please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Quite a decent place, with excellent views of the Arun valley (which was deeply flooded last week). It's a little off the beaten track (a way to avoid the horror of having to take the A27 through Worthing), but I feel it is worth the detour. Ringwood beer, fairly well-kept. Reasonably good food, with decent chips. This is much better than many of the places nearby. 7/10
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Just had lunch there today - a glorious spring day, and the sun came out which encouraged us to eat and drink on the terrace outside! So what can I say - great welcome, nice food, nice pint, can't wait to go back! Walkers welcome.
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Third visit to this pub. The pub is cosy, clean and welcoming and the selection of beers is good. The food is in the average price bracket for pubs and has a good selection of fish, meat and veggie options. The food was well presented, good size portions and speedily served. If I had to be picky it was being somewhat rushed to make a choice from the menu and being asked twice during the meal if everything was OK. I prefer to be left while eating and complain if I feel I need to. These points aside I shall return again, can't wait for the cold weather as this pub will be really cosy during the winter.
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My wife and I visited on Monday, all of the staff were friendly and helpful and the beer was far too good (I was driving and half a pint is just not enough!). The food was generally good with a wide choice on the menu, but we found the puddings disapointing. The Chocolate and Strawberry Mousse had an overpowering chocolate taste (not flavour) it did not include any strawberry flavor and was almost chewy! I was expecting a light melt in the mouth experience. The poached pear stuffed with coconut ice cream was equally disappointing and needed a knife to cut through it. The ice cream inside was about a teaspoons worth. the "sauce" on the plate appeared to be cocoa powder mixed in water with no substance or flavour.
I will continue to visit this excellent pub, but I won't be ordering any puddings!
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Stopped off for a pint after a hard day's geocaching (hiking). Well kept and charismatic with a splendid view of the wildbrooks. Bar staff very friendly. Beer well-kept and tasty unusual choices. Offered a choice of wines by the glass.
Can't believe I haven't stopped off before. Menu looked good. We'll be back.
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Stopped for a quick pint here on St George's Day, appropriately enough. Cannot comment on the food, but not a bad pit stop off the South Downs Way/Monarch's Way to top up on fluids.
Reasonable choice of 3 bitters. Ringwood was in fettle.
An odd photograph on the mantlepiece above the fire of an elephant outside the pub - with no explanation given.
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The sign outside tells us "the Duck is back!" Inside friendliness abounds, good Harveys ales, and a sound dinner menu of choice of 4 starters, mains and desserts. All served with a smile, and very tasty. Would come again
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Having read some of the previous reviews on the George and Dragon I was hesitant to take my girlfriend there for an evennig meal and a couple of drinks. However, driving upto the pub and seeing the incredible setting and the views from the garden we thought it was only fair to give it a try especially to be able to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and the peace and tranquility from the gardens. From the moment we opened the front door too closing it behind us every part of the experience was overwhelming. To be greeted by such friendly and well presented staff with a smile from ear to ear was very welcoming. Drinks came first with a great choice of bitters and lagers available I was torn between which to go for. I opted for the Ringswood which was perfectly chilled and tasted superb. My girlfriend chose a glass of the house white which from memory was a Pinot, again very nice. Enjoying the family run atmosphere of the pub made us feel comfortable to have a walk around the garden and enjoy our drinks with a picture perfect backdrop. The choice of meals on the menu were extensive and the hardest thing about the menu was what to have? Lamb rump? Rib-Eye steak or a fish choice...?I opted for Lamb in the end and my g/f the Fish. I can't compliment the chef enough for the food that was placed before us, presentation, taste, flavors combined with the atmospehere, character of the buliding and the professional, friendly staff made the dining experience truely memorable and 'would I go back?' If I can get a table then i'll be back there in no time at all. Having spoken to the owners and the waiting staff who appear to all know each other, work very well together and aren't afraid of hard work; but at the same time enjoy talking to their customers, it seems the outside and rightfully so will be a big feature as summer approaches. Ive been told to keep an eye out for weekend BBQ's and other events taking place.
So, overall I could go on for pages in a finer detail but the above is a very honest review of the George and Dragon in Houghton.
If you know it and have doubts from reading previous reviews then ignore them, pop down and give them a go as you won't be dissapointed.
Thanks Guys and Girls.
