please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A fantastic old building full of interesting features. Not overly busy, but only one old chap behind the bar meant that service was painfully slow. Had a pint of Otter which was fine but couldn't be bothered waiting for a second (pint, the wait would have been ten minutes or more) so left.
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Seems to be on a rapid downhill slide.
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Still not very inviting, especially with that large nuisance man partly blocking the entrance in his wheelchair for hours on end. We were going in there to eat and drink, but with him there staring at us, we found his presence overwhelmingly off putting. We went in the cafe up the road instead.
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Got in early, before noon, and we had a bit of a wait while the barman finished clearing the lines and obtaining ice for the couple in front of me. However, the pint (forgot what it was) turned out to be delicious and we sat outside in the sun watching the world go by. This pub is a historical gem, not everyone may like the dark interior but I thought it was fantastic. There's a back courtyard and other rooms off the main passageway, the latter goes gently uphill. I felt the friendly barman was doing his best, as we left the tourists were crowding in so it's a good idea to get in early
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What an imposing building. Got it's name apparently from housing the Christian pilgrims visiting the Abbey. Lots of mullioned windows, old furniture and tapestries. Several little bars off the main hallway and a great range of real ales. Was a bit spoilt for choice, Black Sheep, Otter and Tribute - all proving to be in good condition.
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Being regular visitors to Glastonbury, the 3 of us thought we'd pop into the G and P for a drink. In we went, the bar was well crowded with locals, but behind the bar itself was deserted. We stood there, a little bit perplexed by the total absence of any staff whatsoever, we waited and waited, and waited. As the locals became aware of us and our situation, they started to sort of mutter gigglingly at us. After a considerable waiting period, and STILL no one came to serve anyone let alone us, we obviously left. Having been in pub management myself in my younger days, I can say with some authority that this is just about the worst way imaginable of running any pub let alone a so called hotel. The usual outcome of this ridiculous incompetence is that the more rowdy type of local will reach over and help themselves to the beer, not to mention the effect it will have on the more discerning would be customer.
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We were booked into stay here. Online research, including here, provided some very mixed results. Should I cancel the booking and move to the Premier Inn instead?
The lure of the oldest pub in the South West, Henry VIII being a previous visitor and a ghost proved too much to resist.
The Pub - Superb - lovely little alcoves and nooks and crannies. Two real ales on - Superb Golden Sheep and Otter (Which I didnt try). Nice whisky collection as well.
The Hotel - The rooms were fine - ascend a spiral staircase and you are in one of those elderly hotels of all creaking floors, sash windows and a hodgepodge of furniture. I would say it was expensive (£109) for what it was and the breakfast was a single sausage disappointment.
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Yeah, not very good or inviting really, my wife told me the the ladies loos are falling apart, doors coming off etc. Very off putting indeed. I asked who the boss was, and was told that he was that man over there sitting this side of the bar doing nothing. I read the reviews on the hotel side of this place, and it seemed even worse. Very disappointing.
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We went there on a Sunday, there was no food on, the dirty tables were cluttered with old glasses and litter, there was no toilet paper in the female toilet cubicle, the toilet roll holder was nearly off the wall, and the sink tap was missing!? One person serving only, and no sign of management either in the bar or office at any point. Hopeless waste of a great old building.
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Good to see that the George & Pilgrim is once again stocking local Hecks cider.
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I completely dissagree with the previous post. I have frequented this pub on many occasions and have always found it to be friendly. Yes I agree that since the demise of it's former owner (Bass) the pub has 'stumbled on', but it's still a fine old pub offering good beer. It could probably do with a refurb but name me pubs that dont!!! If your in Glastonbury this place is worth a visit.
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Very disappointed, definitely a run down back street feel to the whole place. There seemed to be plenty of the lesser desirable types in there on my return. I was definitely not comfortable in there, and couldn't wait to leave.
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This is one of the busiest pubs in Glastonbury. The real ale is fantastic andthe food is generally good. Often have to wait a while to get served if they are busy and people are trying to check in to the hotel but if you're patient it is worth the wait.
Staff are generally neat and tidy and courteous. They sacked the rude barmaid finally!
