please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
It's good to stop here on a walk alongside the Kennet & Avon Canal. I can't comment on the beer because being a brilliant sunny mid-afternoon, a cooling pint of shandy seemed best. The focus does seem to be on food sales, but don't feel put off calling in to sit in the pleasant garden with a beer. Our fellow drinkers were most decorous.
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The weather put us off walking along the canal from Hungerford which was a shame because of one the major attractions of this pub has to be its setting and its beautiful beer garden. As a pub, it clearly attracts a certain type - think burgers at £13.45, children called Gabriel, Willem and Beattie running around (but with pretentious rather than über-posh parents), Louis Roederer parasols, cars which have to take up 2 spaces in the car park and £4 for 2 halves. The Arkells Moonlight was very good; their Wiltshire Gold, Wild Weather's Sundown and Ringwood Best were the other 3 handpulled ales, Orchard Pig's Reveller was the regular cider with the very local Cidernik's 6.5% Combe Raider also on a handpull. Not that I tried them all, but every one of these beers/ciders was new to me so that made it a worthwhile visit.
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AVOID, AVOID, AVOID!
It isn't first impressions - it's even worse!
The idiots who run this place might as well put a big sign up outside saying "Diners only - drinkers not welcome".
Today we were told by a jobsworth behind the bar that we couldn't sit in the corner of the bar (where we have on a weekly basis since they re-opened) as it was a "serving area".
The first round (at 12.25) of 3 Good Old Boys was �10.50 - expensive, yes, but the beer was good. The second round (at 13.05) of 2 Good Old Boys was �7.00. The third round (at 13.20) of 3 Good Old Bopys was �11.10! When this was queried, we were told that the prices had gone up because "Amanda said so"! We asked to speak to the manager who was, apparently, too busy but sent his apologies and offered a free round! Not surprisingly given the treatment , we accepted, but were told that �3.70 a pint was the new price! In the boondocks of West Berkshire! That is expensive in central London.
We shall not be darkening the doors of this place again - or anwhere else owned by Cirrus Inns who are, clearly, a bunch of money grabbing crooks.
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I'm told it is due to re-open today after a refurb with an increase to 6 handpumps. Will check it out next week.
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Following change of ownership last week, closed for refurb. Rumoured not to be opening until late August so it must be a pretty extensive make-over!
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Not quite Dan137. It has been bought by Cirrus Inns who have an ex Ramsey man as their Chief Exec. They shoulkd take over at the end of May.
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Now under new ownership. Part of Gordon Ramsey's empire it seems.
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We had a very nice stay at this pub recently, re below the landlord was perhaps a little phlegmatic but perfectly pleasant to us. The room was a good size and in good repair with a door leading to a lovely (shared) private terrace backing onto a side part of the canal. The food was very tasty and I had an enjoyable pint from the local brewery, name escapes me, very tasty 4.5vol. Location with shire horses and canal boats passing not at all spoilt by the odd train passing.
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I did not stay at this hotel, so cannot comment on the rooms or that side of the business. I am a CAMRA member and when away from own county seek out pubs that carry real ales that I can�t get at home.
The Dundas Arms is a well located pub/hotel being on the banks of the Kennet and Avon Canal, where patrons can sit in a part of the car park that have tables for the purpose. Here, people can laugh at the antics of some boaters using the adjacent lock. The only adverse comment regarding its location is the close proximity it is to the rail station and level crossing.
The pub carries a good choice of ales and all are well kept, I have eaten there once and can say the food is of good quality if not somewhat expensive. The chief problem I have with the place and is the only reason I refuse to go back in the place any more is its landlord.
The man is to the licensed Victuallers trade, what Basil Fawlty is to hoteliers. He is brusque to the point of utter rudeness, arrogant and downright unpleasant . It is clear that anyone who is not one of the regular clientele are looked upon as an imposition to serve and of no significance to hold any conversation with. That of course pre-supposes you can get him away from talking with said clientele in the first place.
