please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The King Charles was our second pub in Poole yesterday lunchtime after the Drift (not listed on the site). It has quite a dark interior and live football was being shown. But only a couple of people were watching and the place had very little atmosphere. The ale range was fairly poor too - Sharps Doom Bar, Timothy Taylor Landlord & Youngs Bitter. Worst of the 4 Poole pubs we tried.
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my wife and i visited poole last week and stopped off to try the carvery after a friend reccomended it.we wern't dissapointed if you like a sunday roast this place is a must, also i noticed a good range of real ales i counted four i had the doombar my wife had ringwood best both very good the staff were pleasent and we had a lovely time we will be back
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A traditional and good sized pub just off The Quay, it consists of a single bar in the main part of the pub with a function room up a few stairs to the left. This had an attractive vaulted ceiling and was hosting a RNLI benefit gig on the evening we visited.
Despite being one open room, it’s divided in to a few different areas by virtue of the décor. At the front to the left is a small snug reminiscent of a hotel drawing room with a few beams on the ceiling and opposite this was an old grandfather clock. The walls were white washed stone and these had been covered on the lower half with dark wood panelling and there was also some exposed brickwork including an old pillar. At the rear this gave way to red paintwork. A plasma screen was also at the rear showing a darts match and there was also a darts board and some type of miniature snooker table (I’m sure there’s a proper name for it, all the pockets were at one end).
Food wise, the menu looked to be a traditional “pub grub” affair with options such as Scampi & Chips, Ham Egg & Chips, Burger, Sausage & Mash, Chilli Con Carne, etc. Most of these were priced somewhere around the £7 mark, although we didn’t sample anything so I can’t comment on the quality.
Drinks on tap were Doom Bar and Bombardier whilst the ciders were Strongbow and Thatcher’s Gold.
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I see the king charles has reopened. It wont be the same without Paul Middleton and bill there running it . I went past there only a night or two and saw one person sat at bar how sad. so enterprise you have a lot to answer for . I will not be drinking in there every again that is for sure . my rating for this pub by paul and bill was there 10+ now 0 . and RIP Paul Middleton were a very special friend and always will be x
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It's sad to see one of the best-run pubs in Poole closed by a greedy pub company. This was a classy place where you got a warm welcome and could be sure of not being bothered by yobs. Even worse news---I hear that Paul, the ex-guvnor, has died. He was a great bloke and I am very sorry to know that he is gone.
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This Pub is now closed, after four years of running the place properly (longest tenant for about 15 years) the Pub Co. (enterprise inns) attitude to the landlord has forced him to go. Most people in Poole are not worried about a decent pub � just cheap drinks in cheap high street places.
Nice pub, shame the freehold owners are letting a listed building fall apart from lack of maintenance.
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lovely old original wood beamed pub. Most comfortable, and with a medieval hall for use upstairs, also wood beamed etc.
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PAUL & BILL ARE THE CURRENT LANDLORDS, AND THEY PROVIDE VERY GOOD SERVICE, (AND FOOD). AN EXCELLENT PLACE FOR A GET TOGETHER OR PARTY....
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A brilliant place run by a couple of great guys, Paul & Bill.
We have had a few family functions here this past year and have book more for this year, as I can't think of a more friendly welcoming place to have them, having pop in for a drink just over a year ago (ending up staying the whole evening) and meeting Paul & Bill must of been fate!!
Our last event being on the 23rd December in aid of Help for Heroes, a fantastic evening that everyone enjoyed raising a nice amount of money. We have organised another for March, Paul & Bill have be so helpful and more than willing to have and promote these events all for FREE!!! Bigs thanks to you both!! ;)
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just to say this pub is brill . paul and bill are great guys , we have just had our civil partnership do there and was excellent , we had sole use of pub for the day our guests enjoyed the atmosphere , we have enjoyed it that much we have booked two more parties there in 2011 . thanks bill and paul for all the hard work you have put in to help make our day go very well and you did . so it is outrageous on the bad comments i have read on this site , so we love you Paul and Bill and the KIng Charles Inn , we are regulars there now and bill and paul are friends , cheers shaun and eddy x x
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I love this pub, the owner Paul has been helping me organise a wedding with the function & reception at the pub. Good beer, good atmosphere and a friendly service.
