BITE user comments - Beer_Fan
Comments by Beer_Fan
We visited on a Sunday at 1pm and found the pub to be busy but very underwhelming.
There was a one hour wait for our meal, with some disgruntled customers nearby suggesting it might have been longer. We were informed of the wait when ordering so were prepared and it wasn't a major issue. The food was well priced and arrived within the hour but was bland, poorly seasoned and my partners roast beef was luke warm at best. Like much of the pub the food was underwhemlingly average (as suggested by the score on BITE).
As others have commented the beer garden (front and back) are the saving grace, although it's not the most challenging achievement to place some benches and an awning in a large garden.
I think many people, including us, were seduced by the exterior and prime position. However once inside the experience fails to live up to the expectations these factors encourage.
Plenty of much nicer places nearby including the Wykeham Arms which is only a short walk.
27 Jul 2009 13:36
Quite simply the best pub I've been in. The food, service, atmosphere and location were all first class. Staff were attentive and friendly. No snobbery here just quality all the way.
5 Nov 2008 08:55
Lovely pub with friendly staff and good food that's reonably priced, big thumbs up!
26 Aug 2008 19:44
'Locals pub' is often a bye word for "if we don't know you then you ain't welcome". This is precisely how I felt when visiting the locals bar after a nice cycle up from Beaulieu - as if I'd walked into someone's front room without asking.
I thought this could have been something I'd said or done, but then I spoke to a friend who runs a local business (they see a LOT of tourists, take note owners) and he said precisely the same thing as me without prompting. A group of six were made to feel very unwelcome.
Another tip for the owners: 30 somethings will be around longer than the people propping up the bar drinking a pint every three hours, we enjoy nice service and an accommodating atmosphere just like everyone else, otherwise we leave - there's a recession on and people will start to get picky!
11 Aug 2008 14:03
Visited recently and was disappointed, the food was poor value for money at �10 generally for mains, sadly my meal had a hair in it although I think that was on the house. When I told someone (who I presumed to be the landlady) she offered no apology and thanked me for pointing it out. Other bar staff talked loudly to one another about their conquests from the previous night which provided some light relief (so to speak).
The decor of some of the pub is nice and modern and they have a lovely fireplace although this is next to the main entrance that bangs loudly everytime someone walks in. Sadly other parts like the gents look very tired indeed, as if the pub was redecorated in a hurry.
As was previously mentioned the pub had no atmosphere, maybe that's why the bar staff wanted to spice things up.
We wouldn't go back.
26 Nov 2007 09:43
Three Horseshoes, East Worldham
A sign outside says pub of the year 2007 but i've not been in, tried a google search but nothing. Don't know how a pub becomes a pub of the year?
19 Aug 2007 16:48
The Marlingford Bell, Marlingford
Definately a locals pub but staff were friendly and beer was cheap. It looks like a converted house made to look like a pub, bit Twilight Zone.
10 Jun 2007 19:25
Great pub, lovely bar menu as well some more sophisticated dishes. The landlord was really friendly and there was a good selection of ales and pub games. We loved it!
10 Jun 2007 19:20
The Wykeham Arms, Winchester
Really enjoyed a recent visit to The Wykeham Arms for a few drinks one Saturday evening with friends.
Staff are very friendly and the wine list is compact but loaded with good grapes, a nice selection of ales (but sadly not ciders) will suit a range of tastes.
The interior is olde worlde, but very much in keeping with the area. There are a few tables with heaters outside at the rear of the pub along with a small number of car parking spaces.
We didn't eat on this visit but the restaurant area was busy, many tables were reserved, so it would seem booking is advisable.
27 Jul 2009 13:43