please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This pub has changed for the better.
I have to say I had plenty of similar experiences to other reviewers in the past with this pub. Overpriced drinks and food, rude and surly staff and a soulless atmosphere. The only good thing going for it was that it was local and you could walk in there in a muddy state after a good walk.
So how has it changed? The staff now look at you and listen to you when ordering drinks and food. The drinks themsleves have come back down to normal pub prices and whilst still not the cheapest in the area, they are competitive at last.
My wife and I had a nice couple of drinks and some homemade soup for lunch one day over the Christmas break and it was all very pleasant. The beer was well kept (although I can't recall what it was) and the soup was warming and wholesome.
Therefore, if you are in the area and fancy a drink after your walk, give it a try, it is now much better. They are definitely trying to improve so let's see how they get on.
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Once upon a time this was a halfway decent (if a little soul less) pub/restaurant. Not any more.... I hadn't been in for a while but called in today (Sunday) for a couple of pints whilst out walking the dog.
Despite the fact that the place was (reasonably) quiet (it used to be packed on a Sunday) I have to say that the service is truly dreadful and the drinks are so overpriced, it's ridiculous.... £7.75 for a glass of Pinot Grigio!!! Can you believe it?
Real shame as it's within walking distance of my home but the nearby White Hart has a much better atmosphere and a wider range of ales too. Hardly any wonder that there are no 'locals' at the RR's bar.
Unless you really enjoy waiting around and/or being ignored or you're one of the millionaires from nearby Kingswood with more money than sense, go somewhere else.
Check out their website for details of their 'sister' pubs. If the 'Ramblers' is anything to go by, they're probably worth avoiding too.
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Visited this pub a couple of times in the past two weeks and I can confirm that the service is really appalling......and I was only waiting to get a beer. The staff tend to look at you in wonderment not realising that you may want serving. Most of their energies concentrate on those customers ordering food...........it becomes apparent why they spend so long on food orders as they have no plan in place i.e. table numbering or the like and by the time punters get their food it is cold! After wandering aimless around the patio area looking for the poor hungry folk who ordered burger and chips the waitress obviously got bored with carrying both burgers AND chips that she duly dropped the pot of chips on the floor, so not only did the hapless fool who ordered food get served with a cold burger they also had no chips - what a shambles.
Avoid and seek out a proper pub.
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Scores out of 5
Beers on offer 5 - Beer quality 4 - Full pint? 4 - Service 3 - Clientele 3
Garden & view 5 - Welcome & staff 4 - Parking 5 - Toilets 5 - Comfort 4
TOTAL 42 out of 50 OVERALL RATING 41 to 45 = 9
Comment: Huge range of lagers and more importantly Adnams Broadside whoo hoo. Large pub, well maintained and very comfortable but despite the high scores there is something missing. It might be that there were no apparent locals or any sign that there is a regular �crowd� here and despite them serving my favourite beer EVER I prefer my local that only scores a total of 6. Weird.
Returnability: 3
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Don't bother with this one - it took 15 minutes to get a drink and another 15 to order food on the 30 December 2011. The food (fish and chips and burger and chips) arrived after a 48 minute wait and was not good as had obviously been kept warm in the oven waiting to be served by the barman when he could fit it in. The second drink took another 15 minutes and the barman tried to charge �8 for a mediocre wine which cost �4 first time round...it was quite busy that evening but only one person working the bar and second covering the restaurant coffee and beers. One restaurant waitress was not taking orders from the bar area. The situation is wonderful but can't be seen in the dark. Won't go there again in a hurry.
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The menu is overpriced and pretentious. That would be ok if the food lived up to the menu.
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A clapperboard built pub which has obviously been modified and expanded several times. The restaurant is in the old part of the pub while the bar and lounge is in the newer part. Seating is comfortable and the bar is modern looking. A fair selection of real ales; Sharps Doombar, Fullers London Pride and St Austell Tribute. There is also a large patio at the rear of the pub. There is a small car park at the front but a much larger one at the rear. This is clearly a pub that derives most of its revenue from the food trade.
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Went to this pub/restaurant a few months ago and the service was appalling. This was in addition to the fact that several items on the menu were not available. One of the items was sirloin steak which, to my way of thinking, is something a restaurant should NOT run out of. In the way of compensation, they provided a fillet steak for the same price as a sirloin. Today we have been there again and lo and behold the service was again appalling. And once again 3 items out a choice of, perhaps, a dozen were not available. And, again, these were everyday items you'd expect on a menu ie. gammon steak and burgers! We waited about 50 minutes for our starters to arrive but, the main course did come within 10 minutes of having the starter plates removed. Given that there were no more than about fifteen other diners, 50 minutes is totally unacceptable. I also agree with other comments here about the cost. The menu is very overpriced for the quality and selection of food. I think I'll NOT be visiting this establishment again!!!
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This is more of a restaurant than a pub. The food is expensive for pub food.
