please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Disappointed in the beer here. The Bath Ales range is reasonably good but they were all too warm (and the weather's not exactly baking at the moment). Food was much better and reasonably priced. The interior is airy and well-designed, and service is fine.
They've renovated the bedrooms and mine was very attractive and comfortable but they're also expensive ... so I was disappointed to be charged an extra �10 for breakfast (which they don't advertise as being extra on their website), even if it was very good.
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Much improved pub over the years and quite handy for those that seek out child friendly places. It was really disappointing though to be served a sub standard pint recently, ask for it to be changed and be told that it is 'supposed to be served like that'. Quite a hooha was made of it until the landlord was called and said that it looked a bit iffy and told the barman to change it if that was what I wanted. Brought to mind the 'dirty fork' Monty Python sketch. For the record, the pint of Barnstormer that replaced it was faultless.
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the pint of barnstormer was SUPERB and the service good,best pint by miles outta this and Gloucester and inn on the green,7/10
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I liked this place - really buzzing with plenty of Rovers supporters both inside and on the pavement outside (plastic glasses were in use). Quick and pleasant service, and the Golden Hare was in fine condition (not surprising given the turnover at the time!). Even programmes were on sale from the bar.
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Large friendly bath ales pub. Friendly service, who serve a brilliant roast beef. Service a bit slow, to be expected on mothering sunday, but staff will informed myself of this so not a problem.
If you are in this neck of the woods well worth popping in for a couple of pints.
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Large main road suburban pub serving Bath Ales. The Barnstormer went down well (even in a 'plastic' glass) and the service was pretty efficient seeing as it was packed prior to a football match at the nearby Bristol Rovers ground. Quite handy for a pre-match pint but wouldn't make the trip out of town just to visit.
anonymous - 14 Mar 2010 09:40 |
Nice pub which is well run. Well kept beer with nice atmosphere, though can be a bit flat during the day.
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Popped in last night. First time in since the refurb. I think that they have done well, and made it better inside. The place was pretty busy for late on a weds evening and there was a nice atmosphere thoughout, apart from a whining toddler/baby. The Spa tasted a bit funny, but the Barnstormer was excellent. Bad smell coming from the cellar. Staff were polite and efficient. Another reason to visit this end of town.
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Very nice couple of pints of Golden Hair on my recent visit which went down a treat. Very empty though for a Friday lunchtime compared to years gone by so whilst waiting for my friend to arrive took a glance at the menu looking for clues. Didn't have to look hard to find the reasons why, almost all meals here are now �9.95 plus!!! Are they having a laugh? We are in recession and they have the cheek to charge these prices for very ordinary pub food, it doesn't take the likes of Sir John Harvey-Jones (if he were still alive of course!) to pay a visit here to work out where the problems lie now does it? A poncy area of Bristol such as Clifton village for example might just get away with such prices but hey - This is Horfield common. I kept my money firmly in pocket needless to say. Pffffffftttt.
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Recent visits saw a welcome from the staff along with some excellent pints of Castle Rock,Elsie Mo on the former visit and Harvest Pale on the latter. The usual Bath Ales suspects were on(Spa,Gem,Barnstormer) but trade had been so good the Festivity had sold out for the season. All the tables were full and the atmosphere and ambiance was warm. The temporary "Glastonbury" toilets raised a laugh amongst our party but big plans(to which I got a sneak preview from the manager) are in progress out the back.
I'm going to make an effort to visit here more often for 2009. Fr J has spoken.
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Good Bath beers and place heaving before Rovers game against Leyton Orient. The O's lost again BTW. Look forward to returning one day.
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A friend's local so we popped in for a pint. As mentioned before it's been 'defurbished' - that means angular wooden tables, bare red-painted walls, no curtains and high ceilings, giving it an echoey and cavernous quality. The beer was good though.
ed007 - 29 Jun 2008 00:25 |
As a.e.m. rightly stated it is *much* better now the previous manager has left! Much, much better.
I've not enjoyed coming to the Welly since Paul & Dee left for the Hare on the Hill but now the pub seems to be back in safe hands once again with a team that know what they are doing. Beer was superb especially the Spa which was top notch.
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My recent visit was the 1st time I have ever had a good experience in this pub! Always found the staff,management and punters to be surly to strangers. The Bath Gem was excellent and the rarely seen Orkney Dark Island guest was excellent also.