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Love this pub- amazing building and such pleasant staff. But where is the real ale?? And the cider? Seems a shame to not become a bit of a real ale pub...always very quiet when I go in and seems to sometimes be closed at unusual times. But a great place for a quiet drink.
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I hope people will ignore the dreadful comments in some of the earlier reviews and give this pub a visit. The pubs in the old town area of Poole consistently fail to get the recognition they deserve - and this pub is pick of the crop! Worth a visit for the interior alone, genuinely atmospheric!
The hosts, Paul & Bill, are true gentlemen and deserve medals for the effort they've made to turn this pub around. I attended a large birthday function here in the early spring of this year - and held my own wedding reception in the medieval hall a few weeks later! Is that not recommendation enough? Go on, do yourself a favour, and pop in for a beer some time soon.
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Paul came to my rescue last year, re-assuring me I could use a function room as an alternative venue for my jazz + food birthday party IF the boat trip got rained off at the last moment. In the event I didn't need it. In the event, 100 of my guests met up at The King Charles beforehand, all received excellent and speedy service (including tea/coffee for some of the wrinklies) and it set the tone for a really delightful evening and got my 70th birthday boat party off with a bang. I'll always be grateful to Paul and the King Charles. He didn't even want to take any money for it!
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Confused by some of the other reviews - I go to the Charlie regularly, it's open till late, the new owners have been there for a couple of years now and all is good. It's quieter than the pubs right on the front of the quay - thank goodness! Not a "gay" pub either - all are welcome. Just a good place for a beer and a conversation with your friends.
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This place has been closed the last few times I've walked past. Maybe we're about to see yet another change of management, we must be due for one.
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Usually near-empty pub just off Poole Quay. This is one those pubs that's had numerous management changes in the last few years without anyone making a success of the place. Seems to be a gay bar now, so if you're not of that persuasion, try the Antelope, just around the corner. Unlike the Charley, it's open 7 days a week.
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Well, I don't know about the beer snobs, but I like this pub - it's just off the quay so it's easy to get to but reasonably quiet, and a very old building so has a classy ambience, the guys who run it are really friendly, and they do have live music, just occasionally, but when they do they have excellent jazz and rock bands. Their Sunday lunch is pretty good and stupidly cheap. Dog friendly as well. Certainly the most civilised pub on the quay.
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If you're thinking of visiting this place, don't bother - it's normally closed. What a way to run a business!
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I believe this place shuts at 21:30 now, nuff said!
Nurke - 27 Aug 2008 15:21 |
amazing the sunday lunches were much better than mr middleton's and the staff have always been friendly. unfortunately it seems they do not know how to handle real ales which is a shame even know alot of poole patrons are ale drinkers. maybe the gay society should stay in bournemouth!
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time appears to have stood still with this place, but sadly so has the poor ale quaffed a couple of weeks babk, 6/10 could do better!
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I was passing by on the 19th March and they were closed. Is this operating under unusual hours?
The comments below sound promising, except for the no live music rule. That top room had the potential to be a perfect venue (with the right music).
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just had sunday lunch in this pub, must be one of yje best value roast's in poole - lots of meat and veg with friendly staff. One to try.
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Just attended the re-opening of the King Charles, under Paul Middleton's management. If it carries on the way it was tonight then you're in for a fun and friendly visit to this pub.
No pool table or Dartboard, just a nice simple friendly pub!
