please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Badger Beer here reasonably well kept.
Food was reasonable good although on the pricey side.
Large outside seating area which was welcome on our visit
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Two years have passed and I thought I would give it another try. The girl walking round in the thundercloud finally came over to serve me, then half way through pouring a pint, walked off to reprimand staff members, she didn't come back. Needless to say, we left.
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have never actually been to a place where you are generally ignored by the staff, have to wait (even when it is empty) for 15minutes to be served or even acknowledged that you are after food or a drink... couple of years ago it was wonderful, but now is sadly a shadow of what it was. Really sad :(
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As visiting local this was first new years eve drink at lunchtime - packed out but found a seat. Pickled partridge was very good but a bit pricey. Atmosphere fine and if we are gonna be 'classist' about it seemed to be aimed at the well healed barbour set. Not a lads of the village type of pub. If I lived here I would probably not use it much but wonder down to the Green man or White hart. For all that though, good beer on my visit but no idea about the food. I noticed that under 21's that day were turned away - don't know if that is a permanent policy?
odbod - 10 Jan 2012 14:08 |
Part of H&W idea to go all up market. Fails on every score with pretencious menu, customers who are mostly posers and completely over priced drinks and food. If this place were in Surrey it would be understandable - not so in a sleepy market town in East Dorset. Come here if you are a red faced boss trying to 'impress' your secretary. Avoid if you want good beer (well, fairly priced good beer - it's actually kept well), conversation and atmosphere. Nice big beer garden though so not all bad.
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I went here last night for a meal with my partner, i can honestly say that it is one of the most over rated, over priced and badly managed wannabe restaurants i have ever been to. The food at best was average pub grub, they only had about half of what was advertised on the menu and the speed of service is terrible, It is also rediculously expensive. Let's face it Hall and Woodhouse know how to run local boozers but they clearly have no idea how to run a pub/retaurant that likes to THINK it leans toward the higher end of the scale. An utter dissapointment, i will not be going here again, not even for a drink.
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Can honestly say I've never seen the staff just standing around in here! Whenever I've been in on a Friday or Saturday night its always packed to the rafters! The service has always been fantastic and am looking forward to spending the summer evenings in the garden. There is a new manageress there and she is doing a great job from what I can see. The staff all seem happier and better than they did 6 months ago and if anything I'd say it was getting better not worse. If you haven't been in for a while maybe give it another go,I love it.
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Sounds like the managers have learnt their trade at wetherspoons where it seems to be company policy not to clear tables.
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I am local to Wimborne and have been going to the Olive Branch for the last 8 years, and it just has to be said � it has gone down hill in the last 2 years, new managers coming and going who don�t seem to care how important that pub is to Wimborne and its locals.
The Olive Branch has brilliant location with parking and an amazing garden for the summer � it�s a shame Hall & Woodhouse can�t get the right managers in.
The tables are never cleared, the staff just stand around � as if there is nothing to do and trying to find a manager who is actually on site working is rare!
The Olive Branch was at its best 2 and half years ago � they had a South African manager � Alan - who was on the ball � friendly, efficient and ran a tight ship � the pub was always clean � his staff were friendly and he was always there to ensure the smooth running.
Come on Hall & Woodhouse � sort it out � your location of the Olive Branch wont keep you in business forever � GET A DECENT MANAGER IN THERE !!!
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visit here every week,good atmosphere,
only problem is that the tables in the bar
area are never clear of glasses and plates
that people have finished. today we
had to clear a table to put our drinks on.
in one hour not one of the staff made any
attempt to clear the tables they were not
busy just standing around. this attitude will
not keep customers coming back.
its a shame this is happening as we like
coming to this place. this problem needs
sorting out.
coldi - 13 Oct 2010 15:52 |
Great pub. Always busy, always friendly. Good selection of well-kept beers, excellent food and wines in a pleasant location.
The tables aren't too close together and the whole place has a homely, rambling feel to it.
The pub car park gets tight but there's a car-park off Crown Mead beyond the River Allen which runs along one boundary of the garden.
Dog friendly, child friendly, large canopies in the garden with heaters, so it's possible to sit out in Autumn.
Best to book if you want to go Friday through Sunday. I've booked for Christmas already.
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Ridiculous. The staff are so wrapped up in themselves its a wonder anyone gets served. I visited last week on a quiet rainy lunch time. We ordered drinks at the bar and a waitress unwillingly dragged herself across to floor to show us to a table. 10 mins later we were still waiting for our drinks and menus. We went and asked the staff who replied "yeah, wait and we come to the tables" 10 minutes later someone appeared. we queried the whereabouts of our drinks and asked for menus. 5 mins later drinks arrived, still no menus. We asked again......10 mins later dirty menus arrived. 35 mins wasted, there were only 6 other tables in the pub. We did not order food as we were worried we wouldn't get it before they shut. We left and will not be returning.
