please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Hadn't been here in a few years despite living nearby... good views outside and they normally had a couple of local real ales on hand pump, but the food was dreadful and the place was generally treading a fine line between homely and grot... I remember watching rats frolicking in the beer garden. A few years on and I stopped by for a speculative pint one Sunday afternoon and was amazed at the place’s transformation into a fully-fledged gastro-type affair; all whitewashed walls and exposed beams and smartly dressed bar staff. It was HEAVING with diners –I was seemingly the only person there for a drink, and was accordingly treated like something a pariah … I sat down at an empty table but was hurriedly told I couldn’t sit there as it was booked… as were ALL the other empty tables save for one; a high table on a stool, complete with tasteful candle lighting. No area reserved for drinkers. Couldn’t even stand at the bar since it was effectively a thoroughfare for staff carrying plates. Most peculiar. Calls itself a ‘Country Inn’… in no meaningful sense is this now a public house. But for what it’s worth they did have two beers on, both from the nearby Pilgrim Brewery in Reigate: Surrey Bitter and Progress. Hand pumps were out of use though; both were on gravity dispense (?) behind the bar. To my horror/amusement, when I asked for a pint of Progress (£4.10), the barmaid went over to a table by the casks and retrieved for me a 95% pre-poured pint; topping it up the remaining 5%. Absolutely flat as a pancake. I asked how long it had been hanging about…. “Only 10 minutes, if you don’t like it I can always pour you a fresh one”. Most peculiar. They’re clearly trying for something here… but it doesn’t quite seem to work. Admittedly, I didn’t try the food, so can’t comment, and everyone seemed to be enjoying their meals. But at the risk of sounding snobbish, it’s a bit of a second-tier, rather provincial attempt at something that’s already been done-to -death, infinitely better, everywhere else, and is already feeling a bit tired as a concept. They’ve even got a little ‘tea shop’ (‘The Sheep Shed’) next door to the ‘pub’ flogging overpriced ‘artisan’ food and drink. Honestly, I preferred it when there were rats and they had a bizarre line in tribute bands. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.
Sutho - 24 Apr 2016 20:48 |
I have not been to this pub for some years because it was dirty ,dingy and the food and drink was overpriced and poor value for money. I was persuaded by friends to go and revisit and what a REVELATION!! The pub is now warm,bright and above all offers a great range of drinks and food. Being a real ale drinker I was impressed by the range of 4 real ales on hand pump plus one real cider.The Abbotts ale was probably the best pint I have drunk in ages.Others on offer were Spitfire,Doombar and Hogs back. Staff were very friendly and attentive(not as before!) The new management team have done away with the disco nights and seem to be going more for a more discerning clientele who appreciate quality at a reasonable price. Seems to be more of a wedding venue at a weekend.
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Believe me, I don't have a vendetta against this place but I went their and met up with some mates, for a drink.
My initialy impressions of a few months ago about the decor were now reinforced. The interior has been ruined in my opinion.
The walls are stark white and the wall lights are are unforgiving white as well. As I said before all the original dark beams/woodwork has been overpainted with a matt paint/emulsion in what appears to be a very pale creamy colour and this has accentuated the wood's blemishes in a most unpleasandt way.
The positive points then. The place was very warm - over warm or oppressive and very quiet on this October night. Including us, I only could account for about 8 or nine people but I did not go around the other side of the pub.
Frankly, I am not sure who are the owners now, of this establishment. There is only an A la Carte menu with quite a lot on it and a chef in the kitchen!
Well it's a convenient place for we three to meet up that's all I can say but they no longer sell J20 drinks but and 'H' equivalent.
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Well it's had a revamp and is advertiseds a 'Pub country and Dining' or something like that and this tells me it is now under the Mitchell and Butlers umbrella.
All the wooden beams and walls have now been painted all the same yuk-ish colour at least on my last visit about a month ago and didn't look very nice but perhaps that was in the early stages of a revamp
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Nowadays a very poor ale selection. two GK beers..and this claims to be a free house... and a Westerham beer.. Spirit of Kent with a Spitfire on the clip. I tried that beer elsewhere quite recently and didn't think much of it then..I will not try it a third time. If that represents the spirit of Kent how the well did we win the Battle of Britain?
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Came to a friends wedding here, wow!! really great food Hog Roast was the best, all the staff seem to enjoy being there and the venue was amazing & great views from the back. Definately will go back they do loads of tribute bands which some others guests had been to and said how amaxzing they are.....cheers for a great day
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Scores out of 5
Beers on offer 4 - Beer quality 2 - Full pint? 4 - Service 4 - Clientele 2
Garden & view 5 - Welcome & staff 4 - Parking 5 - Toilets 3 - Comfort 4
TOTAL 37 out of 50 OVERALL RATING 36 to 40 = 8
Comment: Well, Countryside, good range of beers, and when the sun is out the back patio is the place to be. There are also fields of sheep for the Welsh drinkers to admire. Their tribute bands are legendary.
