please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Well it is back to the Cock now a Red Mist gastro thing - its not a pub any more. Over staffed, hence the very high priced food? with a strange menu. My wife had a Seabass with 'cruched' potatos (what wrong with real mash - this is lumpy mash like old school dinners) and a weird suace that overwhelmed everything else. Sorry it is to be Dead Missed for me. As a driver I had a watery orange juice and lemonade - heaven knows what they do to the beer......
|
Well, the Pub is now renamed "Headley Hills" shame as it will always be known as "The Cock" locally, a historic local hostelry. I rang and asked what ales were on, and all I got was was a "I think Tribute... nobody here knows what other beers are available" . So I think I will not be attending ,As all the gloss on the web site is about expensive food and wine, I presume the place is a restaurant now not a Pub.
|
Seems to have gone even further downhill since my last visit. Bar area is like a disco, blue neon lights and loud music and this on a Sunday lunchtime! Food was of average quality and expensive. Had a problem with one of the orders and got an argument instead of a solution.
|
I will be avioding until management changes. Staff allowed to serve themselves even if not working. It is like a free for all with the staff. Customers seem to be an annoyance. Each member of staff seems to do what they want when they want, the owner/manageress the same. Not run at all like a business that wants to survive.
|
Once, this was a friendly country pub where walkers in the spectacular surrounding countryside could get a decent pint in a traditional setting. Tragically, it underwent a revamp of staggering tastelessness (pink neon, shiny wallpaper, fairy lights). My recent visit was a huge disappointment. An uninspired choice of beers - indifferently-kept Youngs Ordinary and Fullers LP - a menu with an absurdly long list of over-priced and unhealthy foods, and sullen service. Maybe you'll have a better experience.
|
A lovely pub, good choice of beers and the food was fantastic. Only criticism it's well away from virtually everything
|
Lovely lunch in here today with sister.
Service was slow,but food worth the wait.
Will return to the cock inn.
Nice men in cycle shorts.
|
Located in a prominent position in the quiet village of Headley. There is a large car park with steps leading up to the pub. There is a small garden area to the right. It is a one room pub with the bar at the far end. It has waist high partitioning on the right to segregate the dining area and a further fenced raised area on the right also mainly used for food. It is very well kitted out in predominantly cream and grey. The seating in the central area is very comfortable. They had 3 real ales but the choice was rather unadventurous i.e. London Pride, Courage Best and Greene King IPA. Although it does a strong food trade, it is still worth a visit if you are only drinking.
|
Oh dear Oh dear, the owners clearly have no clue, car park is a death trap with no lights in the evening an accident waiting to happen.
Ordered pie of the day and puff pastry top was square and too small for the the oval dish !!??? ordered mash and got chips .. come on now, as for my chefs steak .. overcooked and how much are you charging ??? well thought out well done
The front of house staff were good and music was ok, but whilst we were eating an argument started in the kitchen which we really didn't wish to hear between a chef and a blonde girl caked in make up which was better entertainment stomping about the pub .. very professional.
The gents toilets are a disgrace, previous reviews called this the COCK UP , we understand why, looked this up TRUST INNS you should be ashamed.
Sorry but won't be returning
|
Went for lunch yesterday. Excellent hot roast beef sandwich. Well kept pint of Caledonian bitter. Friendly bar staff. Not much to look at from the outside but warm and friendly inside. What's not to like?
|
Visited on an 'Ind Coupe' pub crawl in the last century. Was a bit out-of-the way to find but friendly enough inside.
|
The Cock Inn? The Cock up more like!
We went into this pub for lunch on Fathers Day knowing and expecting it to be busy. We were pleasantly suprised to be given a table quite quickly and asked what drinks we'd like to order. All good so far after a few more minutes anothe member of staff arrived asking if we were ready to order which we did and also mentioned that we hadn't had our drinks yet, no problem they'll be sorting them out behind the bar, we're told. 5 minutes later we snare a member of staff (who are skilled in the art of not noticing you try to attract their attention) and ask again about our drinks. We reorder them and they turn up a few minutes later. Meanwhile another group have taken the table next to us. By the way I should mention that the food we have ordered is The Sunday roast beef, the pie of the day, chicken nuggets and chips and a hamburger. The table the other side of us had also now had a couple seated at it. To cut a long story short both the tables either side of us had received and finished their food when I again queried the lack of food on our table. Oh well we are busy you know was tyhe response. when I pointed out that the tables either side had received their food and finished the excuse changed to we're short staffed. I said to the waitress that we wished to leave and would she be kind enough to get the drinks bill so I could settle it. She promptly disappeared. After another 4 or 5 minutes I lost my patience and attempted to pay the bill at the bar to no avail we were back to the make eye contact then turn away again. Meanwhile the food turned up note it was approx an hour and a quater since we had originally ordered, I again said that we no longer wanted to eat there and was told I couldn't leave. I proved them wrong by walking out persued by the manageress who couldn't understand why I had a problem.