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Overpriced food and many mistakes made by serving staff, albeit quickly and politely rectified. Bill was 40 quid overstated but they changed it
Definitely overrated and only worth going to for the location
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I don't know what the last comments are on about....visited for lunch today and the food, service and atmosphere were very good. The 3 beers on tap were also well kept...Timothy Taylor, Harveys and London Pride . I had 4 pints : 2 Tim Taylors, 1 Harveys and a Guiness....all well kept and poured. I'll definitely return when I'm in the area again!
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If you wish to pay well over the odds for a bit of pub grub then by all means go here. If however you do not want to - go elsewhere.
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This pub is known as being the pub to go to in the area, I have no idea why. The most over rated pub I've ever been to, no atmosphere, odd decor and average service.
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VERY disppointing. Looks amazing, great decor, but the service is terrible. Took us 1 hour to get a food order into the kitchen. Ended up writing our order down and taking it to the manager. Food was OK when it turned up, but they failed to check the order with us and missed one main course. V Poor.
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Not what i was expecting in a rural(ish) area. Very modern and well fitted out, with a decent patio area for smokers and walkers. On the expensive side if you drink lager @�3.75 a pint. Nice to go for a couple of quiet ones, will certainly use again
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This place has been a pub for less than twenty years yet the amount spent on refurbishments in that time could probably bail out a reasonably sized clearing bank. Whitbread gave up on it, clearly an unbranded Beefeater wasn't working, and so sold it on to M&B who gave us...an unbranded Vintage Inn. Spot the difference. Well, the food might come from Brakes rather than 3663. Or vice versa. Who can tell?
We went for the first time since the last refurbishment the other day. We walked the couple of miles from home looking forward to a couple of pints and a snack and a sit down, hoping for an improvement on Beefeater days. There was no real ale. The few tables in the bar area were taken up with families with screaming kids. We weren't allowed to sit anywhere else without eating. We left unrefreshed and fed up and went back home for lunch.
One day some head office wallah might actually decide to come down here and figure it out. Not for nothing is it called the Rambler's Rest. It's in a superb location with walks all around for visitors and locals alike. By all means keep your pretend gastropub that the branding consultants tell you you must have, so you can mug a table for four �100 for their microwaved dinners. But have a proper pub, a public bar even, as well, somewhere the rest of us can have a beer and a sandwich and then carry on with our trip out.
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Had a good pint of harveys sussex, first visit after its refit looks much cleaner.
I will try the menue out.
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A great pub, purely for the very high quality of food that is served. It has a wide variety of choices including fish, and the ribeye steak is excellent.
There was London Pride and Tim Taylor Landlord on offer, and I had the Landlord. It was excellent.
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A Rest for Ramblers...yes; not for wet and dirty dogs whose owners now give advice on the pub business and decor !
'We need a pub team that cares for our village' says one. You mean a team that will allow dogs in. The last two posters are correct - go somewhere else (where dogs are wecome). Simple.
One pub not far away even has a water bowl for dogs; pub owners have the option to cater for dogs - some decide not to. Free country, init.
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I also live near Chipstead and agree with lostparker. But smb520 has the answer - bring your dogs to the Well House or White Hart and let M&B carry on their business as they see fit.
In this weather, a clean dog is rare and - just because a pub is near woods/countryside - there is no obligation whatsoever to allows dogs in; I could name dozens of pubs in Surrey alone where dogs are not allowed in, and remain outside. Just like other places where food is served.
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As a Chipstead resident and regular at the Ramblers Rest, I strongly disagree with the two previous posts. To allow wet and dirty dogs into this newly refurbished establishment would be madness, in the middle of winter.
Do these two dog loving posters allow their sweaty/dirty/wet hounds into their living rooms - to destroy fixtures and fittings ? I think not !
But its ok - in their eyes - to allow these mutts to pass their foul odours to us 'suits' who are perhaps (though not always) trying to enjoy a quiet drink/meal after work. WITHOUT having to watch the animals wrestle, salivate, run and ruin the excellent new decor. But, of course, THEIR animals would never do that...
M&B's handling of this matter is clearly correct. Well done to them for having the courage tell dog walkers that, even though its a rural area, dogs have no god given (or legal) right to do their thing in this business premises - just because it was tolerated before. A commercial decision has been made - the right one.
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Well said Chipsteadlocal! I too live in Chipstead and my reservations were confirmed last Friday. Having taken my dog for a walk I thought I'd throw caution to the wind and try the revamped Ramblers.
Out of courtesy I asked the barman if dogs were Ok to come in. He wasn't sure (?!) and asked what apppeared to be the maitre 'd. This guy informed that only "clean" dogs could enter the place, as "we spent a lot of money on the interior"!! This is a pub (supposedly) called "The Ramblers Rest" in the rolling Chipstead countyside, next to Banstead woods fo gods sake! And what determines a "clean" dog?? In my opinion Hector was clean enough thank you very much!
