please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
WOW... What a shocking attitude the landlord has! We visited the pub on the 26th October to have some lunch, nice spot, plenty of parking so thought why not! We left wondering why we bothered, after ordering our meal and drinks I thought it would be ok to get a bit of charge on the phone, by this point our six year old was playing on the phone whilst charging. The landlord took it upon herself to verbally attack our six year old by demanding she unplugged the phone (bearing in mind, we were sitting next to her), she then decided to shout that we should pay a £2 donation for the charge. I don't have a problem with the donation but I do have a problem with the way she feels she can attack people, what could she possibly think our six year old is going to respond, perhaps an intensive course in customer service, something along the lines of 'would you mind donating £2 for the use of the electric'!! Swiftly after the attack, we decided to cancel our food order and leave. From the below reviews it appears we had a lucky escape as the food doesn't have great reviews and is at the higher end of the scale for pub food prices. To make this a fair post, I have to say that the remainder of the staff were good to deal with and it is lucky you have not taken a leaf out of your employers book.
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Called in with my wife a couple of weeks ago, having spent a week in the Forest and tried several local hostelries. Nice selection of local ales and a decent looking menu. We both had trouble finishing our meals as the portion sizes were extremely generous. Service was fairly quick and friendly. Certainly worth a visit if you are eating. If just drinking , not so sure.
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We happened upon this pub whilst walking the dogs in the new forest, only a 10 minute walk from the Sandy Balls holiday park. We couldn't have felt more welcomed. They didn't care about our muddy boots and invited us and our dogs to sit in front of the real fire.
The pub felt cosy, the staff were informative and friendly.
There was a large choice of local ales and ciders, I sunk a few Thatchers Cheddar Valley which was maybe not such a good idea at 6%!!
The menu looked fantastic, and if we didn't have a casserole bubbling away in the slow cooker on the Motorhome we would have eaten there.
All the meat is local, the owner is a master butcher and the food very reasonably priced.
We are returning in March and I am already thinking about his homemade faggots!!
Our dogs were treated better than us, given water and treats from the bar and fussed over by the bar staff. Bonnie and Buster can't wait to go back.
I would recommend this venue for anyone out walking in this beautiful countryside, don't mind the ponies and cows looking through the window at you either!!
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I visited this pub whilst staying at the local holiday park, Sandy Balls as it was a convenient � mile away � an easy pram pushing distance! Four ales on when I visited: Ringwood Best and Hobgoblin were both well kept and went down a treat. It�s a nice pub that makes the most of its location: As I was with the family, the play area and decent garden (plus a stream of visiting ponies) were welcome. The setting of the Fighting Cocks is certainly a strong point.
I didn�t see the specials board until it was too late � having said that, I can�t really fault what I�d ordered though as it was tasty, arrived quickly and was hot. Pretty much what I look for in a pub meal! The prices were pretty much on a par with what I�d pay in Surrey so getting towards �4.00 a pint and �10 ish for a standard main meal. I visited several times over the course of my stay and would certainly return if in the area again.
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A welcome refuge after a country walk in freezing weather. A warm welcome from friendly and efficient staff, good beer and food excellent for both quality and value. Don't take too much notice of the usual suspects on the menu - the specials boards are the real stars. My only real quibble is that of the four ales on tap only one (Ringwoods Best) was local. I was also pleased to see that one of the casserole dishes came with a chunk of bread for the gravy - something which should be encouraged as there are many other dishes that have things too good not to mop up!
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On 6th May we were on our way home from the coast and found this pub by accident. Our order was taken by a delightful young lady and the meals arrived much quicker than expected considering the place was nearly full.
The food was excellent and at �35 for 3 main courses AND drinks can only be regarded as great value for money. We have put this pub in our personal 'Good Food' guide and will definitely return
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Came for a meal and a few drinks from Staines, was greeted by very friendly and attractive staff and great value for money. Would recommend to a friend who wishes to visit beautiful new forest traditional pubs
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Regularly travel 30 odd miles down to spend the best part of the day in this pub.
Beautiful food, well kept ale and excellent service from a very friendly and accomodating team.
Would highly recommend to everyone
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What a great pub!
Great Beer
Great Food
Great Staff
We popped in last week for a drink and got chatting to one of the bar staff. They pointed us in the direction of the menu and the big specials board. We liked what we saw and so decided to book a table for the following night.
When we arrived we were quickly shown our table and the service at the bar was very good. Staffs were knowledgeable about what went into the food and anything that they were no sure on they went and asked the chef.
Our food arrived within 15mins which is very impressive seeing how there were a number of tables ordering at the same time. The steak was cooked to perfection and my wife had the Hock of Pork which looked fantastic. Real care had obviously gone into the presentation and preparation of the meals.
The service by all staff was fantastic, really attentive and they were quick to offer us desserts and liquor coffees.
