please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I would like to try this pub again. Is it under new ownership or can anyone let me know how long the landlords have been there?
|
I have not plucked up the courage yet to give this place another try. Anyone been in recently to perhaps let me know what its like?
|
My local-- getting better-- still miss K with his strange hair-- Bulls Head burger good-- decor needs a major revamp-- staff pleasant and helpful--
Could be a gold mine rather than a tin one!
Vindy - 22 Aug 2012 12:00 |
Nice to see someone other than the two usual protagonists say something nice about the pub. Sounds like it might be looking up. I will give it a try in the next couple of weeks to see if I agree.
|
Not sure what is happening here but this is supposed to be about the pub!
The staff here are very hard working, the landlady and Landlord are very welcoming and the head barman takes a very keen interest in the beers that are put on and likes to talk about them with the customers. Good quality pub food served in front of open fires and log burners which is important in the Winter and makes the atmosphere. A very good village pub that supports the local community.
The Hobgoblin is great, Cheers!
|
Ladies, ladies, ladies.
Will you all calm down and get a sense of perspective.
|
My point exactly. Thank you for taking the time and trouble to correct me.
|
As an outsider, looking in, I do need to draw to your collective attentions the fact that the word GRAMMAR is spelt with an 'A' at the end and not an 'E'.
The irony of it . . .
|
I am sure the old saying sticks and stones etc etc etc will be familiar to most of the reviwers. However I believe that things may have got a little out of hand and a tad to personal. Love or hate this pub in this economic climate it would be a shame for any village pub albeit in Ewhurst to Land End to cease trading because of a war of words that seems more to do with personalities than it has to do with the pub itself. For those who dislike the pub its food beer staff and general atmosphere I suggest that your friends and aquintances will be swayed by your opinions and will not darken the doors again. For those in favour I suggest that your friends and associates will be happy to continue to frequent and enjoy a lunch or evening out. I feel that all those taking part in this particular debate have made their feeling crystal clear and perhaps with all the intellect that they have should band together to fight more pressing issues, and let those who have not used the pub make their own minds up. If there are spelling or grammer problems with this review then just accept that you have the superior knowledge and let the matter drop.
The Hobs Mate.
|
Having read all the comments we called in the other day our findings were,
Staff friendly,beers ok (2 on this visit),food average for a pub,price on food and drink not over the top,all in all an average village pub no more no less.
So cold of the hopping kind you do need to get out more if your a member of a walking group i`m surprized you`ve not commented on other pubs it looks fishy cocker.
Same as hod the goblin only one pub commented on Hmmmmm really.
And yes brakes do sell Lobster so who`s the `Pillock`?
|
Clodhopper is clodhopper of the Hurtwood Ramblers club and no one else,we value this Pub for Very good Beer and Really Good Food at a Price that is easy on the pocket, us oldies who have seen afew pubs in our time know a good one when we find them,we are welcomed with smile and banter,having read below again the bad notices from Tistrue what a load of bollux get a life stop moaning and try to enjoy this wonderful village, what a shame as you still slag this pub off most Adults would accept they are Barred and live with the Fact and get on with their lives,als not you!! this Pub is the Epicenter of this Village and you are Barred, when you drive past think of what could have been! i spoke to a member of staff the other day and asked who could this person be? they said they have only one horrible person last year who was Rude to Bar Staff is this you?,we love this pub and its great to be welcomed again and again,......Since when dos Brakes Sell Lobsters. Pillock
|
A very nice pub, lovely and warm in the winter with a log burner and an open fire, excellent beers on tap and very knowledgeable bar tender. The food was exquisite, especially the beer battered haddock, which i was helpfully informed is collected fresh from billingsgate market in london. After reading a few other coments i find thisistrue trying to question someones grammer and then starting with "if i were the landlord", me suggests you learn the english language, you are obviously a bitter old man.