Fortunatley Chipstead does have a lovely traditional, dog friendly country pub called The Well House Inn, and M&B should also take note that another revamped local - the White Hart (part of the Blubeckers chain), does allow dogs. Blubeckers were clearly wise enough not to want to disenfranchise the many locals who love their dogs. I won't be rushing back.
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Where are us dog walkers suppose to go!
Bring back the old team at the Ramblres Rest!
We need a pub team that cares for the people of our village!
Not impressed at all M&B
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I have lived in Chipstead all my life and i have seen this pub change hands so many times. It has recently been taken over by M&B. Before they opened i was hopeful that they would turn the place around. If only we were that lucky.
They have been open now for two weeks, and i have never known a pub to drive away so many locals in such a small space of time. The managment and staff have clearly put no research into the area and as a result have decided to stop letting all dog walkers in. Bear in mind Banstead woods is on the back door step! Shocking.
Two neighbours of mine have both been turned away, due to their dogs being 'wet'. When one questioned the manager, the responce he got was, "we only allow clean dogs to come in, we have spent alot of money on our interior".
Moving on to the interior, yes it does look nice. Is it a country pub anymore? No No No! When Whitbread had this pub, the service may not of been great with a terrible Kitchen team, but it has a country pub atmosphere. It now resembles what can only be described as someones living room and with a touch of a tex mex restaurant (as a result of the animal skulls hanging off the walls). Within the restaurant, some parts are very dark gloomy red, which yes can be nice in some areas, but not in the middle of Chipstead countryside!
It is sad to see that so many of the old friendly faces that use to greet us every evening, have been forced out.
Overall, its been open for two weeks, in that time its driven away more locals that i can ever recall, lost the dog walkers (because no research has been put into the clinatle of the area), interior doesnt resemble a country pub. Very poor M&B.
The Ramblers was one of the only country pubs left in the area, NOW WE HAVE NONE!
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What an improvement since the change. I've been an occasional visitor for many years, and experienced this place go downhill as stated in the recent postings. Thought I'd give it another try following the recent reopening - given that Derby Arms and Arkle Manor, its sister pubs, are ok.
Great decor in and out, excellent atmosphere (the chavs have moved on), great service, great food, and reasonably priced. Now part of the Landmark Leisure group.
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Now open after renovation..heard suprisngly good reports (so far!)
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Currently closed for - I guess - renovation; has fencing round the pub, and builders' materials there, too.
I didn't see whether there was a sign saying when it would re-open.
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Following my complaint, I have been in touch with Whitbread (and M&B who now run this establishment) to complain and they (Whitbread) couldn't have been more apologetic. We have been given a full refund and vouchers to boot! Doesn't make up for not getting what we thought we were going for, but does part-way restore my faith in "chain breweries". I just hope that the service and attitude of the staff improves in the future.
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Beefeaters are cock. Anywhere that has a long menu is making a mistake; have a few dishes that you cook properly.
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Also... could anyone tell me which brewery now runs this as my brother thinks it isn't a Beefeater. Many thanks x
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I am writing further to visiting the Ramblers Rest on the evening of Saturday 4 October 2008.
My brother booked a table for eight people at 8pm for a special family occasion having visited your pub before, and receiving both good service and good food.
Having advised us of where we would be eating, some of us took the opportunity to have a look at your website to see what the menu was like, and were very happy to see the array of food on offer. We were all looking forward to a good meal in nice surroundings.
We arrived a little early and so decided to sit in the bar area and order drinks (the area around the bar was very cold). We took this opportunity to have a look at the food menu so that we would be ready to order when we sat down (the food menu on the tables at the Ramblers Rest is not the same as the one on your website! Instead we were greeted with a menu which resembled that of a Harvester pub!). Your website states "The Ramblers Rest is currently running a fresh new menu, with lots of tasty dishes including freshly made pasta of the day and Braised steak and pale ale pie", where was this on the menu?!
At around 7.40pm we were told that our table would be ready in five minutes. At 8pm we were still waiting to be seated, although this was not a major issue as our table was booked for 8pm anyway.
I would also like to point out that when my brother called to book the table he enquired about vegetarian meals. The person read out a very long list of vegetarian options however, when we studied the menu there were three options, four at the most. Hardly a great choice!
Once seated at our table the waitress came over and her first words were "I have the job of delivering the bad news, there are some things on the menu which aren't now available". She went on to advise that the ribeye steaks was not available, nor the rack of lamb or the scallops. Four of our party were extremely disappointed as they had wanted to order the ribeye steak. We were then given five minutes to peruse the menu again to choose an alternative. Three of our party then decided on the 10oz sirloin.
We duly ordered our starters and entrees.
The starters arrived after rather a long wait, and a member of our party had been to chase the order up. Some of our party finished their starters before others and the waitress interrupted our meal by clearing the plates before everyone had finished... appalling! We felt very rushed.