Needless to say It'll be a cold day in hell before I go into this pub again.
|
Hmmm .. my comment made on the 2nd June has disappeared. So, here's another go ....
Visited this place today after a gap of about 3 months. Standard of food & service has taken a dive while prices have taken a hike. Portions were small for the price and overall quality pretty unimpressive. Someone actually had a moan at the staff about it (and that takes quite a lot!). Beer still good: Harveys & Hook Norton on.
|
Well Wesley5742 it certainly appears that you like country pubs. Only registered today (23rd May) and already two glowing reviews, firstly the �Cock Inn� Boughton Monchelsea followed by the �Cock Inn� Headley - both within 18 minutes of each other; It almost seems as if you have some kind of vested interest in establishments named the �Cock Inn�, but surely that can�t be the case - can it?
Interesting though, must be some kind of coincidence � two dog friendly pubs, both named �Cock Inn� mutually blessed with indecorous landladies, I�ll wager the boffin�s at CAMRA would have to dig pretty deep to unearth such a quirky correlation.
Still I suppose if �dog friendly� means the odd sustained bout of yapping while you woof down you�re foie gras or possibly having to fish out one or two canine follicles from you�re pint of Green King IPA, then maybe this is just the pub for you.
Please, don�t be duped by pathetic attempts to polish up the tarnished reputation of this inadequate eatery. It may indeed be blessed with an idyllic location, but as practised diners will tell you, a banquet requires four elements in equal measure to impress � cuisine, wine, service and overall ambience � the Cock Inn Headley has been weighed, measured and found wanting in all areas.
P.S Perhaps somebody can explain to me why there�s still a giant Christmas decoration hanging in the middle of the restaurant area. Is this what passes for chic nowadays?
|
Beware all those who enter - This is possibly the worst restaurant I�ve ever had the misfortune to frequent, for It�s abundantly clear that the owners of the �Cock Inn� in Headley have little or no experience in the field of hospitality or catering.
We booked a table for Friday 7:30pm, and although the receptionist behind the bar had trouble finding our reservation on the hastily torn piece of note paper she was eventually handed, I was prepared to grant clemency to first impressions; even if she found it impossible to pronounce our surname correctly.
We were shown to a table devoid of tablecloth, an overrated accessory that would evidently have cluttered the two upturned wine glasses and single set of cutlery so carefully wrapped in its paper napkin. The stained wine card nestled in between the salt and pepper pots, had clearly seen better days, but adventurously perhaps we settled on a bottle of the Rose and sat back to peruse the main menu.
Now in my opinion, any restaurant bold enough to advertise Ham, Egg and Chips next to Fillet Steak stuffed with foie gras deserves some kind of gastronomical accolade, but after careful deliberation, I finally enquired of the waiter whether the Michelin star French chef was able to prepare a simple fillet steak, stuffed with nothing more than love and affection. This seemed to confuse the poor fellow who promptly disappeared into the kitchen, but upon his triumphant return declared jubilantly that cook was more than equal to the challenge and how would I like it prepared? �Medium� I replied and went on to ask about the availability of sauces. �Well it normally comes with a peppercorn sauce sir� came the reply - woe betide it seems those who expect a selection, they�ll be sorely disappointed.
By this time the luke-warm wine had arrived in its bucket of iced water. Perceptively the waiter suggested that we might leave it to chill for a while, before swiftly trundling off to serve the four beer swilling women seated opposite � Have they never heard of wine coolers?
To be fair, the starters arrived in good time. My wife�s dish of six delicately flavoured pan seared scallops drizzled in an enigmatic sauce was in every way equal to my potato skins, however exactly how chef managed to slice the solitary cherry tomato into tiny quarters will forever remain an inscrutable mystery, but not so much a mystery as to why at this point the over eager receptionist, who possibly keen on impressing the establishments efficiency co-ordinator, approached the table asking if we�d like to see the dessert menu.
