please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Can't believe I didn't know about this country pub. Lovely little place with a huge carpark out the back. Good selection of real ales served straight from the cask-first time I've seen this- and very good quality. Didn't eat but the sunday roasts being served looked fit for a king. Kids loved the ducks and chickens out in the garden area. Must come again. Landlord was a character.
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Went here for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. Excellent beer from the barrels, friendly staff and good, reasonably priced, food. They have a nice area outside for the warmer months too, so definitely will return then.
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As most of these reviews say, this place continues to deliver the goods. There's always an interesting choice of beer, always in excellent nick, the food's very good value, the staff always friendly, welcoming and sometimes entertaining. It's a tiny little place and there's not always a lot of room inside; it's also rather dark. But these are petty quibbles - this is a top rate place.
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Great pub on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I'm not sure why it wasn't busier. We parked in the large car park and I had a pint of "Granny wouldn't like it" which was delicious and well-kept. Then I switched to Tribute, also very good. The barman/landlord was friendly and service was good.
We sat in the covered area on the patio at the back. Very good on a hot day as the shade keeps you cool.
The food was good quality home cooked fare (had rib of beef sunday roast). Would be happy to return again if I'm nearby (or even if not)
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Doom Bar was on when I went this week. Hooray!
Sorry to read that others have been disappointed in the food: ours was _superb_ - as good as I've ever eaten here. In the sunshine on the attractive patio area, it was perfect.
Beer 10/10; food 9/10; welcome 9/10; atmosphere 10/10.
Keep it up guys - this is what a pub SHOULD be like.
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I ordered red snapper here (not cheap),the first effort was sent back as could not cut into it. By the time the second effort arrived my husband had finished his meal and we had to leave. I asked for mine to be bagged up for me to take home. We were not offered any compensation or even an apology when paying for the meal. Later that day I tried the meal, yet again It could not be cut, not even with my sharpest knife. I dont know what cut of fish this was and I eat a lot of fish. I was like a big lump of gristle. The worst meal I have ever had. Terrible
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Never fails. A lovely pint of the local Spa ale from Tun Wells, and a cracking plate of fish n chips.
Ahh. That's better.
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I see that CJG has beaten me to it yet again. It is true to say the ale selection on the day in question wasn't as inspiring as some would like. That said, I am prepared to assume for now that this was perhaps unlucky, and the Mild we tried was well-kept.
Service was poor as we waited the best part of 5 minutes to be given any beer - it doesn't sound long but believe me it is when you're at a bar and in desperate need of libation. However I think they were genuinely struggling as the place was absolutely heaving - a full-on lunchtime shift which they'd have been forgiven for not predicting given that this was supposed to be a quiet Thursday in between the excesses of Christmas and New Year. Maybe they were a man or two down? All the same, when it came the service was friendly. What it presumably does tell us is that the food must be on song and worthwhile trying if you are hungry and have time on your hands to wait for your order to get to the top of the queue!
There is a comfortable feel to this pub and it is a splendidly cosy interior on a Winter's day/night. I imagine it's even better when you can get a seat! There is a reasonably capacious garden at the rear which I daresay comes into its own in Summer, and the car park is conveniently large - necessarily so given the apparent popularity of the place.
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A fine country pub. A comfortable bar area for drinkers, attentive landlord and landlady (though not all their staff are quite so quick witted) and well-kept ales. On my recent visit the beer choice wasn't that interesting and it was a shame to see no Kentish beers available, Harvey's excellent but ubiquitous Best being the closest think to a 'local' beer. So, a quick half of excellent Black Cat Mild was had and we were off in search of some good Kentish ales elsewhere.
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I have to agree wholeheartedly with whybenormal. This was a great pub and one of my favourites, with well kept beers served under gravity. Charlie is a wonderful barman, knowledgeable on beers, a great character and something of an institution in this pub. The landlady is welcoming and friendly, as are the rest of the bar staff. Then there is the landlord, aptly named "Milk-Tray-Man" by whybenormal, enough to put anyone off going there again. I am afraid I don't like to be greeted with, "All right guvnor?" with a sense that he is trying to be your best mate. Unprofessional and unnecessary and thankfully I am not, his governor! Sorry Shelley and the rest of the staff I have had to score you low because of the this.
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The Dovecote offers a good range of beers, always in first class condition, served and kept by the very amiable and efficient barman Charlie. The food is always varied and good, and served in generous portions. Shelly is a superb landlady and cook! Friendly service from all the lovely staff, except, sorry to say the "milk-tray-man", the landlord Nick! Besides Nick, it is a truly lovely pub and used to be our favourite local!
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Top notch country pub with a good selection of gravity fed ales, often including Gales HSB, Blacksheep , and the superb St Austell Tribute. to name but a few
Limited space inside with an area set aside for eaters but plenty of room outside including a semi covered area.
Beer always in good condition .. just wish it was open longer hours !!
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Really good pub. Top of the range for beer, it just doesn't get any better than this. Food was well above average and they had some good fresh options as well as the pub staples (which were done well). Nice people, friendly atmosphere. Minor downsides - no dogs in or out, and the garden's not exactly full of charm. But a genuinely excellent pub, thank goodness for places like this. (Feb 2010)
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Just been again and had a FABULOUS pint or two of Granny Wouldn't Like It. Food was good (OK, not _outstanding_, but good), so hope deesouthgate will try again!
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I think deesouthgate must have hit a bad night; I ate here again recently and had an excellent meal (from their distinctive range of 'rosti' dishes) which was not only delicious to eat, but extremely good value for money too.
They continue to offer an interesting range of beers, always, in my experience, in good nick. Friendly and entertaining service, no background music, and a really nice atmosphere. I agree with LDW: one of the best locals in the area.
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Food used to be good but has really gone down hill
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Terrific pub. Nice people, great food and well-kept beer.
The best local in the area. No music, no one-armed bandits - a perfect drinking hole.
Also lovely family-friendly garden for those nice summer days.
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Beautiful rural pub with excellent ale selection (tried Black Sheep last time) and friendly service. Good food as well. Highly recommended.
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Having lived in Paddock Wood for 5 years, we'd resigned ourselves to the fact that the pubs around here were pretty mediocre. I don't know how we didn't know about the Dovecote but after seeing it in the CAMRA guide 2008 we decided to give it a go. Really impressed, a good selection of very well kept beers (favourite today was Gales HSB) and a delicious Sunday lunch - roast rib of beef which was really tasty and not overcooked like you usually get, lovely roasties, amazing massive yorkshires, cauli cheese and perfectly cooked veg. And what's more, a nice little play area for the kids set away from the main pub area. First class, an excellent find.
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I hadn't visited The Dovecote for some time before a couple of visits earlier this year. I don't know why - I think it was a local Camra pub of the year a few years back , and deservedly so. The beer range is extensive, and includes some unusual ales for the area; I had some absolutely first rate Ringwood on both my visits.
I've eaten there very well in the past, and judging by what kept appearing from the kitchen, the standard's being maintained.
Entertaining bar staff, and quite original live music too, from time to time, if that's your thing.
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