One of our party took the opportunity of the break between courses to visit the toilet. She was shown to the disabled toilet, next to the men's toilets, where she was greeted with water (we presume) all over the floor! Two of our party popped out to the smoking hut after the starters, to find one of your waitresses in there with a drink and chatting to a friend on her mobile telephone. When we appeared, we overheard her saying, "I'd better go, I'm at work". Whilst I understand that staff members are entitled to breaks, this didn't look very professional.
We then had to wait around 30 minutes for our entrees. When the entrees arrived, the three 10oz sirloins were announced as 8oz steaks by the waitress. We advised that this was the wrong size, to be told that there were no 10oz steaks and we should have been advised of this when we placed the order... we weren't! One of the three steaks should have been accompanied by a black and blue sauce, which took forever to arrive and when it did it was cold! It was sent back to the kitchen, where I presume it was "stuck back in the microwave". When it returned, the sauce was still only luke warm however, the jug it came in was piping hot!
We were offered desserts and coffee, in a surly manner, but decided not to partake for fear of having to take up residence in order to finish them.
When the bill arrived the manager had deducted �25 as a gesture however, this did not make up for the bad service and poor customer care we received. When the waitress took our credit card away, she actually snatched it!
During the whole evening, we were made to feel as though we did not matter. Another table of four people had to actually re-order their starters AND entrees as the pub had run out of ingredients for some dishes. I would certainly not expect a pub (or restaurant) to run out of ingredients at 8pm on a Saturday night, which in my view is prime time dining.
We certainly shall not be recommending your pub to our friends and acquaintances in the Surrey area. What's more, you will see that I have copied this letter to Beer in the Evening to advise them of our experience, and also Beefeater (as I have subsequently found from perusing the internet that the Ramblers Rest is now a Beefeater) as we would not have visited had we known this.
Food was edible but not at all enjoyable.
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After various complaints got response and apology. Learned Pub is being taken over again wef 19th? September, so hopefully will improve.
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Most awful pub I have been to, dont seem to live serving foriegn folk. Was last to be served and the attitude and manner was very unbecoming that of a multicultural society
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Avoid, avoid, avoid. Bad food, inexperienced untrained staff. Would be better if actual Beefeater at least you'd know what to expect. If you like Zambuda served in a juice tumbler, dishes not available and chaos Ramblers Rest your venue. Else AVOID. Even wrote and telephoned to complain. Didn't even get an acknowledgement.
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The Ramblers Rest is a Beefeater disguised as a delightful country gastro pub.
You go in there expecting good quality well cooked food in a charming enviroment, but instead get disgusting mass cooked microwaved pap with frozen veg.
There are several decent restaurants around Banstead and Chipstead. The Ramblers Rest used to be one of them. Not any more.
If you seek good quality, well cooked food....avoid this place like the plague!
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Do remember that when Whitbread got rid of Out and Out they kept the most profitable and in most cases rebranded them to Beefeater. This one was experimentally left unbranded to attempt to kid people that it is upmarket and doesnt have the chaviness of a Beefeater.
But have no illusions, it is a Beefeater under the skin with all the dreary mediocrity that goes with that.
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can;t post to this pub...
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When this pub was taken over from Out & Out, there was reason to be optimistic for it's future but sadly my last few visits have been mediocre at best. I also don't understand why the pub is such a chav magnet, when I last went in there I think I was one of the very few people who wasn't sporting a tracksuit or a football shirt! The language and noise radiating from one particular groups table was apalling. Oh and did I also mention the bar STINKS of stale beer?
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This pub was lovely, I never knew it pre-takeover, but post takeover the food was nice and it had some experienced staff running the bar, and the food was restraunt quality. I think it has changed hands again since then, the food is still good, but not to the same level, and the staff are mainly school levers making money over the weekend and evenings. I have no problem with this, but I think there is a lack of an experienced manager visible. The staff have trouble with the computers systems. It is a more modern pub, it's nice to go down there and think of it more as a relaxing restraunt and bar than a full on pub.
anonymous - 4 Oct 2007 10:52 |
Sorry to say I agree with everybody, I have popped in and out of this pub for the last seven years, once upon a time it was great, then the contempory change together with over priced food......usless staff and the rest is history. Please make this into what it should be, a pretty country pub with fantanstic local ales, a bar menu serving rustic food together with places to sit, and a resturant on the side serving good fresh produce from the surrounding counties!!
anonymous - 3 Sep 2007 10:51 |
About 7 months ago just after their take over this place was about the best pub/restaurant for miles. Packed nearly every night. Unfortunately the management and the head chef changed and has gone downhill since. AWFUL!
