please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Most people from within a 10 mile radius and in their 50's will have happy memories of this pub. In its day, which was the mid 80's, a truly lovely pub. Everyone who has ever had too much to drink would have ended up in the stream. Used to get busloads of boozers here at one time, bit quieter now, where isn't. Sad to hear some of the employees have had bad experiences here. It's a beautiful setting for a nice pub.
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I used to work here and it was a shambles back then but I must say that I had a chuckle this morning seeing one of the two owners Jenny Tooley on the BBC1 programme "The sherifs are coming"!! It appears that she has tried to stitch up another hard working chef who worked their fingers to the bone for this vacuous ignorant and mostly drunk woman. The food was always so good there but all the decent chef's, bar managers, bar staff and team leaders all ended up leaving because the owners were often drunk and unbelievably rude!! Swearing and shouting at each other in full view of paying customers and finally from watching the BBC programme - not paying their staff causing them to go to court!!
Avoid this pub like the plague!
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Beautiful good old fashioned country pub. very welcoming and everything you would expect. Very friendly
Ale is supplied by Downlands Brewery who I believe are connected to the pub in some way. Had a pint of Migration Song, very dark bitter. but was just spot on. They have a range of other bitters including a Best, an IPA, Porter.
Delightful little find!
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Could be renamed The Wasp & Dog.. been in on a couple of Sundays in summer and the garden is always plagued with wasps. I know it's the countryside/nature, but the amount of wasps makes it very unpleasant. Won't be back.
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I first visited this pub over 30 years ago and even remember being 'locked-in' one year after a particularly heavy snowfall. Over the years it has had it's fair share of good times and bad times and I remember a visit some years ago when I swore I'd never return having had a dismal meal and a lack lustre pint. The pub has thankfully now escaped the shackles of Hall & Woodhouse and is a Freehouse again supporting local breweries. The interior is much as it ever was just with an oak furniture 'refresh', so still cosy with an open fireplace (wood burner). Much in evidence are the excellent beers of the nearby Downlands brewery, a new venture over in Small Dole and if their current offerings are anything to go by, then we'll be in for a treat over the coming years. My pint of Truleigh Gold (3.7%) was spot on and they also had Downlands Ruskins Ram (4%), Devil's Dyke (5%) and Three Rings (5.2%) to choose from, with reasonable prices to match (£3.45 for a 5% beer can't be bad).
The pub seems to be trying to do things right, and while I didn't try the food on this visit, the menu certainly looked interesting and I heard other punters making appreciative noises, and the service was friendly. They're also offering a home-made pizza night on Wednesdays, steak or mussels night on Thursdays plus fresh local (well Brighton & Hove) fish on Fridays, all of which sounds promising.
Outside there's a large beer garden from which you're treated to great views of the South Downs, while kids can investigate the Fulking spring. There's parking for around 12-14 cars in the small carpark and along the road, but it's probably worth getting there early or booking to ensure a table. Certainly things are improving for the Shepherd & Dog and I'd recommend it if you're in the area, or if you visited a few years back and want to see how it's changing... for the better. Long may it continue.
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Enjoyed visiting in 1966, and more so in 1985 when I had rabbit (IIRC) and a pint of bitter.
I am looking forward to my next visit, hopefully soon.
In 1985, none of the chais matched - I remember one breaking under a woman tourist.
Prices were very reasonable and the food was excellent.
I understand there have been changes.
However, the pub looks much the same and the countryside is beautiful. A day on Devil's Dyke and a nice lunch are what I look forward to. I hope my experience will be better than that of "Brightonbaker".
BTW, I have an oil painting of this pub, circa 1860, so perhaps I'm a little biased...
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Would have eaten but the kitchen was closed due to weight of orders. Half of a fairly non-descript bitter consumed before departure.
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Great Food I agree they have really stepped it up this year the staff are very friendly and the food is very nice. The prices of the meals are no more than the other surrounding pubs if not a little cheaper the beer is certainly cheaper. If you go there in the summer expect to wait for food but you won�t be disappointed.
