please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Now even more expensive at £4 per pint which makes me reluctant to return but it is very friendly and good for walkers on the Thames Path. Beers on were Brakspear Bitter brewed in Witney, Brakspear Trailblazer brewed in their micro-brewery in Henley, Ringwood Boondoggle and Fortyniner. I have to deduct a point for the pricing.
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Rather an old-fashioned pub with a dog-friendly bar and welcoming locals. As previously mentioned the bar is full of stuffed fish and animals, lots of humorous signs and a real live African Grey Parrot amusing everyone with its calls. The beer garden has a huge amount of tables which I imagine would be well-populated during Henley Regatta as the river is close by. Beers on last night were Brakspear Bitter, Special and Honey Bee and Ringwood Boondoggle, the first two being tried and definitely approved although the prices were above average even for the Henley area. Conversely the food prices were very reasonable with a good choice of honest pub grub although no food was being served at the time. All in all certainly worth another visit to compare at a busier time.
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This pub/hotel has a really nice location in a small hamlet near the River Thames. The main bar area has many stuffed animals and birds. The barman was friendly and helpful. 3 ales were on - Brakspear Bitter & Ringwood Forty Niner & Boon Doggle. At the rear, there is a dining area and beyond that a large pub garden with dozens of tables and an adjacent field for overflow car parking and another area with plenty of chickens, cockerels and geese. Very nice pub.
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Very pleasant country pub, just away from the River Thames. It has been surprisingly well extended since my last visit probably thirty years ago. We did not eat, but sat in the large beer garden enjoying the sunshine and the antics of the publican's pet turkey. I had Wychwood Brakspear bitter which was in good condition. We did not eat.
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On a circular walk from Henley we stopped for lunch at the Flower Pot.
We were the first to arrive at lunchtime but the pub soon started filling up. Lots of tables, mostly set out for food. Lots of stuffed fish in cases around the walls. The log fire was burning despite it being June - totally unneccessary.
Beers were Ringwood Bold Forester and Bitter, Brakspears Bitter and Jennings Sneck Lifter. We tried the first and last of these and they were fine, although unsurprisingly a little pricey.
Food options are listed on a specials board, a standard menu board and a light bites menu, so plenty of choice. My fellow walker had the curry which he found filling and perfectly satisfactory . I went for Lamb Shank which, although cooked, was not as hot in the middle as on the outside. Reheated in a microwave? It was also covered in a thick onion gravy, and I mean thick, which rather detracted from it as well for me. Food prices were actually reasonable and what I'd expect to pay in a pub.
There's not many pubs nearby so the Flower Pot is pretty much the only option if you're in the area. It was OK, but I wouldn't go too much further than that.
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Charming pub in excellent location close to the river. Front bar is very cosy � full of knick-knacks, pictures and so on. Very good menu, with lots of space in the garden if sunny. Highly recommended.
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I am not mad about saffron
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what a shame, looks like owners have lost interest. what a disappointment. shant bother again. 2/10
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this was a wonderfull pub to stumble upon on a long enjoyable dog walk through the area. good pub food, and good service :)
the inside is full of wonderfull hunting/fishing bric a brac.
feel i should mention that this pub is very dog friendly with water bowls ready and waiting for your dog when you turn up. always a good thing.
a lovely place to spend a sunny afternoon and watch the red kites circling above.
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A tricky one this, first impressions were very good, a real old fashioned country pub feel in the front bar, wooden floor, old benches with leather backs, a group of regulars chatting away at the bar, the fire was burning (although not really necessary yesterday). The walls are literally covered with large stuffed fish in glass cases, there is a bookshelf of reference material, and a dartboard in the corner, although how this could be safely used in such a small room is another question. To complete the picture a dog slept in a basket under the bench. Beers on were Brakspears Best and Oxford Gold, Hook Norton Hooky Dark, and Wychwood Bountiful. I went for the OG, which was a jaw dropping �3.40, and in very mediocre condition. On looking around most locals were not drinking real ale, so to serve four perhaps isn't a good idea?
Behind the front bar there is a larger room, set out rather clinically with rows of tables set for eating, this area has none of the rustic charm of the front room. Many have commented on the standard of the food but I did not try it so no judgement on that.
The large rear garden has nice views and also contains a beehive.
I'm still unsure about my overall opinion, the location is nice, the front bar is like something off The Archers, but the rear room was not in keeping and the beer was not great and over priced. As Quinno states "I really want to like this place...." but its just not quite right at the moment.
