Navigation, Stoke Bruerneback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
An attractive, stone built pub in an idyllic setting alongside the canal. The pub takes full advantage of this, and there is plenty of outside tables and chairs in the terraced beer garden, and even on the towpath itself. Signs advertise jazz nights on alternate Friday�s, and �Quiz and Spice� nights on Wednesday.
Inside, it�s something of a surprise to find it has the kind of mass produced corporate feel where they try and make a new pub appear old. Understandably perhaps in a modern, characterless pub, but why on earth give a pseudo �olde worlde� makeover to a pub that is genuinely old in the first place? The only original bits appear to be a few flagstones that haven�t been carpeted over and a few wooden support posts and rafters. Besides that, it�s a cavernous affair, seeming to go on for ever, in all different directions. There is even a mezzanine floor at one end.
Decor wise it�s a bit of a mixture, with quite a bit of exposed brickwork and wooden partitions. Besides that there�s a whitewashed stone wall as well as some wallpaper. Most of the seating is geared up for diners, although there is a small area opposite the bar that has a few high tables and chairs clustered around a plasma screen showing a news channel, and a couple of leather sofa�s in the corner. There were a couple of impressive, brick built fireplaces which are presumably an original feature, although these days all they contain is a wood burning stove. A wooden roof was probably the most interesting feature.
The menu looks to be a mass-produced PubCo affair, with most of the main courses being around the �8-�10 mark. There was also a few extra choices on a specials board above the bar. Unfortunately the quality didn�t seem to be up to much; my beef and ale pie was a pile of fatty beef encased in a pastry �crust� that was so soggy it was indistinguishable from the accompanying mash. Bizarrely I was asked if I had finished when I was still half way through and had my fork poised for another mouthful. Perhaps he could tell I was none too impressed.
Beers on tap were Hobgoblin, Marston�s Pedigree and EPA. The solitary cider was Strongbow, unfortunately. In summary, this would be a great spot for a beer on a sunny afternoon, but other than that I can see little reason to visit.
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If you want a pub with an interesting range of beers, fresh, locally sourced, homemade food and oodles of character do not come here.
However, this pub is in a fantastic location next to the Grand Union Canal. Bring the kids, let them loose in the play area, feed them mass produced, value food (it won't kill you or them...let someone else take the strain) and drink well kept ale (Pedigree is good). The pub is clean, tidy and run by pleasant and hard working staff (please forgive them the stacks of empty plates and glasses...it's that kind of pub...the hordes descend and don't clean up). Put your food and ale snobbery aside and enjoy this great location with the kids...avoid school holidays...
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Well all you unhappy people read on, first of all, i dont think anybody realises how many meals are cooked at the peak season, its a stagering 800 meals. I work as a barman at this pub and i am proud of the level of service we offer, but occasionaly we get it wrong, but from a barmans view a lot of people get it wrong to and are quick to blame is, examples: they dont bother to get there table no. they expect us to know where thay are sitting, they order main courses first and then staters at the end, when this happens, this is what slows things down at the bar and confusses they hell in the kitchen, as for comments about having a nice time at the boat, inn, its not as good as The Navigation, so please remember to get your table number and order your food in the correct order, and just one thing, all Tills serve food and drink, you do get some that can thing they can push in beacause they just want a drink, ask yourself this, would you try to push in at tescos if you had just got one item to pay for? i dont think so. Come and see us, we have just been redecorated and it looks great, but just be patient when its busy
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The Navigation has a range of real ales from the Marston portfolio of breweries and my season brew from Wychwood was acceptable.The food service was swift and a reasonable standard for pub grub and that is what most customers come in for,although it is quite possible just to drink here either inside or in the extensive outdoor areas.The interior decor is a little dull and the pub lacks real character but from my experience the Navigation does exactly what it says on the tin.
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I've been to this pub tonight with my 4 year old, 2year old and husband. A special treat for my sons first day at school, he chose the location.
We orded starters for all four of us, and a main each. I was asked specifically if I wanted the childrens starters with ours, yes, and chose specificlly the vegetables for my sons meal.
The childrens garlic bread was all burnt, so was sent back. It then returned some time later along with a main meal for one of my children.
The main was sent back.
After eating the starters the mains arrived, the veg was not as ordered on one childs meal and the chicken in the 'chicken cones' was burnt grissle , and thats being generous.
My own meal then arrived and I'd asked for baked potatoe in place of chips...chips arrived.
I then asked to see the dut manager who was polite and apologetic, he gave me a full refund of the meal cost.
Another male waiter then brought over the refund and tried to remove the plates of food my children were eating from, they could only eat scarse bits from each. I would not let him taken them but he then took both mine and my husbands plates. My food had been replaced with a jacket potatoe but I did not have an opportunity to eat it. He then turned to us and said "whats wrog with this then???".
Our waitress then retuned and asked if I'd enjoyed my cajun chicken at which point I bacame upset and my husband told her it had been removed from us before we could eat any.
When we asked for details of head office the surley male waiter eventually gae to us the website address and told us to look up whoever we needed to complain to.
The young female waitress was polite and apologetic throughout and appeared embarressed by the situation.
We went to the resturant at early teatime, with possibly only two other dining groups in the pub and fully expected to have a pleasant mewal and a pub we have been to before which promotes family dining.
I will never ever eat here again and will actively discourange anyone else form doing so. A
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The lesser of the two pubs in Stoke Bruerne. On my first visit, i recall having to wait about 20mins just to be served for drinks. Subsequent times have seen food take 40 mins (for a starter) and the quality was not great either. Tends to get all the day trippers. Worth a visit, but perhaps only once.
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We went as a group of 6, was seated quickly even in the busy time, great, however Services very slow only 2 at the bar serving and taking food orders proved to be a bit of a wait! Food was lovely but the staff seemed to hang around like spare parts and upon asking one to find out where the coffee's had got to after half an hour, was told i had to go and que and ask at the bar as it was not her job, she only served deserts!!! Answer my question as to why they looked spare parts!! Custome Service could do with improvement to how it used to be. Nice pub and Atmosphere, pleasant and good for Kids too.
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Not one bad word to say about this pub. Perfect location as we were on a barge the a long weekend. Food was most enjoyable for lunch and tea... enjoyed by all 8 people!! Lovely surroundings and can understand why it would be busy during peak hours. The satff were all very polite, accommodating and especially one person made our visit extra special.... Chad the barman!!!
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I called in for a roast on Sunday. The food was disappointing, but the service was efficient and friendly.
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I come here four or five times a year. pleasant enough pub to eat and drink, but food quality has gone down a bit since last year.
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Always a pleasure
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Pros: very nice location, pleasant decor and an enjoyable place to sup a few pints, particularly outside on a summer's evening.
Cons: too busy on weekends, you're likely to be queing for food and drinks for some time. Can be difficult finding a table at peak times.
Beers aren't bad but not many real ales to choose from.
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Situated right next the canal this is in a lovely location. Can be VERY busy at the weekends. Decor is adequate,( part of chain ), and beers are average.
We went midweek for lunch and had a really nice relaxing meal. Worth a visit.
anonymous - 28 Nov 2006 16:14 |
Multi room pub on the Grand Union Canal. Outside seating to watch the canal boats go by. Good food and Mansfield beers. Family's welcome. Was a nice place to stop in on our canal boat holiday.
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