please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I was tempted to call in just from its position along side a flowing river and country side location.
That was about as good as it got.
Ringwood Best and Doombar the sparse choice of beer. Where are the beers from the smaller local breweries?
And to rub it in, one wall in the gents toilet has a display of over 130 interesting pump clips. I'm sure the Best and Doombar clips will not be added.
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Me and my wife have frequented this hostelry over the years and have always found it to be a good reliable roast on a sunday but we visited today , and to say we were disappointed was an understatement . The beef was more suited as leather and the roast potatoes were lacking potato , say no more.
The gravy was really nice but the Yorkshire pudding was powder when we hacked in to it .
All in all a disappointing lunch . May give it another go next visit to see if any better .
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I do not know where ,, dorset diner ,, is comeing fom ? I eat at the Woolpack all the time , ,, If he had read the menu , he would know , that cod and chips comes in news paper as always and haddock is not in news paper, I think to compare the food at the woolpack with the Horns is crossing the line , have a look at other comments ?, I think every one should try places and make there own mind up ,and not take any notice of a person who cant even read a menu . to have so many compaints from one visit seems very strange sounds like an alternative agenda !!
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Not my first visit to the Woolpack Inn, but very probably my last after the awful lunch we had today. The"Famous" cod and chips wrapped in newspaper arrived as haddock and chips, not a newspaper in sight. The steak and Ale pie was dry and tasteless - plenty of meat but dried onto the plate with almost no gravy. The apple and raspberry crumble tasted like the crumble had been swept up from the floor and the dainty jug of custard was a mix of yellow fluid and lumps, clearly instant custard! I think they need to teach their kitchen staff how to serve and prepare food, and how to read the label on the jar of instant custard for future reference! Altogether a very disappointing meal. What should have been a nice family occasion to celebrate a birthday was spoilt due to lack of attention from the Kitchen of the Woolpack Inn at Sopley.
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Stopped by during the bank holiday to kill some time away from work.
Choosing from the menu took time, as it was enormous. Both the bar and the garden were very busy, but we were still served quickly; and the meals arrived pretty soon as well. When they arrived, we were astonished at just how much food we got � we simply couldn�t eat all of it (though we tried).
Overall, it�s a lovely pub, with quick service. You get a lot for your money, and we�d say it deserves 8� out of 10.
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The Woolpack is the best place for dining, the food is fantastic , and the conservatory over looking the river is great, I can recomend the roast beef on sunday lunch , well worth a visit ,
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What has happened to this place? We went for Sunday lunch on the 20th after having some good food here in the past. The mussel shells were broken so every other mouthful of sauce we had had bits of shell in. I had the steak and mushroom pie; I use the word pie loosely! It was flavorless slop put on a plate with a stale puff disc on top. The Roast potatoes were cannonballs and very over cooked veg. All our food was of same poor quality but, and there is a but! My wife did enjoy her smoked chicken ploughman�s lunch but how hard is it to put a bit of salad and cheese on a plate?! The service was poor; it would be nice if the staff cracked a smile. This place has gone downhill, what happened?
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We paid a visit to the woolpack the weekend and had a very nice time , the food we picked from the very good menu was exelent, beer was very good also , we all realy enjoyed it ,,
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we went to the woolpack on new years eve all 12 of us , the food was fantastic we have had meals at many places but the woolpack is the best food , we had a table in there conservatory over looking the river , which was realy nice , the service was very good and very freindly staff cant wait to go back again
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I went there to have lunch on new years eve for my son's 17th birthday. The pub was not busy. There were five of us. 2 of our starters (breaded mushrooms and Deep fried camembert) were on the cool side of luke warm. The soup was good. My Steak and Murphy's pie filling was luke warm with a film over the top where it had cooled. A very pale, dry, puff pastry lid sat on what can only be described as congealed beef stroganoff, spread out on a plate. This should not be described as a pie. The chips lacked potato filling. My daughter had haddock and chips. Haddock was very watery and both fish and batter lacked flavour. Her chips were better than ours. My husband's steak was good and hot but everything else on the plate was luke warm. Chilli and sea bass were good. The only reason we didn't complain was because we didn't want to spoil our son's birthday. This was our first visit, and last!
