Hope and Anchor Inn, Hope Coveback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
We've visted this pub a few times now, and I really hate to say it but it isnt a particularly welcoming place, and it is such a shame. Fabulous location, lovely dog who wanders about (pub dog?), gorgeous open fire.....food not bad, its just the staff arent very friendly - they really arent! - and it doesnt make you feel like going back...! I hope it changes, as I love the area.
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Can't understand the poor reviews of this excellent pub....
Spent 3 days in Hope Cove last week and escaped from our rather stuffy hotel to the the sanctuary of the Hope & Anchor, where we were always served quickly and courteously. Good St Austell and Dartmoor bitter.
Beware the Landlord's dog, who will befriend you and take you to the beach where it knows it isn't allowed!
All in all excellent. 10/10.
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The Hope and Anchor is a typical seaside pub, in other words very little atmosphere. It caters for large amounts of tourist serving both food and drink. The Friday evening we were there it was not particularly busy. We had no problem being served as these establishments usually have plenty of staff. Not service with a smile mind you, the boys and girls behind the bar haven�t any time for a personality.
The St.Austell breweries Proper Job and Tribute were both drinkable but I am afraid indistinguishable from each other. The third pint I had was Dartmoor IPA a much better offering than the two St.Austells beers. We didn�t have anything to eat, instead preferring the smart little restaurant next door on the Saturday.
Dit
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Food is very hit and miss, beer normally good, very busy summer months, grumpy landlord,
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Having spent a fabulous 4 days back in Devon (I grew up in Devon but have lived in London for the past 20 years) I was pleasantly surprised by the change in the eateries of the region, we had some truly fabulous meals and service, all that changed however with our attempted visit to the Hope!
I rang ahead at 2:10pm and was told that food was served until 2:30pm, being only 10 minutes up the road we immediately jumped in the car, 3 adults and 1 toddler and headed down, we arrived at just gone 2:20pm, I left my partner and friend to park the car and headed in to tell the pub that I would like to order food and that I had 2 friends with me who were just parking the car, as soon as I said I would like to order food the barmaids eyes shot straight at the clock, you are a bit late she said, I was told you served until 2:30pm I countered, well it's just nearly that now came the reply (no flies on her). I placed my order and repeated that 2 friends would be joining me shortly she shifted about uncomfortably and then said she would let the kitchen know that there would be another order coming. At that point my partner, son and friend joined me, it was just before 2:30pm.
The barmaid returned and before my the rest of us could order announced that the kitchen was closed and they had turned all the equipment off so no more food could be cooked, it was now only just 2:30pm. We attempted to remonstrate briefly that at least 1 of us had placed an order before 2:30pm and that the other 2 had arrived just before 2:30pm, but we were just told abruptly that the order had not gone through as she had not processed it fully on the till so now it was to late. This was all delivered with a complete air of (it's your fault for not getting here earlier) attitude. Needless to say we didn't stay for drinks.
To be frank, the Pub is the only one in the village, it is sloppily kept, greasy laminated menus, dirty carpets, funky smell and was certainly our worst experience which is a real shame as it is such a beautiful spot.
The sign outside states "A warm welcome from Ian & Emma" in our experience nothing could have been further from the truth, although judging from some of the comments above regarding the food maybe we had a lucky escape as we then drove to Salcombe, bought some amazing local produce from a Deli and had a picnic on the beach while little one ran around collecting stones and shells. True bliss.
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Still dire food and rude staff. I can only assume the good comments have been posted by the landlord.
tobyb - 21 Sep 2009 16:55 |
We adore the South Hams and have holidayed in and around the area for years, but our recent experience of the Hope and Anchor and their fare left a nasty taste. I spoke with a young couple staying there who concurred and although they said the rooms were fine they had to use the pay and display car park as all the guests spaces were taken up, no apologies were forthcoming.
It is the only pub in the village so they have a monopoly but never fear, for an extra �2 a starter,�5 a main, the little restaurant around the corner is fabulous, great food and attentive hosts, all hope in Hope is not lost!!
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This pub is not far away from me and have visited on anumber of occasions and have even stayed there once,
Its biggest problem is the inconsistency with the food and the sometimes the service.
Sometimes it can produce a good standard of pub food but othertimes really quite terrible -a jacket potato should not be too challenging for any chef but here it can be.
The beer has laways been okay. Landlord could be more cheerful.
This pub really could do better given the location, etc.
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Hope and Anchor Pub, August 2008.
My family and I have just spent two weeks in Hope Cove.
Prior to going there, I'd read the reviews about the Hope and Anchor, and therefore entered with trepidation.....my wife is quite particular about surroundings and her food.
