please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Pub number 7 and the last pub of 4 in Windsor to tick. The Vansittart Arms is a main stay in the GBG.
Large Fullers pub in a residential area that very much feels like it is at the heart of the community.
The pumps were offering all things Fullers with a guest being Joseph Holt Two Hoots @ 4.2%.
Busy inside and out , the pub garden was packed and their was a bar b q on the go.
Worth the walk from the football ground and then the long stroll to the station, quite possibly the best pub of the day.
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Another Fullers pub in the backstreets of Windsor with friendly staff. A good range of Fullers beers was on last night - London Pride, ESB, Discovery & Spring Sprinter. It's a good 10-15 minute walk from Windsor & Eton Central station.
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Been in here twice recently and found it rather inviting with a good pint of beer (London Pride). However went there tonight and could not wait to leave. beer was not up to much (London Pride) and the clientel (as well as the Landlord) was roudy, I know it was soon after the end of the FA Cup Final but the needs of ALL patrons should be accomodated. I will however give it another try next time I am in Windsor. If you are the Landlord/Landady I hope you are reading this and act accordingly.
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This place is not a pub, it's a playground/creche. Went in here Monday lunchtime and was immediately assailed by the sound of a crying tot in a high chair. We distanced ourselves from that as far as we could but this was unfortunately by the fruit machine which was promptly infested with 4 very noisy young children while the Landlord stood by grinning amiably and the fathers propped up the bar.
The crying tot persisted but because of the 4 unsupervised children we tried to tuck ourselves into another corner to obtain a bit of sanity. It was not to be as the tot cried endlessly. We tried to plot an escape to the Bexley but they weren't doing food (no wonder pubs are going down the pan) so we stayed put in the hope that the apparently well to do parents would actually behave responsibly. Some of them did and removed their fractious progenies. Not the ones with the crying child though. They were determined to make everyone's lunchtime a misery by remaining and they achieved that. The child cried for over an hour and thoroughly spoilt the visit. Lazy parents fault of course.
I said before that the Landlord is laid back. Actually he's comotose. One of his barmaids turned the music up to drown the noise and she laughed about it. What it really needed was for someone to actually take action but the Landlord was too busy grinning gormlessly and doing nothing.
The food and the beer was good but like the nearby Mitre and Bexley this place is on the way out. Pubs are not appropriate places for children and selfish parents should be excluded.
Never again.
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Seemed an ok Fullers pub. Discovery, Pride, ESB and Bengal Lancer. Plenty of non Fullers pump clips above the bar so you might be lucky and find a guest. Maybe more of an eating pub.
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Pub undergoing a redecorating phase. Good riddance to that chocolate colour wall. Still some of the best beer in Windsor and very good food. Try the steak!
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Somebody said it, it's not really a drinkers' pub. I had one of the best, and cheapest, rump steaks I've ever had there though and the Pride was acceptable. It would seem that the Landlord is very laid back and the place is ideal for out of control kids and the usual array of scruffy slobs in beach shorts, dirty tee shirts and flip flops.
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A vast improvement under Pete and Helen. Nice to see people who care in charge again. Much better beer selection and in better condition.
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Popped in as was in the Good Beer Guide. We did go in Saturday afternoon though, which is probably why it felt a little 'Brewer's Fayre' with kids running all over the place and chessy 90s ballads a little to loud on the stereo.
Had a the guest ale from the York Brewery which was acceptable if a little flat, but did notice that the beer was a touch on the expensive side at nearly �7 for two pints.
Seemed like a good place to take your kids on a Saturday afternoon whilst enjoying a pint or two - there was even a kids party going on (which may account for the Brewer's Fayre' atmosphere). Not really a drinkers pub though.
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Under new management. Pete and Helen are now running the place and there have already been some changes. Watch out for a new menu, cheaper wine already but not free beer yet!
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Seeing some of the recents comments about this place I was a little disapointed. However don't worry, it turns out that thier complete rubbish (although I would agree that some of the staff are a little lack lustre)
However I have had many a fabulous meal there which were most certainly not microwaved.
The beer is a little expensive but no more so thanany other pub in the local area. However for those in the know tied houses can't sell the beer any cheaper from what I understand. At thier recent beer festival they had 6 guest beers and 2 ciders all at �3 or less!
I love this pub but maybe I'm one of the less desirable clientel that the previous person had reffered to.... who knows.