A definate venue to which i shall be returning especially with their adverts for fresh lobser at just �16.95 to be washed down with a nicepint of hobgoblin
|
Dear Flying Nun, if you consider me to be clodhopper, then it is me you have insulted!! Fortunatly, you have not as I am not . Clear , cool pints The Hob.
|
Is it just me or do others think hobgoblin and clodhopper are one ?
Peace be with you !!!!
|
Dear thisistrue, one is entitled to one's own views, but have you read the poetry of Keats?? As a farmer's son he had no real education but manages to convey such a sense of the countryside that eludes many scholars.
I feel that whether one is literate or not has ,in my opinion, nothing to do with the supping of ale. Just my view and best wishes The Hob.
|
If I were the people running this pub I am not too sure I would welcome the comments added by 'clodhopper 1', he (surely a male!) sounds like a complete oaf. He is a bumbling buffoon and is barely literate, he often refers to his rambles, obviously not just his walking!!!!!! Anyone reading his 'rambles' would surely avoid going to The Bull if this is the sort of person that frequents it. What a goon!!!
|
clod you can keep putting your Ad. on here but people can smell a Roland from miles !!!
And clod as `Shanty` commented keep hopping you might find there are other pubs not just The Bull.
|
Another visit today after our Ramble in the hurtwood hills,we just made it before the drizzle and again warmly welcomed by Sandra,the log burner was well sought after so Sandra sat us 15 by there So warm and Cozy,the bitters Youngs was on top form as was the IPA even our posy of sherry drinkers gave the thumbs up, most settled for haddock and chips and some had Brill from the oldFolks Menue highly commended,the fish comes direct from billingsgate,as always we Rate this Pub8*,having read below the Sour report from tistrue and ewhurst are you the person that got barred the other week?shame that you cannot use your local for some years, pity as this pub has fine Food and Ales on your doorstep!! all for the people who luv coming and enjoying their local that supports village causes,maybe for the Best as you cannot slate this Pub as you are no longer welcome, Fantastic Pub,Fantastic Food,Fantastic Family Ambience...
|
This pub was fully booked for Christmas day so it can't be that bad. Everyone has a right to there own narrow minded bigoted opinion. Perhaps others should try before believing everything they read. Wishing every patron a very Happy New Year.
|
Had a beer here today. Beer was not that good and atmosphere quite "cold".
Do hope it gets better since it is a pub with a nice summer garden and good location. Looking at some previous posts it seems that I am not alone in my view. Also I can say that I am not a "regulart" or a "former" regular. I just post as I find.
|
Had dinner here on a Saturday evening and the food impressed (in particular they'd done the roasted pork belly very well indeed). They also had 3 ales on, the staff were very friendly and the open log fire was a treat. My only criticism is that some of the interior looks a bit tired, but I'd certainly happily return.
|
clod I have to say you should hop more as you only do it to here,bit sad that.
|
Just got to let the sad ex customers know the ones that keep moaning and printing crap, we the clodhoppers had a wonderful Lunch as always a very warm welcome,the beers were tiptop cant wait the Hobgoblin is soon to be with us on the chilly winters after walks, will the ex customers be takeing their skies on there pub crawls or their 4x4s what a shame they are reluctant to use this Super Pub andfantastic fish and chips and other well prepared dishes to warm us thru the after winter walks, hey moners you know what you are missing!! is a Local you have shit in the nest now live with it bugger off and get a life..at least enjoy the extra cost of time and petrol....not really cheap........hope the weather is fine next week may pop by the Royal oak on our Hurtwood forest walk and then back to Ewhurst...... Clodhopper
|
I drive to Dorking everyday,what`s the fact the chef drives to London regularly got to do with anything?
No rating given.
Be appy
anonymous - 27 Oct 2011 19:59 |
I use this pub regularly. The food is excellent and the service is good. Friends were impressed by the freshness and taste of their hake and commented favourably several times. ( the chef drives to London regularly). The beer is considered good and wine served at the right temperature. Prices are modest particularly the Senior Citizens main for �7.25. I'd also recommend the liver and bacon.
|
Dear thisistrue, have i touched a nerve if so i am truly sorry. As for being chauvinistic, possibly depending on your view point. I was merely infereing that the Ladies were clued up on their beer, and gave me due indication of what what was available when i asked.