You know someone should really inform restaurant owner�s that flamboyantly shaped over-sized dinner plates only serve to exaggerate meagre portions, and should not be used as an excuse to charge exorbitant prices for what can only be described as mediocrity. That�s not to say that I�m opposed to the odd bit of Nouvelle cuisine, just as long as it�s supported by quality, something I�m afraid my two-inch diameter piece of fillet steak was sadly lacking in. But the coup de grace as chef might say, wasn�t its size, nor the fact that it was under cooked (medium rare) the fact was that despite the forced assurance of a peppercorns the dish was delivered swathed in a Madeira sauce, which although unexpected did serve to soften the diminutive array of vegetables, vegetables it has to be said that elevate the term �El Dente� to a new level of exploration.
From the moment my wife and I were seated to the moment we departed, the so-called restaurant proved a shining example as to why diners should always search the review columns before parting with their hard earned cash. Having arrived on time and feasted on less than adequate fare, the evening may not have proved such an emphatic disaster had the advertised entertainment been half-way decent. The truth of the matter is - it wasn�t. One of the main attractions that initially drew us to the venue was the promise of an evening with Michael Buble or at least a respectable impersonation provided by a certain Warren Burton. �He is so cool!� The internet announcement boasts � so cool in fact, he didn�t bother to turn up � at least not when we were told. �He arrives somewhere between 8:00-8:15� the booking assistant advised my Wife. In the end we finally decided enough was enough and left at 8:55 having had our buble well and truly burst!
|
Having visited this pub several times i find that the food and service are to a very good standard. Remembering what this pub used to be like i think it is going in the right direction and can become a first class country pub. The location is superb and the staff friendly the menu seems to be changing all the time as if thier trying to find a good balance. The beer and wine selections are very good and being dog friendly everyone is welcome. There is entertainment on Friday evenings and some Saturdays which is a bonus.
|
What a lovely pub! this place is more than just a pub! Decor fantastic and staff attentive and welcoming! The food is fabulous with generous portions.
Have been back again and again, cannot beat the views and tranquility sitting outside on a hot and sunny day. Equally as good inside, the front of house team are welomign and make everyone feel valued and welcome!
A huge effort is made to make birthdays and celebrations special, we booked a table for a birthday and were surpised when we arrived that balloons and banners had been put on our table, I hardly remember mentioning the birthday when booking the table! Fantastic attention to detail and really made the day special! Would recommend for food or just drinks, atmosphere here is superb!
EIRE1 - 14 Sep 2010 11:55 |
A very fair pint of Greene King IPA and Wells Bombardier. 7 of us stopped for lunch on a walk last Saturday, and the five who ate were quite contented with their food.
|
Visited this pub at the weekend. Having recently moved back to Surrey we�re rediscovering some of our favourite pubs. In its heyday this was a bustling popular pub. The economic downturn is taking its toll here and unfortunately it shows.
|
I visited the cock inn on saturday night and thought it was amazing, the food was of a 10/10 standard, the staff very abliging and friendly, the choice of menu and beverages was fantastic. The band that they had on were very good and played a wide range of music, and there was no trouble at all! Obviously the previous people that have commented on this site dont really know what they are talking about seeing as no one has a butter sauce with a steak, they must also have a very sad life as no normal person would write a review on christmas eve! apart from that they must also not like the owner as they have called her something very inapropriate! I think they may just be jealous, dont you?
|
i went to the cock inn on the 20th nov and was most dissapointed in both the food and the service i had the belly pork, what i could only describe as a brakes discount item and not homemade as th waitress ensured, my wife had the spring rolls they were acceptable but not great. she followed her starter with fish and chips (not hard) the fish was over cooked and batter was burnt the tartare sauce had chunks of raw acidic onion in it not nice!!!! our watress was unhelpfull and rude i will not be visiting again
|
Visited on 12 July. GK IPA, Harvey's Best and Wayland's Blonde Belle which was in good condition. Large modern looking pub with a big car park.
|
In Nov 08 the service was slow for Sunday lunch (45m). However the mushroom and Stilton pudding with roast veg was liked in our group as were their roasts. My pint's were good, but I can't remember if it was Harvey's or Adnam's (or both). Nice location and popular with walkers. Would go back.
|
Wow, the new chef must be fantastic.