Clearly some folk have had a bad experience there, but based on my own, I can't believe it was the same pub!
Food varied to very good to average depending what was ordered. Prices were on par if not better than other pubs in the area. Service was good considering it's popularity. I certainly wouldn't issue a warning to not go there. I think the staff do quite well considering the battle they have with some of the clientelle.....no respect shown for areas you are requested not to take your kids....and one evening a family snook in their dog, which was clearly stressed throughout and duly left a deposit under the table, whereby the disgusting dog owners left without saying a thing. The odour gave the game away....the staff dealt with the situation admirably.
Maybe folk who critise publicans should have a go at doing the job themselves and see how long they can cope with some of the people who walk through the door.
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I agree totally with npde - the lovely picturesque village of Hope Cove is badly let down by the dreadful food and quality of service on offer in the Hope and Anchor pub. Given the inedible nature of many dishes on offer, the prices charged are simplely extortionate. But worse of all is the attitude of the manager: to say that this chap is unhelpful and contemptuous of customers is a mighty understatement. When we complained about our ghastly food offerings he simply did not want to know, went off and hid in fact! WARNING: DO NOT EAT AT THE HOPE AND ANCHOR.
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Been going to Hope Cove for years and every year the pub seems to get worse. The food is overpriced and poor. We were served a burger which cost �9, which you would expect to get from Iceland. Not only that but my friends had been cooked with the plastic separator used to keep the burgers apart in storage! We complained to a member of staff, and asked to see the manager but he did have the guts to come over, in fact after hanging round for a bit we gave up as he kept on avoiding us. Unfortunately they can get away with it because it is the only pub after the Lobster pot closed some years back and the manager knows it. Avoid.
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Having spent a little time in Hope cove the Hope and Anchor is pleasant place to enjoy local banter and honest food and good beer. We will be back in September as August is very heavy
anonymous - 18 Jun 2007 00:52 |
if u r stuck for a place to eat in hope cove i hear that THE SUN BAY HOTEL in hope cove have a new chef this year. i have not herd anything bad about the hotel they have a very excitin menu 4 good vaule i also belive it changes on a daily basis the hotel does food all day aswell its open to the public and children n dogs r all wellcome its not a pub but all the same it does home cooked meals even the puddings r hand made by there chef and they have a bar wot else do u need for a decint nite out
anonymous - 27 Mar 2007 15:56 |
I have found the food there to be OK. The staff are not too bad either, even the Chris DeBurg lookalike manager! However, I do feel that because they now have the monopoly here, there is a tendancy sometimes for the staff to become a bit complacent...especially in the summer when the place can be heaving some days/nights. Becuase of this, we avoid the place like the plague during Hope Cove weekend.
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Nice village, shame about the pub! Horrible family room with food to match.
anonymous - 28 Sep 2006 08:59 |
the food in this pub is disgusting. the beef salad consists on a huge plate of leaves, a couple of thin slices of supermarket beef, and a lot of bread and butter. not at all nice and a complete rip-off at the price charged. my wife ordered fish and chips which turned out to be a piece of smoked haddock in batter, not wet white fish at all. it was left and when the person collecting the plates - waitress is the wrong word - queried it all she could offer was a free pudding, presumably from the same chef! inside is quite pleasant but there are always dirty platesglasses which dont make it look welcoming. the lager is often flat and not cold. Why go at all? because its the only pub for some distance
anonymous - 10 Jul 2006 14:47 |
I visited this pub last year and haven't been back since. I wouldn't recomend it to you if you were starving and dying of thirst! The landlord was appalingly unhelpful and unwelcoming. The waitress was horrificly rude. My pint tasted of last nights bath water and my girlfirends coke tasted of nothing. Then the food came out! I had fish and chips. The fish tasted like sea water and was uneadable. My girlfriend had a sausage sandwich which consisted of one shrivelled microwaved sausage cut in half. We left in disgust and felt quite ill afterwards!
tobyb - 19 Oct 2005 12:50 |
As only pub in very popular village, it is very busy in high season, and as a result long(ish) waits for food can be expected. However good range of beers and lagers and generally good 'pub grub'.
Ian - 1 Feb 2004 18:28 |
Large pub by the beach in Hope Cove. Popular with both locals and tourists and I expect it gets very busy at height of season. There are 3 bars - main bar, upstairs 'Boat Deck' with good views of sunsets (no smoking until 9pm), and a smokey 'Family Room' with fruit machines etc.
Good food available lunchtimes and evenings - standard menu plus changing specials. The portions are usually generous. Real ales are available and seem well kept. Try the 'Plymouth Pride' from Suttons - gorgeous.
Graham - 29 Sep 2003 09:02 |
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