please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This is definitely my type of pub. Old world features, comfortable, cosy, warm & welcoming. Also a decent range of very well kept beers. The landlord & the other locals were also very friendly. Lunch was ordered & served in a little over 10 minutes. Most of us had the excellent slow roasted lamb. One of the big plus marks went to the vegetables. Perfectly cooked.
A small thing to mention is that the toilets are out the back of the pub across a small yard. Not a problem to me but might be a consideration for some.
I can only assume that the rather poor rating on BITE refers to earlier reviews when a different landlord had the pub. I have said this before, concentrate on the more recent comments to get a true reflection of what the pub has to offer.
This is an excellent pub that for me ticks all the boxes. I give it a realistic 9.
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Had dinner here last week and the service is much improved since the change of ownership. The new landlord is very friendly and chatty and the bar staff were helpful, even bringing us drinks to our tables. The food was excellent - some genuinely 'home made' stuff and the veg was not frozen but real proper veg. They are trying to serve food from local sources as far as possible which is always good.
I like the fact that this is a traditional village pub. There is no awful music or sports TV (hooray!). There are usually 4 different real ales on tap and the ones I sampled the other night were in very good shape.
If you've been put off this pub by past horror stories I would urge you to give it another try - you might be surprised.
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This is a fantastic pub. The new landlord and his team are very friendly, the food is excellent and good value for money, the beer very well kept (a fine range of local brews), plus in winter the two real fires are lit, one of which is in a 17th hearth in the central 'snug' area. The Crook is welcoming to locals and visitors alike.
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I love this pub, its a very warm welcome in a sleepy village.
The food is excellent since new ownership, homemade fresh dishes and I can really recommend the sunday roast.
Good ales and atmosphere. We often visit this pub for lunch, when passing through.
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The Crook & Shears is under new ownership. There is a new chef and roasts are now served every Sunday from 12-4pm.
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Didn't notice that the prices were expensive here. But I did notice the particularly poor service. Neither of the two bar staff who were standing chatting to one another looked particularly interested in serving us. Glasses were left on tables from previous customers. I don't see a need for this when a pub is not busy and staff are standing around with nothing else to do. Nevertheless, this seemed a nice pub in an excellent village location. It has the potential to be much better. Four fairly standard real ales were on - Ringwood Best & 49er, Fullers London Pride and Taylor Landlord, alongside Stowford Press cider.
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Ownership has not changed, prices are worse than ever and custom seems at an all time low. The food menu is just as outrageously overpriced as the beers and I really do resent being charge 75p just for a small bag of crisps.
It is a real shame, the pub has a lot of character and a lot of potential, aside from a few regulars they seem to rely on passing trade and a rear skittle alley/bar for functions to bring customers in the door.
The darts board was scrapped years ago as it got in the way of tables, visiting with a cribbage team to play the pub side can be a very expensive trip with many sticking to the one drink!
Far better and cheaper pubs in Andover
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A good country boozer, a good line up of beers..... but not value for money (probably the reason it was so quiet). However, sort your prices out & I am sure custom will increase.
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Crook & Shears is soon to be under new ownership of the leasehold so may be some changes. For better or worse remains to be seen! Prices are very expensive for what is on offer and unfortunately unlikely to change :o(
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We visited this pub under the pretence that it served real ale and home cooked food. The Ales on selection were well known but were very badly kept. Glasses served showed signs of lipstick on the rims. Prices are extremely expensive for the ales and the same applies for the food. It is worth noting that we all waited approximately 5 minutes for service in an empty and unwelcoming bar.
If we visit friends in this area again the Crook and Shears will not receive our patronage
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Not bad range of beers, nice garden and skittle alley attached. lovely pub, lots of character, good atmosphere. Shame about the prices!! Food is way overpriced and pretty mediocre being all frozen adn reheated/fried stuff. Beer is good but ridiculously expensive. Service can be slow at times when staff are taking food orders
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