Carpenters Arms, Chippenhamback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
We read the menue board outside at lunchtime." OPEN" it said.
In we went and were greeted by the grumpy landlord who said, "We're CLOSED"
We queried , WHY?
"Get out", he said!
WE DID....... and we will NEVER, EVER, RETURN
What a rude man..... What a pity for LACOCK
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This pub - albeit undeniably charming from the outside - was achingly dated inside, and whilst more often than not I don't object to a little olde worlde charm and character, I just felt that it was neglect, and over-reliance on a captive tourism audience, that had left the Carpenters feeling tired and in today's competitive pub industry, unacceptably shabby.
The decor was suited to the building well enough, but was yearning for some TLC and although essentially clean, the atmosphere was lacking - perhaps that was because it was mid-afternoon but even so, I can't imagine this as a thriving hostelry with an appeal broader than older folk living in Lacock who find it convenient, and unsuspecting visitors who don't know better.
The landlord was a bluff old boy and seemed friendly enough. He only had 1 cask ale on - the rather safe Shep's Spitfire (maybe not ubiquitous in these parts but hardly sock-rocking). He'd got Adnams Lighthouse but apparently it wasn't ready - well, at least he wasn't serving up poor beer. But somehow it didn't inspire one to reach for another half.
It looks like food is served and is popular, although one may have to look at earlier commentaries for details on that front. Perhaps this is enough for some, but in a village like this one surely can expect some really high-quality, smart pub at its core which has a broader appeal? I think this is adequate, but a real wasted opportunity.
I may revisit the village, but alas probably not the Carpenters, unless it decides it wants to justify its position and prices.
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Following my visit on 3/Jan/09 it took me 6 months of repeated e-mails to get the pub listed on BiTe and following today's visit, I wished I hadn't bothered. When we arrived I expected to have a conversation on the above, but the opening gambit was 'Are you eating with us?'. I attempted to conduct a conversation with the landlord several times, and each time he rudely walked off while I was speaking. He clearly would not talk to me. I had to ask how long he had been there to check if this was the same guy! Beer range had changed and the hand pumps moved to altered back bar, all of which seemed to improve the place, but I wouldn't recommend bothering to go there!
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Beer range of day of visit was Adnams Broadside and Spitfire. The Adnams was a well kept pleasant pint. Visited on a Sunday, circa 1300 - managed to get a table next to roaring coal fire.
Food was reasonably priced considering it's location. Not overly sure about the quality though. The pastry of the steak & kidney pie had that "just microwaved" taste to it, and parts of the filling were stone cold.
Some of the back rooms appear to be undergoing renovation - so changes may be afoot.
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Beer range of day of visit was Adnams Broadside and Spitfire. The Adnams was a well kept pleasant pint. Visited on a Sunday, circa 1300 - managed to get a table next to roaring coal fire.
Food was reasonably priced considering it's location. Not overly sure about the quality though. The pastry of the steak & kidney pie had that "just microwaved" taste to it, and parts of the filling were stone cold.
Some of the back rooms appear to be undergoing renovation - so changes may be afoot.
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Building pre-dates Lacock�s oldest pub by 61yrs (1300) but didn�t become a pub until 1610 as The White Hart. In 1724 it added a short lived brewery and changed to present name. 3 hand pulls offer 6X, plus 2 Courage beers all in excellent condition. Good pub menu & well priced. Has a skittle alley. The porcelain in the ladies toilet is over 50yrs old, ornately antiquarian and needs to be preserved! Landlord was friendly and informative. Doesn�t quite have the atmosphere of The George but still a good watering hole!
Reviewed 03/01/09 by SADCATS on Tour! SCORE- 7.
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