enough to take back. The Red Fox, Fullers' seasonal autumn beer, I had was very good.
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A welcome change of landlord a few weeks back looks set to revitalize this great traditional pub. The cellar manager takes pride in keeping that live beast real ale in tip-top condition. The best pint and the best company in the village is to be found here in the Cross Keys. A quality range of pub grub also awaits you; try the hand-cut real chips. A rare gem of a pub.
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A busy pub which was worth a visit, and it had a good selection of Fullers beers, although no seasonals. The beer was good but 2 pints ESB & a London Pride cost (damn my round!) �10.30. The White Swan, Wendover was visited later & it's �9.06 for 3 pints ESB.
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Visited this pub tonight with a pal for a quick pint of cider or beer. We put our car in the pub car park and were on our way into the pub when I decided to show my friend something in the shop window (7 metres away) that might be a good present for the misses for xmas. The Landlord came belting out of the pub, "HEY, YOU CAN'T BLOODY PARK THERE, FOR CUSTOMERS ONLY"
I told the landlord that we had actually taken the drive down into the village to expressly visit his establishment, like my friend and I had done every 3 - 4 weeks for the past 15 months or so. But he was not having it. By this time he was screaming, and I kid you not actually frothing at the mouth by now. Now he insists he doesn't now want us in his pub at all, just take our car and clear off. I cannot believe the behaviour of the landlord. It isn't as if I am a stranger in the locality, having lived within a thousand yards of the pub for over a dozen years. I tried everything to placate him, but he was having none of it, practically threw us off the premises - so we went down to the George, at the other end of the village for a couple of great pints of cider.
This new landlord is rude, and clearly no gentleman, thinking the best way to treat customers is to throw them of the premises just because they are going to look in a shop window on the way to his front door! My wife and her friends no longer visit this awful pub, now I know why. Even though ultra-expensive I still sank its praises to local RREC and BDC club members as a place to meet up, and I have done this at least a dozen times in the past 15 months. I am now warning all club members that the change in landlord is a change for the worse, and to stay well clear. What a dive!
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Visited on a Saturday evening - not closed as per previous review. Very small pub, no tables available to just sit with a drink and no room at the bar, so we sat outside a bit chilly until the bar staff put on the heaters under the sunshade. Fortunately no smokers in our immediate vacinity. Looks like a proper little pub, well supported, they make the most of the small patio with some lovely flower baskets. Mind your head on the low door at the rear of the pub!
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This pub (?) now shuts on some Saturday nights for private functions. Thus its core regular customers are alienated and must seek alternative venues for their social interaction. Therefore the 'pub' may lose its regular income - they may find a better venue and not return! Someone is not doing joined up thinking - no wonder pubs are closing daily with this sort of 'management'!
Not wishing to be negative - the beer is excellently kept and the best company in Great Missenden still drink there. The locals will give you a warm welcome,
enjoy!
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I agree with MarkS62.
The new landlord has hiked up the price of everything! 3.40 for a pint of Fullers ESB! Go one stop up the Chiltern Line to Wendover and visit the White Swan in the High Street and it is only 2.82. (A better pub in many ways) Go four miles to Chesham into the Queens Head and ESB is 2.80. In the city I may pay 3.00 for a pint of ESB but I have never been asked for more.
To add insult to injury; a packet of crisps will cost you 80p in The Cross Keys. No wonder villages are loosing there pubs daily if they are run along these lines.
Regards,
Pedantnic
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Nice enough pub, feels a bit cliquey though, dropped in for quick pint....most disappointingly they charge ridiculous prices for beer - much to greedy. I can go into London, vist the splendid Bear and Stafff on Bear Street and enjoy better beer, better selection at 70 pence a pint less!!
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Very quickly, this I find:
'Crossed keys, the symbol of Saint Peter. When "cross keys" occur as a place or pub name, there will often be an association with St. Peter, eg. the dedication of the local church'
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Pleased to treat the family to a meal and afternoon relaxation at the the bar in the Cross Keys. An interesting old English name which I must research.
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Pub has recently changed hands and improved because of it.
anonymous - 6 Oct 2008 17:10 |
The Fullers beer is usually good. Sadly the long standing jovial Landlord/Chef James has moved on. Now being rapidly abandoned by long standing locals. Way above London prices at 3.50 a pint! This pub needs someone with a personality to put some life back into it.
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lovely quaint tradional pub, good service and very tasty food.
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Best pub in Missenden, not that there's much competition. It's regulars are the only downside. Rugby club, city gents, parents with 3 wheeled push chairs....Best venue for a Fullers pint for miles. Big open fireplace and stripped wood floor. Very impressive bar food menu if expensive.
anonymous - 27 Sep 2007 19:38 |
Smashing, friendly local. Nice food and helpful owners.
Sharron - 15 Sep 2004 15:18 |
A very quaint olde worlde pub in the centre of Great Missenden. One main bar with a huge inglenook fireplace, plus a restaurant room attached. The food looks and smells pretty good, although I've never eaten there. The London Pride is generally very good. The one time it wasn't it got changed without question. A pleasant yard out the back with some benches for balmy summer evenings. Tends to be crowded early evening and thin out after nine.
Mike - 12 Jul 2004 13:44 |
