please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Situated just off the A38, this place should really be doing a roaring trade. But it appears to be struggling at present under caretaker owners. I feel it is only a matter of time, before it closes again. I read that the pub is a former cider house. But all real cider has long gone. Just 2 ales - Sharp''s Doom Bar and another from Exmoor were on. Inside there are a few large rooms. But most are unused. Those customers that were present were mostly in the garden, which has itself seen better days. It does have some children''s play equipment though, including swings and a slide. Do watch out for dog mess though. One of the worst pubs we tried during the day. But I recommend the Globe Inn, just down the road in North Petherton. It''s not listed on this site. But it is much more of a thriving affair and is a good example of an unpretentious village local.
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As referred to below, a few of the positive reports are obviously spurious if you look at the poster's records , including one whose only other contributions is a spoiler of the nearest pub. The name 'Honest Doug' makes me smile as I am pretty sure that he is very closely related to the landlord. Very closely indeed.
The fact is that the landlady has absolutely no idea as how to behave in the in the world of hospitality and the landlord will never acknowledge a mistake in his cooking. The beer is kept well although pricey - and the pub itself is a pleasant place. Unfortunately, the place is usually staffed by young waitresses who are no substitute for a 'mine host'.
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Booked a group in for a midweek lunch. Rather disappointing - great location and a good selection of beers and cider, but the food was poor - some dishes very over-salted, others saturated in fat.
Yokel - 18 Jul 2011 21:32 |
My family and I met at this pub as it is between Bristol and Exeter where we live and it is not far from the M5. We arrived to notice that the Sunday Carvery was advertised at a different price outside the pub and on the internet to the inside. When I questioned this I was met with a frosty and defensive reply and was told 'it's only a pound difference'. There were 6 in our group, meaning the total bill would be �6 more... in these tough times, not to be sniffed at! Had the food been worth the price we would have been satisfied, but although the meat was cooked beautifully, the vegetables left a lot to be desired. They were overcooked and cold and the gravy was very thin. I am a vegetarian and the option was a rather unusual half a butternut squash roasted with feta cheese, rosemary and garlic. Unfortunately this was bland and the lumps of cooked feta cheese didn't go well together. Our puddings were very tasty, but unfortunately they weren't piping hot as we would have liked. The service was poor and we regularly had to leave our seats to ask staff for further drinks, the bill and when we wanted to pay the bill, the card machine! I would definately not go to the maypole again and won't be recommending to friends or family.
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Nuts in the evening, according to the post 2 down.
I smell a rat, Roland's about. Honestdoug, Loveseggs anontaunton & cmere cannot be considered bone fide commentators.
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The Maypole is a wonderful family friendly pub, with a great selection of good food which caters really well for little ones (great to see some "healthy" options on there for them too!).
The staff are always welcoming and helpful, and the beer garden in the summer is just fantastic! Well recommended.
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Just popped in for a pint this lunchtime 8/2/11. Pub quiet but it was just 12 noon. Lovely welcome from the waitress. Exmoor dark, otter and a stout on(think it was Sharps) all on hand pump. I/2 a dark and 1/2 a stout both went down very well, and a pack of very nice Bar King Nuts? Never had them before but they were so nice I kept the packet.
Works out to be �3.05 a pint which is still good value for a drive to pub, and I think its worth it.
Just as I was leaving I saw some food coming from the kitchen, looked nice and steaming hot.
Maybe next time a spot of lunch too!
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Just moved to the area and had been told to come and have a look at The Maypole Inn, WOW.
A great little gem of a pub, and for a real ale lover what a treat. Sharps cornish stout, Exmoor Dark and Otter bitter on tap, 2 local ciders and a 'fizzy' one too. Had dinner from specials 2 coure for �9.50 and could not fault it, althought the portions were too big!
A great pub, will be back.
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we could not fault anything. The food and service was second to none,the beer choices were great with some local beer on offer it was nice to see you could also buy some of the chutney which they use in the pub .
This was out second visit in a short time & since saying to friends about the Maypole they have been & had a great time they also do special Friday nights ,with food from around the world we tried to book the last one they had but was full
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I too agree with Final Arbiter's view on anontaunton's probale link with this pub. I would also like to ask anontaunton just what ales he knows of that are supposed to be cloudy. Maybe that's what he says to his customers when they complain "it's actually supposed to be cloudy you know".
