please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Still maintaining ten real ales and three ciders. The ones I had were in good condition.
Pilgrim's Progress, Raw's Grey Ghost IPA, M' Oak Mauldon Gold, Oakham Citra, Sharp's Sea Fury, Tring Bring me Sunshine, Side Pocket, Dark Star APA and two unnecessary ones, Adnams Bitter and Doom Bar. Prices vary; 4% abv £3.60, 5.9% abv £5.
Limited choice of food but was okay.
Located slightly out the way so might visit again later in the year.
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As its been a while since last review, heres a new one. With ref to blue_scrumpy, it wasn't you, the bar staff are specially trained to be miserable under all circumstances. At no time will there be a please/thank you either.
The food is generally good, (Or has been) the beer is generally excellent and this goes for my visit last week, it was top notch.
However the week previous to my visit a few friends visited and had several pints and a meal. Without exception the beer was good. The meals ranged from good to inedible. The majority being poor at best. There was no word of apology or reason why this massive screw up happened, just an offer of 30% discount. The inedible meal was not paid for as it was er... not eaten. These friends posted reviews on Trip Advisor and it seems they were not alone in experiencing this pathetic service. (Pie crusts which were then sold on as paving slabs, chips sold to B&Q as clout nails, fried eggs - or were they a large puddle of snot? etc etc).
When I have had food there before it has always been good, very good, so why this happened is a mystery, there is no excuse either. They have a restaurant and marketed as such...
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Took the none too regular bus from Stevenage to old Knebworth and managed to find the Lytton Arms, despite the eastern European bus driver not having a clue what we were talking about. Situated opposite the Knebworth Estate, the pub is set in a nice and quiet rural area. Most customers seemed to be local, with a few couples arriving to dine. 10 ales, 3 ciders and a perry were on offer - Adnams Bitter, Sharps Doom Bar, Dark Star Hophead & A Pale Ale, Mighty Oak Oscar Wilde, Maldon Gold & English Oak, Tring Side Pocket For A Toad & Death or Glory & Westons Old Rosie, 1st Quality, Rosies Pig & Country Perry. With the bus times, we had little choice but to spend almost 2 hours in here. But it was time well spent, with this drinks range. Not sure whether it was us, but the bar staff seemed a bit sullen. They could seemingly only raise a smile for the locals sat at the bar. Other than that though, we all enjoyed our visit to this country pub and were glad we'd made the trip from Stevenage.
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Visited late June 2012. Good selection of real ales. Cellar management could do with some improvement. 4 ales tasted with 2 average at best. Strong germanic lagers available. Bar staff focus poor - waited 3 to 4 minutes with no acknowledgement although once served the repeat rounds being ordered were not a problem. The pub appears to want to be a gastropub with real ale and wet led the add on. Food area/restaurant was very busy. Wine list appropriate for the food and the food was absolutely fine but brakes brothers format (or seemed to be). The pub has good parking and garden area and is itself an interesting building.
Just didn't get that sense of warmth from it but would recommend it if you fancy a bite to eat or a real ale or two. Could be a great pub with focused strong pub management and customer care as in a great location and a 'get away' destination.
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Went there this weekend and had dinner. Of the 3 pints I had, the 2 Dark Star beers were excellent but the Thwaites Lancaster Bomber was very poor. Food was reasonable, bar staff not welcoming - politeness costs nothing! Good music box on the wall.
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Plenty of ales on but this isn't the beer destination it once was. Had a pint of Woodforde's Wherry which was not any great shakes. Okay if you're there or roundabouts.
anonymous - 16 May 2011 00:15 |
A great pub, I wish all pubs were like this.
Good selection of Ales/Ciders/Lagers, cannot fault what they do with the drinks. The quality is high and the range is fantastic.
Have started eating here recently, the food is of high quality and although slightly more expensive than a standard chain pub but you can see the better quality of presentation and ingredients. The steak I has was perfect the kids fish was of top quality.
The beer festivals are good fun and well run/managed.
Like a few pubs in out of the way areas the bar counter is full of locals sitting and chewing the fat which is fine but for a non local its a bit intimidating ordering 3 feet away and over people who sitting there, they do not mind. What you can do it go to the small section of bar to the right which is normally empty.
Well worth a visit, very good.
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A GOOD PUB WITH GOOD BEER WHICH WAS BUSY THE NIGHT I WENT IN(PROBABLY DUE TO RAMSTEIN PLAYING AT KNEBWORTH PARK ACROSS THE WAY )
ITS A LOT LESS BUSY AT OTHER TIMES AND WELL WORTH A VISIT FOR ITS EIGHT DRAFT REAL ALES.
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Good range of beers, had a very enjoyable evening here.
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The Lytton is definitely on an improving trajectory. The food service can be a bit slow, particularly at lunchtime when you may have limited time, and the music is probably not to everyone's taste but the beers are kept in great condition and there is a very good range of cask ales including Wherry, Doom Bar and Adnam's Bitter. The food itself is OK, with utterly enormous portions.
