Lark Rise, Wintonback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Fairly grotty corner establishment in Winton. Razor Back & Boon Doggle were the two Ringwood ales. But this pub is unappealing from the outside and is not much better when inside. It's large enough though. I would recommend staying in the Silverback opposite, a decent micropub.
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cannot agree enough on mr pines comments. My partner , children and i used to go to the pines as it used to be called to have a meal and occasionally watch the football, now it seems that children are not welcome and the impression is that you are a bad parent for bringing your kids in the place, which means you cannot relax and have a good time because you are forever wondering if they want you in there in the first place. The manager is a joke and one of the barmaids big blonde girl was extremeley rude to my husband and told my children to move away from the bar or you will all have to leave. I know a lot of locals that will never set foot and in the place again and i for one will be joining them. good luck!!!!
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Thank you for correcting my mistake.
I will in turn be writing to the comapny (MARSTONS) with my feelings, my posting here may just encourage others to do the same
With enough comments of a similar nature they may just listen to what the customers have to say.
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I imagine the previous entry was meant to be addressed to MARSTONS.
Would it not be better to go to their website, obtain their postal address, and write to the CEO? Just a thought, as I don't see the point of posting on here. It's unlikely to achieve anything.
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Dear Marsdens,
I would like to bring to your attention the complete failure of a manger you currently employ at the LarkRise.
The place has gone from being a regularly busy & freindly pub ( management , staff and locals) to a run down empty shell of what it was.
On three seperate occasions I've seen regulars arguing with the manager, his unproffessional dress sense (combat trousers) only matches his complete lack of customer skills.
'No Bar Seating' - Even older gents who have politely requested to sit, have been told to find a seat elsewhere with no consideration for age or disability.
'Child unfriendly' - No children allowed on the pool table, no children allowed to be in the vicinity of the large tv screen (even seated with supervising adults).
'Food' - Kitchen closed every evening before 6pm, waiting times and quality of food poor on both counts.
'Cleanliness' - Mens toilets are dirty & disgusting, no lighting, mirrors or toilet seats.
Manager - unsociable, untidy, and takes no interest in customer satisfaction.
The staff (or should I say lack of them) are generally helpful and polite, they do however seem to be under a bit of stress mainly attributed to unhappy customers complaining about one or more of the above points.
Pre 2012 the pub was consistantly busy every night of the week, particularly at weekends.
There was always a great atmosphere with management who were both respected and loved.
Excellent quality, freshly cooked food was always on the menu and with the traditional homecooked Sunday lunch the place had a loyal following.
A child friendly approach meant parents could come and watch live sports with their children and join in the excitement of watching on the big screen.
Staff were happy, customers were plenty and surely that makes for a successful business..
There are plenty of establishments in the local area for people to socialise and spend their hard earned money, many of them have decided the Lark Rise no longer deserves their custom.
I'm sad to see this pub fall to such a low standard and it's certainly not too late to make changes.
So please, do something soon before irreparable harm is done, once you loose customers they don't often come back.
Yours sincerely,
A loyal 'Pines' patron.
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What has happened to this pub ? I've walked in a few times over the past couple of weeks and quite honestly I don't know where everyone's gone. There must have only been 3 customers including myself on one occasion and maybe 5 or so on the other two visits.
I used to pop in fairly regularly as I enjoyed the banter with the friendly locals. One person I got chatting too told me the change in management had killed the place, and many have decided to boycott the pub until there is a change.
It really is a pity, the lark rise is one of the only pubs in the area to show sports, and there was always a good atmosphere.
Reading the previous 2 comments I have to agree with what has been written. With the no seating policy and myself being a senior gent, having to stand at the bar takes it toll on the old legs, I don't fancy sitting in a corner by myself and so won't be visting very often now. I do hope the brewery make some changes soon, such a shame to see it being run down like it is.
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I agree with shitler 100%. We were regulars at the pub but have found a more congenial location in Winton with 'at the bat seating'. All the Lark Rise needs now is saw dust on the floor to turn it into a 3rd rate railway pub. Shame on you Martsons
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Unfortunately the old manager no longer works at the lark rise, Bernard has moved on to better things (shame on you Marsdens). I suggest to anyone considering a visit to the lark rise to think again, if you're looking for a warm friendly atmosphere then look elswhere. The change in management has left the place desolate, with just a handful of locals keeping the lights on. No bar seating policy, no toilet seats, low quailty food (don't eat the burgers!!) are just a few things. The staff are as helpful as possible however the manager seems to have a habbit of loosing customers, I saw 6 walkout in one afternoon (I get the impression he's a bit of a tool).
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I had a slight sense of foreboding, having read earlier postings: but the pub has been renamed from The Pines, is now The Sky Lark; refurbished, with the standard light-coloured fittings & furniture, seating on different levels; staff prompt, polite and young. Only cask, unfortunately, Ringwood Best, but some people seem to like it... Great price - opening offer?
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I can never forgive Eldridge Pope for doing away with the famous old "Pines" to the pre-club bar (but there are no clubs!) that it became, about 10 years ago. After a few years pretending to be something it's not, it was refitted and ironically renamed the "Famous Old Pines"!
So now it's just a generic, rowdy, loud place which I'm afraid does nothing for me!
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Nasty pub. Rough locals, scum of winton drink here because theyre barred from everywhere else! Keeps the cops busy i guess!
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Just visited this pub recently and since I was last here its got new management well I hope in duecourse
they improve things somewhat.The regulars are hatchet faced and look like they have just come out of jail and also it appears tobe a regular haunt for the local constablary.So like what a prevous comment states THIS PUB STILL ROCKS!!!
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this pub is orrible do not go there! the bar staff were drunk, the locals were looked and acted like they had just escaped from prison and the police were called out to the pub twice in the 3 hours i was there.
if you value your life - do not drink there!
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This pub has made the news on various occasions, usually for all the wrong reasons. On 3 August 2007, for example, a 22-month old child was badly injured in a dog attack, while in 2004 a fight between two customers ended in a fatality.
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my local. not too bad, not too good. gets very loud and busy when the footballs on
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This pub rocks. Nuff said.
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