I have eaten there a couple of times since July once on a Friday lunch they had the most fanatic�s fish menu and all presented really well. I would recommend this pub to anyone. I�m more than sure they will keep up the great work.
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Excellent food and really friendly staff who had time to chat about the local walks in the area when we asked. We had a very good meal the worst bit was having to walk back up the hill didnt want to leave, really cosy friendly atmosphere. Thanks guys/girls.
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My wife and I went to this pub on a mid week evening a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed a very nice meal in the cosy old beamed part of the bar area. The steak I ordered was well cooked and a good quality, and the wine accompanying it was tasty and reasonably priced. My wife had one of the fish specials and enjoyed it very much.
Recently the pub has seen some changes to it's service and approach with customers that have moved it up a notch in my opinion. The barstaff and waitresses were all friendly and helpful, providing a warm greeting to match the surroundings.
If you are looking for a nice pub with beautiful surroundings, this is a good bet.
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SO disappointed with this pub - did the Devil's Dyke walk and stopped here for lunch. Surroundings and the pub itself are nice but WAY OVERPRICED. Two lime and sodas came to �4. Treated ourselved to the �15 fish platter to share which was very disappointing. You really expect something nice for that price and it all tasted really cheap - even though I was really hungry and love fish I didn't finish it. Also what was supposed to be whitebait was tasteless watery frozen scampi and nobody said that when ordering. By the time we left there was a wait of 45 minutes to an hour for food and I felt sorry for those people waiting.
Don't bother wasting your money buying food here - bring a picnic instead!
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Had the squid starter and the plaice off the specials board thought both dishes very good. my wife had the fish board which had a good selection of fish and prawns. good choice of Ales. Good to see that owners have Harveys back on again. the Manager, Matt informed us that their was a new head chef, hope he stays.
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wouldnt admit to paying �48 for four youngs battered cod and a bag of frozen chips from iceland
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Very dissapointed with the food. Arrived on a Sunday afternoon and all 4 of us ordered fish and chips at �12.00 each. I assumed we would get something extra special for this price but was wrong. The portion of fish was very nice but on the small side and the chips were served in one bowl for everyone to share and there were just not enough of them. The tomato sauce was served in a 'smear' on the plate as if alluding to haute cuisine when it was just very basic fish and chips. Considering chips are one of the cheapest things to make I think they should have at least served individual bowls and have plenty of them. �12.00 was just way too expensive anyway for a dish which is in no way above average. Essentially we paid �48.00 for 4 pieces of battered fish a few chips of and not forgetting the tiny pot of mushey peas (quite sure this was listed as garden peas on the menu which would have been far nicer).
Would not order food again here and completely been put off by the quality and price.
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recently moved to the area and had a meal on saturday 29th jan to my utter disgust its propably the most dissapointing meal i have eaten out for a very long time in this very poor excuse for a gastro pub. Soggy fish and chips and a burger that completly fell apart. This is not a gastro pub but a very poor traditional country inn with very expensive food and badly kept ales.
Dissapointed!!!!
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Well, where to begin! Perhaps with the car park. If you have frequented this pub before, you will know that the car park is on a slope. After the weather we have had recently, the car park was like an ice rink, the owners couldn't even be bothered to grit or salt it, resulting in a hazardous journey from car to bar! After our arctic trek over the ice we were greated by a very nice bar maid (Don't remember her name, just that she kept saying she was 28, obviously a joke, but nice none the less) anyway, we decided to have a real ale as we are fond of all the ales brewed around sussex. The selection was very poor and my drink tasted as if it had been in the barrel too long. We then went to order some food as it was early evening, when trying to order at the top bar, there was a gentlemen there with a rather large beer belly who was sat with a woman 'slagging' local residents off and swearing at each other. I only mention this as we later found out to our utter disgust that this couple are actually the owners of the pub! It was very quiet for a December evening, and we realised it was probably because this pair of 'well marinated' loud people (and thats the polite way to describe them!!) had probably driven all the locals away. Needless to say we did not order food, but finished our stale ale and promptly left. It seemed as if this couple thought of the pub as thier own private living room, and the way they spoke about locals and to their staff was well out of line. We went straight to the Royal Oak which is only down the road and preceeded to have a fantastic pint and a beautiful meal. We actually met the owners of the Royal Oak who were polite, friendly and complete opposites to the monsters at the 'DOG'. If you want a decent pint and nice atmosphere, DO NOT visit this pub, if however you want to feel as if you are on the set of Jeremy Kyle and like to watch grown adults drink themselves to oblivion and become a hassle to guests and staff, feel free to visit the flee-pit that is the Shepherd and Dog!!!