Occasional bad customers are treated with a polite but firm hand.
They sometimes have music events and fortunately none of it is bloody karaoke!
I have been drinking here on and off for some years and consider it one of my locals.
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Another dead end, the bar is now like the rooms, unclean, unattended, uncaring, and miserable. Cheap back street feel to everything, the music, the food (if any), repeatedly no one serving, totally off putting, and no one gives a
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Beer is fine.
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Good to see that Hecks local cider is being sold here again.
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That was without a DOUBT he best Karaoke I have seen, heard or been to EVER, absolutely stunning ! The landlady as I already knew goes without saying, she is an incredibly good singer, no ordinary singer for sure, whenever I hear this girl sing, I literally go cold with emotion, pins and needles etc etc, even cry sometimes...believe me when I praise her like this, it's real....she is for real. Then there was the other singers, I couldn't believe it because normally I HATE bloody Karaoke, but not this one, the general quality of last night's singing was absolutely excellent...there was one young lady in particular called Becky that really blew my mind...but all the others were unusually good...even the mad DJ I liked, (even though he referred to me as Harry Secombe) ! Ha ha ha the DJ was a wonderful load of fun, very charismatic and absolutely guaranteed that everyone was going to have a bloody good time. Bloody brilliant in every way !
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What about the singing landlady?! STUNNING. Top girl! More karaoke asap!
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Well I quite like it here, it's a lot better here now than its' been for a long time, but I must say that the landlord is certainly no food or drink expert. He thinks he is, but he isn't. ""Tesco's reduced label still stuck to the back of the fish"" This would be funny if it wasn't so awful, was it really still on the fish? Pity, because the chef is actually a very nice and competent chap. Try and blame the landlord instead, and have another go.
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I ordered the mackarel special. They served it up with a Tesco's reduced label still stuck to the back of the fish. I felt quite sick. The chef sent an apology and an extra bit of fish. Be warned!
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Local cider really good. Food disappointing. Used to do great homemade burgers, now its like McDonalds rejects. What happened?
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I think we finally have lift off.
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Ah, we have another new management. So far, so good. They answer the phone instantly, and they actually serve! Good luck!
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I'm speechless at the demise of this place. The "management" do NOTHING. I mean NOTHING at all, and now there is no food (again). Ringing them to enquire about anything at all is pointless, as no one has answered my calls on the last FIVE occasions.
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The Landlord and Landlady are friendly enough, when they are about. The staff are friendly, courteous and mostly efficient.
I haven't eaten here for a long time but the food looks and smells good. Large portions, in fact, too large some may say. Reports I've heard from friends and other customers are generally good. There used to be problems with orders coming out late or getting mixed up, thankfully that has been rectified since the new people took over.
They have taken on a lot of staff and made sure they very rarely run out of beer.
There's nothing worse than a bar without beer after all.
Cheapest pint of Guinness in town I believe (other than the Globe!)
The ales are a little on the cold side, but nonetheless well kept, lines are clean and bar is well stocked.
The prices are quite reasonable for a major tourist destination and hotel.
It's sometimes difficult to get served quickly when they are busy but they are generally pretty good.
They really have turned it around since taking over from the French couple that recently ran the place.
As for the comments about smokers standing outside, yes there are some that do, but the majority of them will quickly move out of the way when necessary.
Overall a great place.
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I forgot to mention the reintroduction of some live music in here again, mainly on Sundays around 8pm. The quality of the music quite honestly is stunning! I can't imagine anyone disagreeing with that!
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Love the arrival of the suit of Armour! I cannot remember what pub I was in the other day, but the ale really was cold, and I seriously did NOT enjoy it. Ice cold bitter/ale is definitely not good. However having now drank in the George and Pilgrim recently, all I can say is maybe the ale was cold, but It seems just right to me, perfect in fact. I see there are new managers (again), they seem OK, although one hardly ever sees them. Having witnessed food being served, it looked unusually good., and the bar staff seem MUCH better than last time I was in there. I do wish managers, staff etc would somehow persuade smokers to stay out of the doorway.
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Yes Malcom.
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Ah! That could explain a few things!