The staff are friendly and efficient and the locals are welcoming and witty. There is a lot of outdoor seating, in the beer garden at the back, at the front, and to the side of the car park. The location is excellent, especially in the summer when you can look out onto Knebworth park. There is a footpath from New Knebworth, which means that you don't have to walk (much) along the road. Turn left off Park Lane just after the bridge over the A1(M).
A million miles better than the execrable Station Pub.
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It still seems ok here. The beer seems spot on, the pub seems ok inside and out. My only gripe is music being played outside from the speaker. Please it is much nicer to hear the birds sing, cars come past and peoples chatter. The landlord? I think seems to be the most miserable git i've ever seen. The girl behind the bar was lovely though.
NeilA - 17 May 2010 20:02 |
good to see that they are using proper glasses for their beer festivals again rather than the bendy disposables favoured by the previous landlord
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I have just had the most extraordinary time at this pub. I was sitting outside with my companion, who was smoking a cigarette in the designated are, when the owner (or at least someone claiming to be the owner) came out and starting remonstrating with us over the fact that the patio heater was on. The patio heater had been turned on by the barman.
The ownder roundly abused us for a quite a few minutes demanding that we do not turn the heater on again. The reiteration of the fact that we didn't turn them on in the first place bought only more abuse.
The initial experience of the pub had been fairly pleasant. I'm told that the lager was okay although the diet Pepsi that I had seemed fairly waterery.
I shall certainly be going elsewhere in future and I can only recommend that others do the same. A very unpleasant experience.
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Great range of beers and friendly service.
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Great range of ales, most of which where �2.85 or over. Service seemed disinterested. Food was edible, although one of our party's salads was quite small portions.
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Had the misfortune of going to the Lytton arms yesterday. The pub is in a lovely location, the interior is charming and the range of beers and ciders is impressive. However, we found the staff to be rude and unhelpful. I ordered a pint of dry cider which was flat and very bitter with a horrible chemical aftertaste - I returned it to the bar , where I initially was offered an alternative drink, however another member of staff returned with the original pint, I was told that there was "nothing wrong with it" and it was handed straight back to me in a brusque and rude manner. We will not be going back, it seems that lack of competition has allowed the Lytton Arms to indulge itself, perhaps they don't need the custom!
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Good beer choice as was a beer festival when we were there. Staff were friendly enough & the service was fine. But, the food was nothing special and very overpriced. Would return for a drink but wouldn't eat there again.
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Over priced small portions and unfriendly staff
munro - 28 May 2008 20:58 |
Very disappointed. Meal wasn't up to scratch. Staff totally disinterested in sorting out problem
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Trading on previously good reputation. Sunday Lunch the other week was pretty goddamn awful.
Shame really. Won't be going back...
anonymous - 10 May 2007 22:33 |
OMG (Oh My God) price rise!
Ok, I havn't been there for a while but it's now �2.60 to �2.85 for a pint of ale! I am happy to pay �2.50 because you can get 4 pints for a tenner but that's so much now. Don't get me wrong though the pub is still the best and staff great. The beer is on top form and food still, great.
I still can't believe people go up to the bar, look at 10 real ales and ask for a pint of fosters/carlsberg.... sooo lame.
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Great pub, Great staff, Great Beer.
Some right characters in there :)
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Still up to sctatch, 9 real ales on, one missing but that's no big deal. They also have 3 ciders on too. Nie people in there, average age about 30 so no shite in there. Staff good although bar service was a bit slow for while but then picked up.
Ales are on top form and most at �2 a pint was a suprise. Last time I went, quite a while ago everything was about �2.50 a pint.
My best local pub ever and I'm so glad :)
NeilA - 14 Oct 2006 00:17 |
I have been visting this pub on and off now for a few years, and totally disagree with the comments putting this pub and its staff down. i like to take you back to the times when the so called "character landlord " ran the place, the place was run down,cramped and the landlord was sruffy and most of the time rude to the people who spent money in his pub,yes the beer was good but so it should be after all the years that he ran the place.
The new landlord and lady took over, and listened to the regulars,and kept the pub as a real ale pub.
I bet people would have moaned if it had changed into a topgas pub.(mmmmm Worthingtons cream flow )
The place needed an overhaul, and its not going to please everybody's taste, but its cleaner and tidy than it ever was .
Ive never found any of the now uniformed staff rude and on the odd occassion when the beer has been cloudy they are more than pleased to change it with no problem at all.
The main menu changes regularly and have NEVER had a bad meal hear and the Ham Hock was Awesome and great value for money.
10 out of 10 for the beer festivals a great deal of time and effort has been put into putting these on ,with free entertainment.(Packed every night so far)
To the people who when they have a complaint don't speak to the landlord or landlady and deal with it there and then,and can only complain on a computer screen,please go and have a pint of Worthingtons cream flow else where,if its good beer that you want you know where to come .
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I have been to The Lytton Arms on numerous occasions and have always had the most beautiful food. The staff are always more than helpful and very friendly. It is excellent value for money and is in the most beautiful location (especially in the Summer). I will be spending part of my Easter Break here at the Beer Festival which is always very well organised with lots of ale on offer. The entertainment is also top quality and FREE. I give this pub ten out of ten.
anonymous - 12 Apr 2006 17:13 |
I have been to this pub several times this year and have always found the staff really friendly, the beer is great and they have a wide selection, if you can't make your mind up the staff are always willing to let you have a taster. I have also eaten there on a couple of occasions and recently had a ham hock which was great value for money, huge portions and the service was fast and friendly and all for under a tenner!!! I shall certainly be attending the beer festival this Easter as I thoroughly enjoyed myself last time, great beer, good food and free entertainment too. What more could you ask for.