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So anontaunton is of the opinion that �3 a pint in this area is OK?
Maybe you don't really live in this area, or perhaps, as you have only ever posted critiques of this one establishment, you're a little closer to home than others may think?
It's neither smart nor easy to pull the wool over the eyes of the average BITE member matey! Nor is self aggrandisement a good move.
Not as "anon" as you would wish perhaps?
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Following my Grandmothers 90th Birthday I felt the need to worn any unsuspecting members of the public of the lack of welcome and hospitality at the Maypole Inn Thurloxton
The most unhelpful and rude publicans I've ever had the displeasure of meeting. Any reasonable request was met with more questions than answers, we were made to feel as welcome as a fart in a space suit. I�m surprised they have any staff working for them, as the way they were spoken to was even worse than their customers. Our party did go quite well despite the grumpy landlord & landlady, food average, would I go back�� NEVER.
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Having read the most recent reviews I thought I would have a trip to the maypole and see how bad it was.
Busy thursday night, only a few tables left in the pub!and I thought the pub trade was flagging? greeted by a friendly lady and offered any table that was left, waitress came and asked for a drinks order. Pint of Sharps red and pint of Butcombe, both perfect, (no cloudy or sour beer here past reviewers) and at �3 a pint not the most expensive and average priced I think!
Food ordered and arrived in 18 minutes which to my standards is good, especially when the pub is busy. The same lady who first greeted us came over to see if everything was good with our food, and It turned out to be the so called sour faced landlady! Maybe she has had a face lift because you are maybe looking through dirty glasses because she was pleasent and very interested to listen to our comments about this website!
Our food was all from the 2 course for �8.50 board and was really good. I had a sausage, pumlin and sage casserole and my wife had a fish stew, we both had desserts, a chocolate trio and an advocat cheesecake.
Our bill came to �23.00.
If you have to write a review I think you should be a little honest. If you dont like the beer, there maybe a chance its your taste? some beers are meant to be hazzy and not clear. I get it wrong with my taste sometimes.
I think the maypole inn is a great country pub.
If i had to make a comment it was too hot in the pub, but it was very busy.
Enough said, I will be going back in a week or two and will again comment.
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Ordered a pint of ale (can't remember which) but it was cloudy and sour so I handed it back. The barmaid ummed and arrghed for a while then took the pint into the back room, returning a few minutes later and agreed to replace the beer. The new pint was fine so I stood at the bar and read my paper.
A few minutes later 2 guys came in and ordered 2 pints of the beer I had rejected. The same barmaid poured the beer, which the two guys promptly returned. The barmaid ummed and arrged again, took both pints round the back before returning and agreeing to replace both pints.
This happened several more times and I watched with interest, especially as some old guy, who looked at his beer suspiciously drank it anyway.
At no time did she ever think of not selling this beer although she clearly knew it was not right, and was clearly somewhat embarrased each time it happened as she was aware I was watching.
Clearly she was seeking authority from someone else before chucking the beer away.
Not the way to run a pub sp 0/10
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Great pub but the management leaves a lot to be desired. Food is frequently not up to scratch but the landlord/chef is too cocky to accept the fact. The landlady can be deeply unpleasant to her staff in public and the place now lacks a personality behind the bar. The beer is usually good but the prices are amogst the highest in this part of the world.
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TOTALLY AGREE WITH MRS MOOS REVIEW SOUR FACED LANDLADY,HEAD CHEFS MENU IS TO AMBITIOUS COMPARED TO HIS LACK OF TALENT.THE �8.50 MEAL DEAL LOOKED OK BUT WE WAITED NEARLEY AN HOUR AND WHEN IT ARRIVED THE PRESENTATION WAS POOR THE FOOD WAS OVERCOOKED.ON OUR TABLE SOME MEALS WERE OK AND SOME NO WHERE NEAR WORTH THE MONEY THERE WAS A SEVERE LACK OF CONSISTANCY.AND IN MY 23 YEARS AS A CHEF IS WAS WITHOUT DOUBT THE WORST MEAL IVE EVER HAD.SHAME REALY COS ITS A NICE PUB IT JUST NEEDS A NEW MANAGER AND A DECENT HEAD CHEF.