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Having visited the Shepherd and Dog many times and having a thoroughly enjoyable meal as well as excellent service, I am disappointed to report that when the manager is off, a pleasant lady called Karen, standards drop. I visited today to find utter chaos, very busy but with not enough staff, although I believe that one of the owners was sitting at the other side of the bar drinking whilst letting customers suffer with lack of service. The bar man was sporting a scruffy hair style and not helping out the harrassed waitress who did a great job under the circumstances. The food here, when it eventually arrived was ok but quite expensive. beer prices have gone up since we last visited but that's this country for you. The owners seem to not care about their business and I would not be surprised to see it sold soon.
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The pub was cold and guests were prevented from adding wood to the small fire; the red wine was ice cold, and although our main courses were ok, at those prices could have been served with a little elegance. Sweets in glass bowls were put directly on to the table without a plate underneath. Sounds picky, yes, but it just wasn't professionally served. Nice enough staff, but not enough management, and acceptable food - my steak came well done, not medium-rare as asked; On paying, I complained about the child sized scoops of ice cream to a young man who was profoundly uninterested in my feedback. Not a good way to keep our goodwill. It's gone downhill since our first visit a couple of years ago, and 2 courses, 1 wine, 2 soft drinks & 2 coffees came to just under �50. Well overpriced, no wonder it was half empty on a friday lunch time. Nothing very wrong with it, but still, disappointing.
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The pub has stopped selling Harveys Best, why? At �3.20 per pint they cannot make enough profit. Beers from DarkStar are cheaper to buy in and therefore the profit margin is greater. I visited last evening and it looks as if the novelty of running this pub has run out. Expect to see the "for sale" sign soon.
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Had a fantastic meal at the Shepherd & Dog on wed 28 July with friends, amazing Mussels and excellent Burgers will definitely go buck. Shame about the Service.
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This is a lovely pub in a beautiful location but, because of greed by the current owners, is now becoming very expensive. Ale is now �3.20 per pint, half pints are �1.65. Hate to think what the lager costs. Food is also expensive, would you pay �11 for second rate fish or burger and chips? Bar staff are variable, some are good, but all of them seem to be embarrassed by the cost of the food and drink. If you must visit, ask for the cost of drinks before you buy.
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This place used to be so good but now seems to have changed hands and the atmosphere was appalling. The staff were unhelpful and everything seemed to be a problem for them even though it didn't seem to be that busy. No food served in the beautiful garden or front terrace. If you want to eat in the garden on a warm summer evening you can't - bizarre! But you can eat on the terrace close to the kitchen and over-looking the car park if you want to endure the loud radio the chef is playing. Apparently it keeps him happy. DOH!
Sadly pubs with beautiful views will always get the trade and get complacent. There are two near Brighton, The Juggs in Kingston nr Lewes is another, where the food is over-priced and the service dire, yet people still go because of the views. At least this pub serves good beer.
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We were recommended here for their ales and werent disappointed. Really well kept and excellent choice. Fantastic gardens and views to relax and enjoy our pints, well enjoyed it.
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Having been a long time visitor to this pub on and off for 35 years It's amazing how quickly such a long relationship can be ruined by apalling service, unedible food with a slug in it, and completely unconcerned management.
Trading solely on theorposition, this pub deserves to be given a widfe berth. There are so many better, pleasant and less expensive places to enjy some good food.