With regard to your comment about " frango com quiabo" you must use the same eating house as me when in Rio!! Seriously have you been to Brazil? I have , but that has no bearing on my or indeed your comments. All I can say that if you don't like the place, fair enough, but perhaps spare a thought for those who work there and rely on trade for their daily wage and living.
Anyway enough negative writing , the Hobgoblin is due on soon, just in time for Halloween and if you and others don't appear ,well more for me. Best wishes and enjoy your ale wherever you drink. Festive salutations The Hob.
|
I refer to 'The hobs' comments and counter that my comments are not unjustified are are certainly not vindictive. I have based my comments on MY experience of this pub, some other comments appear to agree, some don't! but either way they are all based on what people think of the pub, whether you or anyone else have eaten all over the world or not is somewhat of an odd comment eg. the fact that I have eaten 'frango com quiabo' in Brazil is somewhat irrelevant, I think you'll agree. Just for the record I find your comment 'even the female staff' a little chauvinistic .
|
How anyone, apart from those with vested interest can defend this place is beyond me!! Looks like a fair share of other users agree with me. It all comes down to taste I suppose, sounds like this clodhopper chap, meaning 'a rough unsophisticated countryman' is totally suited to this place. I am not too sure where The Parkhatch is but sounds like its not to his taste, so I might well try it, peobably much better? Simples (what is that all about?)
|
clodhopper you have no idea who I am old feller,I just stated a fact about cask marque no more no less.
ps what other pubs have you used ? people might think you have a vested interest in this place Hmmmmmm.
No rating given.
|
tried this place again after a few months drinking elsewhere. Still just as bad. Have to say that if the current managers/tenants/owners can't get the act together it must be time to quit. Beer was awful - cloudy - sour, and it seemed like nobody here in charge gave a diddly squat. Food has gone decdedly "south" and is expenive for what is on offer. My best advice - AVOID - at least until there is some change of either management or attitude.
|
The Guildford beer drinker, tistrue, loveaduck, we know who you are,the nearest pub to you is the Parkhatch..Enjoy..Simples
|
To the sour and twisted old has been oldman, you will get your facts right if you are allowed inside the door ,we the clodhoppers group had our ramble today and ended with lunch we have decided we will meet here with the EWhurst Beer society who have asked us to join them for the Curry night, if life is so bad in Ewhurst it might be time to sell up and bugger off, where the bitter runs like tap water ..night night Ginger/grey
|
Sorry guys cask marque means dilly squat,you pay to be join it so they are hardly going to give a crap mark are they ?
|
To whom it should concern, i notice that some comments about this place seem to be vindictive, have you been banned?? The comments are totally unjustified and the cask marque tells you all you need to know if a bitter drinker. The staff are always friendly and know about their beers, even the female staff.
Food is always piping hot and excellent for pub grub, and before you ask ,i have eaten all over the world and hence know a little about it!
Should you wish to meet up and discuss your negative comments over a pint , i'm more than willing. Hope you give another chance and directed to thisistrue what a sad lot of rubbish you write. Best wishes The Hob.
|
thisis true u are clearly bitter old man, because my wife and I frequently visit the bulls head with our children and have always been made welcome from the freindly staff. The food is always top notch especially the steak and kidney pie and the beer is excellent hence them having cask masque status, which involves the beer being randomly tested
|
Also!! I have just noticed that of my previous recommendations to avoid 'The Villagers' at Blackheath has closed down. Now that is a shame. It does not please me, but I am not surprised and I do not wish to see any pub closing, but I find it hard to suppoort pubs that are not very good and 'The Bull' certainly comes into that catergory ie not very good. So owners/landlord/lady please take note!!!!
|
How odd the previous comment starts 'Today we stumbled on the BullsHead' and later 'we and some others have been here before' . Sounds like some sort of made up junk to me.