I think the departure of the previous encumbents may have not gone down well with the latter and former reviewers (can we assume they now run one of the establishments described as "fantastic" by the former reviewer...........?)
The place looks clean and tidy,trade seems good and the staff were pleasant. So for now I could only recommend.
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Agree with Real_Ale_beth. Been drinking in there for five years and watched the pub steadily decline. Can't believe the defurb is taking so long; what the hell is an environmental conservatory?! Beer, however, is always quality.
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What a change, and not for the better. I haven't been in this pub since Landlord Gavin and his partner Emma left, a shocking waste and Roger, if your're reading you should be ashamed of yourself.
Staff were uninterested and most looked scared of the (temp?)manager, I witnessed him shout at a staff member behind the bar.
Place was dirty and the outside littered with fag ends.
Only redeeming feature as always is the Ale, which although not perfect was still good.
A great pub, which was starting to look fantastic over Christmas going really quickly down hill.
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In here today before the Saints debacle at Bristol Rovers. Was meant to be home fans only but we got in for a quick couple before the game. Maybe not seen at its best because it was rammed and we had to dring from plastic glasses. 4 Bath Ales were on: Gem, Spa, Wild Hare and Festivity. Had the first two which were ok. Intereting layout with two or three rooms off the main bar.
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Had a pint of Bath Ales Festivity here. It was probably the best beer in the world.
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Recently visited for the first time.No food due to kitchen being renovated. Beer (Bath Ale's Festivity) was truly excellent.
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Frequent here quiet often and even on rugger days!!! Always have a brilliant welcome and great service no matter how busy. Eat here probably twice a week and always find the food great and value for money. When ever people visit us we always take them here as its like a home from home!!!!
Hope to see you here for a great pint!!
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Yes iyers, has sadly gone right downhill since previous award winning team Paul & Dee left to takeover the Hare on the Hill.
Landlord is indeed an arrogant sort who certainly does not take the return of poorly kept ale very well from my experiences there. The once reasonably priced menu is now charging city centre prices for what is only after all pub grub with fancy names & twists. Paninis? Ciabattas? Come on they're just fancy rolls with a side order of chips so why charge such greedy amounts of money for them?
Such a shame considering how good it was for so many years. Gutted!
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Service has gone down hill of late and my friend was treated very rudely by the bar manager when he was short changed.
Raiding Bristol Zoo for the menu seems a bit odd too. ZEBRA - it's a stripey horse you philistines!
iyers - 20 Feb 2007 15:54 |
I think that most of what I could've said has already been outlined by the likes of Big Pete, Mister X and the HofBear. This Bath Ales house (only the 2nd in Bristol) serves the usual excellent ales, is friendly, and offers an appealing experience to both young and old customers. It is a superb local and I am equally envious of those who reside close enough to it call it such.
Bath Ales have received some criticism on this site for creating very middle-class, slightly too well-heeled pubs, and in Bath that is perhaps slightly more evident. But in Bristol they are frequently used by a broader bunch who simply appreciate good simple traditional pub values: good beer and good cheer, away from marauding troublemakers with nothing more than oblivion-through-gassy lager and antisocial behaviour on their minds.
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Used to use this pub either side of matches at the Memorial ground - including the All Blacks' visit in 1978.
Perfectly acceptable then [decades ago ...], as we went back time after time.
No rating now - it's too long.
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Stopped off here for Saturday night last orders while visiting friends in Bristol and was quite envious of the fact that it's their local. An atmospheric, spacious, friendly place where every punter seemed to be having a good time. Think I had a pint or two of Barnstormer, but can't be sure, but I do recall that it was a very fine drop of ale, indeed...
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Superb pub!
Does not matter whether you are young or old because if you enjoy well kept beers and great atmosphere then you are in for a treat, lunchtime food is also very good. Live blues (free entry) on a Sunday evening. A big shame that Bath Ales in their wisdom (!?!) to move the succesful licensees to another of their pubs though a month or so ago so just hope the very high standards remain the same.
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This is a fantastic pub, and more so since the pub was done out by Bath Ales, food good, if a little too gastropub inspired.
Very much the spiritual home of the fans of Bristol rugby club, whose Memorial Ground is the other side of the Gloucester Road, it can get very picked on match days, also when Bristol Rovers, who share the ground, are at home.
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A well-known landmark on Horfield Common. Serving the full range of Bath Ales (also by the jug) plus weekly guest ales. Also has accommodation.
Allan - 21 Sep 2004 13:10 |