Avoid at all costs.
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This used to be a lovely pub and have been there for a roast many a Sunday and have been very happy. I however went there on Saturday and was sorely let down. I ordered a burger and at �10 you'd expect something of a reasonable standard. The burger received i managed 3 mouthfuls of before giving up. Each mouthful was pure gristle, not a pleasant experience and the waitresses were kind enough to offer me an alternative but i felt quite queazy i couldn't contemplate eating anything else. This was all forgivable except when we came to pay the bill the burger was still showing. So I said to the barman we were paying that this was inedible and had been returned. He retorted in a very condescending manner that he had tried the burger and that it was perfectly edible. He made me feel so stupid and that he was doing me a favour by taking it off the bill.
Other people were also complaining about their food so it wasn't jut me eg an uncooked baked potato.
Has this pub changed hands or have they just got lazy and trading off their reputation?
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Quite a nice location and very friendly, but expensive for both drink and food. Harveys well-kept.
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was at this nice pub for some food yes the place to be seen the chef scottish lad made me spend a few pounds his salmon dish was over �10.00 but i can see why will be back this sunday hope you see this chef you made my dull day happy nice talking to you
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I dont understand the negative reviews here.I had a lovely day with friends at this pub and found it nothing but a joy. Set in lovely surroundings with a little water way runing through the gardens and a BBq on Saturdays. As for the food , my friends and I are vegetarians ,we am constantly disappointed by the ubiquitous 'nut roast and pasta dishes' that seem to pollute every pub menu. Its a pleasure to find a country pub that considers vegetarians . I had a lovely Mediteranian stilton pastry parcel that was divine served with new potatoes that were sweet and lovely. My friends had the same and were equally impressed . We felt that it was ony appropriate to thank the head chef in person ,he was more than happy to listen to our opinions. We will be going back . Cooking meat is basic , cave men did it.. Decent ,flilling and tasty vegetarian food is an art.. Keep it up.
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This pub is set in beautiful grounds on the banks of a small river. Nice staff. However, we visited early today and were appalled at the excessive prices charged. A small apple juice (childs) �2.50...! Magners �4.00 We ordered 3 main course, lamb shanks and sausages and mash.
The lamb shanks �13.95 and sausage and mash �10.50. If the food had of been to a higher standard I would not have minded. Will not be coming back.... The lamb shank tasted as though it had been boiled and was leathery and hard (not slow cooked until softly yielding as it should be) not quite sure how they managed to get it SO wrong. The veg was overcooked, the potatoes undercooked. The sausages were ok but the mash was poor. Overall a thorough disappointment, absolute cheek to charge those prices for substandard food. Don't bother.
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Most local people now call this pub 'Ikea' in the country ... lol! After the cheap flat pack furniture store.
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I really can't stand the revamp. This pub was so cosy for years before. Then some new upstart coms in and completely ruins the ambience of the place. I haven't been back since. It looks terrible inside now. Don't go there.
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One of my favourite things to do of a Sunday is a nice walk in the country and a pub lunch. Last Sunday it was pretty grim weather-wise, but we decided not to let that deter us, and headed out into rural Sussex. I feel so lucky living where we do - flanked by the sea on one side and the Downs on the other. It only took us 10 minutes in the car to get to Fulking, at the foot of Devil's Dyke, to one of our preferred hostelries, The Shepherd & Dog. We've always rated this place for its cosy atmosphere, straightforward food and stunning beer garden. I was sad to see that a recent refurbishment has removed some of the cosiness, and that the hugger-mugger random furniture, which I rather liked, has been replaced by uniform smart pine. This didn't seem to put off the regulars though, as the place was packed full of Sunday-lunchers. So we braved the blustery weather and sat in the beautiful beer garden, hoping the rain would hold off. My biggest complaint about the revamp is the evident price-hike - �6.95 for a sandwich???! Main courses were coming in at �10-14 - fair enough for a swish restaurant, but the food wasn't THAT great. The salad garnish with my ciabatta was limp and obvoiusly not freshly prepared, and there was nothing very imaginative about the sandwich itself - certainly not seven quid's worth of imagination anyway! How sad to see a charming, rustic local turning into yet another soul-less so called gastro pub. Thankfully Sussex has plenty of other country pubs to offer, all of them far better than this one...