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This pub has definitely gone down hill in terms of service and value. The food use to be good, but it looks like they�ve changed chef and up the prices. If you�re not a local, expect bar staff to serve their friends before you. I waited almost 30 minutes, whilst the barmaid served the locals, then disappeared without a word for a fag. On return she server her friends. When I said I was obviously next, the response was �Am I bothered?� � very funny. A cheese sandwich cost me � 4.95 and was nothing special. Also they advertise a children�s play area � this doesn�t exists anymore. Not family friendly, not for those that aren�t regulars. Oh and their �bear festival� is incredibly cramped � expect to jossle, expect to wait a long, long time for your overpriced bear.
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I just ate with friends at the Lytton for the first time since Steve left and it was excellent food, good value and superb beer.
As a long-time drinker here I don't like some of the changes (but who ever does) but the beer is good and it's still a good place to visit.
anonymous - 8 Apr 2006 00:10 |
What a shame. Used to be a first rate pub with an amusing well respected landlord and a good bar manager that new his ales and how to keep them. Walls that once where adorned with local history are now replaced with chinzy pictures and the mock mantelpiece over the original brick fireplace is a travisty. I used to love this pub but along with the refit they ripped out the heart as well. Staff who really don't care and hold no knowledge of the wares they sell will eventually serve you. The views are still magnificent but this pub has changed beyond all recognition. What a shame!
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Took the wife there for lunch last Sunday and I must say that I can't agree with some of the previous comments.
The food was excellent, the service fast, and the staff were very polite and attentive.
I'm only a real-ale amateur but the two pints I tried tasted very good and were a reasonable price.
I would fully recommend it.
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This pub is definately worth a visit if you are passing. A nice view over the field of Knebworth if you sit out the front and you can watch people drive their cars past.
The pub inside is not as old looking as it used to be. They have a ig TV in there now (booo). They still however retain their 10 real ale handles always having 10 ales on. The have boards up on the walls describing their ales which is good.
The staff are ok, I've met nicer staff but also met much worse. Beer in the pub is excellent quality. I advise half pints of each if you want to do them all in one night, like I normally do!
Food is served, tey have a tiny restaurant section on the end of the bar. The quality of food is reasonable but I have not been for a while so can't really comment. Last visit I had a warm bree and cranberry sandwich in thinck cut bread with salad and crisps yummmmmmm, the bree dripped where it was melting :)
My last visit was to the beer festival which is held out the back in a big tent. There is also seating and a BBQ. I believe these festival are held a few times a year. I have to say I was very impressed.
At the festival they have abount 50 real ales all in barrells, poured from the barrell. They also provided lists to tick off what you drank etc. Out by the tent they had live entertainment. They had a two piece band, a guitarist and a double bass player. I was very impressed with the double bass player as I've never seen one of those played before.
Overall a wonderful pub.
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I agree with the other comments. The beer is still a good selection and the location is still great, but this is let down by the staff having little real ale knowledge and the prices being through the roof! I'm still persevering only really because there aren't that many others around with the same level of choice. The beer festivals still a winner though.
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Well, what can i say about this place. It used to be great, used to pop down here of a lunch once in a while but not any more. The food is ok it's just the staff there, they are so rude!
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What has happened!!! Went to this pub 2-3 years ago, had a good meal and enjoyed some excellent real ales. Went there last week and it's all gone wrong. Still lots of real ale, but most of it was past its best, food was average, staff don't have a clue and have attitude.
Steve Reynolds - 19 Nov 2004 00:50 |
Since this pub was taken over it's just gone downhill. Food is basic and overpriced. The Ales are not kept properly, nothing worse than cloudy ale, the staff are inexperienced. I have tried to perservere but its just not happening. A real shame.
Mick - 22 Oct 2004 10:08 |
!00% great best pub nearest to me!! Always got 10 ales on the pumps. Good staff too.
Neil Appleby - 14 Nov 2003 22:43 |
A fantastic stopping off point for Knebworths concerts, sitting outside the pub as the Darkness kicked off the Robbie concerts in the background was superb.
David Roe - 4 Nov 2003 14:15 |
Great pub.
TEO - 25 Oct 2003 22:41 |
An absolute haven of a hostelry in Old Knebworth, keeping up to eight imaginatively chosen real ales in excellent condition. Hoegaarden and Leffe Blond are available on tap here. Interesting flavoured crisps on sale at the bar. Very friendly staff and locals engage you in conversation, and evidence was seen of food at some point in the day but I didn't get the chance try it during my visit last night. This is a MUST if you are in the area - you will not be disappointed. There's a white upright piano in the lounge bar, and the rest of the pub is semi-partitioned into three distinct drinking areas plus a conservatory and sizeable beer garden, so you can take the kids in the summer.
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