please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Fleece was purchased by the community in 2012 and reopened on 27th July that year. Since then it has been owned by 120 residents of Hillesley and the surrounding area. It is now a friendly, busy Cotswolds pub with good food, real ales, coffee, free Wi-Fi, a beer garden and children's play area. As one of the 120 shareholders my view is somewhat biased, but I think it's now a great pub, living up to the aims of Pub Is The Hub, an organisation that supported us along the way. For instance, a couple of days ago there were six bridge players in the snug, a crowd of cricketers drowning their sorrows in the bar (it had been sunny but their match got cancelled), and over 20 of us playing LPs, singing and dancing (our monthly "Vinyl Night") - not bad for a "quiet" Sunday evening. See the web site for what's on.
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After having a lovely sunday lunch in January we went back to this pub again last night - the pub was really busy and the restaurant was fully booked, however we still had a really warm welcome and they managed to squeeze us in to eat in the bar area, which in fact is really cosy and comfortable. The food was superb and the atmosphere was great. I must remember to book next time.
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New owners as of 2011 and although varied reviews previously the new people are trying hard and its worth a second chance if put off in the past. Went cos it was listed for Sunday lunch and very inpressed. Nice little library type room rarely used is a great alternative to the main restaurant area
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I've just had Sunday lunch at this pub - the food was delicious and I would have given it 10/10 if I'd had the correct telephone number. I tried to book last week as I'd heard it was good, however the telephone number had changed, therefore I had to walk in and take a chance today. I was not disappointed, great atmosphere and decor, a nice mix of people. We will definitely be going again soon to try out the evening dining experience. For information the telephone number is 01453 842072.
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I'm baffled by the comment from ryan1966. I went to the Fleece a couple of weeks ago (Jan 2010) and it does not have a fruit machine or dartboard. The service was fine, the fire blazing, the locals friendly and grub good (but still not cheap). When was it ever a "little village restaurant ?" It's always been a pub. Can't help thinking this comment is about a completely different pub.
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oh my god!!!!! i live in nearby yate and have been using the fleece on and off for about 2 years. went back a couple of weeks ago to find the small little village resturant turned into yet another village boozer!! the land lord has gone and so has the standards. went to sit at our fav table to find a dart board and fruit machine in its place. locals have told me he has gone to a pub in charfield and belive me they are as upset as i am telling stories of the landlord/chef working pissed and swearing so half the village could hear. meal was nice but service was terrible!! young girl not trained and had empty plates in front of me, my wifes and 2 children for longer then we can say. how can something go sooo wrong. there we not many better places to go and eat then the fleece. there are now
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Having been to this pub last october on a visit to nearby wooton under edge, we were overwhelmed by the quality of food,staff and pub in general. We went back last night to discover the pub has changed hands, the menu has altered and just the general ambience had changed.
Our food arrived and it wasn't good, the scampi was fine but the pizza had tomato puree all over it and the stew looked like baby food. The staff were very friendly and helpful, but what a disappointment from last time. Don't get me wrong if your passing the food is decent enough but defiantly not worth making the special trip for and we won't be returning.
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The Fleece seems to change hands every 3 months and, sure enough, we couldn't get any food when I tried it because the new owners hadn't got the kitchen sorted out yet ! So I went back 3 weeks later and as of Aug 2009 everything seemed to be working. Butcombe & Bombardier excellent, but 2 groups of about 7 people arriving at the same time as us which meant we waited for nearly an hour for our nice but not exactly underpriced grub. Minor gripes aside, it's a fine unpretentious village pub and well worth popping in to see who the latest owners are.
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The Fleece has now been sympathetically refurbished and modernised ( March 2008). It offers a good range of beers and although tied to S & N offers good independent beers including Butcombe.A real cider would really complete the offering, but they do have a good selection of keg ciders including inchs,scrumpy jack and strongbow. The food offered is a good selection of simple pub food, prepared fresh and cooked well. A nice selection of wines compliments well the food offering. The pub is a real credit to Andy and his family team and deserves to be well supported and flourish.
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what a find!! loved the butcomb and the bangers and mash was one of the best pub meals i have had for a few years. new landlord andy ( been landlord since april 07!!) made us feel very welcome and the girl behind the staff on show were both polite and promt. will be coming back.
anonymous - 20 Jul 2007 19:51 |
Three colleagues and me stayed nearby during Badminton Horse Trials in May. We ate in The Fleece every night (which says something). It was great! A warm welcome from Andy and his staff, and excellent beer, well-kept. The menu was a little bit limited, but that was more than offset by the fact that the pub cooks lots of local produce -spare veg from the locals' allotments and beef from (literally) over the road. Not expensive and a proper pub with the right mix of places for drinking beer, eating, watching the footie, and seculed corners for more intimate chats. I hope to get back there before May next year when, doubtless we will all be back.
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The Fleece is back! After a period of what appeared to be terminal decline (see previous comments)the village can yet again boast a local with bags of potential and an excellent landlord. Andy Starling has taken over the running of the pub and back has come the warm atmosphere, the locals and some stunningly good beer. The Sunday lunches are first rate and Andy has a young, friendly andlocal pub team working with him. Cotswold walkers will be delighted now they can rest up enjoy an excellent pint and lunch. The heart of the village is back thanks to Andy! Come and enjoy.
Farmcotian
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Take that recommendation with a generous pinch of salt: spiralling into wilful decline, what was once a beacon on Glos's pub map is now a damp, underheated and badly mismanaged hole. Surly new landlord charges for extra plates for children, offers no wine list and told us he wasn't sure if we could have coffee because three people had ordered the same and he didn't have enough cups. Word is locally that the new brewery owners are deliberately running it down so they can present dud accounts and get planning permission for change of use, thereby cashing in. A real tragedy as with intelligent input this could return to its old crowd-pulling status.
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one of the best, i just love this pub, Will make a detour to visit here if im passing through the county ( I live 250 miles away ) good beer, great food, visit it!
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Went there again today after a 5-mile walk. Lunch was very good, and the Wickwar BOB and Butcombe Bitter were as good as ever good facilities and friendly staff.
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Small country pub very close to Cotswold Way in a lovely valley. It has a large beer garden, pets and children are welcome. There is a play area for the children(unsupervised. Three real ales are served, there is a seperate lunch and evening menu and a specials board which is changed weekly. Traditional sunday roasts are available on Sunday.Doesn't currently open on Monday lunchtimes apart from Bank holidays. Friendly family run pub with accommodation.
Dee Palmer - 31 May 2004 18:00 |