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When I was there they had four hand pumps on. All of them with London Pride!
Better pubs in the area
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In the interests of both a public health warning and guidance I offer this comment to the Vansittart Arms.
The food is microwaved, therefore certainly not fresh and is unfortunately prone to upset ones stomach or put you off eating in pubs again.
The beer is very standard at an inordinately high price � there is no correlation.
The atmosphere is stayed at best and the staff is at the very most substandard (incl. the landlord).
I am sure there will be individuals who disagree however the local clientele is yet another reason to give this once fantastic pub a wide berth.
You have been warned!
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Have been abroad for a couple of years and was looking forward to a pint in the Vanni. What a shock! What have they done to the place? It used to be a lovely pub with lots of friendly regulars who all seem to have disappeared and been replaced with a much rougher crowd. There is no soul to the place now and it is now very much a drinking hole with the emphasis on hole. The Landlord (Pete?) seems ok but not very dynamic and the rest of the staff are cold and slow. What a disappointment and I will certainly not be using the pub in future.
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Certainly should be a GBG listed pub. The recent beer festival was great. Fullers Vintage straight from the barrel, what could be better. The best pint of Fullers around this area. Of course it is "very much a tied house", it says Fullers on the door!
The chilli was pretty good today, too.
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More attractive from the outside,the interior is a little souless and the pub lacks atmosphere.Fullers Discovery,London Pride were OK but very much a tied house.There are better street corner locals in the area ,not sure this pub deserves a GBG listing.
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What has happened to this pub....Thought it would have improved but ...
1. Still have unfriendly staff with attitude in particular 1 that is always on her phone rather than serving in the evening you know who you are..thinks she runs the bar
2. Food is terrible apart from if you want a bag of crisps!
3. Beer is expensive
Overall an expensive, unfriendly, no atmosphere pub.
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Just spent the afternoon here, very enjoyable 1stly they had Dog Party. I love the fact that they are Dog Friendly Pub so a 'Pooch Party' too it just ideal, apparently they're going to hold them monthly too and get the local vets to come in for free advice.
2ndly this was followed straight after by the Six nations - it's difficult to find a pub anywhere in Windsor that will give preference to Rugby so I was very pleased to find they showed all of yesterdays matches! I just had the best day....and so did Rufus!
Overall - it's very much improved version of the old Vanny....not sure what's happened but hope it carries on.
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A SMALL wine for �3.65, possibly fermented in a Crack House
.....Food which tastes like it was produced in a Crack House
...and yes they scored a hattrick ...STAFF who have lost the powers of speech, possibly because they have come from a Crack House
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A pub in a 'sea' of terrace housing and very close to the Mitre (not visited) and Duke of Connaught. Decent pub with a functional beer garden which was very busy when we came here on Saturday afternoon. Decent range of Fullers beers plus Adnams Bitter (so so). We were fortunate to meet the local ladies Hockey team in gear just after a game!
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Typical Fullers pub, attracting a youngish crowd on a Sat night. Good example of an English pub for the tourist, though I felt the London Pride was average.
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Good wine selection should be a sign saying thats its a gay bar but still the food is very nice plenty of fairy cakes
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Could be a great pub just a shame about the landlord and the staff. Unfriendly rude landlord especially when he has had a too many drinks with miserable staff makes this once good pub into just a pub for a desperate drink. Good english food now cooked by useless chef. What more does one have to say......
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What happened ?
A good pint if you don't mind dying of thirst ! This place could be empty and barstaff will keep you waiting.
Sort you staff out landlord. They are losing you trade !
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Hey there to All, Brian here from sunny Queensland. Just thought I would get my finger out & say hi. I worked @ the Vanni for about 1&1/2 years in 2005 I think it was. I enjoyed working there. The customer & the staff were all a weird bunch but that is what made the place special for me. Many people slagg Tim, my boss- previous landlord off but we all love him as weird and as Quwerky as he was. I hope the Vanni is almost the same as it was cause one day hopefully in the near future I want to return & see it & the people again.
If the new landlord was up for it I would even jump behind the bar, (Mind your Head) and pull a few pints for him.
Joce & I are still living and working together if anyone was interested.
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Used to be a great pub, went downhill, and on the way back up under the new landlord. Definitely worth a visit.
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Comfortable pub with decent beer and food.