anonymous - 4 Aug 2007 22:12 |
I went to the ramblers yesterday with a friend and was very sad to see how down hill it's gone. First of all we stood at the bar for around ten minutes and was completely ignored by at least three members of staff who were too busy chatting to each other about how to work the coffee machine. Then the barman couldn't understand how to make a white wine spritzer and thought that only two people wanted one drink between them. We stayed for the BBQ which was quite nice if somewhat over priced. �6 for on sausage in a bun and a bit of salad!! Next round of drinks ... the barman put a leaf in the glass when he added ice... noticed it was there fished it out with his fingers and continued to pour my drink into the glass... i had to ask him to use a fresh glass with fresh ice. At the same time another customer had been given coffee with a dirty bowl of sugar and had to ask three members of staff for a clean one.... i left him standing there so didn't find out how long it took him to get one... although i'd lay money on his coffe being cold by the time he did!!!!
anonymous - 9 Jul 2007 16:10 |
This place has so much potential, why can't ANYBODY run this place as a good pub/restaurant?? It has always been so naff. It might be better to get a really good chef to take it over and turn it into something like THE DINING ROOM in Reigate
anonymous - 4 Jul 2007 08:49 |
Went there for the first time in ages on fathers day, what has happened to the place? all the staff looked like they just left school and none had any idea what they were doing. Didn't bother staying for a meal, getting a round of drinks in was hard enough. Shame, used to be a great pub
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Had been at the BWTT and went after for coffee and cwasonts. The exterior is lovely with sufficient car parking.
However, it is...
Under staffed with incompetant staff who make a hot chocolate that is bitter and are thoughtless in the service they provide, sold cold hard cwasonts they obviously just bought from the cornershop after taking a massive order making everyone wait upto 30mins, a riduclous rip-off and somewhere I will never set foot in again nor recommend to anybody.
An awful experience.
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A group of 13 of us (all over 60 years of age)had a Sunday lunch at the Ramblers Rest on 29 April. Our overall experience was excellent. The pub atmosphere was friendly and relaxed and the pub is family orientated.
We arrived at 1230. There is a large car park at the rear of the property which can accommodate a good number of cars. The afternoon was sunny and warm and the outside beer garden was bustling with customers. Before dining inside we had drinks at the bar. The staff were excellent, serving our drinks quickly and efficiently. Running up a tab for payment later was no problem.
We had reserved a table and when we sat down the waitresses quickly took our orders and were very pleasant, friendly and organised. For a busy Sunday afternoon there was a good choice of food on the menu including the essential range of roast meats.
Service was quick. Everyone had starters all of which were well presented, tasty with large portions. The main courses were also well presented, with good servings and vegetables not overcooked. A range of different desserts were also extremely tasty and well presented. The food bill for 3 courses including wine was �312. The bar bill came to around �50. In all this worked out at about �27.50 per head and we didn't leave until 1730!
We would certainly recommend the Ramblers Rest to others
anonymous - 29 Apr 2007 20:34 |
Having enjoyed some sunny lunchtimes in the garden (despite the noisy extractor fan) we thought we'd try a full evening meal there.
Big mistake! Over priced and overcooked is the simplest way of summing up the meal.
It's a shame because this place has so much potential. The move away from the 'Out & Out' brand was sensible because the location wasn't appropriate for a chain-store format. But if they want operate it as a place with higher aspirations they are going to have to sharpen up their act.
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This restaurant was really bulled up to us. Good home cooking and on the up due to new management.
The reality was a bit of a shambles. The waiter, a nice lad, really didnt have a clue and was totally untrained. The starters weren't bad, mine, smoked meats was excellent. My wifes black pudding, nothing to write home about.
My main course was frankly awful. Overcooked duck in a totally anonymous sauce. They said it was fresh, but it seemed microwaved to me.I had the special handcut chips, which I left in disgust. They were soggy, cooked in dirty oil and obviously heated up.
My wifes haddock and chips werent even up to your worse chippy standard, and half a dozen soggy chips arranged artistically criss cross on her plate looked rather sad.
My wife didnt have a dessert because she had given up by this time.
Having complained about the duck and the chips, I was offered a free dessert. I had my favourite...creme brulee. My mistake.The custard was far too cold straight from a cold fridge, and the topping had obviously been put on well before service, didnt cover the dish and had no crispness at all.
I pointed out to a guy I assumed was the manager, that these errors were basic. He didn't really respond. I paid my bill and left....hugely disappointed.
Lovely place. Huge potential, reasonable menu....but the quality and execution? 2/10
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A pub destroyed during renovations. Used to go there a lot, but rarely go unless forced. Over priced food and drink
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Something funny going on here. Used this pub only once, last summer, when treating my wife to lunch. She paid with her debit card. Checking her most recent statement we find a payment of roughly �30 dated March 7th this year. Now we've got to go to all the trouble of checking old statements to see if we've paid twice. Manager says there have been a handful of these all dated March 6th or 7th, and that it relates to a time "at least six months ago" when the tills weren't working properly, but he wasn't there then.
