please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Very pleased to be able to report that Wilkins cider is back on sale at the Rifleman!
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A glimmer of light. The Rifleman now offers Orchard Pig cider, a passable real cider although it's main strength is in marketing. It also has a bottled 'local producer' cider, which seems odd as small local cidermakers don't generally do bottling.
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A glimmer of light. The Rifleman now offers Orchard Pig cider, a passable real cider although it's main strength is in marketing. It also has a bottled 'local producer' cider, which seems odd as small local cidermakers don't generally do bottling.
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Tragic to see. This pub has been ruined by Enterprise Inns who have compelled the new landlord to stop selling many of the old lines, including the Wilkins cider which was onc ethe single best selling drink here.
What was once a bustling pub with great atmosphere, and offering the best evening meals in town, is now nearly empty and sells cheesy chips, lager and a fizzy cider-substitute which tastes of saccharine.
Go to the King Arthur or the Hawthornes to find the ciders and the people that were once to be found here.
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I knew this pace in the very late 1990's, it was a great Bikers pub then. Today it is a shadow of its former self. I was subjected to loud Reggea music, well if you can call that music!!! No real cider, never good when your in Somerset!! Had to try a pint of Strongbow (never seen an apple in it's life). The front part of the building is still very characteristic, the rear part look modern.. Kids running around. Little going for it really, give it a miss.
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The Wilkins cider is now served from a pump on the bar, not brought from the barrel in the back room. It still tastes the same.
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Enjoyed quite a few pints in this cool pub, watching the world go by. Nice!
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Wow, that's more like it ! ! Must be under new management ? Attractive and friendly staff at last, and £11-50 for a bottle of wine will do for me any day...As for the music, I was stunned at how good it is. It is Blues of the highest standard one could ever hope for...The whole thing seems to be run by a highly talented man sat behind the drum kit of all things...he hits the bass drum in time with the music and so on, but his guitar playing struck me as world class. His choice of musicians that he calls up was superb, they ranged from the excellent "kid" on guitar to some seriously older kids ! The audience are a dream from the late 60's, me included.....then there's the excellent Suzi Quatro on bass, a right cutey pie and well capable...if she ever decides to sing us a song, even though this is not particularly blues, PLEASE make it "If you can't give me love".....by Suzi Q...See ya there soon...
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I bought a pint of Guinness.
The Guinness tasted fine.
I built a fence around my pint
because that pint was mine.
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Dear God, what's happened to this pub?! Is it me or is half the booze watered down? As for the food, a health and safety issue I would think. A large rude, dirty slob for the chef that produces the dodgiest slop EVER!
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After reading comments about changes, I was releived to find that the Wilkins is as well-kept as ever and the only obvious change is that there is food available on a Tue evening. Not very busy - but it is a Tue evening in February.
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Hello legspin, I always like and trust your reviews. I think you a very polite sort of person. What I think is that the recession certainly doesn't help, but the staff and management are incredibly useless, rude, bone idle and as usual these days, absent. That's the main reason it's empty. Don't worry, I expect they will be gone soon enough.
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The Rifleman's seems to go from great heights to great depths and never anything in between. The South African landlords have gone now and with them a lot of custom, it seems. Whether this is due to the recession, or to them, I don't know. But the place is very different now.
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Useless, ruined in record time! Next!
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Oh no, a change for the worse I think. The banned are back in town.
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A great pub - great for CAMRA Members as it is in the good beer guide. Beer perfect cheddar potholer and wilkins was great. A pity that final arbiter is judging on previous landlords when he has done the job and failed,
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Popped in here yesterday afternoon for a pint of Potholer which was delicious. Looks a nice pub inside, piped music ,outside too sadly but never mind. Friendly barman.
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Malcolm's there, and doing alright.
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What's happened to Malcom ?
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Agreed that this pub is the tops, and mostly due to the late John Simpson, in my opinion, but please psychicyclist, when you wish to review this pub, make it the first one you review, rather than the one you do in a somewhat inebrieated state, eh?
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I still like it here, great prices compared to everywhere else. The sandwiches, rolls etc are really good and handy when one is potholer sodden. The music seems a bit weary these days, the bass lady is very nice, and good enough at her job, but she looks a bit like a cardboard cut out which bores me to death. The "main" man who plays drums and guitar I think is excellent in every way. He's seriously talented I think, and has an amazing smile that contributes a real lot to the whole thing. Oh, the music's OK, you know, just seems a bit drab, but at least we've GOT some live music ! See you Sunday at 5.
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Unusual and original pub. Mixture of very old front rooms, music room and large smoking area. Eclectic clientele, truly anything goes. Three Somerset ales on (Butcombe, Potholer and Barnstomer) - well kept, good service and very ambient atmosphere. The pluses - always busy (I've heard), service good, lots of live music, good-looking barmaids (sorry, that's a plus!). The minuses - it's a trek from town, the menu is simple pub fare, and it can get very, very busy. Glad I visited though.