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As I said, you are mistaken (and in so many ways). The only two establishments I have frequented in Glastonbury, and you appear to be the manager of this one. No matter, as I shall not be back, and as for being "about 70", I wish that it were so!
Regarding my erudition; I would not say it is extraordinary, but I suppose a working life as a technical author may have rubbed off some rough edges.
Aside from that, I have no idea what you mean by the rest of your rant.
Learn your trade, and you could attract more customers!
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Yes, libelous yob. How could I forget your extraordinary literacy ? Remember readers, you will now see Fine_Ale_Arbiter and ReinnCarnation mysteriously agreeing with each other, always liking the King William, and slagging off nearly everywhere else...Just like The_Final_Arbiter and Dr_Pangloss did. PS, it was not me that requested your removal last time, (it really wasn't) although I certainly thought about it a lot and enjoyed it when you were "both "struck off. You're about 70 aren't you ? Aren't you a bit old for all this trouble making you seemed to be obsessed with ?
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I'm afraid you are mistaken as well as being insensitive to the correct temperature of beer in this country.
Perhaps you are a lager drinker or an American yet to be educated about proper ale. By the way,
I have no idea what you mean about slander, but you probably meant libel anyway.
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I get the feeling that Fine_Ale_Arbiter, ReinnCarnation are just the same old slanderous yob again.....The bitters are not particularly cold.
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This place LOOKS OK, but fails to deliver. I didn't stay to sample the food, but as F.A.B. says, the beer is far too cold.
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Why is all the beer served so cold? Ruined it for me.
Lots of staff with nothing to do, and local chavs similarly occupied.
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Got my eye on you, GM!
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Saw him again today. Is he only out and about at the beginning of the week?
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The Final Arbiter was out and about yesterday, but I see he walked past this establishment. Must have been on the way for fish and chips.
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Groan, I wondered if that was him back from the dead.....but who is this GodLover who thinks all pubs are great ? That's not you as well is it !?
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You should never make assumptions.
Better to stick to what you know, if anything.
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Grand_Mufti.....Yes, the French duo have gone.....already. GodLover.....The original final arbiter was struck off about a month ago for his years of abuse of 99% of pubs and about 99% of other reviewers. Dr_Pangloss was mysteriously struck of at the same time.
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Great. We now have a failed landlord and the other two failures on this site. The pub is great with lots of historic conotations. The beer is perfect - in particular the tribute.
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Has the French duo gone then?
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Why does Relaxinnz consistently take the nearest monkeys off the street to run the George and Pilgrim ? Lisa so far has been the only one to do it properly, and these geniuses got rid of her.
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Re-Grand_Mufti...I think the barmaid you refer to was probably the new landlady. By far, she is the least helpful member of staff, and the most, as you say, "up herself".
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Had a reasonable pint of Otter here today. Barmaid's really up herself.
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This pub has stopped selling Hecks local real cider & now offers only chemofizz.
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Well, unfortunately we're back in Derby now. We LOVE our yearly visit to Glastonbury, the weird shops, cafes, Abbey ruins, the people. the Tor! Our food and drink in the George and Pilgrim was OK apart from the tattooed madmen at the bar both days running. Avoid eye contact, don't go to the bar until he's either gone outside to smoke or gone to the loo, and yes, there actually was a fight involving him. On chatting with one or two locals, they informed me this was happening quite often. Was he asked to leave? No!
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Beautiful old building that claims to be the oldest purpose built public house in the south west and built in the 1400's. The pint of SA Tribute quaffed on carnival night was v good, 8/10
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Not good really, the main front door is constantly clogged with smokers that are often reluctant to move for you. Once in, it is no better really. You often seem to have to sort of, "work" at getting served. The female bar staff seem unable to tear themselves away from the increasingly yobbish regulars that dominate the bar. The tables are virtually never clean, they are often still littered with food long after people have eaten. I actually witnessed a customer asking for a cloth to wipe the table themselves, even then the staff just carried on gossiping with this bunch of loutish older men.
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Good beer - Butcombe IPA & St Austell Tribute - and fine old building at least from out front, but seems to have been vandalised as you walk through and looks nothing like it should given its history. Quite friendly atmosphere though with eclectic range of customers.