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Went here with the family for sunday lunch a few weeks back, and i have to say that the roast dinners were GORGEOUS. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and even my notoriously fussy grandson was catered for with no problems.
Definitely a thumbs-up from me. We also got a voucher for a free bottle of wine, so we shall definitely be going back!!!
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Surprised about a couple of negative comments about this fab pub as we were made very welcome by staff & owners in this pub, and that was over the Bank Holiday weekend too when the place is over run with tourists.
Great location, short driving distance from Christchurch and Bournemouth lovely old building and simple but comfortable and authentic inside.
Pretty garden with stream running through, patio garden or grassy area just over a footbridge, my children were kept amused for ages, as after lunch we played pooh sticks.
Food was superb - simple meals such as pies ,steaks, beer battered cod and ploughmans, all 6 on our table enjoyed thoroughly and i noticed lots of clean plates.
Great real ale selection, and well kept at the right temperature, and served in clean and dry real ale jugs.
We all loved our visit here and would recommend it to everyone, so it would be a shame to be put off by negative comments, give it a try , thats what i say.
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Surprised about a couple of negative comments about this fab pub as we were made very welcome by staff & owners in this pub, and that was over the Bank Holiday weekend too when the place is over run with tourists.
Great location, short driving distance from Christchurch and Bournemouth lovely old building and simple but comfortable and authentic inside.
Pretty garden with stream running through, patio garden or grassy area just over a footbridge, my children were kept amused for ages, as after lunch we played pooh sticks.
Food was superb - simple meals such as pies ,steaks, beer battered cod and ploughmans, all 6 on our table enjoyed thoroughly and i noticed lots of clean plates.
Great real ale selection, and well kept at the right temperature, and served in clean and dry real ale jugs.
We all loved our visit here and would recommend it to everyone, so it would be a shame to be put off by negative comments, give it a try , thats what i say.
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ABSOLUTALLY FANTASTIC This is a great pub/restaurant, whether you are just drinking or eating, the choice of drinks is second to none, and the quality of the food is exemplary, focusing on using locally sourced fish/meat etc.They have 'specials' menus, and a standard one, with the specials changing daily,depending on the seasonal produce available, all of which, is to an extremely high standard and all homemade. I have eaten there on a regular basis, and the food is some of the best in the area (compliments to their team ), the bar staff are all very attentive, giving you a very enjoyable drinking/dining experience (well done) there are so many places out there where the staff don't know what half the stuff is that they're selling you!!! THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM! Whether you go for lunch or dinner, I cannot recommend The Woolpack enough, well worth a visit. I hope you read my review and take my advice, to try it soon! I'm off there for my birthday celebration next week and i can't wait...
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sorry i should have said i went in yesterday lunch i my review, charlie.
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just been in to this pub/restaurant and had a pleasant surprise, the beer was kept well, i went for the 6X which was pleasant. i had the fish pie which was very tasty and looked home made. all the staff were friendly and courteous so well done a good experience.
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We visited the woolpack to try to cheer my sister up after a bad week. Terrible idea!!! We used to get good service and great food but that has been replaced with rude staff and awful dining. The food took an age to arrive with no warning and no apologies. Then it was barely warm over cooked and the veg took a further 20-25 mins after a couple of reminders. Then it was plonked on the table by the waitress who said 'there ya go'. Still no apologies until prompted, then said rather insincerely. And when you ask for a refund the owner tells you never to come back and you hear him saying expletives to the staff about you! I will advising all my friends and colleagues never to set foot in the place. P.S. Salad does not need to be kept warm!!!!!!!