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Sadly, what used to be an excellent pub years ago, has turned into a complete craphole, with clientele to match. The last few years have seen a mediocre selection of landlords come and go, all starting with good intentions of cleaning the pub up,and all failing dismally. On two evenings last week, including Saturday night, the pub wasn't even open. If you're thinking of visiting, unless you're 16 with a baseball cap, don't bother!
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This used to be a great little pub. Sadly, it isn't anymore! Last night (Friday 29th Feb) it was very busy - which is no bad thing - but the clientele? Jesus - it was being in a refugee camp. Full of Pooles undesirables. I will not be returning.
Awful awful awful
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always helps to have a promotion! thanks for the comment! barmy landlady!!!
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Grabbed Sunday lunch in here the other day, �5.00 each and very good it was too. Think the new landlady had gone barmy and was selling Ringwood 49er at �1.20 a pint, sampled a few and errr a few more (gets 10 out of 10 from me) :)
Nurke - 12 Dec 2007 09:11 |
just been taken over by my mother in law! she had alot of trouble from last landlord when she took over but shes turned it around and is off to a good start! bands and discos every fri and sat night! also upstairs part for private parties no fee for hall aslong as bring own buffet and only thing you and guests get charged for are ur drinks! great family atmosphere! children allowed in till 9pm and dogs allowed in on leads! great homemade food! lovely roasts on sundays! friendly staff! if you dnt believe me then try for urself!
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A very pleasant pub. Good bar snacks that are excellent value for money... we had a ham, egg and chips plus a pie and chips for �8!
Two ales, well kept. Friendly service.
Worth a visit, a welcome escape for the money-spinning places on the front round the corner!
alexw - 14 Sep 2007 19:24 |
Have just found out, re, family history, that my Great Gran used to own this pub!!
And is where my Gran used to serve behind the bar!
And is where my Gran met my Grandad ,when comming off the boat from france, he used to call in the pub for a Wash. hence got chatting to my Gran,
And as they say, The rest is History!
So i will be going to visit the pub in a couple of weeks!@ Taking my dad as well!!
As it was his Gran that owned it! @ his mum worked behind the bar!!!!
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I like the Charlie, its one of the oldest pubs in Poole, the trouble it has is being slightly off the main quay where the bulk of the pubs are, they tend to get overlooked. They are starting to get bands booked at the weekends now and with the space they have in the Kings Hall upstairs, could be a serious contender to the Nelson on the quay for bands. They serve a damned fine pint of Ringwood 49er in there.
Nurke - 14 Sep 2006 16:36 |
From the outside, this looked like my ideal kind of pub - olde stylee, traditional type of thing. Was a bit let down by the number of chavs in there and they also seem to employ a number of staff, including the landlord, who have no idea what drinks they sell! A quite bizarre experience..
Probably better in the day
TheGP - 16 Jul 2006 18:25 |
I'd like to retract the comments I made albeit over two years ago as this place has thankfully bucked the trend and has reverted to being a proper pub. Ale was well kept and the barmaid was amiable and efficent. Regulars were a friendly bunch. Keep up the good work.
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Now under new management since May 2005 it has now been reverted back to a traditional pub. The food is great, and the service is good and friendly. No more loud music and bad language. All the tables have been put back. They serve real ales, have a darts board and their own ghost. great pub!
anonymous - 19 Jun 2005 20:29 |
Now under new Management, The King Charles Inn is one of the better pubs in Poole to visit. There is always a great atmosphere with everyone being made welcome. Great home-cooked food is served all week at reasonable prices. For entertainment - Thursday night there is a resident Adult Comedian (Sidney Harbour), Friday & Saturday they have discos 20:00 - 01:00 and Sunday Karaoke night where everyone is encouraged to join in and have fun.
Isabel and Gary - 21 Aug 2004 18:31 |
Once one of Poole's better pubs but like so many others has gone full steam ahead for the yoof market. Now has thumping disco music and virtually all of the tables have been removed. If you want a decent pint in a decent pub try The Antelope which is nearby.
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