We shall defiantly returning again 10/10
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We stopped by at The Fighting Cock's after being told by family that it was a nice pub. How disapointed we were....
�4.10 for a pint of stella
�3.80 for a pint of Hobgoblin
Jog on!
Friendly staff and nice looking pub are let down by the criminal pricing which is a shame
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Maybe the home cooked turkey was a victim of the senseless cock fighting and there wasn't enough meat to go around. It pains me to think that you wouldn't phone the RSPCA to report the crimes of this sinners palace!
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Went here yesterday, the pub is in a lovely location but the food is disappointing. I ordered the "home cooked" turkey baguette, there was not much turkey and it was not home cooked!! My dad had the steak burger which was tough and over cooked, yet the chips were under cooked. I Would not go back.
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Don't live in the area and was my first time in the Fighting Cocks for lunch at the start of the school hols. Was pleased to find that although was geared up for food - the original Forest pub atmosphere still prevailed - the public bar areas seemed relatively unaltered - unusual for pubs these days.
Staff were friendly and the menu quite interesting and different - again unusual for pubs these days.....
I chose homemade faggots and they were lovely. Unfortunately my pint of Flacks Double Drop was cloudy - and poor - but will try again when in area.
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Found this pub by accident at the weekend and rather glad we did.
Friendly bar staff, lovely wine, good beer and the food was somewhat tastier than typical pub grub. The restaurant area was packed by the time we decided to eat and everyones plate had something delicious looking on it - made it difficult to make our selection!
So refreshing to find a 'proper' pub and we'll definitely be going back.
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We have used this pub when in the area for several years and have never yet had a poor meal, although bar service has sometimes been poor at peak times.
Dropped in during half-term week and both service and meals were excellent although pub was not as busy as it has been on previous visits.
Real ales were in excellent condition.
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I have used this pub about 40 times over the last 8 years and have always found both the food and staff excellent. I can honestly say I have never had any need to complain.
If you want to go to a restaurant, then go somewhere else. This is a country pub which serves excellent food.
The pub itself is warm and friendly and the service is always quick and effcient. It usually takes between 10-20 minutes for food to be delivered which I feel is acceptable. The food is seasonal and very varied and many items are changed regulary to reflect this.
The Fighting Cocks has a good range of drink available for all tastes. Sadly, my personal favorite, Cheddars Cider, is no longer available
My personal favorite is the mixed grill which is made from locally sourced food and tastes superb.
I usually reserve a table as it can be very busy, especially during holiday periods.
My only comment is that they should be contactable by e-mail.
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I agree with the review by martinmcat. We live just down the road from the pub and thought we would try a meal there. Without doubt it was the worst meal we have had - ever. The food looked and tasted old and everything just tasted rather unclean. Serious doubts about the chef. I am embarrassed that this pub is in a location where so many unsuspecting visitors to the New Forest would visit...it could ruin their holiday. Best advice I can offer - go somewhere else.
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The FC is one of those pubs that I pass regularly but rarely visit.
I've neve been impressed enough by the menu or the food I've seen being served, to actually eat here, so my comments are strictly as a boozer.
They've got a good range of beers, TT Landlord and Ringwood stand out for me, plus 3 other real ales.
However it's a pub for grockles, with prices to match. �12.50 for a pint of Landlord, a glass of very average dry white wine and 2 x small lemonades and 2 x packets of crisps, is highway robbery.
Pleasant enough staff but I'm not rushing back.
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We have just returned from a camping trip in the New Forest with a group of 36 friends. I phoned ahead and booked a table with The Fighting Cocks for our last evening. They took the booking for 36 and checked prior to us arriving so they could get in more staff. I have to say that the service and food were really excellent. All staff were friendly and responsive. They took our orders quickly and the food arrived with very little wait. The food we had was all very good and they had a really varied menu. I ordered the scallops which were delicious and many of my friends complimented the food! There was a great play area for the many children who also enjoyed the food, although beware of the "spicy" sausages as they realy do not suit a small childs menu. All in all a lovely evening in a good location, we will be back next year.
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Living in the New Forest, and working at the pubs you find there, we like to see what else is out there - a change of scene occasionally. Well, Fighting Cocks, meant to be a lovely country pub. True - great location and a nice country feel inside, with an amazing painting of the pub on the wall. Thats it though. On entering, no food menu on table, although a wine and dessert menu were present. One guy on the bar, brought over a menu in an instant. There were two other tables in same time as us. Menu is basic and has no originality. Confusing and over crowded specials board. We ordered our food and drink and were told our drink would be brought over to us, 15 minutes later in a very quiet pub still no drink - he had forgotten. When our food was brought to us the girl dropped her cloth in my partners food and promptly said F*** it, loudly. We werent offered sauces, nor told to enjoy our meal, really cold basic slap the food out service. My partner had barbeque chicken, in their "own bbq sauce" which in other words means "gravy". Tasteless. I had jambalaya - different I thought, it was just runny soup with rice floating in it. No taste apart from chili powder. Not cleared when we finished, not offered puddings. And oddly, the background music was club music, such as scooter, which for a country pub just doesnt fit in. Very disappointing. George in Fordingbridge is a much much much better pub, and only a further 5 mins up the road, and we will go there next time. Will never go back.