ec123 - 13 Sep 2010 16:27 |
My new Husband & I would like to dispute any of the negative comments - we had our wedding breakfast at the Woolpack. Not only were we welcomed by very friendly, accomodating staff but the service was impeckable. We had pre arranged with the manageress Di that we would like to book the Wendy House room in the conservatory for a min of 12 people to celebrate our Civil Partnership joining. We had also asked if we could use our own Wedding cake, which we were told we could. On the day we were served by very friendly staff who could not have been more helpful. Everything we asked for came with a smile and all our guests felt very at ease. We had chosen to celebrate our union at the Woolpack for over a year, having been there on many occasions and having had such a nice meal and great service. We would personanaly like to thank all the staff for helping to make our day so special. We certainly be returning as long as it stays with the same staff and proprietors. Massive THANKS!!! Martin & Philip.
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Fantastic pub, great atmosphere, beautiful food. Our party of 10 will all be going back!
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reserved a table in the conservatory restaurant at the woolpack inn in sopley saturday night , there was eight of us , the food was fantastic, service was very good considering that the place was full, we had a table over looking the river , which was superb.
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Talk about a bad hair day !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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We visited the woolpack to try to cheer my sister up after a bad week. Terrible idea!!! We used to get good service and great food but that has been replaced with rude staff and awful dining. The food took an age to arrive with no warning and no apologies. Then it was barely warm over cooked and the veg took a further 20-25 mins after a couple of reminders. Then it was plonked on the table by the waitress who said 'there ya go'. Still no apologies until prompted, then said rather insincerely. And when you ask for a refund the owner tells you never to come back and you hear him saying expletives to the staff about you! I will advising all my friends and colleagues never to set foot in the place. P.S. Salad does not need to be kept warm!!!!!!!
ec123 - 17 Jul 2010 11:48 |
This place has gone down hill in a big way!
We were regular visitors to this pub up till last night.
For a 30th birthday celebration we took 6 people here for a meal, having never had a bad meal here I thought this would be a safe bet.
How wrong I was. The food took over 1hr to arrive and was frankly disgusting. The steaks were all over cooked and the quality of the trout was awful. All the meals were overcooked including a simple lasagna. We were left waiting for the veg for 20mins after the meal had been served.
We were served by a young girl who was rude and clearly had little experience in serving food. All the staff that night were very young including the chef. Whilst this may not be a bad thing, they were all clearly out of their depth.
I went to the bar to complain politely and asked to see the manager. After 10 mins (while my meal was getting even colder) a young lad appeared and tried to deal with my complaint. When I realized that he was not the manager, I asked again to see the owner/manager and waited for another 5mins to see him. He then told me they were very busy and can�t cope. I pointed out than we had spent nearly �100 that night and were very unhappy. I asked for refund which is within my rights. After a long discussion in front of everyone in the place he eventually agreed and asked us leave and never come back! Once he was safely behind the bar he then said to the young guy serving to �give them a refund and tell them to F*** off!� This was totally unnecessary and very rude. We had our 80+ year old grandparents with us and were very embarrassed at his use of foul language. I cannot stress enough the upset he caused when he could have resolved the matter very easily. Shame as this was a very good pub, but with the staff change, quality of food supply changes we will never go back to the woolpack again. This man, Chris Hankins the owner is very rude and really needs some customer service lessons, Be warned!
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Very good pint of 49er but food disappointing. Quite small lasagne portion and flavour wasn't so nice. Steak pie comes with chips but no veg, which was a surprise given that it wasn't cheap.
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Had an excellent pint of 6X here yesterday lunchtime, though I did have to ask for the glass to be topped up - it was well short. Also an excellent roast beef sandwich. Service pleasant & helpful.
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My children decided to take me to the woolpack inn for a mothers day treat, and i must say it was a great choice, it is one of my old favourites, we all had roast dinners and can i say for � 7.95 it must be the best value for miles. The meat was plentiful and nice crispy roasters and amass with fresh veggies, it was also nice to have homemade yorkies as alot of places i can tell they be frozen.with drink as well we had change from � 50.00 very pleasant staff on and service was very good concidering they were so busy. I can`t wait till next visit.
