please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A very picturesque pub located up a narrow winding country lane. Apparently it has extensive gardens and views but since it was a cold wet night, I couldn't see them. A very small central lounge with a restaurant area to the right and a room in the extension at the rear. As there was a function, I couldn't try that room and we weren't allowed in the restaurant so some of us were forced to drink in the substantial smokers' shelter in front of the pub. Luckily it had a log fire because it was rather chilly. It had outside toilets but a reasonable selection of real ales.
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Still a great pub. Food menu is more on the gourmet side, but the beer is well kept and straight from cask.
Fantastic views and friendly staff. Top marks.
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After a long walk a couple of Saturdays ago, we called in at the Duke for pork pies and excellent pints of Hip Hop - both very welcome on a hot day. Well worth a return visit (soon).
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I came up for a quick bite to eat before viewing an auction down the road.
They have a pie of the month, and this month's was chicken and ham. They also have a recommended beer to accompany the pie, so I had a half of Halfway to Heaven (brilliant name might I add).
The two went hand in hand and the pie was excellent.
Friendly staff, relaxed atmosphere, good meal and good beer. Do you really want much more from a pub?
Superb experience!!
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well we tried it again on Friday evening & remain disappointed. !
Its something of a social club, with only those in very regularly being treated with courtesy and respect.
the femaale 'managing ' the food area on Friday 24th was curt, abrupt and just down right pompous !
Some serious customer service training would be very beneficial, she seems to think its ok to behave in this manner, we don't and voted with our feet AGAIN !
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Probably the best pub in the country! Great beer, fantastic food, amazing staff overall 10/10. Can't wait to go back again and see it in its glory in summer. A must to all pub lovers, drinkers and fine diners. Keep the good work up, its great!
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It is a great Summer pub, we visited twice & were able to enjoy the surroundings, however too many children have now spoilt this place!
The landlord [ we guessed -was serving early evening / late afternoon behind the bar, it seems he is unaware of hygiene regs., as he was seen [ we watched] him use his hands to put ice in glasses, and then also handle money.........not GREAT !
The bar maid can't pull a 'flll ' pint measure & twice we asked for it to be topped up, ..........staff training would appear to be nescessary!
We wouldn't eat here, its just too hoo -ray henry........and has lots its appeal, that along with the hygiene is a seripos concern.
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Visited yesterday for a friend's 50th and although it was cold and dark outside, a warm welcome awaited us and the ales were all excellent. Langham's Halfway to Heaven, Hip Hop and Best were all on as was Harvey's Sussex. All were drawn straight from the barrels racked up behind the bar. This is a classic Summer pub from memory but sitting by the real fire was also a delight in Winter. The food we had at the function was very good and I expect we'll go back when we can in future!
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Having visited this pub regularly for the last 4 years it has been great to see it develop to what it is today and I think it deserves its honor being voted the Pub of the Year 2012 by the Good Food Guide. Like all pubs doing good food it makes sense to ring and book first and those who grumble about the cost of the food should realise it serves more than common or garden 'Pub Grub' - it is high quality , locally sourced food and definitely a case of you getting what you pay for
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Yes, it is a lovely pub, however, we got there at 13.51 on a Saturday and they would not serve us food as they were too busy. The local beer was great, and the area is beautiful. The local chatter was about deals and that included the children. Best deal is to have a picnic and then go to the pub.
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This was once the beerhouse my ancestors lived a couple of doors away from, it's very far from that now as food is the focus, though expensive eg �14.95 for haddock & chips and an eggcupful of pee puree. Unbeatable views from the gardens, would drink there again just for that, but not belonging to the moneyed classes will have a packed lunch before I go.
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You don't have to eat to enjoy the pub-the garden is large enough to cater for people who simply want to have a drink. And the staff are very amenable in all cases. On a late Saturday afternoon in summer it really is a gorgeous location.
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Look if your interests don't include eating and beautiful scenic gardens then it would pointless visiting here, if however you are then this pub is a must
BELAM - 14 Jul 2011 20:06 |
Very nice pub in a superb isolated location with fine views over the downs. The pub is now very much food orientated. Friendly staff and a good pint. We did not eat but clearly the food is a major attraction.
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A summer pub...probably the best pub garden in SE England...fantastic views, though predominantly N & E facing....so the sun disappears by the evening..
Beers are good.
The only shame is that it can get packed....almost a tourist spot, except the tourists are Brits ..
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This (almost impossible to find) little rural pub is a real gem. The exterior is a delight of 'Olde Worlde-ness' together with an interesting little covered deck area next to a trough full of fish! Inside is equally as quaint, and mostly given over to dining. There were three ales available on my visit, with the Hip Hop being a very nicely kept example.
I didn't try the food, but the menu certainly looked interesting so I may well return, although I expect booking would be essential at weekends.
