please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Immaculate C17th coaching house. Multiple rooms, roaring fires, friendly bar staff and manager.
It was the Rebellion Brewery signage outside this freehouse that tempted me in. The IPA was in superb condition. £4.40.
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Five years on, and badams4848's comments still hold true. Good size garden too. Recommended.
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Outstanding food for normal pub prices. Service excellent. Limited range of cask ales. Four of us had an excellent lunch and will return shortly.
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Had high hopes for this pub,as outside looked inviting,and inside seemed pleasant at first,if a bit dark and dreary..lovely looking menu, but staff do not compliment the place at all! a bit of a mix of the addams family to be honest, with rude,rushing management staff that put me right off! I politely asked if there was a table for two available,and was barked 'no' at with a hurry..not very friendly! few minutes later,was shown to a table but left after receiving no service afer 15minutes! will not be going back.
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Found the Staff were more interested in having a conversation amongst themselves rather than noticing (several) thirsty Punters patiently waiting at the Bar for service. Can't fault the Pub or the Beer, but the lack of interest displayed by at least 3 members of staff on my recent visit pushes the rating down to 4. TAKE NOTE AND IMPROVE IT!!
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Agree with londonhalo, very rude staff and a pretty boring looking pub. Bel and the Dragon is much better and they do lunch specials, had a lovely smoked salmon sandwich, salad and chips for a fiver in their beautiful garden.
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Had high hopes for this pub after hearing good things, so when in Cookham last wife myself and mrs londonhalo decided to pop in for lunch. We were early, just before noon, and whilst we were practically the only punters in, the staff ignored us upon arrival as they were very busy preparing for a reserved funeral party in the back garden.
We asked if we could still have lunch anyway, despite the obvious downer of sharing our lunch with the funeral group, but the manager/landlady seemed only interested in telling us which locations in the massive back garden we couldn't sit. This being more than a little rude, we discreetly left instead, and our reward was a phenomenal lunch experience at Bel and the Dragon nearby.
Don't think we'll be coming back either, though you never know. Spent enough time there to notice that yes -- the interior is very ponced-up, gastro-ish, and yes ... Footballer's Wives meets Habitat? Or the Virgin Executive airport lounge. Not my type of pub.
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Haven�t been in for a couple of years but decided to visit again the other evening as there were 14 of us, and the banks were already shut, meaning we couldn�t raise the second mortgage needed to eat in the Bell & Dragon or any of the Curry Houses on Cookham High Street..
Its been done up again, and will concur with previous posters, it�s a million miles from a traditional pub interior which it used to be many moons ago.
Had to chuckle at a couple of the previous comments though. I think Argos meets Footballers Wives is a little harsh. I would put it more like Ikea meets footballers wives. The majority of the pub area is set up for dining, but there is still a decent size area either side of the rectangular central bar if you just fancy a beer.
Not sure if we were lucky or the place has improved since some of the more negative comments from last year. But could not fault our evening visit. The food menu is wide a varied and reasonably priced (which is a rarity in Cookham). The service was very good, as was the quality and quantity of the various meals we had round the table.
And improtantly, there were three real ales on, Adnams Bitter, TT Landlord and Rebellion IPA from the Marlow brewery, and certainly could not fault the Rebellion, which was in fine nick.
So all in all, a pleasant visit.
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Decor too modern but can't help but like it couple of ales including Rebellian IPA and Landlord - good selection of lagers lots of places to sit in a variety of rooms - fire in winter and a good selection of decent food at pretty reasonable prices for Cookham - Definatley the pick of the Cookham Village pub/restaurants with Swan Uppers and The Ferry both on the slide
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called into the pub last friday as a group of 6 people. We were given a table immediately although the place was buzzing with lunchtime customers. As we only required one course it was not a problem. The menu was simply priced for one, two, or three courses. The beer and wine were well priced for the area and the service and waiting time was very good. we were also wished a good day as we left.
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The manageress could take a lesson from the friendly and efficient staff in this place. Her abrupt and cold manner is very off-putting!
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We had come all the way from Bury St. Edmunds to see a camper van, so when we saw the blackboard promising a 'famous cream tea' within, we could not resist...
Unfortunately, the luke warm tea, a tea bag in a coffee cup, was served long before the scones, and was stone cold by the time the latter arrived.
The scone was also quite cold and hard as though it had awaited our arrival in the fridge.
A 'famous' cream tea needs to be serverved with a tea pot hot water. The scone must at least show some pretence of being fabricated some time that week.
In their defence - there was an 'adequate' amount of cream.
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Would be the best pub around in any normal situation, but with the nearby Bel & Dragon even this excellent establishment must take second place.
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Just moved to the area. Went for Sunday lunch. Nice on the outside but a bit Argos meets Footballers Wives inside. Wines were quite good and usual modern selection of beers. Soup was good and seemed home made. Sunday roast was average with soggy veg. Seemed quite busy , mainly with families and couples. Not sure who the place is aimed at. Distinctly OK.
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Called in late on for our last drink of the night after a less than pleasant beer experience in the Bel & Dragon. Their make-over has modernised the place, but not for the better. Glass front doors, scant sign of real ale, less than comfortable furniture. Is it a bistro..? Is it wine bar..? Is it a restaurant..? What it's not is a pub..! For the detail, see previous posting..! Won't be rushing back..!
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Where is the modern pub going? Went to see the new version and i got depressed... is this the future of Britain's pubs?
We tried the front door it was locked. After a while of pushing the glass we saw a sign to go round the side entrance. It was Friday night and busy. There was only one ale pump... but they had none available. These corporate pubs (M&B plc) have no care towards the customers - understaffed and mechanical service. The menu is based on supermarket take home meals assembled in the kitchen and decorated to template for people who do not want to cook at home and do not care what they eat. They are turning our traditional pubs into something of medium 'that will do' quality for unaware punters. This is the Americanisation of our pub heritage. Pubs like this chain are diluting pub goers� expectations of what was good about pubs. Like the supermarkets have killed off high street local food shops, these will do the same for traditional pubs. Why can't they put real food and drink back into these pubs? - A French eating model - brasserie. Does it always have to be the nice American plastic version?
Only one ale pump fitted in the bar suggests M&B plc have given up on real ale, is this because there are no skills amongst their organisation? Is it simply too costly in staff time to look after it? Or will there be too much waste if you do not know how to serve it? No more ale in pubs?! They are making mediocre motorway restaurants placed in the shell of pub buildings. Are we being conned by corporate designers into losing our locals and our heritage?
Will authentic pubs be a thing of the past?
Perhaps in 10 years time corporate salary person will come up with the idea to convert these modern 'pubs' back into traditional pub concept that sells craft made real ale.
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Reecently had a HALF MILLION Pound upgrade, and it shows. Excellent, friendly staff, lovely food, not too pricey, and a great family atmosphere. Went there last Sunday for Mother's day with the family, and was very impressed.
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This pub is part of a crappy chain. Its called In and OUt which I think is a cover for the old beefeater. The problem with lower end chains like this is - no one cares about them....there is no one to nuture them and things get tatty and of course being a chain you will only ever get chain food.
This pub used to be a thriving - busy place individually owned - this was in the time that tThe Crown was also excellent - the Royal Exchange was great as was the Ferry.
Now cookham is in Chain dom and I for one like charactful indiviual pubs and I do not reccomend eating or drinking at the Kings Arms/
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This pub had a make over a couple of years ago to make it more of a trendy eating place to compete with all the other venues in Cookham High Street.
This included a large decking area out the back leading to a very large garden. This makes it an excellent place for a hot summers day.
Beers are usually OK.
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