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Last time I went here the beer was warm and cloudy, not well kept by a long way
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It seems that the owner of this website should re-name it FITE, or Food In The Evening, as so few "reviewers" seem to understand the purpose of the website, and make absolutely no comment about the type or standard of beers available. Frankly, I'm not concerned whether you think The Woolpack is a pub or a restaurant; what I want to know, primarily,is what quality of beer does it serve. It is, of course, useful to know as well what the food is like, but that information is available elsewhere. I enjoyed my few pints of Ringwood 49er (it didn't have far to travel!) on my recent visit. It had been kept beautifully with a light, fresh-hopped bouquet. Incidentally, we also had an extremely tasty meal in the conservatory!
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Somewhere there is a family of Lemon Sole mourning the loss of the smallest and youngest member of their family.When it appeared on my plate for �13.95,I genuinely shared their grief.
I realise some fish stocks are running low,but if we are reduced to catching and eating Sole of this size either put them on the endangered or starters list.
Sadly my Crumble,barely lukewarm in places,scalding in others,ran the whole gamut of temperatures possible for a non-frozen pudding.A schoolboy howler in the world of microwave re-heating.
A surprising glitch from the normally staunchly dependable Woolpack.At least the beer remains excellent.
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Alas, my favorite pub ever has once again opened it`s door`s, things were looking a little tricky for them some 3 weeks ago now, when they had a thatch fire,but they have turned it around and are once again putting out some wonderful food and some fine ale. I heard on the radio that they were reopening on monday 21st April so I just had to take the wife we`ve missed it so much and as usual a superb meal was had by both of us, if you want superb food in an olde worlde atmosphere give it a try.
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Likely to be out of action for some time following a serious fire.
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Decent food from specials board. Gets cramped at weekends, young,attentive staff, well kept beer, worth a visit!
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Well what a charming pub, full of character ,it seems that the Woolpack has been in a time warp and has stayed unspoiled i.e not turned into a typical fast food pub as i call them such as ember inns or such CHAIN Pubs that seem to be absolutaly everywhere these days. The wife and I had a really good meal there last Monday we have been raving about it to all of our friends so one of them said i should review it on this website, The portions were very substantial and quality was fabulous we will definetally be frequenting this jewel that we have found. We stayed on after our meal for the quiz that is apparently on there every Monday night, very enjoyable they have a quizmaster come in to do it he seemed very knowledgable and very helpful, a very good night was had by all, we didnt win but might take a long a couple of friends next time to stand more of a chance.
p.s it was free to enter and prizes were 4 free pints for music round and � 20.00 food vouchers for general knowledge round.Go on give it a go I might see you there.
anonymous - 8 Nov 2007 14:39 |
MY FAMILY AND I WENT TO THE WOOLPACK ON SUNDAY FOR DINNER IN THE EVENING, WE HAD NOT BEEN FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS SO WE WERE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED BY THE TOTAL REFURBISHMENT WHICH THEY HAVE HAD DONE. WE WERE SHOWN TO OUR FAVORATE TABLE IN THE CONSERVATORY, OVER LOOKING THE STREAM. WE ORDERED OUR MEALS AND IT WAS NOT LONG BEFORE OUR STARTERS ARRIVED, MY WIFE HAD KING PRAWNS, MY DAUGHTER HAD BREADED MUSHROOMS AND I WENT FOR THE STARTER MUSSELS WHICH COME IN A BIG BOWL STEAMED IN WINE CREAM AND CORRIANDER, THEY WERE ALL SUPERB. AFTER A NICE TWENTY MINUTE BREATHER OUT CAME OUR MAIN COURSES , THE WIFE HAD SEABASS WHICH SHE SAID WAS GORGEOUS MY DAUGHTER WENT FOR THE BEEF LASAGNE AND I HAD MY FAVOURATE OF THEIRS THE
