please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Station House is similar to most other pubs I have tried in Chingford, in that it lacks character. It has a good location, directly opposite the station and the ale selection is ok - Tiny Rebel Billabong, Banks`s Mild & Marstons Pedigree were on yesterday. There was also a real cider - Westons Family Reserve. I was the only customer yesterday lunchtime. The staff outnumbered me somewhat. There are numerous promotions for cheap drinks and adverts for live football on the walls. A Premier League match was about to be shown. CAMRA members can get discounts off certain ales. Still to find a decent pub in Chingford.
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Still keeping up good standards. Particularly appreciate the fact they keep the disabled toilet for use by disabled people: anyone else trying to use it gets banned.
This is a good contrast to other Chingford pubs, and in particular The Kings Ford and The Obelisk, in both of which disabled people have to wait for cokeheads and lazy bastards who can't be arsed to walk upstairs to use the facilities first.
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Credit where credit's due..following on from my earlier review last year, this pub has now completely up'd its game, it has vastly improved, bar staff efficient and friendly, pub clean, food good and competitively priced, we now have a good solid local pub which I can recommend to anyone....quite a change from my first review..but to be fair they have turned it round.
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This pub is called 'The Station House', not The Thomas Willingale anymore. It is positioned accross the road from the station in North Chingford, this part of chingford is generally upmarket with quality restaurants, the forest and golf course being nearby...but I'm afraid for me this pub lets it down. It's bland, unimaginative and lacking in any style, whilst the service is friendly..I could do without the use of the 'F' word from the barmaid in every other sentence! In the early evening hundreds of city workers come pouring out of the station over the road..but they don't come in here and I'm not surprised..what a missed oportunity for the owners of this pub! If it gets any worse I will be worried it will adversely affect local house prices!
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Somewhat belatedly, I'd like to echo Bottlebag's comments. This place has come on in leaps and bounds since it changed the name to The Station House a couple of years ago. The fact that a change of clientele was needed along with the change of name is reflected in a dress code which is displayed prominently in the bar in an attempt to shed the chavs and the reputation the Thomas Willingale had.
What's now available, during the day at least, is a quiet and spacious place in which to enjoy a relaxed drink from a good range together with a decent food menu - well cooked, but at prices not much higher than those charged by others in the area for simply microwaving poor quality ready meals. The pub is wheelchair accessible via the side door and there is an accessible WC with a RADAR lock. Again in contrast to certain other Chingford pubs, the disabled WC is kept locked for use only by those who need it, rather than being used by lazy and unhygenic slobs who can't be bothered to walk upstairs.
Don't be put off by the fact that this was among the three pubs raided and temporarily closed by police last month. In all probability this was done on the pub's old reputation. In any event, it's now open again.
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I wasn't suprised to read some of the reviews, I live locally and used to hate this pub. One of my elderly neighbours who meets with her friends a couple of times a week for lunch there convinced me to give it another try. It has changed a lot to put it mildly. Ok, still full of young Essex posuers on Friday nights but then isn't the whole of this area after 9pm.
Any othertime I have visited, though, it's friendly, safe and welcoming with truly good real ales and a great pint of Guinness.
I had some bad experiences in this pub several years ago, but it's shown me that places can really move on.
Don't take my word for it.... try it for yourself.
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Popped in for a pint on the way from Theydon Bois (dropped off in a vintage RF coach!). The Jennings beer was in good form, a change to have in London. As the Cup final was on, they had an array of hot food on the counter, which I was invited to sample which was very nice as I had never even been in there before!
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This pub has been renamed The Station. It's still bad.
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I visited on 5th january and my wife left her tiffany bracelet in the bar.We never expected to see it again but when i called this morning i spoke to a lovely lady called sarah who confirmed that she`d found it and would hold onto it for me.Say whwt you like about the pub but the staff are a rareity in today`s world-honest and friendly.I`ll definately be going back.
anonymous - 6 Jan 2007 14:05 |
been through a few changes over time, now known as the station house, managers come and go, but really the pub is run by sarah, always friendly as are all the staff, much better now the toilets have been refurbished, always clean, and always a decent pint,fridays nights arnt what they used to be esp now scottish bill doesent visit anymore, but still a decent drinking hole, with the added bonus of decent food.
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Have now visted since changes. Emptier than it used to be (I was there on a Saturday night when all the surrounding bars were rammed), but little else seems to have changed. You get the feeling that a fight is just waiting to start.
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My Partner works there,there's been a few changes of managers, but since it was refurbed there's been little or no entertainment, the big bosses don't want to spend money on getting custom, that was the point of the refurb but they lost a lot of custom because it's crap now, the staff are friendly, but not paid well. I would suggest going to the Kings Head instead if you're in the area, one thing I will say about the Station House is they have a nice carvery on Sundays.
anonymous - 10 Oct 2006 20:58 |
Haven't been to this pub since name changed to The Station House. Beforehand it was perfect as a pub; get off the train at Chingford having had a good few beers at a good pub elsewhere, rush accross the road, use the Willingale's side entrance, up the stairs, into the gents and then off home.
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Pub undergoing major refit. Also renamed THE STATION HOUSE more to follow..............
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Recently visited the pub while working in station road. Found it to be dark and felt intimidated. Had a pint of a premium lager which tasted very average. Never felt comfy so drank half my pint and left. If I'm working there again won't be popping in unless it has a serious overhaul. It seems a pub that doesn't match the gentile surrounding area.
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Great pub . .friendly staff . . good prices . .no trouble. Only problem, is the manager who can be very abrupt and at times quite rude.
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Hellhole. I missed a train at Chingford BR and popped over for a quick pint. Probably the worst 20 minutes of my life to date. To put this in perspective, I was once buried alive.
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WHAT A PUB TOP QUALITY BEST MUSIC AND DANCE RAVES NICE FIT GIRLS ATTEND GREAT NIGHT OUT WITH THE LADS BEST IN LONDON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
anonymous - 15 Oct 2005 00:22 |
To anonymous 8 Oct 2004. This Pub is not a Shithole, infact it offers a friendly, clean environment with staff who are always friendly and who actually enjoy working there! It is not a haven for cokeheads, they actually sell PEPSI (sorry crap joke). And if your brother cries himself to sleep, its obviously because he can't stand the wit and humour of the other members of staff and customers alike. Or maybe he just can't pull a great pint!!!!!! TRY THE OFFER ON DOUBLE SMIRNOFF GREAT ON A FRIDAY NIGHT!!!!
anonymous - 8 Mar 2005 14:23 |
Lighting that makes the place appear a film set, typical characterless fixtures & fittings, psyhcotic placement of utterly random pictures, and a haven for cokeheads. An utter shithole, frankly. My brother works there and he crys himself to sleep after a shift. AVOID!
anonymous - 8 Oct 2004 09:51 |
Well, what to say... not a bad pub. Good choice of drinks, especially if ur on the shooters (or test tubes). Generally friendly bar staff. Decent music. A good friday night out!
anonymous - 14 Jul 2004 15:13 |
