The Dutch House, Eltham

Under new management since summer 2006. Went there on a Sunday evening and told there was a 30 minutes wait for food, which turned into 1 hour and 30 minutes. Nobody came to explain or apologise. Although food was good. It is full of families with toddlers in high chairs crying. No real ales. No character.

29 Aug 2006 14:39

Wainwrights Inn, Great Langdale

Went there twice in one week in August 2006. It was heaving with customers and a queue for food about 10 people long. However, it was served within 10 minutes. There is a full range of Jennings beers and three guest ales. It is much welcomed after a long climb up the fells. It is close by a camping site and a time-share where many of the customers walk to but is well away from the busy town of Ambleside.

29 Aug 2006 14:35

The Kent Hounds, Well Hill

The Kent Hounds will be closing down in July 2005, due to the retirement of the tenant who has been here since the mid 1970s. The interior is a den of key ring holders (there is name given to this affliction), there are over 3,000 hanging on the walls and ceiling. The place hasn't been decorated for over 15 years by the look of it. It's not surprising it is so quiet, although a car is essential in reaching it as it is well tucked away off the beaten track.
The publican is probably the most miserable and unwelcoming old man you are ever likely to encounter on entering a pub. He makes it seem like you have intruded into his private living room. The food is very basic and instead of coming out to the lovely beer garden he waves to ask you to collect it. He won't be missed but the loss of another pub in good location is sad to see. Harveys and Kentish Ale on draught.
Reviewed: June 2005.

18 Jun 2005 18:25

The Edmund Halley, Lee

I go to this pub at least twice a week. It has gone downhill since it opened about seven years ago. The tables are not cleared and cleaned enough. The Wetherspoons food menu was stripped down to a third of its original choice before Easter 2005, however the out-of-date menu still appears in the glass display by the door (told me they are waiting for a new one a month ago). The bar staff are unfriendly and intimidating with tattoos and piercings. The punters are loud and oiky because the booze is cheap. The one or two real ales on tap are often "unavailable". 80 per cent of the drinkers smoke, so when the smoking ban takes effect in 2006 the pub will be struggling unless they replace their customer base. The only place to park a car is opposite in Sainsbury's underground car park. They have just applied for an extension to 12.30am Monday to Thursday and 1am Friday and Saturday nights. This will help but it is grotty for a new pub.

11 Jun 2005 01:10