It is interesting to note when talking to local of Kintbury regarding this landlord, the reaction is always the same, nodding of the head in agreement and accompanying laughter.
I travel to Kintbury on numerous occasions throughout the year and spend a lot of time warning people off going to the place. A large proportion of those who do go, normally come out with an impression they would rather have not had in the first place. It is a shame a lovely pub like this is let down in this way, but until this landlord goes, I will not set foot in the place again and will continue to warn off any one who intends to
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I called in here on a fine Saturday afternoon recently after walking from the Downgate in Hungerford. There is a stage overhanging the canal which makes a good spot to enjoy a drink on a sunny day. It is a hotel with a bar rather than a pub, but sitting outside you can't tell the difference.
Accordingly, the tables outside were well used and only one customer inside. I had a pint of some West Berkshire beer at 4.8%, served in good condition for �3.10. Two other small brewery real ales on offer. Food not sampled.
Almost adjacent to Kintbury railway station. More-or-less hourly service from Paddington.
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An excellent pub, great location, very attractive interior, and best of all 4 real ales all in great condition, 3 of them were different local breweries. The food was very good and the service very friendly and speedy.
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Went in here after mooring up on the Canal last week, seemed a nice pub, has a great location, right on the canal.
Beer was nice, and a reasonable selection and not too overly priced.
We had some food, which I must say wasn't the best, fish and chips, and it was very greasey and over cooked chips, not really what I class as good pub food, the table next to us were complaining about their steak as well, saying it was tough as rope and just grisel. Shame as it could have been a lot better.
The pub itself felt like you were more in a Hotel than a normal pub, and the locals were all crowded round the bar, it was very cliquey.
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Had lunch with the family whilst passing through on a canal boat earlier this week. The pub was very busy with a large number of people having lunch. Despite this we received our well-cooked and tasty food very quickly and a good meal was had by all. Beer was also good. Bill was higher than I'd expected but by means excessive.
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This pub sits in a great location just by the canal and has every reason to be a popular destination. However, it fails to live up to its potential. I stood for abotu ten minutes waiting for the landlord to finish his rather banal conversation with his cronies before he finally decided to serve me (apart from the cotery I was the only other customer). He rather grudgingly poured me a pint which was OK but by no means excellent.
Next time I stay in the area I will walk somewhere else rather than return to this unwelcoming establishment.
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Lovely location on the canal but apart from that I was disgusted with this pub. We came in here on a barge holiday and ordered a round of 4 drinks and were told 'These will be your first and last drinks - we shut at 2.30'. Pretty rude way to tell us this, I thought. Also, a group of friends came in here on a long walk up the canal, Thatcham-Hugerford. They came in at 2.32pm and were all refused a drink because it was after 2.30pm, even through the next refreshement stop in both directions was miles away. I know a further person that went in here with her boyfriend. They thought the menu on the blackboard was specials only, and when they asked to see the menu they were told: 'What do you think you're looking at?' Clearly this place has issues with customer service. There are two other pubs in Kintbury, both not far from the canal. My advice is to check those out instead: both are nicer than this place.
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Has a strong local reputation for its food and I've always had a good meal and a decent pint here. If you want somewhere cheaper but still a good pint try the Blue Ball further up the road. The Dundas has always been know for its erratic opening hours.
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This was a nice meal, not cheap but fresh tasting and hot would eat there again. I do like the location also feels like you are somewhere special if the sun is out it is a place you want to be although they seem to open when it suits them and not the customer? However they are probably a well estblished Pub and can open when they like.
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Good food and decent beer. Not cheap but you get what you pay for.
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This is in Kintbury, not Hungerford (whatever the postal address may indicate!) Excellent location by canal. Well-kept ale. Somewhat restricted opening - you'd expect a place like this to be open all day, at least on summer weekends - but it isn't.
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