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Please tell me why this pub has such a low score? We went on thursday lunchtime, pub nicly busy, 2 real ales on natural gravity, more food to choose from than you could ever get board with, 2 courses for 8.50, oap deal for 2 courses 5.50 and I saw a ploughmans go by that even my granny would be proud of. They even make thier own tomato ketchup.
Majourly impressed with this pub and will go back again.
Bought half dozen free range eggs from the pubs own chickens, 3 double yolkers, not bad, not bad at all.
Well done to all those who are at the maypole
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Went back again for a bit to eat for lunch today. The place was packed! The secret is out I fear. The pub must be in favour with Camra for there beer as they had lots of Locale posters. Exmoor Antler from the barrel and Otter ale from the pump, half of each very nice. Food came quickly from the special 8.50 two course board, both main and pud were well above expected standard. Well done again.
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If you want great food and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, this is the place ! Recently held a 50th birthday bash here. The staff were extremely helpful. the food was excellent and well presented and we didnt need a mortgage to cover the cost !!! We will definately be going back again
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Good village pub. Great local beer, Otter bitter and Butcombe, Otter straight from the barrel on the bar back!!
Food looked and tasted great. Spoke to the chefs as well. Theme nights every 6 weeks. Local produce it seems has done well at the Maypole.
Will be going back to see if its the same soon.
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local to area and regulary visit as place is favourite of my friend. However, I have never been too keen and my friend now shares the same opinion. Usually applauded for an interesting, changing menu but firmly believe now that the Head Chef/owner is deluded as the execution of all the dishes we ordered was very poor. The lady manager has always been a bit sour faced, but quite frankly she is objectionable. Continuous swearing and bickering heard from the kitchen. The staff are lovely though ..... Good for a basic pub meal in the garden but not up to mark in any other area I'm afraid
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Visited again when back in the area. A bit corporate, the atmosphere a bit perfunctory maybe, we recommended some friends to meet us here for lunch and we all agreed it was good food, beer and service. Not a veggie choice for Sunday lunch, though we did the starter-as-main option; other times veggie choice is good.
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More of a restaurant, but the locals congregate at the bar. Food inexpensive and with an adventurous menu. Good vegetarian choice. Service was quick. Beers were Doom Bar and St.Austell Tribute. Food all day Sundays.
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Nice friendly'local' pub, good selection of food at good prices took ages to decide what to have!!, all the staff were very friendly and the service was great, good selection of beers to choose from some very local ones which was nice to see, will be going again
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Brilliant food served by friendly, efficient staff. This pub is in an excellent location and is especially good for families with its big garden and seating area. The management are really keen to offer an adventurous menu which also showcases local produce.
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Good blazing fire, food was great, good range of beers and two local ciders.
They need more than one CD on repeat all night.
The staff were friendly, shame about the sour-faced woman managing the place.
And don't whatever you do, play the guitar!
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we were quiet suprised by our visit the past weekend.
Reasonably busy when we went in, good ales on tap, black prince, bath gem and doombar. All table service in the pub but with still the pub feel. Some 'local' drinking at the bar. Food very good quality, specials board and printed menu all at very good prices, and the service was better than most pubs in the area. Maybe a good pub to keep a secret, they don't come like this anymore.
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Prior booked a table for 4 17/08/07, kept waiting for table, the food was ranging from poor to very ordinary the service at the bar was dreadfull the bar tender started to serve someone else before he had finished taking my first drinks order. The service in general was the worst i have experienced in recent times.
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Looked forward to a return visit -what a disaster with the food. Nice pint couldn't make up for the miserable food.
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Nice setting, beer very good, but not a good place to eat. The food does not come as described on the menu, portions are poor and the head chef (Alan) is not very good at customer relations. When food problems became apparent, he disappeared and left the staff to deal with very dissatisfied customers. This is not a place I would consider returning to whilst the existing management is in place.
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Nice comfy pub, lunchtime food was poor for the money, friendly staff and great local ale, a Wellington Micro-brewery.
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Very good atmsophere, traditional feel. Friendly staff and owners. Not a pub for fine cuisine but good food at good prices. Excellent range of drinks
anonymous - 7 Jun 2005 18:44 |
Food, food food and not that great either. Traditional looks, but no sitting at the bar order there and return to your table, friendly staff. Intolerant of smokers
ellebee - 27 Sep 2004 11:16 |