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Well I think the pub have improved 100%.Staff are nice and friendly, beer no dearer than most pubs. Best of luck to new landlord, pleasnt young man.
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Sorry to say, but this used to be one of the most popular pubs just outside Windsor and I think it has dropped down quite a long way. I would describe as a chain pub with same standard but more expensive food with little or no atmosphere. Hopefully it will crawl its way back to the top in the future, you never know, but its certainly got a long way to go.
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The wifi is back, a mate went in and tried it and said it was great and worked faultlessly.
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The changes in this pub since the wild man left are excellent. The staff are great, the beer is great, the food is great. It�s nice to see children back in the lovely garden. My only moan is the wifi has gone it was the only local wifi that actually worked!!
But I heard on the grapevine its on its way back.
well done to the new landlord.
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Sorry to see the last few comments. As someone who was barred for not putting his chair back, knowing someone who was barred because the barman fell over his dog( wasnt his dog) and someone else barred for falling asleep when actually he had had a mild angina I find this pub has changed tremendously for the better. Well done everyone there. Turning round the Titanic after it hit the iceberg!
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Mister murky beers has been here as well, better off drinking in another town fella. Don't know where you got your advanced knowledge of pubs from. Good to see the old Vanni feeling is back.
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My wife & I worked in this pub between 1999 & mid 2000.
Not suprised to hear Andy has gone as the landlord and his wife had their moments, but in the time we lived there we met & partyed with some excellent people (PAUL,ANDY,NICKY,GAVIN}.We will never forget the friday & sunday night parties we used to have after work.A new landlord would be very welcome to what I hope is still the best pub in windsor.E-mail us Gav.
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Pub went through a bad patch as you can see from other reviews but getting back to normal. Nice staff, good beer and food. Worth a visit
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Well kept pint of ESB. Have tried the food a few times and found it to be very good although you can't get chips! Landlord and bar steward pleasant and well mannered. It may be a rugby pub but they showed football when I was there even though rugby was advertised on the TV blackboard.
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Not a bad pub. Hear the new landlord is very nice....
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Rugby guys welcome, ex-Landlord and ex-Manager not welcome. Food very good with decent servings.
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The best rugby pub in Windsor. Six words to thrill the closets, public schoolboys and CAMRA members. Six words to ensure all normal people steer well clear.
anonymous - 27 Apr 2006 17:08 |
It is good to see that regulars have come back into the fold over the last few weeks. Sponsoring the Windsor Rugby 2ndXV will help greatly in restoring the Vanni to being the best rugby pub in Windsor. Still early days, but the signs are good.
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Sorry to hear this place has suffered recently. I worked in Windsor up until around 3 years ago and this was a regular spot for a sunny lunch time.
Hope it has a revival!
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as long as the ex-landlord is still hanging about you wont see too many of the regulars going back in a hurry, myself included!
anonymous - 3 Apr 2006 11:39 |
The dark fog has lifted from this pub and thank god a good landlord is now back in charge! It will take a while to recover from the foul ex landlord, but went in last night and you could already sense the changes and once again happy staff. Go back and try it.
anonymous - 1 Apr 2006 10:29 |
The Vansittart is about to change hands and a local from the area originally will be running it.
Its sure to improve so go back soon and try it out.
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Cheerless place, monosyllabic miserable barmaid, bum on stool smoking with mates asap.
Beer Ok but place so unfriendly. Don't go.
anonymous - 23 Mar 2006 20:35 |
I agree the pub has went down hill in the past year, I don,t know who these ill mannered staff are but the staff were good when I worked there with my partner. I have to comment on the previous comments about being unfriendly at lunchtimes. Due to the atmosphere we were working/living in, it was like a ticking time bomb. On hearing the management is changing it may be a breath of fresh air for all parties and return to the great pub it used to be. I bet by the summer you will all be back in the garden enjoying the food and soaking up the sun. I hope the locals return as the ones I met where lovely.
Miss you all, Jenni.
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Quite an enjoyable visit last Saturday lunchtime, London Pride on reasonable form. Shame that this pub seems to have downhill, reading the previous comments, perhaps I should be grateful that the landlord didn't seem to be there when I visited on Saturday.