The food on the new menu is great. There is a heart warming selection of meals ranging from the traditional to more modern dishes. The food presentation is great and best of all it's hot when it gets to you.
I usually just drink in the pub, but thought it time to try some food and we were not disappointed. Having booked a table for 8 people we were expecting to wait half an hour for food but all our meals were with us in 20 mins, hot and they all came together which makes a nice change from most pubs. And the place was packed! There were no problems, I saw no evidence of people leaving without paying, must of been an off day, in fact most tables were leaving tips. The staff were lovley and the selection of ales was great as always!!
Definatley coming back again!!
|
I don't usually post review of pubs but my experience at the Cock Inn and my suprise at some of the comments on here made me feel I should add my two pence worth.
My dad booked a table for my mum's birthday and we were warmly welcomed at the door by a gentleman who I think is the manager. I thought we were singled out for special treatment on account of mum's birthday but actually he was genuinely warm with lots of people - even though it was very busy.
the service was prompt and the food came out all at the same time - we were not left waiting long. Staple gastro-pub food was done really well and teh selection of ales was great. Clearly the new head chef knows his stiuff and has pulled together a nice varied but uncomplicated menu.
Long and short of it was a very enjoyable day and we will definitely be coming back.
|
i have lived in the area for 5 years and have worked at the cock inn for 5 months and i have been a barman for over 3 years in other establishments and not one have i seen with the potential of this pub. i love working here and if i didnt i wouldnt, but i see all the comments posted here and they are all valid truthful statements except for the the understanding in each one, that yes we are in a good location, and yes do have a good atmosphere, but we are new at this game most of us and the food has sometimes been slower than you would like, but i assure you that we have a new head chef who has been 'in the game' for about 20 years and the sevice has vastly improved so i am asking to all patrons past present and future please come and see us for FOOD, BOOZE and a GOOD TIME. we have a whole load of events booked like live music and the cheltenham gold cup racing on so please check them out and if you do come in say hello to the bosses sue and joe, and if at any time during your stay if you require anything please dont let us walk by you, please grab one of us and we will be more than happy to help you. from the barman in the tie hope to see you all soon
|
went here again over the weekend, fabulous time. good beer, huge portions of food, please, less on the plate and I'll have room for a pudding!!
|
I'm a local, i visit the pub regulary and disagree with all the comments written here.
The staff are fantastic, they are pleasant and welcoming. The food is fresh, and the environment is cosy and attractive. The atmosphere is lovley, especially when the fire is roaring.
I bring all my friends and relatives to the pub, and am yet to find any fault with the friendly staff who offer a high standard of service.
considering this is a pub and not a 5* rated restaurant i think all the complaints are pathetic.
|
great food, slowbut great. nice pub, friendly staff good beer
|
Nice pub, good location, excellent beer, no broadside, the staff!!! rude, surley, ignorant, 'malibu barbie' with her dog behind the bar.....whats that all about?
|
If you are rejected from working in a hamburger bar, as to rude and scruffy, this will suit you down to the ground.It is probably a recomendation.
|
Agree with most comments on here. It's a nice location but the pub itself has gone through a clean and bland makeover. I also found the bar staff a little rude. I asked for a St. Clements (for me this is OJ & Lemonade). She told me she was out of bitter lemon. I said i wanted it with lemonade and the answer i got was a little shirty: "well, i can do you a pint of orange juice and lemonade but that is not a St. Clements."
How about the customer is always right? And btw lass, wikipedia agrees with me.
|
Smart and tidy but a bit impersonal. Nice location in a slightly elevated position overlooking pleasant countryside. Adnams Bitter , Broadside and Fullers Pride on, spare handpump with no clip I assume is where the Harvey's others have referred to normally sits. Not the sort of pub I imagine has regular session drinkers but having paid �6-10 for a pint, a coke and some crisps it wouldn't be!
|
Visited this pub on a Thursday lunchtime and was suprised how full it was: we were lucky to get a table to sit at. Butcombe bitter wasn't at it's best but the Harvey's sussex was fine. Food OK. Twice we had to stand around shuffling our feet waiting for someone to appear behind the bar to serve us, think they were as suprised by the crowds as we were.
|
Nice setting,good food and excellent Harveys Sussex ale.Decor a little bland and unfortunately chainpubbish,but as long as the Sussex is on(wasn't on fairly recent visit) who cares !!
|
A very nice pub! Nice in the summer for green views from the garden and nice and cozy inside for a pint in the winter. I have only stopped by for a pint on the way home from work on a good few occasions.