|
Today we stumbled on the BullsHead and were warmly recieved by the nice bar tender who explained the local beers we settled for surrey hills Tea,i must say a very refreshing beer,we then perused the menu all within budget our group of 12 decided to order the fish and chips, the pub is well lit and airy,the first things the loos/mens are very clean and the ladys also said the same, when the fish and chips came we were surpriced at the size of the fish haddock,Bob ordered a ploughmans his eyes nearly popped out of his head haha we saved him some chips, we and some others have been here before the Landlady could not have been nicer as it was very b usy as an elderly dining club arrived, we waited 20 mins or so and were served,despite the road being closed for retarmaccing it was busy pleasant and homely, we will be going again and will give a weeks notice,having read some of the under reviews i find it difficult to see they must be grumpy and cant see good service and kind staff,so from the clodhoppers boozing club we will be back...
|
Looks like most of the recent comments are in agreement with my previous comments. Do the managers/tennents take any notice at all? I will never forget what an awful experience I had in this place and it just vindicates my commnets, with others discribing it as 'awful' better still 'dire'. GRIM!!!
|
Pleasant pub on the corner. Bright inside, enjoyed my pint.
|
Gave the place a try the other evening and it was just as bad as described in my last post on this pub. Beer was so bad only drank half of it and left. The place is awful. Poor beer, given the standard the food is overpriced and the welcome is non existant. Will try it again in a few months and see if there is any change.
|
Have used this pub from time to time over the last few years and thought it was going to improve big time when it changed hands as new owners seemed to have big plans. Sadly that doesn't seem to have happened, food prices seem to have gone up, portion sizes down, and quality of beer not that great. There are other nicer and more welcoming places to eat and drink within a few miles.
|
Have used this place on and off for a number of years. Visited a few evenings ago and it was dire. Beer was not well kept and badly presented. Probably leave it a few weeks and see if it has improved.
|
Well it is very interesting to read the more recent comments. I suppose its just a matter of taste really. Please accept that my opinion is just that. I am entitled to it just the same as you are yours ! All the same in my opinion the place looks very tired and the decor looks like it's been decked out for old folks. The garden lacks quality and the food was defineately the worst I can rember EVER having in a pub. I took a look in the place in passing over the Christmas period and it looks worse that I remembered and what I remembered was pretty bad. Anyway if its suits anyone else, then perhaps they have pretty low standards, but as I say it's only in my opinion !
|
Could be oh Beardedone but where else do you use ?
|
excellent food the fish was very fresh, the beer exceedingly clean and crisp, staff were charming and the bar tender had an excellent knowledge of all the beers both on tap and in the bottle.
it seems quite clear to me that thisistrues account is outdated and unrealastic of this fine establishment, i have been coming her on and off tor 15 years and this year the place bhas imporved significantly
|
great food very friendly would go back again for sure
|
Jeff_Stevens I would like to thankyou for your comments and firstly I agree with that the food presentation is not one of the strong points, also I agree that it is pricey, but quality and excellent it certainly wasn't. I also agree with you that I am happy to pay for quality, but as none was evident here, I wasn't. I also cannot reconcile your experence with my own and can assure you thisistrue.
I do not concur with your self important username and would like to offer my varacious comments in response. The fact that you have been a frequent visitor to this pub over several years and think that the food served is there is excellent would suggest that you need to get out more. I could recommend a place not too far away that might suit your taste, The Villagers in Blackheath. This is also a grim place but might well be suited to your standard of quality.