Note the shuffleboard in the games room - never seen one of these in a pub before
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Don't know how it keeps its Cask Marque! Beer quality leaves a lot to be desired, unless you like warm sour real ale! Landlord is definitely one of the most self opinionated, foul mouthed people I've ever met.
anonymous - 4 Jan 2006 14:42 |
I am sorry to say that over the past year the Vansittart has lost all the standards that they pride themselves on. Having been a regular at this pub for a number of years, I have witnessed the child-hating Landlord's bad temper and foul language on many occasions. Recently, his outburst's have become unbearable and even the customers that go there for the good food have given up! Quite frankly, Id rather spend good money in a pub where my custom is appreciated.
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hi there, i'm� so sad to read all those nasty comment about that pub..I'm french and I worked in this pub a little while and it was a really really really nice one...i know it's sad coz everybody leaved...(stew,jenny, joce, brian, and andy apparently....)I think it still a really good pub whith very nice custumers....just have a go and make your own feeling aboout the great vansittart!!!coco
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Good pub when Red Leicester(the landlord)is absent. Very few good staff left. Weird, how it can be busy when the landlord is absent. An education in good manners would be a start. Why can they employ pleasent, friendly people at lunch time, when one can actually get good service? Beer crap, food still outstanding. I now only use at lunchtime. What a waste of a good pub. The locals are now found in the Duke.
anonymous - 30 Nov 2005 21:01 |
What has happened to this pub. I have'nt been in here for a while but what a change. Aussie brians gone, scottish stuarts gone, even the assistant manager andy is gone. I hardly know anyone. Not the atmosphere or the pub i used to know. It looks like i'll be in the Duke from now on.
anonymous - 25 Nov 2005 17:46 |
Change off management needed here the staff keep you waiting for ages before serving you then you get no smile. very poor selection of Beers cramped seating areas must be the worste pub in windsor me and the party i went with was all dissapointed with the place i would recommend this pub be avoided at all cost. oh plus they dont like children my friend had her child told off for singing!!!i mean told off!!!
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Busy pub.Home cooked food. Excellent weekday lunch. Beer,at times, also brilliant, beer kept well, pity Fullers quality not up to standard. Not child friendly.
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This is one of the best pubs in Windsor.I've been coming here for a few years now.The staff are friendly and know what they are doing.The beer garden is lovely on summer days with a nice pint.Sometimes a bit crowded.Rugby overtakes football on the t.v and that is rare.They would benefit a lot more if they had a proper chef in their kitchen during the day. You should check this pub out.
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Cracking little boozer, stumbled across it by mistake. Popped in for a quick pint and left legless many hours later. Good ales and good atmosphere.
Meach - 20 May 2005 21:40 |
Great pub, excellent service, great atmos.Shame about the red faced landlord and his foul mouth. Good food also.
anonymous - 15 Apr 2005 21:23 |
A very popular pub, often crowded and a regular haunt of sporting clubs and various schools' staff.
Make no mistake - this is not a child friendly pub. The landlord will not fail to make sure you understand his rules!
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The Vanni is a fantastic little pub. Undoubtedly the best and freindliest in Windsor. Highly recommended
patrick - 5 Oct 2004 08:12 |
Friendly pub, celebrated my birthday there a couple of days ago.
Nice people. GMP
TopCat (Mr Jinx) - 12 Feb 2004 13:10 |
Good beer, good atmos and great food. One of the best (if not the best) pub in Windsor
Tom Vincent - 16 Jan 2004 16:29 |
Great place, it has really good food and top quality beer. One of the best pubs I have to in a long time. Well done Tim...
anonymous - 29 Jul 2003 16:07 |
Fantastic place. Even if it's not, by the time you're half way down your first pint, you'll feel like it's your local. Great friendly atmosphere, if that's what you're looking for. If not, there's pleanty of places you can tuck yourself away unnoticed.
big bird - 15 Jul 2003 21:11 |
Excellent small town pub full of nooks and crannies and good cheap food plus superb beer. Way off the tourist trail.
derek - 4 Jun 2003 13:02 |
Top pub for lunch. Their Sausage and Mash is great, the chilli is also good. Really great beer garden, which is great in the summer when they have BBQ's. The beer is also good, very nice pub all round.
Mike - 25 Mar 2003 13:48 |
The best pub in Windsor by a long way. Guest Ales, loads of wine, pool table, outside heaters and good garden. Log Fires inside, very lively all year round and lots of parties/special events. 2 beer festivals per year, no telly.
Nick - 19 Nov 2002 11:02 |
