please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
JoWard25 DID mean the Red Lion at Kilmington, a mile or so away. The Spread Eagle IS better than it was, but still not a patch on the Lion (which is not so full of National Trust day-trippers).
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Not sure I understand the previous reviewer who said that this was "more interesting than the near by Trust owned Spread Eagle" - as this IS the Spread Eagle, did JoWard25 mean to review a different pub? Anyway, they offered 2 ales from the Wessex Brewery and their Kilmington Ale was a good pint. Ashton Press was a nice change on the cider front. Very busy with National Trust visitors (us included).
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Been recently taken over by a new regime who used to keep the Dolphin in Gillingham and in conjunction with the owners The National Trust, have spruced the place up a bit and undertaken some pretty serious repair. A new and interesting menu has appeared and the range of ale and cider is said to expand beyond the Butcombe and Cheddar Valley monopoly. Really friendly and talkative couple who let myself and a friend in for a drink, about half an hour after they shut the pub for the afternoon! Great for a drink or some food and infinity more interesting than the near by Trust owned Spread Eagle, which is perennially infested with geriatric diners.
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Re-visited last week. Whilst family roamed around garden had a quick pint - �3.45 for a 3.9% session beer! This is too much! Price list tucked in alcove behind crisp display. Felt a wee bit disgruntled, get the impression most people eat and pay bill at the end. Perfect opportunity to hike price of drinks without customers realising. As a consequence have given lower score.
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Contrary to earlier posters, I found both the beer and food here excellent. The pub was very crowded when I visited, but the staff were very attentive and helpful.
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This used to be a good old local but is now very foody. On a recent visit I felt uncomfortable just supping a pint at the bar. Incedentally their claim to fame is that David Niven scratched his name on the window to the left of the door (He was stationed nearby during the war).....Do hope hasn't been restored away!!
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National Trust captive attendees. Rubbish service from low cost emplyees.
Poor service and poor food all round.
Go to Kilmington instead and visit a good pub.
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Just had a very pleasant lunch there. My missus who is v fussy declared that the fish pie was excellent. There were four cask ales on offer - I sampled 3, all very good ! Prices for food were a little above average and being an NT place it will be very busy at peak times. All that said it wasn't half bad and better than many.
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This pub had very good ale which included an excellent offering from the local Micro Wessex Brewery. Good stuff.
But the restaurant meal was terrible, unheated room, poor food, non-caring staff and top price. Best give the food a wide berth. However, as somebody else has mentioned, the Red Lion at Kilimngton is not far away and serves exellent ale and food (lunch) - so best go there.
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It's an all right place to visit after a trip round the garden, but the Red Lion at Kilmington (a mile down the road) is better. I took relatives there for lunch not long ago (she's a veggie). The "vegetable and potato pie" came with a strip of bacon on top. Waitress said, "well, you can just take it off". Not the most diplomatic of replies.
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This pub is owned by the National Trust and, I presume, let to a tenant.
We went there for lunch before tackling the gardens and a walk to the nearby King Alfred's Tower.
The open steak sandwich, washed down with a pint of Butcombe bitter, set me up for an afternoon walking.
Good value in pleasant suroundings. It does however get crowded on popular visiting days!
anonymous - 9 May 2007 10:15 |
Is this the little pub at Stourhead 'NT' gardens? If so, excellent little find, well done!! Lovely garden.
Great little place to unwind after a serious walk around the marvellous country gardens. (Cream tea for Mrs TJ, and a nice cold lager for TJ)! A must, if you're down Wiltshire way!
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Excellent food - at first I thought it was a bit pricey but by the end of the meal I decided it was well worth it. Excellent wine selection and good choice of beers. Also Ashton Press cider which is delicious.
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