Sadly my recollection of the meal is that it took 45 minutes to deliver my order, at which time it was discovered that my wife's order hadn't been taken up at all. I ate my very indifferent steak while she watched, and 20 minutes later I watched her struggling with a dreadful piece of fish. We naturally decided not to return.
sigma - 21 Mar 2007 15:18 |
It's problem is that from the outside you see a traditional country pub then are completely let down by the chain pretend gastropub you find inside. If it was on a city ring road next to an edge of town Tescos you wouldn't give it a second glance. I wonder how many have based walking trips around this pub and been sorely disappointed. The Well House is a thousand times better.
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Unless the place has changed beyond recognition since I was last there about two months ago I really can't understand a number of the recent comments. It does seem from previous comments that the Sunday menu may not live up to the rest of the time but the food has always been very good in my experience.
With respect to the last reviewer I can't help thinking that he has either not eaten here or has not eaten at a Berni/Harvester (for which I would not blame him at all): the Ramblers Rest is about as similar to those other august establishments as vintage champagne is to asti spumante. There is no comparison. I don't want to be churlish either but if he can remember it as a private residence he must be knocking on a bit and have been an exceedingly early driver: it used to be Dene Farm restaurant for many years and before that it was a tea house - I have seen a photo of it labelled as such dating from 1910. Interpolating a bit, therefore, I would estimate his age to be at least 115 and that's assuming that the tea house use started in 1910 when the photo was taken and not before. To be absolutely fair, the photo may have been incorrectly labelled but the tea house use was in place at least by 1932 so perhaps he's only in his 90's. Are we sure we have the right place?
I don't know whether it is an attempt at snobbery to compare perfectly decent restaurant-type pubs with Bernis and suchlike but personally I don't think it's all that clever.
Come on chaps, tastes differ and honest comment is fine and helpful but exaggerated Mr Grumpy comments don't help anybody.
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I used to drive past this place (when it was a private house) for years.... thinking Wow!, thats a great place that could be converted into a country pub. When it was converted to a pub it was a terrible disappointment. They ripped the guts out of the original old building and turned into a Berni Inn/Harvester type establishment. 'Orrible
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Some folks I know had their Christmas Lunch there this week, and all seemed to enjoy it.
No whinges that I heard.
For many, though, it might be one of only two or three times that they visit a pub - or pub-restaurant - in a year.
Make of that what you will ....
anonymous - 17 Dec 2006 20:52 |
Its shame really as this nice country pub seems to be lacking that certain something that attracts you to it.For me it has to be paying about �3 a pint for a flat pint of larger,stella or the others they all served up flat with no signs of life never mind bubbles or having it in the correct glass.The beer isn't any better either!Can't comment on the food as i've not eaten there yet.Lets just hope they take peoples comments on board.
anonymous - 5 Dec 2006 21:46 |
rubbish place trying to be upper class but cant quite get it right
anonymous - 28 Nov 2006 12:59 |
I came here for lunch in March and had a lovely meal.
We returned on a Saturday night and there was a lovely ambience, cosy feel and good atmosphere. There was a family with screaming kids who fortunately left soon after we arrived, thank goodness. This time the food was less good than last time, although we had a nice evening overall.
Firstly, two dishes had run out (but it was only 7pm, so that was surprising) which members of our party had wanted. Secondly one of us ordered lamb which was pretty much raw and had to be returned. In their favour they apologised and offered that member a free coffee. It was interesting to note that the couple on the table behind had a fairly negative experience, returning their food to the kitchen and I could overhear them complaining to the ?manager later about how awful the food had been. The response was very courteous though, which is reassuring. I did overhear that there are "changes" occurring at the moment, a new chef perhaps? Hopefully once everything's settled things will improve...
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I met a friend here tonight (08/10/06) and whilst I can't comment on the beer, the food was pretty awful. To start with the first three dishes we ordered weren't available, and there were two other dishes they didn't have either. (For a 'food factory' pub to be out of sausages and burgers is a pretty poor show in my opinion). When the food did appear, it certainly wasn't anything to write home about, in fact, far from it.
So, whilst I'm sure it's lovely in the summer sitting in the garden with a pint (assuming they can keep beer), I certainly won't be making the trip back for the food, which is a shame as I ate here about a year ago and the food was pretty good (I'm guessing it's changed hands or something).
anonymous - 8 Oct 2006 22:42 |
I have been there a few times to eat - and the food has always been very good. PLus, I think the menu is quite imagintive and innovative ...for its type (I don't think it has even the smack of "Berni Inn" about it - maybe that commenter should visit more berni's!?)
The decor is nice and the court-yard garden is lovely place to while away some ours on sunny summers evening
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A county house turned into a restaurant, has a Berni Inn feel to it. Not my cup of tea
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The Greek platter was GORGEOUS. Lovely gardens. Sunday menu a bit 'grown up' for small children and NO, we didn't want chicken nuggets! Looking forward to our next visit. Highly recommended.