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Charming pub with delicious home cooked food.
Good selection of four local ales, my pint of hogs back was perfect!
Will definitely be returning, 10 out of 10.
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I have been visiting the UK from the States and visited this pub one lunchtime in January with my in-laws who live nearby. We had a wonderful time, sitting by the cosy fireplace and eating some wonderful food (try the ciabatta sandwiches, any one of them!). The bar staff were very friendly and attentive and made sure we felt at home. I think the location is lovely with gorgeous views outside and I will visit again when the weather is warmer and sit outside. My husband (English) tells me the beer was exceptional. I can vouch for the wine!
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I attended the Botlyhill Farmhouse Pub today with my family for the first time for a meal. It was a BBQ day and all six of us ate . Not only was it extortiantly priced at �9.50 for 1 chicken breast and a little side salad I can honestly say ALL the meals were bland at best and a couple were absolutely 'rank' none of us finished the meal , we will not be dining there again , probably the worst meal I have ever had in a pub !!!!!!!!!!
AGray - 29 Aug 2011 15:21 |
i went to this pub with my family for sunday lunch and thought it was a lovely place to eat was an enjoyable atmosphere, was really impressed with how friendly and helful the staff were i would defiently go there again desserts were extremly tasty!!!!
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I took my whole family for Sunday lunch. The food was alright but not worth the money to be honest. If you don't mind reheated old roast potatoes served with your relatively expensive Sunday lunch and all served by a grumpy waitress then its not so bad.
Oh and nearly forgot the cheese board......I got 3 crackers whilst my husband to be fair had 4 and tiny portions of cheese whilst the kids had hot choc sauce sticky mess thing which wasn't hot but cold. Don't think we will be returning which is a shame as its in a beautiful location.
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I used to go to Botley Farm as a kid and have cream teas and see the small farm. Over the years it has gone up and down in my esteem, in terms of food/service but now it's up once again!
I visited for lunch last Friday with a friend and had an enjoyable time. The food was top notch (excellent duck with blueberry sauce) and the service friendly and efficient. The grounds are so beautiful & the new born lambs delighful! It is fab to see this place returned to a good standard. There are tables both inside and out and a suitable enviroment for all types of people- families included. You can wonder around after your meal and enjoy the wonderful view. The kids can play in the little play area. The new owner shared some of his ideas to restore the history with us and it was great to know the place is once again in good hands.
If you're visiting this spring/summer bring your camera!
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What a great place. Friendly staff that give service in a nice old charm setting with a roaring fire to welcome you.
It was a busy lunchtime, but the food came in good time. We ordered the fish (haddock) & chips and it was by far the best I've had in a restaurant for a while. Definitely the place to pop in in future.
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Called in yesterday while walking the North Downs Way. It still calls itself a "free house" but the only beer on offer was Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen. The IPA was perfectly well kept, but at �3.00 a pint something more interesting would have been preferable.
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Fantastic location. Have enjoyed the ales and the fresh squeezed orange juice here. Have not often eaten at this one, so, cannot add to the plentiful criticisms that seem to now be surfacing in that department
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Pleasant country pub at the top of the North Downs - was very busy on the recent bank holiday when I visited. Didn't eat, but did have a very nice Itchen Valley ale. Despite the negative reviews about the food, you've got no problems if you're coming here to drink.
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Botley Hill Farm used to have a reputation for great food to accompany the pub�s beautiful setting. Sadly, this is no longer the case. The pub itself is in serious need of renovation and the service is absolutely atrocious
In June 2009 we visited on a Sunday evening (no reservation; we had tried calling several times and no one picked the phone up). When the staff realised we wanted to eat, they told us �the chef won�t be happy� and we�d have to hurry up as their kitchen staff wanted to go home. Apparently they�d had a weekend full of events and they were all tired. This was patently obvious from the rude and abrupt way we were spoken to from the time we arrived to the time we left, culminating in being charged for food we did not order and did not eat.
The food itself was barely average and my friend found a hair in her steak and ale pie. Revolting.
Stop and admire the view, but do not under any circumstances go in there!
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Ive been coming to this Pub for sometime now, Maybe 2 years... The food is diffrent every day but the drinks stay the same all the time. Something has changed in the enviroment of the whole pub in the last few weeks.
Boltey Hill Farmhouse has become a family Pub and a Beautiful place to visit, the garden has been cleaned up, the food is great and the service is brilliant. I have never seen a place change for the better so quick and i would advice everyone to stop off for a drink and a meal.
