please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I'm not a hardcore regular but the Ship & Bell has been my pub of choice in Horndean for over 30 years and I've stuck with it through thick and thin.
I went in there the other night with my mate for a night of putting the world to rights in the lounge bar as we have been doing for many years now and were asked if we we're eating. When we replied that we were just drinking we were asked to move next door to the public bar. Now, I've got nothing against the public bar, the Doctor is nothing if not a man of the people, but you don't need to be competing with the footie when you're trying to sort out the Syrian refugee crisis.
As far as I could tell the lounge bar, or restaurant now, was empty all night and the only person I saw eating was in the bar.
Whether the landlord is taking advantage of the fact that he's the (almost) last man standing with the closure of the Brewers Arms, the Blue Anchor and now the Colonial Bar (demolished last week) or whether he's trying to attract his rich neighbours down from their expensive flats in the old Brewery next door but I'm wondering how bad a trip across the square to the Table 2 Table would really be.
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Called in there earlier this evening, well, what can i say.
I had 2 pints of london pride, that tasted more like london vinegar, both times i waited 5 minutes or more to get served, considering the place wasn't busy is bad. The barman seemed to be wandering around in a dreamstate, and the barmaid who appeared for brief flashes just looked at me both times while i was waiting as if i wasn't there. Needless to say, i wont be going back.
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Really bad. Was casually threatened by a slack-jawed local at the bar and there was a turd in the urinal.
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If you are a "Billy-no-friends" this is the pub for you! Dismal and lacking in atmosphere; often difficult to locate serving staff.
Even the Fullers/Gales senior management now hold their local meetings in the "Hampshire Hog" (really The Hog's Lodge!) up in Clanfield.
Come on Fullers-either knock it down and build new or give it a massive makeover, as you have done with several of your other pubs in Hampshire. A bit of staff training wouldn't go amiss either!
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What's happened since I last visited? Great things seemed promised by the new management but it seems that, after an initail spurt, lethargy has set in! Beer quality is inconsistent and often seems tainted from dirty pipework, managers are rarely seen and staff seem tired and listless are often scruffy. Many sport tatoos and other unpleasant facial adornments - something I find unattractive and off-putting in front line staff! (surely they could be asked, at least, to remove their studs, bolts, ear stretchers and other types of shrapnel before coming on duty). Food is pretty acceptable standard pub grub, but not that cheap (�8.00 for chicken or steak pie; �7.00 for a simple spag. bol.). Maybe the renamed and revamped Hampshire Hog (Hogs Lodge for a century or more), plus new hotel building, might be a better bet.
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Most enjoyable pub. A great selection of beers including Fullers ESB, a great buy at �3.05. The lunch time food is excellent and very reasonably priced. The only complaint is that sometimes service is slow but the staff are very friendly.
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Enjoyed a Blues Brothers themed New Years Eve party last night. Pub looked great with the themed decorations and the staff made a real effort with their fancy dress. Buffet food was very tasty and the beer was great as usual. Looking forward to next year�s event!
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things are definalty looking up here
a fantastic new winter menu
you have to try the pigeon salad, mine was delicious
always a great welcome and some great real ales
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Pleasant visit stayed for two nights, staff friendly and helpful and great choice of real ales will visit again
anonymous - 4 May 2007 21:54 |
Nothing special, a gloomy and tired old pub. Plenty of staff-normally sitting around the lounge bar but not often behind the bar when you need service!
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mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm good beer good food mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
anonymous - 1 Apr 2007 19:12 |
New management woooo thank god was about time!!!!!!! This has made it a lot more relaxed environment to drink in with staff happier good more fuller!
The staff team is very good always there to serve when needed with smiles!!!
Beer is very good best in the area by far!!!
Very welcoming atmosphere with very good food that is also very well priced for the large portions that you get!!!
All round great pub to drink, have Sunday lunch in, or even stay the night!!
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Now has long overdue new management - well done Fullers about bloody time !
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Agree with previous comment - needs freshening up , not from a decor perspective !
Gone stale since Gales Mgmt not across road - Struggling !
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Needs new management now - anyone from Fuller's listening ??
anonymous - 7 Jul 2006 22:18 |
I did the whole deal here. 6 years ago I'd brought my Mum & Sis to the UK for their 1st time, & the Ship & Bell was teir 1st experience with English food & hosptality. I had my first ever HSB in the public bar, which was just OK, but it is much nicer now. Our family room was bright, airy, & clean, and breakfast was great, but unfortunately we missed dinner, & we went to the horrible, hideous, terrible, totally sucking Brewers Fayre across the road. I returned this fall, and had my first ever draught Festival Mild, which was/is fabulous, standing at the lobby bar. I got to Salisbury that night, and logged onto the CAMRA website, and there was the unfortunate news that Fullers were trying to buy Gales. As an ex-Fullers rep, I hope Fullers let Gales, & The Ship & Bell alone. They are both classic.
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Rachel ..the barmaid ..mmmmm.
anonymous - 2 Nov 2005 14:47 |
The best of a bad bunch in Horndean! This has the potential to be one of Gales top pubs, particularly as it's right next to the brewery. Unfortunately Gales seem disinclined to make more than minimal expenditure at this pub, preferring instead to waste �millions by ruining lovely old country pubs like the Chairmaker's Arms.
PS Pity that Gales head brewer seems determined to ruin traditional Hampshire beers by putting an artificial "northern" head on them!
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Nicest pub in the village centre ....both Public and Lounge sides nice ....a real pub rather than the "plasticy" Red Lion across the square.....
They have Gales Festival Mild on draught sometimes .....worth avisit just for that !
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I have again staey in this establishment
the staff are always friendly
and the food is superb
also noticed that the Landlorad had recently attained the Cask Marque certificate
you shoul try this pub at weekends the landlord and assistant manager certainly put on a show
Russell - 5 Oct 2004 00:21 |
I regularly eat & drink here and have on many occasions stayed in the accomodation. The Staff are always polite and pleasant, the food is first class and the the HSB is superb. The rooms are comfortable and clean, and the Breakfast is to die for. I would highly recommend this Pub.
ReducedCar - 26 Aug 2004 15:42 |
I recently stayed for a week at this pub and found it a very pleasent experience. The accomodation was first class, the food was lovely and the beer was cold. I felt very welcomed by the landlord & landlady and all the staff, this was especially nice as I was staying alone due to work.
Would definately recommend.
Lee - 22 Aug 2004 13:05 |
Pub with accommodation next to Gale's Brewery. Considering the distance that the beer has to travel, it's often not of star quality. HSB is normally better elsewhere. Food is unimaginative pub fare and in spite of recent make-over, it's all rather dated. Definitely down- rather than up-market. Rooms are reputedly good.
Potbelly - 13 Aug 2004 09:54 |