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Jus to get these comments accurate, at the Ramblers you can purchase a packet of crisps and nuts without your drink at the pub!! Also the seating by the bar, you care to think about the drinkers who come into the pub, its nice to have somewhere to sit and drink without other customers indulging food!!
wedges are fat homemade chips, the whole ebay thing is a sadestic thing!
The pub has a good atmosphere with very good (fresh) food!!
I enjoyed my whole experience here the young staff were very friendly and helpfull!!
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I'm a smoker, so only go here when it's OK to sit outside. However, agree with a previous comment about the noise of the kitchen extractors, which is almost too much to bear, though you do get used to it after a time.
Good menu, good food, but overpriced. Like the fact it majors on locally grown or British produce. Could do with larger selection of real ales.
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What happened to the live music?
We used to come here on Sundays to hear the amazing duo who played in the garden in the summer.
To be honest, they were the only redeeming feature about the place.
anonymous - 8 Jun 2006 17:20 |
My wife had lunch here during the week recently and reported an extensive menue and good food. Indeed we ate there a few months ago (just after its makeover)and found everything to be very good indeed - if a tad expensive, but then decent food in a pub usually is. However, when we went there for Sunday Lunch a couple of weeks ago it was all very dissapointing. The Sunday menue is not the same as the weekday menue with rather limited options - particularly the vegetarian ones. The main course portion of pasta served to my daughter (over �7 if I remember correctly) was so tiny we sent it back, the mussels were teeny little things swimming in a clear, tasteless watery broth (now the mussels at The Running Horses in Mickleham are a different matter-excellent!). The bread is very good though...The first Pimms served to my missus was mostly lemonade, but I liked the Cider which is not your usual fizzy variety (can't recall the name)...The young and overstrected staff were certainly helpful enough and brought us free roast potatos to our table by way of apology for the mean sized pasta portion. It is in a nice location and has a beer garden. The beer garden would be a very pleasent place to sit and enjoy a pint in the sun, but is marred by the constant background drone of the (I assume) kitchen extractor fans. I wonder if it was absolutley nesseccary to site these so intrusivley, as they mar what otherwise could be the saving grace to the joint. The Ramblers is not really a pub anymore, but seems to try to be a sophistacted, modern "bar" / gastropub which is fine, but with its relatively high prices and aspirations the place needs to shift up a gear. I hope they pull it off, as overall it has the potential to be a very attractive place to while away a couple of hours.
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For goodness' sake! Why do some people use these sites as an opportunity to rip the **** out of each other? People will have different preferences, different experiences and different tastes. Now let's all be nice to each other!
As far as this pub is concerned, I have been there five or six times in the last couple of months and haven't had a bad experience: the food I have found original, nicely presented and, whilst not the cheapest, still good value for money. Without exception the staff have been polite, helpful and friendly. The clientele is mixed but do you want to go to a pub where everyone is a clone? We sat on a table next to Horace Flogem-Hangem-and-Dismemberem a week or so ago and he was fantastic value for money.
On the smoking side, although a non-smoker I must confess to a bit of a sneaking sympathy for those who would rather not have to go outside for a smoke. If I were to be entirely selfish, yes, make it non-smoking but we're not all the same are we? A smoking area might be OK without unduly troubling everyone else. Some smokers migh take exception to watching me eat but they have to put up with it don't they?
Good stuff Ramblers' Rest
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Having previously enjoyed the food here about a month ago, we arrived last Sunday afternoon after a walk with the family and dogs, tired and hungry. Took a table adjacent to the car park. Attempted to order food, only to be told that they now only serve food to the tables on the patio! Patio area full - not all diners. OK, then, I will collect our food from the bar and take it to our table. No! You cannot do that. This was confirmed by the supercillious manageress on duty. OK then,there are tables in the bar empty, we will sit there. No! They are for drinking only, and no dogs are allowed in this area anyway. On ourway out, we notice a free table in the 'dogs allowed area'. Ordered food. Two Beefburgers with Potato Wedges at �9.95 each and one extra portion of Wedges at �1.95. Also order Beetroot Risotto with warm goats cheese and Peso dressing at �6.95. Food arrived after 35 mins. Both burgers were overcooked and dry, in spite of one being requested as medium to rare! The very small burgers were sandwiched between very skinny buns without a sesame seed in sight- reminiscent of a 99p McDonalds but less tasty. The extra portion of Potato Wedges consisted of just 4 wedges of potato. That's a staggering 50p per wedge!! In addition they were lukewarm and soggy. I took a photo of them and later offered one for sale on E-bay! The Beetroot Rissoto was about a ladle full of slightly crunchy beetroot coloured rice. On the top was marble sized piece of goat's cheese. We will never eat at this place again. They are so pretentious that you cannot even purchase a bag of crisps or nuts with your drink, It's olives or nothing! The establishment behaves like the nouveau riche - all airs, but no breeding or real quality. Whitbreads - please sort it out!!