FILLET STEAK WHICH COMES WITH A CHOICE OF SAUCE AND YOU GET THEIR FABULOUS BEER BATTERED ONION RINGS A PILE OF TASTY MUSHROOMS , TOMATO, AND A HEFTY SIDE DISH OF CHIPS WHICH I PERSONALLY THINK IS WHAT A STEAK SHOULD COME WITH AS I AM ALWAYS VERY DISAPPOINTED ELSE WHERE WHEN MY STEAK ARRIVES ON A PLATE WITH NOTHING ELSE, YOUR LUCKY IF YOU GET CHIPS OR VEG INCLUDED IN THE PRICE.ALL THREE OF OUR MAIN COURSES WERE ABSOLUTALY SUPERB WE COULD NOT FAULT ANYTHING , I MYSELF WAS FEELING A LITTLE FULL BUT THE WIFE AND DAUGHTER SEEM TO ALWAYS BE ABLE TO MANAGE DESERT, THEY LOOKED GREAT AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE, MY WIFE HAD THE CREME BRULEE AND MY DAUGHTER HAD THE TOFFEE CRUNCH CHEESE CAKE. THERE WAS NOT A MORSEL LEFT SO THATS A SURE SIGN THAT THEY WERE ENJOYED. ALL THREE OF US COMMENTED ABOUT WHAT AN ENJOYABLE EVENING THAT WE HAD, GREAT FOOD, GREAT DRINK AND SUPERB ATMOSPHERE IN A TRADITIONAL ENGLISH PUB ( THERE ARE NOT MANY LIKE THIS LEFT )WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR. P.S WOULD RECCOMEND THE WOOLPACK INN TO EVERYBODY.
anonymous - 24 Oct 2007 16:52 |
On previous visits the bread was stale and there was no flexibility on the menu (I could have a ham and beef salad but not a ham salad!). But the visit on 17th September was the pits. I still can�t quite believe it! This is what happened. My wife asked for a large glass of white wine � the �house� Chardonnay @ a hefty �4.20 a glass. I watched with horror as the remains of one nearly empty bottle went into a glass to be followed by the reamains of another nearly empty bottle and then believe it or not, the remains of a third bottle. Wine from three different bottles in one glass � appalling wine service practice of course. But it gets worse. I said, politely, to the barmaid that my wife would like a glass of wine containing wine all from the same bottle. The barmaid refused to do this � �what would I do with what was left in the other bottles?� she said! Remember this was a bog standard house white the cost of which was perhaps �2.20 a bottle to the pub wholesale. So not happy with just charging through the nose they tried to palm off dreggy wine from three different bottles on us. Bad practice and diabolical customer service! We will not ever return.
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anonymous and the mentioning of the 3 tunnes, there seems to be a bit of a pattern here, (can other pubs comment ? )excellent food very good choice of ales more like restaurant food at pub prices. We go there at least once a month as it is always consistant. Nice friendly staff and good atmosphere , ducks on stream are nice to sit and watch.
anonymous - 14 Jun 2007 10:48 |
Gone downhill, food was not good and the atmosphere was non existent for such a character pub! Try the Three Tuns - food is better, or the Crown if yiu want cheaper
anonymous - 2 Jun 2007 06:42 |
lost its charm and its atmosphere, food has declinded and not really good value for money. Wouldn't bother there are better in the area , Three Tuns, Carpenters - food is much better
anonymous - 1 Oct 2006 17:18 |
Had the steak diane made with braising steak!!!! Decent pint of ale tho
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good pub as someone said pity about the road, not very much a local although beer ok, atmosphere was better in the Tuns - so was the food.
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A lovely pub in a lovely part of the world. Food was excellent and service was quick and friendly. Nice selection of well known and local beers. Very nice gardens. Only let down due to being in the middle of a very busy road.