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Ha ha ha F-A's back ! Yes, I suppose the beer should be mentioned. To me, the staff, management etc are at least as important as the quality of the beer, and I have to say that I also think the quality of the staff is seriously plummeting. Julie tends to do the work of three people. Oh alright then, the beer's fine.....
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What about the beer?
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I think most of the barstaff are great at their jobs. There are some lush barmaids too! Food is good, locals are great fun, especially a fellow postie. Will visit again when i'm next around.
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Bit disappointed with most of the bar staff. The new girl seems useless, blatantly reluctant to serve or in fact do anything. As for the new long haired scruffy young guy, nightmare, for a start he acts as though he owns the place. He seems constantly absent from the bar, and when he is behind it, he seems to find anything to do apart from actually serve. However the very nice looking slightly older girl who's been there for a good while still seems as efficient, competent, and nice as ever.
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Decent enough pub in Glastonbury town centre. It's quite an old building so I'm sure there's a lot of history in it. The interior is traditional albeit a little dark. The staff are friendly and there were 3 ales available.
I didn't have any food but I think it's a good place to so. IMHO it's worth a visit if you're in the town centre.
7/10.
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Good. Run well. The Butcombe is excellent. Very food orientated.
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again lunchtime, quite busy as glastonbury pubs are at this time of day.i take most are hotel guests.the beer was reasonable but so it should for the price
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Well, we now have proof that the Sunday roast dinners here definitely have more than three miniscule roast potatoes.
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Nice to see this pub has local Hecks cider (�1.20 more than Wilkins at the Rifleman, but that is a bit out in the suburbs).Did not try the food.
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Dear FA, aren't you over doing it a bit? For a start, the lock on the loo door so far has never been activated (locked), and anyway, why shouldn't they want to reduce outsiders from using the loo? As for the food, well, you may well be right. Pubs are just pubs. As for your "French" comment, isn't that a bit beneath you? Yes, they're French, and? I'm rarely happy with anywhere I must admit, but YOU. There is no pleasing you, it's OK in there. Maybe we should buy a pub between us and have a go at creating the perfect place?
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Perhaps I should add that the licensee wears jeans!
That's as bad as the bloke at the Mitre (Although, to be fair, he's hardly ever in his own pub.)
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Oh dear! What a mistake to make! King William was absolutely rammed with diners, so we opted to give this place another go, as they advertised "Roast Sirloin of Beef" for Sunday lunch. Sounds good to me, so we walked in and I had a look to see if there was anyone I knew in there. As I did, the barmaid (who looked as though she'd had a rough night) asked if we were looking for a table to sit and eat, as all vacant tables had "Reserved" signs on them.
This set mental alarm bells ringing, but I went along with it, and ordered two of the aforementioned SIRLOIN meals. Well the beer was OK, but food was disgusting.
Firstly, they were passing off topside as sirloin.
To make matters worse, it was so overcooked that it was somewhat akin to corrugated cardboard, and was accompanied by a couple of small broccoli florets, three miniscule roast potatoes and a partly mashed melange of carrot and swede leftovers.
Apart from that, I am not used to surrendering my card as a guarantee that I will not "do a runner", particularly when I am sitting almost opposite the bar (my running days were over about forty years ago!).
After a little while, I decided a trip up the alley to "pump ship" was needed, but imagine my astonishment when I saw that there was a security lock on the door, with a notice which stated that the code for entry could be obtained from reception.
I asked for the code, and expressed my surprise at this over-the-top security. The French wench explained that this was the only pub in the town which has a problem with people coming in just to use the facilities.
Oh no it isn't!
All in all, a very disappointing experience, and I shall not return until these people go back to Normandy or wherever, and this place goes back to being run properly, with staff who know what they are doing, and someone in the kitchen who can cook properly.
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I recently had a few Guinesses (Guinnii, Guinnae?) and a steak with the bits. Very nice too, but as in all pub kitchens, when they state on the menu "Grilled tomato", it's tomato, but not grilled. The French bloke and his wife seem quite pleasant, now they've settled in. I still haven't seen this "record rack" though!