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still the premier pub. old farts and young funksters. perfect mix.
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Definitely OK. Love the "Pothole". Live music was made even more live with the very charismatic "Blind Lips" Malcom !
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I wandered in on Sunday afternoon. It was great, beer, locals, live music all good!
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Popped in tonight prior to the carnival. Was nice to have a pint of ale on carnival night not served in plastic! Never visited before but was pleasently suprised by the choice of butcombe bitter,cotleigh barnowl, and skinners cornish knocker which i opted for. Not a bad pint but �2.95 was a bit steep... nice pub though and quick service, 7/10
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Under new management - reserving judgement on the latest couple.
The landlords come and go, but The Rifleman's changes little. Still an excellent pub with a decent range of beer. Very friendly staff (even the Czech barmaid, once you realise her brusque manner isn't intended to be rude), fantastic mix of people, seldom any trouble.
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Visited on a beautiful autumn afternoon.Butcombe for my mate,wilkins cider for me.Both marvellous,and surprisingly cheap at �4.90 for the pair,quite inexpensive.Beer garden absolutuely packed.Well off the tourist route (though its on the way to the tor,kind of),which benefits the quality overall.A 'genuine' vibe to the pub with plenty of friendly locals about.
The best pub in Glastonbury.Will return at will.
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Met the landlady tonight.
A charming soul.
Just have to hope she doesn't give away my secret identity!
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Splendid pub, though not what it once was.
A couple of Skinners ales on, and a passable pint of Butcombe.
Friendly and efficient barmaid. Most customers "normal", but the few exceptions are either Glastafarii (if you know what I mean), or the sort of person who photographs things other than the Tor for porno mags.
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Not just good beer - FANTASTIC beer! The pub knows how to keep beer, and the recent offering of Skinner's Cornish Knocker was superb. This isn't on the tourist map, and it's a 'locals' pub, but very welcoming. Our Morris Side dances there, and there is often music (either formal or informal).
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Good to see that the Rifleman still sells excellent Wilkins cider and has recently gone back to doing food in the early evening again.
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Good to see that the Rifleman still sells excellent Wilkins cider and has recently gone back to doing food in the early evening again.
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Good to see that the Rifleman still sells excellent Wilkins cider and has recently gone back to doing food in the early evening again.
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The only pub in Glastonbury worth a visit. Welcomes all and is very lively. Music Wednesdays most Saturdays and also Sunday afternoons, Good outside seating areas too. Beer very good although could do with a better cider like Thatchers.
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I love this place; unpretentious and normally out of sight of tourists...of course I am only a repeat visitor, not a resident, so maybe I shouldn't knock the tourists. Nice beer selection, love the fireplace, the only place that would improve it is some nice hot food in the evening.
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A knobhead free environment. Sit out the back on a summers afternoon with a pint of scrumpy and the world seems a better place.
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A great pub with a real local feel and good atmosphere. The staff are friendly and efficient and the night I was there it was packed but there were three servers behind a not very large bar so there was no waiting. Above all the draught beer and cider were the real thing and beautifully kept. They also have live music every week and an outside patio. What a find!
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I am coming to Glastonbury soon for my bi-annual visit and am wondering what cider you do on draught in here. I came here ages ago but Glastonbury is always very different each time I come. It seemed OK last time and is near the tour. I am happy to go in any pub really that serves proper cider and has a bit of live music. thanks for your help
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A tavern for old farts (it says so in the front bar!) Actually great beer, sunny patio, snacks and good company. You will be welcome, but don't expect carpets or any that other nonsense.
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Still a great pub, but what a shame the formerly great food has vanished.
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I remember this pub from visits to Glastonbury going back about 14 or 15 years and have happy memories of it. It seemed to be much more of a traveller and biker pub once; it has a very mixed clientele now and a laid back feel. Dark, atmospheric low ceilinged rooms with a basic back patio. Good cider, good jukebox. It does soemtimes smell of disinfectant - that is true!
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Wow what a gr-8 pub. I remember many years ago that this pub had a reputation for trouble but how the times have changed. 2 new outstanding pool tables, up to date juke box, Gr8 beer and friendly bar staff, large car park and open fires. If I was living here this would become my local.
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The Rifleman's is nothing fancy, and has an overpowering bouquet of disinfectant, but when your quads & knees are shrieking after a jog up the Tor, The Rifleman's is well worth a stop. Decent ale, and what would a local be in Somerset without good cider?
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Under new management, a homely family tavern, pleasantly decorated. Good ale, just needs a lick of paint.
Russ Crandley - 20 Oct 2004 12:47 |
