Merlins Cave, Chalfont St Gilesback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Merlin’s Cave is situated in the centre of the attractive old village of Chalfont St Giles, and being adjacent to the lovely valley along which the Misbourne runs, is in an ideal location. The pub also has a good beer garden and children’s play area.
Lunch here, however, was a mixed experience. On the positive side the food was good, and my pint of Bombardier went down very well; indeed, I was tempted to have the second pint that appeared which I hadn’t ordered! The young staff were extremely busy, mainly with many young mothers with their children presumably off school for the day because of the snow, but coped well, and were courteous and friendly throughout.
My reservations: the area where we sat was dreadfully cold- I wore my winter coat throughout, and the radiator by me wasn’t on despite the snow outside. The tiny heater in its stead was of slight benefit only. The chair on which I sat was tatty as were several others around me, and my companion noticed that some in the eclectic mix of them must have originated from a church, given they had hymn book holders on their backs. Indeed an odd selection.
I thought the food expensive for the quantity provided, and the service of the dessert was very slow. This was not helped by the fact that what I sought from the menu I was told only some time later wasn’t available. When I went to pay there was an item on it I hadn’t ordered (two glasses of wine), although that was corrected immediately I queried it- this was human error, nothing more.
OK for young families, but I would not rush back.
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Completely changed inside, gone is the old dingy feeling, instead you get a large restaurant with a small bar area. Beers were O.K., garden is great, got mixed feelings about it.
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I visited Merlins Cave during the Jubilee weekend and what a great suprise. The place was packed with people and there was a great Hog Roast and BBQ out the back in their wonderful patio area. There was also a Dixie Jazz band playing too. My girlfriend and I had a wonderful time. The staff were really friendly and very attentive even though they were rushed off their feet. 5 Stars. Give it a go you won't be disappointed.
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I stopped by this pub with some work colleagues the other day for lunch and I was very pleasantly suprised. They gave us a very warm welcome and the food was great. Concise menu with specials and home made pies as well as salads and snacks too.
Great garden out the back with a lovely decked area. I see they hold hold regular events here. Barbeques every weekend and live music too. I will definitely come back here again. What a great place. Give it a try!
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Why is this pub not better, it is the definitive pub of the village in the prime position but when you go in it is dull drab and boring. 3 real ales, Courage best, Youngs and Bombardier, 3 beers you can get anywhere, all o.k. but not excellent, no guest ale, there is nothing to make me want to go back. What a disappointment.
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Friendly/prompt service. Good food. Reasonable beer (had Eagle IPA). Good size beer garden/decking.
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In a great location overlooking the village green, the inside is dated and tired, and a bit disjointed with rooms all over the place, as it has recently been bought by Gales Brewery it may be redecorated and improved. Food is sensibly priced, classic pub fare, good quantities and tasty. 3 real ales on all in decent condition.
Could be a brilliant pub rather than just average.
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The Merlin�s Cave benefits from a superb location overlooking the Green at Chalfont St Giles. The Mock Tudor exterior is welcoming but unfortunately the inside does not live up to the welcome. It is a fairly bland small, two bar pub internally. The saloon bar into which you enter is comfortable enough albeit with two large plasma screens which gives it a bit of a public bar feel, but then the public bar behind is no more than a room for a Pool table. But what saves this pub is what then lies behind this.
Step outside and you step onto a large decking area covered by two enormous gazebo type umbrellas, and equipped with a purpose build large BBQ cooking area. And then beyond this is a large garden area stretching down to the River Misbourne. The sun was out during our visit in early May and it was very pleasant to sit outside. And I imagine in high summer this is a fantastic spot for an outside pint. The beers at the time of my visit were GK IPA, Fullers London Pride and Guest Ale, which was unfortunately off. Not the best pint of pride I�ve ever had but passable all the same.
They do advertise it as having a riverside location, but don�t get too excited by this as The River Misbourne is at best a small stream at this point and well hidden from view.
One tip is that there is an associated Barn the other side of the car park which houses Sunday LunchTime Jazz sessions featuring local Jazz artists. It will cost �5.00 to get in, but if you sit in the pub garden with a pint you can hear it perfectly well. So bit of a Brucey Bonus to go along with the beer.
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