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Some of the best pub food I've ever had. I know many regulars, but ones who go for the food every other week or so, even though the beer is actually good too!
anonymous - 14 Mar 2006 08:51 |
Nice food maybe, but the management clearly run this pub on the basis of the passing trade who would not make it a local, so it doesn't really matter what quality the drinks are like. Obviously doesn't give a hoot about local trade as they make enough money from passers by.
anonymous - 12 Jan 2005 11:15 |
I have been visiting the Woolpack on and off for about six years now since i arrived in this area. I must say I have never had better food anywhere and I have moved around quite a bit since leaving Italy. I have to keep going back for there superb steaks, which you cant beat, my wife is a fan of their huge fish and chips which is served in newspaper can you believe, it is so typically English. We have got to know the family who own it quite well and a few of the regulars and everyone is so nice and friendly we really feel at home here. I hope they keep up the good work which i`m sure they will and my family and I will be frequenting the Woolpack for a good few years to come. Well done to the Woolpack team.
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I lived at the Woolpack from 1982 to about 1992. My mum and dad ran it. We were very busy with a fantastic crowd of regulars. We were always in the Good Food Guide and Good Pub Guide. We had a Juke Box, a dart board, bar billiards and most important of all: AN ATMOSPHERE! The Woolpack seriously lacks one now! Yes, lovely food blah blah blah, but seriously, it takes itself far too seriously and where have all the regulars gone! Shout out to all my ducks that did a runner along with the regulars in the 90s!
Kyleigh Pine - 4 Nov 2004 12:19 |
I cannot comment on the Woolpack anymore - and this is because I now refuse to go in that snobby eatery. The bottom line to all of this concerns the rats. At dusk they come up from the stream and go into the beer garden. I am sure that those water rats love the Woolpack - and praise it to their friends.
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Excellent pub, friendly atmosphere, innovative and varied food menu and a fine selection of real ales!
anonymous - 24 Oct 2004 11:25 |
It is amazing that there is a person, who refuses to see the Woolpack as a licensed restaurant. The fact that it sells food at noon and in the evening, while keeping open is no argument. Most of the effort at the Woolpack is food - and it has gone over the line when it can be considered to be a proper pub. I am sure that this place is a good restaurant, but it cannot now be judged as a real alehouse. Once the Woolpack was, but ale has lost the battle to food. After all, there is more money in food than beer isn't there?
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If it is a licenced restaurant, then why is it open all day when food is only served at lunch and evening times? If it was only a restaurant, then you wouldn't be able to go there and just buy a pint, you would have to sit down and have a meal.
anonymous - 8 Oct 2004 19:06 |
As for the Woolpack - and the smoking at the bar - well! there are people who prefer a table. I do not prop up a bar, and as far as I am concerned this place is non smoking. Anyway it is a licensed restaurant, and not a real pub. Anybody who does not feel the same way, should visit the Square and Compass in Worth Matravers, the Cuckoo Inn in Hamptworth, and the Vine in Pamphill. All are on this site, and they are the last real pubs in the area. If however you want good food and a snobby country atmosphere, then the Woolpack will be perfect for you. Sadly no longer can it be thought of as a proper pub.
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i have to correct the gent who expressed his views on the woolpack pub saying that this was a non smoking place well as we frequent the pub several times aweek and as a smoker myself this is untrue. there is a bar area for which this has many ashtrays lying around. we are selves have enjoyed this pub for many a few years now.
dibbles - 24 Sep 2004 12:53 |
I have to tell you, that the Woolpack is now even worse than before. It is now only a restaurant - and this place must not be considered in pub terms. The Woolpack now has a smoking ban, and it has gone totally foody. When you go in there are reserved tables everywhere - and parts of it are roped off. So if you want a pint, then forget this place, as it is not friendly, and they only want to sell you their expensive food.
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The Woolpack, must have been a great country ale house 30 years ago. The times have changed however, and now like most of the others it has gone foody. The Woolpack is now only a reasonably good licensed restaurant, and I cannot help but wonder why these particular establishments still keep up the pretence of being a pub. Anyway, at night the garden is an interesting place - and this is because of the water rats which come up to meet you. They are really tame, and those rats love both crisps and pork stratchings. I bet you that the landlord and staff are not aware of this. We are not going to tell them.... would you?
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Overpriced beer and food. No danger of any rural pubs going to the wall in this neck of the woods if people can afford these sort of prices and they obviously can afford them.
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