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Been through more changes of appearance than Dr Who. Still tends towards the poncy in some ways, but food is good , great garden in the summer and a peaceful pint.
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Judging by the reaction to the NO smoking policy it would appear that it gets a resounding thumbs up, with the exception of one cretin who would appear to have lost the power to his legs to venture into the designated smoking area or outside. The pub is far better now, although haven't sampled the food as yet.
neilt - 16 Mar 2006 10:55 |
I take back what I said about the clientele, clearly reasoned debate is beyond them. Down to nil points.
A Moron.
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Everything a pub should be - excellent food, log fires, frindly owner, relaxed atmosphere, lovely setting, dogs welcome, kids welcome - and best of all, NO SMOKING so no disgusting fumes to spoil one's beer / wine & food. What kind of a moron takes points off for a no smoking policy? In a year, all pubs will be N/S - this one is just getting ahead of the game, and more power to them. Sorry to say this, but again, what kind of a moron wants to smear s*** on the walls just because their crispness offends his desire for tat?
anonymous - 9 Feb 2006 21:41 |
Much improved. All signs of branding gone though the beer was cold, tired, flat, and included Pride and GK IPA, all sure signs of of a managed chain pub. The clientele seems to have taken a welcome step up market as well. However some previous comments still apply - this pub is still all fur coat and no knickers. Would give it five points now but dock it two for the no smoking policy.
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Has now re-opened. Thankfully they have 'grasped the nettle' and chosen to act ahead of the upcoming smoking ban... Yes folks the Ramblers Rest is now a smoke free zone. They do, however, provide a smokers hut outside for the die-hards. The menu is much improved with some adventurous dishes including pigeon and Guniea fowl. Having said that the Doves were conspicuous by their absence on this visit!! The menu might seem pricey but the quality and presentation is commendable. If you want cheap then it's not for you... try the 'Starvin' nag' dahn the road if you want cheap!
My only crticism is of a group of 'mothers who like to lunch' letting their children scream and shout without a care in the world while several bar staff stood around oblivious to the trade walking out the door owing to the din! Only when I enquired if they were running a pub or creche did they take action which initially was an invitation for us to move elsewhere! The manager intervened thankfully and with a few jelly beans restored peace and tranquility. What a pity that so many parents allow their children to behave so badly in pubs nowadays! Leaving that experience aside I was pleased with the standard set and only hope it is maintained... time will tell
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6 November 2005, I drove past the pub. The pub is shut for renovation. Builders' screens up. Said to be re-opening in 'early December'.
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Went here for the first time on the bank holiday, outside it looks like a great place but the food is bad.
The beer isn't too bad and it has a good beer garden, overall though very dissapointed as my frineds had been sayin how good it was!!
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On the outside, this is a truly beautiful pub in a wonderful location.
On the inside, it is yet another dreary Out & Out pub-by-numbers. With its interior painted in a pastel cream, I was sorely tempted to smear my excrement on the walls just to give the pub some degree of organic atmosphere and humanity.
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What can I say ... I was stunned to see how this pub has declined since I last visited 5 years ago. We used to get good food, excellent beer and roaring real wood fires. Now there is awful processed food, appauling service, Stella, bad company and a fake (all bar one attempted make-over)interior. The sooner Out and Out give up a clear out the better. Wont be going back until the ownership changes.
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Nice pub in summer after a dog walk around Banstead Woods, unfortunatly have been greeted by several Tarmac & paving expert vans on my last four visits, shant return until the undesirables are asked to leave.
anonymous - 25 Jan 2005 17:06 |
Horrible food, apparently it used to be really nice but it has been out & outed to death and has no discernable character left. Only good point is that they let dogs in, it's just a shame that they've offered a few of them a permanent position in the kitchens..
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Terrible food (cold), even worse service. What a shame, such a lovely old pub has been ruined by a bl**dy chain (again!), on the slightly brighter side, pub still retains some of its character and the gardens are lovely in the summer.
Douglas - 3 Nov 2004 11:59 |
Beautiful pub that has been spoilt by Out & Out poor food and service to match, plates not cleared from tables etc. What a shame to have spoilt such a nice pub.
terry - 21 Jul 2004 12:53 |
Hmm. It was nice, once, before it became an Out and Out. Now the same as every other Out and Out in the country. Nothing the slightest bit quaint or charming about it.
Nick - 9 Jul 2004 15:49 |
A charming country pub set in a picturesque valley on the edge of Greater London. Frequented by Ramblers. Great for dog walkers. V. busy in Summer with more than adequate gardens. Excellent food served in a quaint restaurant. Lots of wood. Open fires. A must for any visitor. The pub dates back at least 500 years when it used to be Dean Farm!!
Ted - 10 Feb 2004 18:19 |