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Visited in 2007, walked along river from Hurley with family and thought we would have a meal. Man behind bar was not welcoming. Would only answer questions with one or two word replies. Food was of the frozen findus/birds eye supermarket variety. the kids pizza was a chicago town microwave pizza, the burger was large but tasted of cereal, the lasagne was definitley a frozen ready meal, and my Schezuan chicken was some sort of birds eye offering. Not a nice experience, will not return. Will agree that is in a nice location.
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Visited in October 2008. Nice enough beer but apart from all the stuffed wildlife etc. this pub lacks atmosphere. One bar looked nice and cosy but is tiny (and full when we arrived) and the other is like a classroom with tables in rows and packed close together. I suppose this is a popular spot on a sunny day... We didn't feel welcome and didn't stay long. This pub is in a fantastic location and maybe doesn't need to try very hard.
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Was back in again just before Christmas - it was rammed with diners but the ale was still pretty poor. Odd. If they can't shift the Hooky Dark, why sell it?
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This is a amazing pub with real character, really friendly bar staff and delicious fresh food.
With two bars and a large garden, there is plenty of space for customers to eat and enjoy the atmosphere. Lots of interesting decorations to view throughout all the rooms.
There is a huge choice of food including BBQ's in the summer, lots of fresh local fish and meat specials and an extensive bar menu.
The landlord happily mixes with the customers and is very knowledgeable about the food, drinks and fishing.
I would totally recommend this venue for a country pub lunch out, Sunday lunch or an evening with friends.
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I really want to like this place - the outside looks good, and the inside has two bars and various nooks and crannies. Anything that doesn't move for more than 10 minutes appears to be mounted and stuffed.
However, the quality of the ale (usually Brakspear and and guest/seasonal) is often less-than-average and I've never felt particularly comfortable with the locals. Never usually more than half a dozen in, but they don't send out particularly welcoming vibes to strangers.
I guess it's worth a pint for the stuffed fish and chilli pickled eggs behind the bar.
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Super country pub, lots of charm. 5 mins walk up the lane from the Thames. Brakspears and Hobgoblin Cask ales. Bed and Breakfast. Lovely big garden. Friendly and helpful staff.
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Visited in mid August. Very odd experience. Food ok but nothing special, bar staff fairly friendly, but I've never been in a ladies' loo with a black ceiling and ancient tiles/sink before. In desperate need of a makeover I think.
anonymous - 24 Aug 2007 09:17 |
Completely agree with 'anonymous may 07'. This place only gets away with the dreadful food and service because of its location. Went on two occasions over last 2 months in the hope that the first visit was a one off. Unfortuately it wasn't. Serving customers seems an inconvenience. The food is very mediocre pub grub v overpriced. despite phoning ahead to check what time they stopped serving lunch on bank holiday, when we arrived we were told in no uncertain terms that for the last half hour it was bar meals only, this was always the case, and it was more than her life's worth to ask the chef to even produce some chips! Not a hint of service with a smile. Take your custom elsewhere at all costs.
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The largest selection of stuffed fish in the UK.A traditioanl old untouched pub with good local beer.
David Perrry - 17 Nov 2006 17:17 |
Gotta big shock when visiting this pub after a ten year break.
Gone is the old charm and reasonable food.
In; is a totally out of character food area and a very overpriced and poor quality menu( The sausage egg and chips were worse than a motorway sevice station). Any pub that advertises it's Scampi as "reformed" and then charges �8 for it has a problem.
Staff appeared not to be bothered.
If you remenber the old flower pot ,give it a miss.
anonymous - 6 May 2006 13:13 |
great location, park your car by the pub, go in for a pint and your lunch and enjoy a walk down the lane to the River, excellent day out - highly recommended!! Be warned though once you go there you will keep comming back!!
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We've been going here for lazy days by the river for ages. I like it best on cold frosty days when everything is ice white and you duck in for a pint an a really good meal. The staff are always lovely. If you can go there during the Royal Regatta. My mates and I were rowing the length of the Thames this year and paddled through on the first day. We camped at Hurley lock, but stopped off at the flower pot for our evening meal. Lovely sunny day and ate in the garden at the back. Lots of room for the tiddlers to run around and wow at the guinea fowl. The patio was taken up by a band from Vesta Rowing Club with one guy playing the saw!. Some of their female companions were dancing freely thanks to an good oiling that I think had been going all day!
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