My tips for a visit - 1. Turn off the A286 at Henley where you see the Nicholsons Auctioneers sign and just follow the road, otherwise if you just put the pub's postcode into your satnav, it may have you going round in circles. 2. Pick a sunny day and take your camera with you!
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This has to be my favourite pub! Amazing character, great staff, fantastic beer and stunning food. The new extension has a great feel. Gutted that we're moving awayfrom the area but will definitely be back at every opportunity. 10/10
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A truly wonderful pub, but possibly struggling with its increased popularity on a Sunday lunchtime. The roasts are better than anywhere I've ever tasted, and the beer is very well kept. The service is sporadic and poorly managed. So, food = 10, beer = 10, Sunday service = 4...
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The Cucumber! It's out of the wayishness makes it even more lovely - would move here if I could afford it just so it could be my local. A very special place unlike any other. Respect, enjoy and play nicely :o)
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Possibly the most beautiful pub in England? Superb views, smashing service, great beer & Dotty, the pub dog, is utterly charming. Should be 10/10 but the food is well overpriced. �19 quid for a linguine main course which was disappointing and bland. Seafood salad main at around �15 was better, but the size of a starter. Not awful food but Could Do Better for the price, so it's only a 7 from me.
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My wife and I visited this beautiful little pub on a midweek lunchtime. We had a lovely haddock (whale!) & chips. The beer was nice and interestingly not served from a beer engine, so really traditional and all that. However, shame about lager /eurofizz being sold from pressure taps.
OK, it's all a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for... Great food, great beer, friendly attentive staff, and a lovely West Sussex setting.
This is England & Englishness at it's best! Long may it live.
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As a Henley resident of long standing and editor of the complimentary Duke webpage (sponsored by Violet Designs) I can vouch for the stratospheric increase in popularity of the pub in the last 18 months or so, with the lane filled with cars on weekends, especially on fine summer lunch times and evenings. It has definitely been 'discovered' by a 'smart set' and lots of others, the food being praised to the skies. Let's hope it remains that way. So many other pubs for miles around have a chequered record, often starting well but failing to maintain standards.
A word of advice: in really busy times the lane is a nigtmare for parking and those who drop their cars in the constricted space opposite Old Smugglers (below the pub) are asking for their wing mirrors to be demolished. You'd be surprised at the pieces of 'instant sculpture' I've seen of late!
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I've been going to this pub for years and it's always wonderful. Very disappointed to see a case of "Class wars" going on amongst recent posts. I've noticed "all types" there over the years, which is as it should be, and, until now I never considered the subject worthy of mention. People should be classified as nice, ok,or not nice. Class has nothing to do with it, especially in a rural pub as lovely as this.
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Lovely old pub, situated in glorious countryside, with a truly wonderful garden. I can't think of many nicer places to sit on an early summer evening. I can't comment on the food (I haven't tried it) but the beer is excellent.
I have some sympathy with the previous poster. I don't consider myself to be a chav, oik or class warrior. However, the cut glass accents can get a little trying. In fairness, the management are welcoming to everyone, and the garden is large enough to find a little peace and quiet.
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This pub is a legend! I have been popping in since my childhood when mum & dad used to like a drink there. But last few years it has been completely out of my price bracket. Pubs like this are no longer accesable to regular folk, just the "OK yah" brigade. Such a shame
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We didnt eat here so cannot comment on the food. But the beer was in very good condition. With a small interior to the pub we were happy to sit in the vast garden.
Although isolated I feel this pub is well worth seeking out. Will be happy to visit again when in the area.
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having read the previous review entry I feel duty bound to defend the pub and its ' ridiculously overpriced' food. It may be dear to some but its reflected in the quality. I eat there regularly now and am also aware that such a pub might cease to exist in todays economic climate on beer and bar snack sales alone.
The sunday roast of beef at �17.95 is among the finest you will ever taste and its all locally sourced i.e. not shipped in from South America, if it was it would be half the price.
'the clientele are confined to the polo-playing sloane Range Rover set' - charming comment from rentaquote, hopefully the price's will keep oiks like him away in future. At the very least he is correct about the Langhams beer!
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Can't fault the excellent beer at this charming but tiny rural pub. The Hip Hop ale from Langham Brewery in Lodsworth went down a treat. But the food here is ridiculously overpriced. (Sunday roast costs �17.95 and you need to book a week in advance.) Which no doubt explains why the clientele are confined to the polo-playing sloane Range Rover set.
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Popped by again recently for a few ales and had some wonderful food too, g/f had the pork belly and i had the coq au vin, both to die for. They have some good looking venison on too i noticed. Had a gander at the newly refurbed back room, good for private parties but the pub is still king, is there a cosier snug of a pub in the area!