Who asks for seperate bills? Just estimate and get the hell out the patron's face!
|
This is a great place to drink and eat after a walk with the family on a Sunday....but book beforehand as it is popular.
I also visited the pub on the 15th Oct 2006, the same day as Jason. We were there from 1330 until after 1430 and it was busy but as we had reserved a table we did not have to wait. There were four adults, 2 teenagers and a nine year old in our party and we all came away saying that we would definitely visit again. The staff and the manageress were attentive, courteous and efficient. We even asked for more veg for one of the kids and we received it with fuss or charge. The roast dinner was �7.95 and the Harveys ale was good. We also split the bill, but not so precisely as Jason(see comment from Jason below)....more like �30 on that card and �50 on the other. This was dealt with as one would expect, without fuss or concern.
I can appreciate the feeling the manageress had towards Jason because they were so busy, but I am not condoning her comments. But really Jason, why was it neccessary to split the bill by item, surely you could have estimated how much each of you had to pay to the nearest pound or two.
A final note; this used to be a dull rough looking pub (painted black indoors). It is now smart but not formal so perfect for walkers and cyclists. There's also room to sit outside.
|
My girlfriend and her family visited this restuarant on 15/10/2006.
Although we had booked a table for 1400hrs, we were waiting 30 minutes before we had to sit in the pub area to eat our food.
The food was good, although a little pricey and the desserts excellent. However, the trouble came when we came to pay the bill.
At the beginning of our visit, we asked if we could split the bill, the waitress advised this would not be a problem.
When it come to paying the bill, the woman who served me advised me that splitting my bill was "ridiculous, and pathetic". I stayed calm and talked her through which items I had ordered, whilst she tutted and shook her head.
This woman turned out to be the manager. Although the pub was busy that day - I think it is an utter disgrace to speak to paying clients that way.
I for one will never set foot in the door, and would advise fellow readers to steer clear, there are for nicer and more pleasant pubs around the area.
Thanks
|
Lovely place, tastefully decorated, helpful staff, pleasant clientele, brilliant food (menu appears to have been changed and now includes bar snacks including sandwiches and paninis), decent beer. What more can you ask for?
|
My Wife and I with 2 friends had dinner here on Saturday 27th May 2006.
We all enjoyed our meal and found the staff especially the waitress both helpful and friendly. We would visit again.
|
Have had a few meals at the Cock Inn recently and we were very impressed with the place. Almost entirely non-smoking (fantastic!!), nicely decorated and quite up-market.
However, there's not much choice if you just want a light snack so maybe that could be improved on.
|
Much improved now it's been done up a bit, but that isn't difficult. Nice pint of Harveys but menu too restauranty - no chance of a simple sandwich.
|
Better now than when it was a food-chain pub a few years back (was it a Big Steak? I think so).
It is pleasant enough and the staff were friendly, but the new paint-job leaves it looking a bit cold and a touch lifeless.
It is a great location on the Downs however, and a return visit on a long summer evening is needed for a true review, I fancy.
|
Great position, quite tasteful refurbishments, but the expansion has ruined it, and the likeably primitive bar with its old fireplace on the lane to the church is currently shut. Mainly young people there when we went the last two times.
anonymous - 11 Jan 2005 12:07 |
A disappointment given the gorgeous surroundings, there has been a particulary ill-judged refurbishment at some point making it seem dark and dingy inside. Outside much in need of a coat of paint and generally clearing up. Food and drink - standard chain pub mediocrity. Irritatingly loud background music for the benefit of the bar staff.
Nick - 6 Oct 2004 11:44 |
soon a new manager is taking over and it is gonna be brilliant any time after march go and check it out you will see a change
anonymous - 20 Jan 2004 10:25 |
Nice one and cool curry house down the road.
Gerald - 2 Jul 2003 12:35 |
Very relaxed surroundings Excellent staff. Value for money on food and drink. Food is 10 out of 10.
S Coldwell - 21 Nov 2002 15:59 |