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It seems OK, good even. Never ending new management is very off putting, but the French connection seems alright. The landlady seems to be getting better. Maybe she's new to England or something, and YES....I have seen her smile at last...!
You never know, somebody there may even sort out those 2 or 3 obnoxious idiots permanently slumped at the right of the bar...
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I think I was wrong about the new French manager, he seems pretty OK. We've yet to see the, "manageress" smile or anything other than appear hostile yet though.....I'm watching, come on, you can do it, "hello, how are you", you could say, go on, try it, it won't kill you.
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Doh.....Gone already. Check out the new lot...Wonderful (Groan)(Next) !
The G and P will be as hospitable as the Market House Inn in no time !
Who is behind this phenomenal incompetence !
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Indigenous people of Glastonbury, please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think there's been many many attempts over many years to eradicate the. "drain smell" or whatever it is, but have never been entirely successful. However, it has been much improved...I.E. it is very rare now that it can be smelt.
Meanwhile, I myself am very happy with the new couple running the place. Definitely my favorite place in Glastonbury to go, no complaints, advice or anything.....All good as far as I can see...
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Popped in to see if anyone I know was in. (None were) I was assailed by the "Drain smell", which I thought they'd eliminated. Two staff, six customers (plus Mr Knight).
Went home.
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Come on, it's OK in here again. The husband and wife team seem great. The staff seem OK enough. Let's get posing !
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The G and P has always had pretty attractive girls working there.....BUT ! What about the new one, Sarah ! God almighty, beautiful ! The new boss seems OK, I'm starting to cautiously enjoy going there again.
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Popped in here (on behalf of our reader) yesterday to see what's going on.
This is the third time I have been in here over the last three months, and, as before, two or three customers seated at tables, but no sign of bar staff, so I went home.
A pity really, as I had hoped to see Cecilia, and her record rack!
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Lovely pub.
Needs more organisation, love and care.
Housekeeping not brilliant needs more work.
Better bar staff, cecelia everyone know's for the wrong reason's, her rack records
Graham is nic.e, needs to do more.
More credit should be given to Theresa and Martine who are great! who make it better!! x
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Was here in June before and after attending the festival, and thought this was one of the highlights of the small town. The Hecks cider was kept beautifully and we were happy to stay for a while and sample plenty of this. Didn't eat or stay here, but go for the cider alone.
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Aaaaarrrgh ! This new "landlord" has ruined it. This scruffy, rude, ignorant, uncaring git is slowly but surely turning the George and Pilgrim, a long standing respectable hotel, into a back street of somewhere like Slough.....SHIT HOLE ! Already the trash from the other toilets are starting to clog the doorway with their smoking, leering, not moving etc. The food seems like a load of tinned, frozen crap, some of the beers seem permanently run out, and most disturbingly, some of the new staff are the crap from the other crap pubs. He''ll have a dartboard and a pin table next.....Hurry up and crawl back to whatever beer and brawl you came from.....
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As usual, the Final Arbiter is fairly accurate...posers by the barrow load, psychics, clairvoyants, mediums, healers, witches, god's, goddesses, kings and queens...there all there, but all insane !
The staff however are excellent. I've never seen such a bunch of attractive girls all serving in one pub ! They're not just gorgeous though, they're perfectly competent as well. The male staff are just as competent. I find the landlord a bit "lacking", but he'll do I suppose.
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Fine town pub of great historical and architectural interest - not to mention friendly staff, some well kept ales and decent food at reasonable prices.
BobOs - 26 Aug 2008 20:56 |
Having read your other reviews, that's pretty much a gushing endorsement, Arbiter - steady on!!
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Mainly for tourists and poseurs.
Little local trade, which should tell you something!
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Visited this pub in the last couple of days.
Several local beers, and Guinness, Strongbow and another cider.
New age music. Grade 1&2 building.
Friendly staff, amazing architecture. great windows. See my pic.
Also offer accommodation. 15 rooms, some 4 poster beds.
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Tremendous little boozer with an ecclesiastical feel. Decent beer, nice staff.
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