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Fantastic Pub - had a day off so decided to make the 45 mile trip from home in Redhill to try this pub and was not dis-appointed. Tiny bar with Broadsword, Susses and Sundowned direct from the cask in excellent condition. The food was excellent - good portions and well priced - all mains generally 9.95 - 11.95.
The 2 bar staff on today were rwlly friendly and helpful.
Beautiful setting, great views, lovely log fires inside. Highly recommend this and I will be back at some point even if this is a long journey.
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Gem of a pub, best on sunny days as can get full, great beer, food looks interesting although I hav'nt eaten here for many years. Try the Holliss at Lodsworth if in the area.
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Fantastic little pub, i was told it was once 3 cottages,also been advised to book if you want to eat.Its been years since i first came across this place compleatly by chance,just passed it again and will be calling (booking)in the next few weeks can`t wait.
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Very selfish I know, but this pub is one of the best kept secrets of quintissential 16th century English pubs in SE England. Let's keep it this way. Therefore nothing further to add!!
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haven't visited here for a long time, but will again soon if the place is reviving...
used to serve quality ales, lets hope it will do again...
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Under new ownership since July 2007. Great selection of real ales. Fantastic food - really excellent such as 7 hour slow cooked belly of pork, with creamed cabbage - amazing cracking and chunky home made apple sauce. Lovely cheese board for afters too. The hospitality is fantastic very relaxed atmosphere, but attentive to your needs. The Garden is the star here. Amazing views, plenty of space and pretty trout ponds throughout. I really think you will find it hard to beat on views, food and service.
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We had meal here last week and it was vey good - great produce, great presentation and great price. This pub will do extremely well with the relaxed proprietors and excellent food offering. We'll be back!
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Good News. The Pub is now back on the up. New management/owners and chefs. Menu is non 'gastro' with focus on rustic simplicity and very seasonal.
Wine list and Ales are still fabulous and complement the new menu very well, did i mention great value for money?
I love this pub and will definetely be making a trip back soon, booking though is adviseable for food.
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I heard that this great little unspoilt pub is closing down - Anybody got any info?
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Superb interior and surroundings and beer is pretty good. But the food is overpriced and my Sunday lunch was pretty poor (dry and flavourless). Very crowded at tiny bar too.
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Fantastic gardens, and a lovely little pub. Excellent bladder control a must on cold nights, as the loos are outside. The real ale range is excellent although the odd slightly dodgy pint has come up on recent visits. On the other hand, as they always have Rich's Dry cider on, I don't tend to touch the ales anyway!
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Further to my recent post, here is a page on the Duke of Cumberland Pub which spells out in detail its history, food style, gardens and accessibility to fabulous mountain-biking teritory (and walking).
This page has several biking routes which if consulted together with the local Landranger Map makes for easy planning.
There are routes from Midhurst, Cocking, Fernhurst, Blackdown and Linchmere.
To find the page go to Google and type in DUKE OF CUMBRLAND PUB HENLEY.
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Set in beautiful wooded countryside on the side of a north-easterly facing hill The Duke of Cumberland has a wonderful ambience. It is the ideal place to start a bike ride (mountain-bike) or circular walk. You can go as far as the eye can see in just about all directions. I got my Landranger Map from the Tourist Office in Midhurst
anonymous - 25 Apr 2006 08:03 |
Great beers, great location but how can they charge those food prices?
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A champion pub: real ale, real food, real fire, a lovely garden with trout ponds flowing through. The pub is small but is a historic gem. A definite must, and worth the travel, for people who favour the genuine article over modern feigned mock-ups.
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A champion pub: real ale, real food, real fire, a lovely garden with trout ponds flowing through. The pub is small but is a historic gem. A definite must, and worth the travel, for people who favour the genuine article over modern feigned mock-ups.
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Superb. Well worth a visit no matter how far you have to travel.
Regular beer's are, Youngs, Adnams broadside and London Pride. I drank Gobbledy Goose, one of the guest beers, of which there were 3 or 4.
Try and go for a Sunday roast but phone up in advance to book.
This place is not big enough to assume there will be spare seats inside.
Kevin S - 1 Dec 2003 14:10 |
Fantastic old pub in a great location. A pint on a Summer's Sunday night in the garden, surrounded by natural springs flowing into the trout ponds and looking at Blackdown in the distance, is just magical. Friendly locals and behind the bar the mobile phone with the nail hammered through it keeps the air-heads away!!
Brian - 4 Jun 2003 17:22 |
wonderful old pub. loads of character, off the beaten track..take the road from Midhurst to Easebourne.then branch right to Henley...its well worth it...let meknow when you have been there, it was a favourite of mylate fathers in 1950s..and its still there!!!
adele - 3 Dec 2002 00:28 |
