please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A traditional, stone-built country pub, this appears to have been extended and modernised in recent years and may perhaps have lost some of it’s character, but it is nonetheless still a very pleasant pub and still retains plenty of traditional features.
It consists of a number of rooms which were probably entirely separate at one time but it has now been opened up so that one flows in to the other. There are large flagstones on the floor throughout whilst the walls are a mixture of exposed stone work and plaster. In the large room at the front these have been painted in contrasting shades of maroon and cream. A number of old local photographs were on the wall and there was also a piano and an old stone fire-place. One of the ceiling beams had a carved rose on it in a nod to the pub’s name. A smaller room behind this had a trophy cabinet, a few logs smouldering away in the fire-place and the two old sofas in front of it were a popular spot.
A smaller room off to one side housed a darts board, yet another fire-place with a wood burning stove and a very large beer barrel, perhaps offering somewhere to rest your pint. Hops were strung around the bar counter and at the rear was a more modern extension that was perhaps more geared up for dining. We didn’t investigate this, but from a quick glance it looked to be slightly more contemporary with large glass doors at the back and a laminate wood floor.
Beers on tap were Bays Topsail from Torbay, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Otter Ale and Sharp’s Own which makes a change from the omnipresent Doom Bar. Ciders were also well represented with Ashton Press, Reveller and Maverick from Orchard Pig and something that the board up above the bar described as “Farmhouse Cider (strength varies)” !
|
Another visit to Rose & Portcullis almost 2 years since the last. Busy friday evening and the place is heaving. Absolutely rammed with cross section of eaters, drinkers, families and others. Garden benches all full up with people drinking. Five real ales on offer - they've had over 200 different beers since they opened in october 2011. Well worth a visit.
|
Getting better by the visit! Always a lively crowd early doors and always someone to chat to. Always 3 real ales and I've never had a bad pint yet!
|
Well, what a difference a few weeks makes - since my last visit in Feb, the place has changed completely - the beer's well kept, the staff smile and offer a very warm reception, and they've removed the carpets to reveal beautiful flag stones. Its also full of people from the local villages, such as mine in Baltonsborough, looking happy to have another great pub in their area. Happy days...
|
Now under the stewardship of Simon Donnelly (ex Halfway House). Bit of a work in progress at present, but I'm sure it will be good. Currently (November 2011) only open in the evening and no food. Give it a try!!
martyngs
|
Returned after an absence of more than 2 years. The place has been transformed! All the carpets stripped out, the horrible thatched 'beach bar' roof been removed and a fresh coat of paint applied to the walls. It has just been taken over by a chap who was involved with both the Halfway House at Pitney and The Red Lion at Babcary. At the time of writing he has been there for two weeks and had 10 different ales in that time. Definately on the up !
|
Arrived at this pub at midday and thought it was closed as it looked very dark inside. We had a lovely meal which would recommend but the service was not up to standard.
|
This is possibly the worst pub i've ever been into, unless you like your carvery in the main bar, rubbish carpets, miserable bar staff, terrible service and off beer, in which case you'll love it
|
"Good hearty roast dinners do not make a proper English pub." This pub demonstrates that the Pubco business model does not work. Very high rent, overworked landlord and family with little money to invest in amenities, trying to make ends meet. The place is scruffy, run down with appalling toilets. Very few local residents go there for these reasons; not the fault of the Landlord I must stress - all the fault of the Pubco that owns the place! In a rapidly diminishing pub market if this place gets no investment it is doomed. Sorry to sound so pessimistic, but look at The Greyhound in Charlton and the Old Castles in Keinton.
|
This is the best proper English country pub I've been to in a few years. Good quality and well kept ales and the food was excellent, a really good hearty roast dinner.
|
this is the best pub for miles around, far better than the greyhound or barton inn. the food is lovely as are the surroundings and staff. the carvery on a sunday is a must.
|
this pub is AMAZING. the carvery is splendiferous! and the service is first class.
i strongly recommend to visit this pub as the new owners are hot.. especially the barmaid jess. x
|
locals pub, not much good for real ales, large menu of typical pub grub (certainly not a gastro pub).
Supports all the local village teams.
anonymous - 24 Jul 2007 13:42 |
