please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
we were in town for the scarecrow festival so popped in as they had a beer festival on ,beers were very good and served by volunteers outside but the regular staff inside the pub seemed slow and easily confused by any request.
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Strange pub. Old worn-out settees in the main bar. I didn't try them - I don't think I would have got back up.
Slight smell of dog wafted across the room now and again, (might have had something to do with the resident 'Great Dane').
Beer from Tring; Brock Bitter and Yorkshire's Yorkshire Terrier.
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It is open once again.
If in the area, a visit to the Rose and Crown, in the adjacent hamlet of Trowley Bottom, is well recommended; it's one of those should-see-it-once places.
HERTFORDSHIRE - Trowley Bottom, Rose & Crown
East Anglian Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors
, Trowley Bottom, AL3 8DP
(Near Flamstead)
Tel: 01582 840564
Opening Hours: Mon to Fri 5.30 to 11; Sat, Sun 8.30 to 11
Draught Beer & Cider: Real Ales
Pub Food: No food
Listed Status: Grade II
A rural gem of a pub which time has passed-by. The sheer minuteness of this pub makes it a significant survival. There is a small public and a minuscule lounge � the door between them has been removed but the opening has not been enlarged. The copious veneered panelling; bar counter on the left; bar back shelves and the brick fireplace all look to date from the 1950s. Mrs Wilding is in her 80s and very frail so the pub is run by a band of locals / friends. As a result, it has rather limited opening hours, best to ring first to check.
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Currently closed for repairs following a fire I believe. It�s covered in scaffolding, half the roof is off and there�s a notice on the door advising that the site is unsafe to enter. There doesn�t appear to be much structural damage so hopefully they can get it open again soon.
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Is Scarecrow Festival the only time people come here ? The good point - there was a mini beer festival on... had a pint of Harveys that was nice even if it was in a plastic 'glass'. The bad - had some of the Paella that was supposedly cooking in a big pan outside... it was tepid and awful. Would expect better considering it was Scarecrow Festival and the turnover of food should be higher than normal. Doesn't bode well for anyone eating at less busy times.
anonymous - 22 Aug 2009 19:59 |
I was here during the Scarecrow Festival weekend so it was pretty busy and the staff were running around like headless chickens but it seems like a great place to drink during quieter moments.Archers IPA was on offer as well as a couple of Tring ales.
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The new owner seems like a bit of a tit. There are many many issues with trading standards which is a shame because the Spotted Dog has the ability to be a nice, warm and welcoming, atmospheric village pub.
The beer is good but it tastes like the lines haven't been cleaned for a long time and guest beers aren't always what they say they are.
The food can be good dependant on who is in the kitchen.. recommended if the punk guy is cooking.
If you want a nice meal, i recommend the Blackbirds... The chef has built up a good reputation.
We recommend you go to the Spotted if you love to have your ears filled with rubbish from the "Owner".. Don't believe anything he says.
Other staff are nice though.. Peter's a lovely chap. We miss the busty barmaids also.
anonymous - 20 Aug 2007 17:11 |
Good food and good beer BUT the service is woefully slow. Somewhat concerned by being served food by someone with a very dirty uncovered bandaged hand!!!
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Beers always good in here,with regular changes,and they have a good tuesday night curry and pint for �7.50. (indian restaurant standard too)I am not a local but they all seem very friendly in here even when I call them Inbreads from Flamstead.
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Changed hands AGAIN! Perhaps for good this time.. ?
Tring beers on sale.. Happy to say that the quality of the food and ale persists in the hands of the new owner.
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Recently changed hands. New decor, and no more leaking roof!
3 good real ales.
Adnams Broardside
Guest
Tring Brock Bitter
Superb food also, but not on a Monday night.
Bi-weekly pub Quiz (Mondays)
Happy to recommend
anonymous - 19 Aug 2006 14:36 |
Agree with last comment, nice decor, different atmosphere to the Blackbirds, seemed a bit cliquey.
anonymous - 30 May 2006 17:05 |
excellent kept beers,regularly changing,good food but bloody expensive.I think they think they can charge London prices in Flamstead!
anonymous - 20 Oct 2005 18:50 |