Being that I am fairly new to the area, I would appreciate your recommendations of other pubs I could try, I could then save myself a few wasted trips. One thing is for sure THISISTRUe!!!
|
As a frequent visitor to this pub over several years I have to say I've never had a meal here that wasn't superb. I'll grant the presentation is more home-cooking than gastropub, but the food itself is excellent. It is perhaps a little pricey but I personally am happy to pay for quality.
thisistrue I suspect your self-important username offers valuable context to the veracity of your comments. Unless of course you caught the staff on a genuinely bad day, otherwise I cannot reconcile your experience with my own.
|
thisistrue the pub changed hands about 2 years ago,if thats any help.
|
I note from the last comment from Dissa that there has been a recent change of ownership. I would like to know when the recent change was. If it was in the last 3 months or so then possibly it has got better. If it was before this, then I fully stand by my 2 previous comments. Let me just reiterate, this truely was a spectacularly grim dining experience. DO NOT EAT HERE!!!!
|
The ownership of this pub has recently changed and there is a much more friendly atmosphere reflected by the great increase in customers. The food is good without being spectacular and for those who have been disappointed in past I would recommend another try. Oh! and I nearly forgot - they now serve real ales!
Dissa - 11 Dec 2009 12:46 |
Hello again. I wrote the last comments but forgot to mention a couple of things. The other walking friends I went with also agreed that the food was very poor. The sauce that came with the steak was also very poor. The whole place was crusty, the older staff la looked like they needed to smarten up a bit, along with the pub itself. What an intirely grim experience. Just a final note, I had an upset stomach for four days. Maybe a coincidence? I think not!! If the husband chef has been doing this for fifteen years, goodness knows how bad he must have been at the outset. Do yourselves a favour and steer well clear of this place!!!
|
I visited this pub recently with some walking friends. We ordered some food. The sirloin steak I had, supposedly medium, come out grey in colour as though it had been boiled. I was so hungry after our walk I just ate eat. I mentioned it the waiter and then the landlady, who said I should have complained earlier. Anyway I told her I am complaining now and she was having none of it. She said she gets the steaks locally and her husband had been cooking them for the last 15 years. I can honestly say it was by far the worst steak I have ever eaten and at �14 was a disgrace. Don't eat there!!!
|
i agree this pub has lost its way and needs to be reinvented before it is left extinct like so many of our pubs and inns. the food is very 70's and is not well presented.
|
average by village pub standards
|
I have been going to this pub for years, and have always found it to be great. Lovely well kept garden, good food and friendly staff. Well worth a visit indeed.
|
I am very local, and have really given up on this place. New management apparently, still following the same example. We had the most pathetic sunday roast here today, for 8.50 we got one slice of beef, and two small roast potatoes, and very little else, except for one large yorkshire pudding. Garden was swarming with bees, and the playground area was pretty dangerous with rusty sharp metal on the swings and slide! having had mixed experiences over the last few years finally given up. Do not bother with this place when the Parrot is only a few miles further on, and is 100 times better!
|
Good food, good, beer, friendly staff. Lovely garden. All round very nice.
|
I am very surprised by the previous comments, the garden is well kept and stunning in the summer. I have always found the food fresh and tasty. The staff are always pleasant and the pub itself is cosy and friendly.
|
Lived here for 8 years - pub never failed to disappoint. Beer always substandard, food pub grub at restaurant prices (mum and brother got food poisoning),garden could be good but is just too big and plain. Worst of all is the smell of the place - however short a time your visit, you and all your clothes smell of a deep fat fryer. Don't go here - every village in the locality has a pub that's better.
|
We were out for a drive in the country on a Monday and came across this pub at lunchtime.
Pleasant surroundings, good well presented food, reasonable wine and a gracious, very busy barlady.
The visit was however marred by the landlord who got grumpy and sarcastic when I requested a cup of tea while ordering the food on our arrival. I was surprised as I have never been refused tea in a pub before, and often have a cup prior to starting on the wine.
I shall not be taking our walking party there in the summer.
anonymous - 21 May 2007 21:09 |
Initial impression of fright. The landlord is not a pretty sight, strange orange hair. But anyway had a little swig of Adnams and was right as rain after that. Other staff very beautiful and attentive. Had a lovely drink in the garden, which I shall remember for a while.
anonymous - 4 Apr 2007 21:13 |
Called in the other lunch time i`m sure i saw the Landlord had a hair out of place.Food good same as the beer.
|
