Worplesdon Place Hotel, Worplesdon

Apparently the change to a Beefeater has now taken place. It's a shame to see it's back to a big chain, but if it means an end to the shoddy service, low-quality food and ridiculous seating policies then it's a step forward. At least the garden will finally be able to see some use again...

22 Apr 2008 13:22

The Fox, Fox Corner

Tiny bar, not much of a choice of beer. Food from a small menu was relatively good, but nothing special. Background music was from a very short loop which included Achey-Breaky Heart. As far as I'm aware, this is banned under the Geneva convention. If it isn't, it should be.

21 Jan 2008 12:39

The Squirrel at Hurtmore, Hurtmore

Strange pub, but nice. A range of seating from comfortable sofas to sink into to restaurant-style tables to eat at. Good selection of beers with tasting notes, which is a nice touch. They do know their beers, too, which is always nice to see. Food has some odd quirks - burgers served in wraps? - but it's all to the good. Service isn't spectacular, but it's far from the worst in the area. It's just a shame it took the downfall of the Cyder House for us to find this one.

21 Jan 2008 12:36

The Shepherd and Flock, Farnham

My new favourite pub. An excellent selection of beers, with food to match - I particularly recommend the shepherd's pie, which fits perfectly with the sheep theme that runs through the whole establishment from the sheep table markers (Zelda is our favourite) to the toilet doors (Rams and Ewes). Deserts are great, if a little on the large side (and it's not often that's the only thing I have to complain about with deserts...)

Also, it's in the middle of a roundabout. How can that be bad?

21 Jan 2008 12:31

Worplesdon Place Hotel, Worplesdon

Large group of us went there for lunch today in the hope that things might have changed since last time. They have, but unfortunately it's not for the better. The ludicrous split-menu policy remains in place, apparently because if it wasn't then they'd have 400 people descending on the beer garden wanting real food, which is beyond their capabilities. As a result, the decking area was crammed with people ordering food, while one of the most beautiful pub gardens for miles around was criminally empty and unused. Our food took over forty-five minutes to be delivered to the wrong table, during which time people who'd arrived a long time after us received their food. I can understand the defence that "it depends on what sort of food you ordered" but for a chicken sandwich? When the food finally turned up it was shockingly bad. Manky, greasy chips that were undercooked in the middle, crusty peas, and as I said to the manager as I was receiving my refund "I don't know what you did to that fish, but it probably didn't deserve it." You'd think with an experience like that there might have been some hint at an apology, but instead we received passive-aggressive excuses. I think they need to realise that "fresh" does not necessarily mean "good". An absolutely criminal waste of a beautiful pub, but until there's a major overhaul in management and attitude they won't be getting another second chance from us. This place was better when it was the Out & Out - a very pedestrian menu, but at least it was good value for money and service was competent.

13 Jun 2007 15:06

Worplesdon Place Hotel, Worplesdon

Wonderful pub and garden, respectable beer, but the food has really gone downhill. The menu has shrunk dramatically since the recent refurb and the quality of the food seems to have decreased. Worse, there seems to be some ludicrous segregation between sandwiches and 'proper' meals - the former can only be eaten on the benches on the grass outside, whereas the latter can only be eaten inside or on the benches on the *decking* outside. The staff seemed as bewildered by this as we were, but it makes the place a complete non-starter for a group of people wanting different standards of food.

4 May 2007 10:57