please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Recently reopened, possibly only for the summer. We went in here because they were queuing three deep at the Lock Inn opposite. It wasn't too inspired a choice. Wadworth IPA for £3.50 was average, 6X also on sale. No view of the canal either. Has poor recent reviews on other websites and little to commend it at present.
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£4.10 for a pint of Amstel... No wonder it's rarely busy
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Unlike some previous commentators, I have nothing to compare this pub's current performance to, as the first time I visited was only last Friday. I suppose I made up for lost time as I actually stepped in here twice; once for a quick refreshing pint having walked ahead of our boat on the adjacent Canal (tasty pint of Waddie's Horizon - 1 of 3 ales offered), and again as a last hurrah following an evening out on 'the town' (if Bradford qualifies - is it a large village?!). Our second visit was less-attractive, as despite the first having been at 4PM with hardly any other punters present, the promise of the evening's entertainment on a Friday was not realised.
Service was efficient. Ale was kept well. The pub itself boasted a variety of different seating/drinking/eating areas which potentially render it very amenable to a variety of different clientele, both local and those passing through by boat. However, late-doors, it was something of a damp squib, for the pack-jammed party atmospshere promised by the placards outside simply was not in evidence when we fetched up at 10:30PM. Okay, dance music and karaoke and so on are tawdry and I must say guilty pleasures, but for once we really had hoped they'd be offered, as a suitable fillip for our final pub visit on our boating holiday. But all we found was some quiet, civilised quaffing - fine normally but we couldn't help but agree a little reserved for a Fri eve. Maybe expectations need to be managed a little more realistically by the management?!
Anyway, hardly an exceptional, but nonetheless perfectly acceptable boozer which I'm sure holds plenty of allure for a versatile crowd. Just a shame we left the raucous but buzzing vibes of the nearby Three Horseshoes for it!
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This pub is on the up. From being a place to avoid it is now a good place to stop for a decent pint and good food. Still a little souless in the main bar but at least it's clean now. I'll call in again!
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New landlords that seems to have taken the decline in hand. seem to be graqdually refurbishing and have trown out the rough trade and the plaguie of the toy box! yippee. Great food and beer. Whwn the tourists have has their fill it reverts to a real local and fun to be had with open mic on tuesdays and kareoke on Fridays . well done guys for trying to do something with this place.
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Used to be a wonderful canalside beer house, now seems to be a youngsters kiddy parlour, absolute rubbish, dont bother. Some teeny twat was discussing with the bar staff how many fights he'd had over the New YEar.
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Used to be a wonderful canalside beer house, now seems to be a youngsters kiddy parlour, absolute rubbish, dont bother. Some teeny twat was discussing with the bar staff how many fights he'd had over the New YEar.
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When i asked did they have any other real ales apart from 6X & IPA the member of staff said oh, we've got newcastle brown in bottles....................
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It's like a kids play area this place
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Barmaid pleasant enough, pint of 6X was a bit tired though. Didn't bother with another pint as there was a couple in there with two small kids who were way too noisy for my liking and as it's advertised as family friendly I thought I'd leave them to it.
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Change has been for the better. Food now good, especially Sunday lunches. Beer OK and service friendly.
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Well its about to change hands again. Lets hope that this time that Wadworths are a bit more choosey about who they put in their pubs!
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I find the previous reviews inexplicable. The food is home cooked, with a decent choice for both veggies (me) and my wife - including her favourite "proper" pie. The 6X is good, the ambience is pleasant, and the landlord/landlady always welcome us. The quiz night (every other Thursday) is well-run, and they have retained a dartboard following the recent renovation. Prices are about average for the area.
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Occupying probably the most prime tourist locations in this town, I am amazed that Wadworths allow such a charming pub to serve such poor food at such prices. Sitting next to the Lock Inn, it will always struggle whilst the menu, pricing and welcome continue.
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Oh, and if you want to find the landlord you will find him outside - smoking and drinking pints as if they are on ration, wearing ripped jeans.
anonymous - 30 Sep 2007 16:41 |
I visited this place as I heard it had been done up- but just what they think they have done to it I'm not sure. Clearly shows a lack of exterteese and completely missing the market for a canal side tourist pub ...... unless you call shoving the beer prices sky high to rip off your tourist trade. A very scruffy, dirty and disappointing experience
anonymous - 30 Sep 2007 16:17 |
This place just goes from bad to worse - if you are planning a stop don't - go for a walk in to town or use one of the other placed near by.
anonymous - 16 Jun 2007 15:40 |
And �8.00 for faggots and peas!!!!!
anonymous - 9 May 2007 23:29 |
Just to show how expensive this place is a pint of 6X in the Canal Tavern is �2.75, but a comparable pint of Draft Bass in the Barge Inn just a short walk away is just �2.55. It soo adds up.
anonymous - 22 Apr 2007 10:14 |
Though I would give this place ago again to see if it had improved any as it was one of my favourite stops along the Kennet and Avon Canal. Sadly, it has not. It is still unwelcoming and the beer prices are very expensive. It seems to have very little local trade left and has set its prices to rip of the barge and torist trade. There are plent of other good pubs along the canal, suggest you try these.
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What strikes you most about this place is how expensive it is and it is quite tatty and little air. Not much of a welcome either. I am from the north and would be horrified if rudeness or not even getting the basic greeting when ordering was passed of as some sort of nothern humour.
anonymous - 18 Mar 2007 17:55 |
I found landlord and landlady both friendly, as i did all the staff. The service was good the meal was most enjoyable. The place was clean and the comments about the landlady was quite unjust she has a northern sense of humour, which me also being from the north find that people around here do not appreciate(mores the pity). I wish them the best of luck with their new place, please give them a chance.
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This pub has so much potential but the new owners simply don't know what to do with it. The "restaurant" that used to be a nice bar is rarely used now and the garden flowerless and scruffy. The front bar needs a complete makeover.
anonymous - 31 Dec 2006 16:31 |
This pub changed hands this summer and the new owners don't have much of a clue. It's a nice location and has a nice beer garden, but don't order a Guinness!
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