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We went for sunday lunch as a party of 18 on 2 tables. One table ordered their lunch, then the other table were told they were not taking orders as the kitchen was too busy. The place was barely half full. My daughter ordered lemon chicken and specified no pepper, when it arrived it was spicy! she asked for the scampi instead and the woman was terribly rude to her and told her she should have specified when ordering. My daughter was left in tears and ended up not eating. When I spoke to the manager he was cocky, not interested and cut me short as he was a 'very busy man'! My daughters fiancee had taken us there as he wanted to hold their wedding reception party there. Needles to say it wont happen and I advise anyone to think twice about this location.
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I really find the comments, including my own, so dispiriting as this place could have great potential if only they'd address the food problem which seems to rear its ugly head time and time again.
The pub has a lovely situation and is usually nice and clean and warm inside although the wooden chairs, in the general pub area, play havoc with my bony spine!
Somehow this place just misses the boat and it is such a shame and I wish the owners/managers would read the comments on this site.
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Got to agree with the other reviewer regarding the Sunday roasts. Went there recently for the 1st time with the family and some friends and we all had roast beef. You struggled to tell the difference between the kids and the adults portions and the beef wasn't that great. We got 2 small dishes of veg between 8 of us so I went and asked for some more, which to their credit arrived without any fuss. The bill when it arrived was also wrong but again it was rectified without fuss. Staff were on the whole friendly and helpful, beer was OK as was the general ambience of the place. Only let down was the food.
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We visited on a Friday, mostly because the nearby Titsey Place doesn't do lunches in its tea room. The beer was good (happy to find Doom Bar on draft) and it has a good atmosphere (give or take some tacky advertising) but the food really lets the place down. Why, oh why can't pubs get Sunday roast right? We ordered two roasts (turkey and beef) and both came with that thinly sliced processed stuff which felt like it had been heated with the gravy already on it. And between 4 adults and a child we got one small plate of "seasonal veg" or the usual carrots, broccoli and cauliflower to share. The best dish was the child's one where they actually had to cook the sausages, chips and peas freshly. A real let down.
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Went there after a long walk recently and were pleasantly welcomed. Food was OK but one of our party had to complain about a very small fish dish priced at �10.95. She was offered another dish free which made up for the disappointment. Good beer and friendly service throughout.
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Nice pub, ale well kept. Food average especially fish as they boast of their associated company. Over priced, but considering this is "South Chav Land", 'tis worth it as no chavs seen on all my visits, which have been many. Great in the summer for ale & nosh half way enroute from Biggin airport to hovel. One wish, better applications in the kitchen with more realistic pricing.
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Went here one recent late Sunday afternoon. Nice looking pub and location at the top of the North Downs, but very dissapointing for food which was overpriced and very average. Better to travel the extra distance to the numerous excellent pubs in Old Oxted.
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Went to this pub to see the Dayglo Pirates, an excellent Jethro Tull tribute band, unfortunately an othewise excellent performance was ruined by a totally in competent sound engineer and inadequate PA. There are some good bands playing there soon but I will avoid it and wait to see them at a more suitable venue. Felt a bit ripped off �8 only to get in but sound was awful.
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Have been using the pub for about 10 years and find it a great place to relax and enjoy good beer & food.
The sunset on a summers evening is a must whilst sitting outside in the gardens.
Entertainment is good and varied,
Food is excellent.
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Seemed a nice place with a nice bar...
Food was reasonable, bit pricey though. Also had a quiet atmosphere inside with seemingly the feel that everyone is watching and hearing you...
Ok visit, would return, not a priority though
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Been here a few times. Bit of a strange place, miles off the beaten track, huge car park, but only about 10 people in on a Saturday afternoon. Beer was good, but food a bit overpriced at �9 for pretty ordinary scampi, chips & salad. They have tribute bands etc in a marquee at the side, but not sure what the place wants to be - a country pub, an upmarket family restaurant, or an entertainment venue? Nothing to stop it being all three I suppose, as long as it gets the punters.
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Went there last Thursday evening and the place was almost empty. Despite what I might have said, previously, the place was warm and clean but this does not seem to attract much clientele.
Also, the drinks, generally, seem to be on the expensive side compared to other establishments
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In the two occasions that I have gone there for pub lunch-type grub, I have been appalled by the quality of what was served.
I do remember a prawn sandwich with salad garnish which had to be seen to be believed. The sandwich was tasteless and 'mean looking' and the garnish comprised one cherry tomato and a sprig of lettuce.
On another occasion I asked for a portion of chip but didn't expect these to be of the 'oven' variety - if they were deep fried then I'd be very surprised.
