please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Much as previously reported by me. The charming village of Finstock makes an easy hour or so’s walk from Chalbury, which is what six of us (three adults, two teenagers and a dog) did for Sunday lunch as part of our round. The Plough essentially did us proud, with a warm welcome, a good table in their dog-friendly area, and fine roasts (pork or beef) which arrived quickly. The risottos were also reasonable value. There was something of a hiatus about the arrival of the desserts, but that meant we didn’t head have to head out into the rain!
I would suggest that you book ahead for Sunday lunch as the pub pretty busy (which we did), particularly of you are bringing your dog with its separate table area.
There’s a fine selection of draught beers, and my pint of Director’s (4.8%) was fine. There’s also cider.
For lovers of the gentle and highly amusing novels of Barbara Pym there is the added treat that her final home which she shared with her sister Hilary is just across the road from the Plough. In 2014 an American fan of hers wrote of the pub: “Barbara had sat here, in this surprisingly venerable, beautifully restored interior with its surprisingly fancy menu — surely that had changed since her time – of prawn salad and free range chicken”. What would Barbara have made of that? I think she would approve.
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18th century thatched building with bar in front of you as you walk in and a dining room to the right. We sat in a small seating area with inglenook fireplace as this seemed to be the only area that was not laid out for dining. Further tables in another room to the left of the bar. Nice to see a bar billiards table in yet another room but it makes getting to the toilets very difficult. Overall there is a slight air of shabbiness to the place. My pint of Flying Monk Birdman at £3.80 was nice enough; Adnams Broadside, Marston's New World Pale Ale and at least one other ale were also on sale but untried. Pub was OK, I wouldn't rush back necessarily but I may have just timed my visit badly as it was a busy Easter Sunday lunchtime.
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The same intrepid group of us (three adults, three lively boys and a dog) as last October were here for lunch on Sunday 21 April. Although roasts were available, we resisted temptation and just had a starter- no sandwiches were available as apparently there was no bread- plus drinks. I was pleased with the Trelawny bitter, so two pints went down with no trouble. The stronger Adnams Broadside is also on draught.
When you go there, look out for a couple of quirky notices, one of which urges you- in a dozen different languages- not to feed the pub dog!
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Seven of us (three adults, three children and a dog) were here on a round walk from Charlbury today for lunch. There is much to recommend it: a warm welcome from the landlords, dog and walker friendly, fresh draft beer that just slips down, a pleasant beer garden, and more than sufficient space for us inside on what seemed a surprisingly quiet Saturday. And for devotees like me of the English novelist Barbara Pym, her home is just a hundred yards away, complete with a blue plaque!
The set lunches looked expensive, but the sandwiches and were wraps reasonable, fresh and filling- especially with a side order of chips! Definitely a good stopping-off place for lunch on a walk.
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A great local village pub, with a traditional feel inside and nice garden out back. I found the staff very friendly, and particularly helpful when I got stranded there with a flat bike tyre.
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It looked cosy inside on a wet Sunday lunchtime at the back end of winter. But unfortunately we cannot comment on the beer. Because although it advertises a 3pm closure on Sundays it stopped serving and the tills were shut down before we arrived at 2-30. I note a previous post about early closing. Most unusual.
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We went this evening to The Plough. It was a quiet Saturday night but nevertheless we found hospitable and friendly landlords, a lovely log fire, good quality and well cooked food and well kept beer and a rather nice bottle of wine. In addition, our dog was made welcome as opposed to tolerated, and I would recommend a visit to anyone. We live in a national park, and could only hope of such a local. I find earlier comments inexplicable based n our experience tonight.
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This pub has been up and down over the past five years, and is now sadly down. The current owners started off well, with good food, good beer and comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. But now there is an atmosphere of stress and tension. Getting told to get out because the kids are making a bit of noise (really, they weren't too bad) was the last straw. These days village pubs need all the custom they can get, and I'm afraid that means families too. Won't go back until owners replaced.
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Three comments from "people" (alleged plural) who appear to have registered solely to post their opinion on this pub (with no other reviews posted), two of which magically appeared on the same day after just four reviews in five years. Exactly. Make your own mind up about how likely that is. (You'll see on another reviews site the other side of the curious story about "my elderly parents".)
Still a terrific pub: the best pub food in West Oxfordshire and probably of any I've ever visited (there's one in mid-Wales that might rival it, but that's another story). Excellent cider, friendly atmosphere, and a good balance between locals' pub and food pub. Very heartily recommended.
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I have sadly to agree with the previous two posts. Having been a regular and happy customer here I suddenly find a very unpleasant attitude from the management and a marked change of atmosphere for the worse. I do not intend to visit again and would advise others to stay away also.
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As an occasional visitor to this pub and I have noticed a change of atmosphere. I know some locals, and many are absent from what is an excellent pub (i.e. building) but now has something of an unhappy atmosphere. The last post sums this up - for a pub which has no trouble so many people seem to be barred and it is telling that little or no custom has moved from the Crown since that closed in the village. The owners appear to have purchased the pub a few years ago as a life-style change, tried to sell it last year and couldn't, and now seem trapped there. It now has a reputation of closing early if there are only a few customers, turning them out. The food side still seems to be holding up and the female bar staff was fine when I last visited but to revive this a local needs a change of attitude from management or a change of management. I will await my next visit to see if things have improved but I fear so many locals have been upset that I doubt it.
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I used to like this local pub until the landlord was really unpleasant to my elderly parents who live in the village and were regular customers of the Plough. My parents must have spent a considerable amount at this pub. They complained about the service after not being served for over an hour and were told to get out of the pub! How unpleasant to ban regular loyal customers who are both in their late 70s and both disabled. It's left a very unpleasant feeling about this pub. Don't go!
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A bit gastro style but still quite welcoming and cosy. The Ramsbury Flintnapper was another top form pint. Can be easy to miss as the village is pretty dark at night.
anonymous - 4 Nov 2009 09:38 |
Had Sunday lunch there very recently, food & service excellent, one of the best roasts in the area. Friendly & welcoming staff. Beer in great condition & real fire a very welcome feature! If you're thinking of visiting, it might be advisable to book in advance for food though, as they were very busy.
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Good food, though has gone up in the world since previous visit. Excellent perry.
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