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A fabulous pub situated at the foot of the South Downs, in a small village just north of Brighton. It has a warm, friendly atmosphere with a fantastic garden by a stream, and a cosy fireplace in the winter.
As well as a fine selection of wines, the constantly changing choice of well kept real ales has always impressed on my many visits. Local Harvey`s and Dark Star breweries are well represented, with guest ales from across the country changing regularly.
Food is of a high standard, with seasonal menus and an impressive specials board. Desserts are good but substantial main courses will require the loosening of one or two belt notches in order to accommodate.
It can get busy in the summer months but the garden area can seat plenty. Quiz night is the last Sunday in the month, with reservations for tables suggested as it is a popular evening with many trying to outwit the formidable Muppets team ( no bias here, honest ! ).
My high rating is regularly proved, so see what you think and rate fairly if you agree. Enjoy !!!!!!
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Excellent food, & better service, recommend this pub highly.
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Not very good food, even worse service would not recommend this pub. There you go a nice honest review for you. Don't waste your time or money going there.
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Lovely quaint pub with great views over the downs. Food was excellent and choice of ales for my partner superb, especially the Hophead which we dont get in our local. Definately be back.
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i went to the pub recently and found it to be a charming place. the staff were very polite and friendly and the food was brilliant. The garden was lovely and i really enjoyed having dinner and a drink in the garden. the pub is located in a lovely countryside village and it has a very family feel to it. im not sure why the negitive comments have been put up as i would go back there again.
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I don't understand all the negative comments about this place. Have visited 3 times, food has been consistantly good, and more reasonable than the Royal Oak at Poynings down the road. 5 good real ales to choose from and a gorgeous beer garden in the shadow of the Downs. 9/10
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All I can say is that I came here two Sunday lunchtimes, found the prices reasonable, the food good and the staff polite. On the second occasion, my three friends agreed with my high opinion of the place.
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Went here for dinner on Tuesday night.
I ordered the seafood curry from specials menu. Food arrived very quickly which was good and was very well presented but I have to say I've never tasted such a bland curry in my life... it was lifeless... devoid of any taste whatsover, it was actually quite baffling as it looked so fantastic and enticing! Very very disappointed. My wife's meal was fine though as she had something different.
Will definitely give it a go again but perhaps on a nice summers day so we can sit outside in the stunning garden setting and I'll go for something like a burger which seems to be well rated here so a "can't go wrong" kind of dish!
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Beautiful location and good beer but the food is overpriced and not particularly good. On a summer's day the pub is very busy and the service for food is very slow.The staff don't seem able to cope and don't care.
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Hello I went to this pub on sunday thinking that It would be horriable as I have not been for a few years but i heard it is a free house so I went alone.
And I have to say that its a great pub, I had a lovly roast pork proberly one of the best roast's I have ever had!!! The furniture has change a bit thou. Apart form that it was great .
anonymous - 27 Nov 2007 00:48 |
Good selection of ales good food good location, what more can you ask for.
anonymous - 3 Nov 2007 21:32 |
Very lovely pub well cook food.
anonymous - 1 Nov 2007 19:32 |
I also agree with the last comment I went there yesterday with my wife, Had a lovely meal off their new winter menu I had the game pie which was lovely my wife have the Beef curry of there special board we both enjoyed it very much, you can tell a homemade meal when you have one. We will for sure go again.
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Lovely setting in the Downs, delicious food and excellent choice of ales. Nice atmosphere too, can't understand why other people don't like it!
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Beautiful location and worth a visit just for that. There is very little else to recommend it at the moment, the atmosphere is non existant.
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My sister and I have enjoyed a lovely lunch, great homecooked food refreshing to know a place that has gone back to everything homemade. Staff very attentive and helpful we enjoyed it as did.
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