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Best pub in Wimborne by a mile. ....that is if you like gastro pubs with large quantities of very acceptable lagers imported from exotic places. Food is good, but expensive and I suppose you get what you pay for and you do too. My wife and son love it, particularly the fact that you can sit outside late in the year as the garden has patio heaters. Not good for the environment but hey ho, its a pub with character. Recommended if you are not one of those who like twigs in your beer and a bit more than a pickled egg for supper.
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Lovely atmosphere. Great pint of Hopping Hare. Haven't tried the food yet.
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Modern Hall and Woodhouse resturant / bar. Food very good despite being pricey although ther pint of Hopping Hare I had was full of sediment. Wish they paid as much attention to the beer as the do to the food and decor.
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Always good beer, even if the surroundings are very nice.....but very 'corporate'. The food has always been above average, which has justified the above average price. Recently the food has not been so good. The bread basket no longer comes with the assorted dips, the usual chunky chips somewhat raw, a blip in what has consistently been a pleasant experience at the Olive Branch....I hope.
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They were friendly and helpful when we showed up on a Saturday night with two tired hungry toddlers after failing to find anywhere to eat elsewhere in an emergency.
The badger beer was excellent and the food and service most satisfactory too.
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A beautiful pub just off the 'pub crawl route' in Wimborne, a great range of HB lagers, as well as other beers and wines. A great thing about this pub is the availability of 'nuts by the bowl', they are a little expensive, but the portion is generous and the cashews taste great. Keep your eye on them though if eating at the bar as other customers sometime mistake them as freebee's for all to enjoy!.
The large outdoor area is a HUGE bonus for The Olive Branch, with huge umbrellas and incorporated heat lamps we often sit outside come rain or shine. I just hope the Smoker brigade dont occupy all of this come July 2007!
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Having moved in the area recently..thought We'd try it...Have been going straight after work on a Friday and just chilling out in the Beer Garden as the weather has been so nice. Can honestly say the staff are efficiant and helpful plus we have met some lovely people.
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I agree with ajho. It's a shame to lose proper English pubs. Never mind the warm beer, this was a really well run pub and comfortable. The restaurant was good if a little shabby, and they did reasonably priced bar snacks.
Then they let the designers loose on it!
But what I found really galling was that the punters flocked to it! It's often absolutely packed. Unfortunately,I think this shows up the lack of proper values held by a sizeable proportion of the population. We'll eventually lose our proper pubs and that will be an important part of our English culture gone for ever. And all in pursuit of a top-gloss of fashion and temporary style standards. What a waste.
So I hate this pub, but a large number of people don't.
Try it. It might suit your style. But if it doesn't try The Albion, or The Oddfellows Arms or The Bell or The Green Man. Thank goodness some of the pubs in Wimborne still uphold the traditional way.
Oh, and what on earth is that nonsense of taped radio comedy shows in the toilet all about? Designers! Hah!
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I also disagree with ajho. The pub has very pleasant bar and dining areas. A huge attraction is that it is totally non-smoking. The food is good quality, if a little over priced. I think the beer is also expensive (especially as I am not a fan of Badger), yet the wine is reasonable value.
Wimborne has a number of other good pubs that offer different attractions. The Olive Branch is clearly aiming at the smarter, more affluent market, which it does well and adds to the variety Wimborne has to offer.
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Can't agree with ajho. This is a fantastic pub-restaurant in Wimborne. There's a really nice, comfy bar. A great atmospheric bistro/restaurant. The staff are the best in Dorset and the food is delicious. I've had some really fantastic nights here (like chopper) and it's a must visit pub in Wimborne
anonymous - 18 Feb 2007 17:51 |
I feel a bit torn about this pub. It doesn't really represent what the true Wimborne pub should be (cosy, beam-ridden ale house) but I have had some good nights here. It's more of a bar and a restaurant than a pub but it's got some comfy seats and there is generally a decent selection of brews on sale. To be honest, the only reason I've been in there over the last couple of years is because it's one of the few places on Christmas Eve that doesn't charge you entry or require a ticket. I've met up with some old school chums in here on those occasions so it kind of holds good memories. Having said that given the choice I would probably head somewhere else (Coach, Hart, Pudding etc) 99% of the time. Floor to ceiling locking doors in the clean toilets a bonus though.
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Fine old pub that used to be at the heart of the Wimborne Folk Festival. New management has turned it into a Wine Bar and banned the Folk Festival form using its car park. Lovers of all English traditions from warm beer to morris dancing should boycott this place, until they come to their senses.
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