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Build by Strongs in 1927 alongside the old thatched inn which was demolished to build new road. The original �cock pit� from which pub takes its name is across the road. Iconic 20�s large New Forest building which has largely remained unaltered. A good bar area with darts, 5 hand pulls inc scrumpy and separate eating/restaurant area at Forest end of pub with good views. Good basic pub menu and well priced wines �10. Its 30 years since I last visited and this now Freehouse made us welcome.
Reviewed 23/01/09 by SADCATS on Tour! SCORE- 8.
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I have passed this pub so many times on my way to my mums in Fordingbribge, so while staying there we took our two young children for early evening meal. I choose a burger and chips. The food turned up in less than five minutes, i think the microwaves were in turbo mode!. The food was truly awful, chips cooked in old oil, and burnt, my kids could not even eat the chips!. A burger straight from the bottom Captain birdseyes freezer and the strangest peas i have ever seen, half were fresh the other half discoloured and obviosly old?. Only the scampi was edible, but even i can cook deep fried scampi.
Along with the non existant service this is the worst pub meal i have ever had
Never again!
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I have been using this pub regulary for the last 4 years. Great food, excellent beer and super friendly service. What else do you need after a great day in the New Forest. Recommended by a local.
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Stopped by yesterday after a VERY long walk in the Forest. Hadn't planned to visit, but the Foresters (Frogham) was closed. Found this much improved since last visit. A very "house-proud" landlord who clearly loves his pub. Good range of beers and also lagers (for those who like such things).
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Had my Novenber visit to the Fighting Cocks,to be honest the beer was fine and as this is a "beer site" i have no problems there,but the sunday roast was bland and the service was very rushed ,but the pub was packed, so it had it"s worked cut out still it was "a bit in and out get that table cleared for more punters".Anyway the beer was good so that"s all that matters really!!
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Visited this pub for Saturday lunch after a gap of 32 years! The place has changed out of all recognition - food was most appetizing with a good menu choice and the real ale, particularly Summer Lightning and Doom Bar, was expertly kept. Fortunately the idyllic setting of the pub never changes. Long may it remain so! We shall return - hopefully sooner than another 32 years!
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Have played cricket at Godshill, a few years ago now as my waistline will suggest!
As this was the pub for the club always came here after the match and was always well looked after with good beer and food!.Will be staying in the area in november.Can anybody tell me if it"s still worth a visit?
Thanks in advance
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Excellent pub - superb food - great staff - good beer - well worth the drive out on a summers evening. Don't forget to look at the wall mural depicting forest life - done by a local artist. We were not sure if it was a painting or wallpaper at first. !!!
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A brilliant pub! We often drive from London just to come here. Food is of a good standard and honestly priced and we always end up chatting to other visitors who always agree with our high opinion of this place. Parking is ample and this pub is on the heath and so there are plenty of places to walk before or after a lovely slap-up meal and pint.
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Really nice well run new forest pub, always busy yet always efficient, always smiling and very quick service.
Great place to take the family
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I've only been to this pub 3 times, the last time back in October 1997, but it's one of the nicest pubs i've ever been to :) I live over in London, and can only go to this pub when i'm on holiday at Sandy Balls round the corner. However i might be going to sandy Balls again this coming October, so i'll be in the Fighting Cocks every day for a week no doubt :D From what i remember of this place, the barmaid was friendly, the beer was good and there was a nice atmosphere. I wish i could go in there every week. See you in there soon :D
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Located not too far from Sandy Balls, this is a family-friendly pub which serves a nice pint of Ringwood Best. Menu looks good. You have to watch out for the ponies and donkies in the car park - they don't seem to bat an eyelid to the cars! I bet it gets busy in the summer.
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I have stayed at this pub about 3 or 4 times now, and keep going back because of the friendly atmosphere and lovely rooms. The food is also excellent. Well worth a visit, as it is a great base for forest walks.
anonymous - 24 Mar 2005 18:21 |
i love the pub, i work there and u should definatly come!!! x
??? - 5 Sep 2004 23:46 |
When I phoned they were too busy taking food orders to be very interested in a telephone booking for an evening meal and B&B for a family (at �98 per night). Perhaps they don't neeed the buisness?!
Mandy - 9 Jul 2003 20:50 |
I last visited in May 2001. Well kept Ringwood Best and the landlady definitely comes under the category of well preserved. Very pleasant.
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