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Under new management!! Just popped in for a light lunch & pint, Both exceptional as are the couple running the establishment. As you all know the pub/views etc are fantastic but now it seems the management and kitchen are up to scratch too. Highly reccommended and i would book too as i can see this place becoming very busy this summer! Marstons have the beer tie but tried both on offer and they were very palatable as was the steak sandwich!
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Not having been since last year we were suprised to find the car park half empty on Mothering Sunday. We soon found out why. Only 1 real ale on tap, and 1 cider, the only food was a choice of 2 roasts. What a come down from the abundance of choice we expected. Food was overcooked and no condiments were offered or puddings. We had the last bottle of cabernet, good job we didn't want another. We came to the conclusion that they we strapped for cash as stock was so run down.
I have since seen on this site that they were recently taken over. I hope it gets taken over again by better managers as the building, views and garden are exceptional.
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I have joined this site just so i can post my review on todays lunch at the George and Dragon. After enjoying decent food and service a year or so ago i thought i woud tke my family for lunch today.
We ordered mixed grill 14.95, scampi and chips 7.95, and gammon steak and chips 9.95. The gammon came with pineappe and i asked for an egg instead, the bar man told me, we cant do egg. I said ok , instead of peas can my daughtr please have bakes beans (i had seen them listed on the childrens menu as an option instead of peas) I was told they cant do beans with it.
The mixed grill came out and there was just meat and a few chips. Nothing else. The steak wasnt cooked to my husbands liking and there was no grilled tomato as listed on the menu. I asked for the tomato and it arrived 10 minutes later when he had finishd his dinner. We also asked for a high chair and tomoto sauce both were not 'remembered' and ourt 18 month year old sat on our laps. We also ordered a portion of garlic bread which was burnt and when we asked if it could be changed the barman made us feel like we nothing but hassle. I cannot believe we paid the bill. I will never go there again. Maybe if they had more staff the chap behind the bar wouldnt be expected to be serving food taking orders and running the bar.
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Had a wonderful sunday roast at this gorgeous country pub. Excellent homemade food with an exceptionally friendly service. I understand from speaking to staff that the pub was placed under new management two weeks ago, and considering this, and the high level of customers at the time of our visit, I would highly recommend experiencing this pub for yourselves. I was also impressed with the varity of special deals for evening diners and will be returning to the George and Dragon to experience them for myself.
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This pub used to be fantastic but since changing hands its not. No choice on the menu. Its roast or roast. We did not even get offered desert. Staff did not know what they were doing. The xmas decs left you feeling depressed. The unlit fire was being used as a rubbish bin. Being called mate by the barboy was insulting. I have written to them to express my disgust. Dont go there.
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Well a fortnight in publand seems to be a long time. Returned to the G&D expecting to find the new manager settled in and heard she had left for reasons unmentioned.
shame as she really seemed to be making a difference.
Food was wonderful and apeared to be cooked from fresh.
Lets hope the barman who looked about 14 can learn to smile and stop calling everyone "Mate"
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Lovely little country pub with brilliant views over the downs. The rear terrace would be the ideal place to spend a summer evening. Can't comment on the beer as I was driving and was on the OJ. The food, however, was very good - not gastro but excellent pub fayre with all the old favorites well prepared and served. Will most definitely come back.
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Seems the George and Dragon has new management. A really nice Australian lady is running the place. She seems to be having a few hicups but I am confident that this once great pub is well on it's way to becoming a firm favourite destination once again.
When I visited recently they were still finding thier feet but were so friendly and polite that any minuses were easily forgiven.
I will definitley give it a week or two and look foreward to returning.
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Good News - Fab new owners. Really lovely friendy Landlady called Suzanne and a young globe trotting Australian chef with heaps of experience called Rachel are now running this charming Pub. New menu. Open all day from 12 noon. They were a delight to meet after as one previous reviewer called him "Basil Fawlty". Only been in situ 2 weeks but already making a difference.
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It was interesting to read other recent reviews of this pub, as it now appears to be run by Basil Fawtly. We went there earlier today with some friends and were very disappointed with the welcome. We arrived at noon and found the pub was not yet open. We waited for 5 minutes because there were people inside and eventually a grumpy looking man came to unlock the door to let one of his staff out. When we tried to enter we were told "we don't open until 12". Which was odd because it was already 12.05.
He then stood behind the door to stop us entering. We looked at each other and decided to go elsewhere. When I told him we were going, he said "Good".