The Chef (then) should have visited, say, the Padwell Arms at Stone street, or the Old jail at Biggin Hill to see what a sandwich should be like.
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I rate this pub, others may not, but what do they expect on the outskirts of Croydon!!. Food is good, staff are good, location is good, BEER IS GOOD, and yes kids do like the fact there is a small animal feature. Also most everyone likes taking a pint in both the Eastern and Western hemisphere at the same time, It's on the Meridian. My industry chums and customers from a Global list like it. I have listed it on various industry websites for visiting crews to sample. Don't groan, it is a family pub for ALL AGES.
Thanks Botley Hill for some fun times.
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Re-visited recently after a break of several years. Reason for the extended time interval was an unhappy experience on the last visit. Most of the points raised by previous reviewers were totally concurred with.
Happily, although the dreadfully 'low' types of entertainments(Chas & Dave + Tribute To Headbanger & The Nosebleeds etc)continue: The range of beers and the condition in which they are served continues to impress.
The food, well cooked and nicely served, is good value. The menu is varied. Service was, although not with a huge smile, was, at least without a snarl.
One criticism! One of the bars (the one next to the lavs which seems to be full of giggling adolescents) is positively bristling with mobile phones which have, shall we say, 'indiscreet' ring tones which blast out at 20 second intervals. Suppose it could be the aforementioned "Headbanger & The Nosebleeds latest: "I Aint Been To No Music School"- available on the "Rabid Dog" label.
Chin chin & TTFN.
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I really don't know what to make of this pub. I think the experience varies from ghastly to enjoyable depending on which day of the week you go and whether you choose to eat or not. It seems to attract a varied selection of irritating punters - some of them middle-class urban types with over-inflated opinions of themselves who think everyone wants to hear about their utterly boring lives and children; some of them drunken geezers who want to go to a country pub in the sun, "innit". In my opinion the food is good, albeit overpriced, but don't even think about eating here on a Sunday lunchtime unless you're willing to wait all afternoon for your food. The beer is usually good - the pub was one of the first to take the Westerham beers when they started brewing. In summary, you can have a good time here, but the pub as well as some of its punters has an over-inflated opinion of itself.
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When I went here a few years ago, Bernard Manning was coming to do a gig in a few weeks time.
Says it all really.
Should be shut down and turned into an abbatoir.
An interesting location but somehow a complete failure to make this pub at all interesting.
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Well I enjoyed it, good food, great beers and breathtaking views.
maine - 11 Sep 2006 19:36 |
Yes, the pub is naff and as Nick Davies has rightly said, it is frequented by the Croydon Mondeo owning classes and their beastly children but to be fair, it "does what it says on the tin!"
It serves food all afternoon which is useful after walking or riding. Last bank holiday the pub was packed but my other half and I were served much better than avarage bangers and mash amazingly quickly.
The beer wasn't bad so credit where credit is due.
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Good luck to anyone wanting to copy Absolute Chaos and cycle to this pub. It lies at the top of the third highest hill in the South East and neither Leith Hill or Gibbet Hill have a pub so this is (by some considerable distance) the highest pub in the South East and not worth the effort.
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second year on the trot, good beer and views but dirty tables, one rude member of staff. don't know the words please or thank you. At 4.30 on a very hot summers day it is entertainig to see customers arrive and clear a table, just as you had to . No manager and obviously no one cares. Sunday obviously different but like the locals one to be avoided.
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Its main attraction is seventies tribute bands and acts that attract a similar audience, Chas and Dave, that sort of thing, in a marquee at the back, very popular amongst the Croydon Mondeo owning classes it is too.
However even if you can't stand the thought of all of that as a pub it isn't bad, olde worlde stuff, log fires and beams, respectable range of beers, food the Vintage Inn (despite it isn't one) type stodge appreciated by the punters attending the above. Nice to sit outside in the summer for the views but it is a very exposed spot in winter, you can get blown away just walking from the car.
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As already noted, the setting is superb. Whilst I agree that the food is expensive, it was pretty decent on the day I visited. Fast service and plenty of bodies behind the bar. There was a live band playing in the beer garden. No need to drive there - I went by bicycle!!
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Situated out on the Surrey Countryside, this has a very beautiful location. However, that is mostly what it has going for it - The menu makes a big thing of it's fish, and the prices are not cheap, but the quality is poor - I had a pate starter that was like wallpaper paste and a cod and chips which I have had better in a Wetherspoons (it was the thinnest Cod I have tasted)
Therefore, as a pub to pop into in the summer to enjoy the scenary I recommend, but not for much else. It's location miles out of the way also means someone would have to drive so you can't really have a proper session there either.
TheGP - 29 Mar 2005 10:05 |