What kind of pub turns away 5 customers? Some of the hand written and misspelled signs gave warning of an unfriendly welcome: plastic glasses because of "brakages"; walkers being threatened if they left their cars in the car park withe consequences underlined three times, etc. Like one of your other correspondents we went down the road to the Bridge Inn in Amberley which was as good as the G&D is bad!
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The beer on tap was instantly forgettable, and they make you drink from a plastic glass if you're sitting outside. I would expect this at a rowdy town bar or a festival, but not a country pub.
I particularly liked the big notice by the bar stating that if you move tables they'll still serve your food to the original table. How hospitable. I won't be rushing back.
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fab food and garden
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I have visited this pub many times over the psst 35 years. I think it is a great shame that the menu which sounds good (and some of the food was nice when we visited in October 2007) is so inflexible. We had previously stopped for a drink a couple of times and thought the pub was quiet because of the smoking ban. Driving past quite regularly we see that it is nearly always very quiet in the evenings. All the atmosphere has gone. If the landlord gets to read this please think about what has made it a success in the past - food, service and a welcoming atmosphere. We would come back if we got this and we really don't want to see another pub sold for housing! Feb 2007
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The George & Dragon had been a favourite pub with occasional visits over many years (15+). We have particularly enjoyed the garden with its views over the countryside - and enjoyed meals in the garden. The pub was always fairly busy, even for mid-week lunches when they did a discount on specials for over-50s.
We visited about a month ago on a mid-week lunchtime and were surprised how quiet it was - lots of space in the car-park and inside.
When we looked at the menu, we found that there is a full menu for eating inside, but only a restricted menu for eating in the garden - cold bar snacks or a very few hot dishes. We were told that for "'elf and safety reasons" meals outside had to be served on paper plates and most hot meals were not suitable for that!! (I note the similar comment by andley1972 about beer in plastic glasses.)
Apart from preferring 'proper' plates and glasses, the use of disposable 'crockery' etc. is not environmentally friendly!
The bar-girl was also somewhat off-hand and not friendly (and, from PeterKJ49's comments, this was not an isolated incident). It was obvious that the pub had changed hands (which was subsequently confirmed to us by someone else).
So we went to The Bridge Inn down at the bottom of the hill - by the bridge! - and had an enjoyable meal there.
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I and a group of friends have been using this site for the last 6 years to select pubs in Surrey, Sussex and Kent to visit about once a fortnight. We usually arrive at 10 on a Saturday morning , go for a 4 or 5 mile stroll, and return to the pub for lunch. We invariably ask permission to park in the pub's car park. We have always hitheto been welcomed and have never previously been refused. That record changed on 28 August when we visited the George and Dragon. When I approached the pub to seek permission to park, a chap on the verandah of the pub simply shouted at me that we couldn't leave one car in the car park. I explained that we intended to return for lunch but he insisted that we move on. We did so without further discussion. We started our stroll a few miles down the road, found a superb pub (The Crown at Cootham) where we enjoyed a spelendid lunch - their bread and butter pudding is to die for - and had an enjoyable day. So we were grateful that the unfriendly welcome at the George and Dragon helped us find an excellent alternative that we would otherwise have completely overlooked. We shall certainly return to The Crown, but never again to the George and Dragon.
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Been here quite a few times after walking on the downs, Nice beer garden with lovely views,Good food and nice beer. What more do you want? Try it.
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Lovely pub with a very nice beer garden that looks across the Sussex countryside. Real ale was well kept (very nice pint of Jennings Cumberland). My only gripe is that if you're drinking/eating in the garden everything is served in/on plastic, and to me beer doesn't quite taste the same in a plastic glass. Don't let this put you off,its a lovely place.
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Jazz night will NOT now be taking place!!!!
anonymous - 24 Jan 2007 10:12 |
Went here for a large family meal just before Christmas (13 of us, including three children). Excellent meals all round at reasonable prices, very friendly and efficient service and good real ales for the beer drinkers in our party. The pub was lovely and welcoming with real log fires, and the restaurant area was very cosy. We'll definitely be back.
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Rumoured to be having a jazz night, monthly from Tuesday Feb. 6th., 2007.
Harry Strutter's Hot Four to be performing.
anonymous - 20 Dec 2006 10:21 |
Was a good pub a few years ago with very good food and was popular with the locals and with people from further afield. Recently suffered with poor management who managed to drive away the regulars and the food went downhill. Now under new management which although haven't been recently it has improved a lot and the car park is now generally overflowing at weekends, which is a good sign.
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