BITE user comments - rioathmusV
Comments by rioathmusV
...9 out of 10 was posted as the rating for this pub, NOT the 5 that is showing....
20 Apr 2014 10:53
Recently reopened with new owners to the delight of locals. After years of neglect and a spell of closure, The Bird In Hand is finally heading in the right direction. Now clean warm and inviting, Sam and Sandra presently only open at evenings Monday to Saturday, and Sunday lunchtimes (for Sunday lunches). A good menu is offered every evening, unfussy, home-cooked food at a good price, of which receives many compliments. . No telly or fruit machines spoiling the atmos,well-behaved dogs allowed, and real ale on gravity straight from the firkin, which is well kept and at a good price. Word is spreading slowly but surely, so give it a try, as it's great to see the Bird open again, at last with people who know what they're doing.
20 Apr 2014 10:43
Only go in owing to CAMRA beer tokens... dirty tables, previous people's remains of meals left scattered everywhere for too long. Pump clips never turned around when beer no longer available. Beer not bad at all though, if you can put up with the legendary Weatherspoon Wait.
7 Dec 2013 21:16
Beers not as well kept as they used to be. No longer a member.
7 Dec 2013 21:07
Beer nicely kept, usually 3 on, one normally Butcombe. Garden pleasant to sit in now, but watch those steps when you've had a few.. Cannot sit inside thoughv when sport is blaring away. Discount for CAMRA members.
7 Dec 2013 20:45
Live nearby. Love the location/handiness/ people etc. But the beer has got worse and worse. Undrinkable. 'People can always go somewhere else if they don't like it' will come back to haunt them, as The Bird In Hand at Westhay has now reopened after a refit and is serving an excellently kept pint of Real Ale. (Only one on at the moment, as newly opened, and landlord is ' testing the water').
7 Dec 2013 20:25
Went in during the summer,decided to give it one last chance, five real ales on supposedly, went in at opening time, two we were told were off, so we chose a third, which was obviously finished after attempting to draw the second pint. Left after young chap behind bar had no knowledge what was going on, nor how to go about what to do next.
16 Nov 2013 23:52
Nice pub. Good beers, very well kept. Admit that we are only afternoon drinkers, but also noticed the earthy no- holds-barred language - and so what...? No kids, no food, therefore no 'handbrake on...' know what I mean...?! Do-gooders and those easily offended, patronise Wetherspoons instead and leave real pubs to real drinkers....
16 Nov 2013 23:35
Used to enjoy it when the old boy was landlord. Pub closed down then reopened. Against our better judgement,tried it after recommendation from a friend.. went in, wedding party in, but 4 ales on. Both of us tried one each. Both pints would've given Sarsons a run for their money.
Would have been well pissed off if my wedding was at a newly furbished pub with shite beer.... sorry if you're offended, I admit I've never ran, nor worked in a pub...but I have 22yrs brewing experience.....
16 Nov 2013 23:23
Best pub that we encountered whilst in Oxford for the CAMRA beer festival. Crowded, granted and a little pricey,but minus the concomitant gown fluttering and posing from those we were informed were 'freshers', ( not early Halloween revellers ) all too apparent at other hostelries we visited.
15 Nov 2013 22:57
Best pub that we encountered whilst in Oxford for the CAMRA beer festival. Crowded, granted and a little pricey,but minus the concomitant gown fluttering and posing from those we were informed were 'freshers', ( not early Halloween revellers ) all too apparent at other hostelries we visited.
15 Nov 2013 22:48
Yep, agree with most of the above - dogs but no kids, excellent, locals and other visitors friendly, as was the lady behind the bar, and an excellent selection of beers, of which, apart from the Blonde option, we tried all. The best pub in Chippenham by far, our only niggle was that not only were there no 'handles' available to serve beer in, but this was compounded by the fact that our proper beer was served in those awful 'waisted' unstable lager glasses. But, credit where credit's due, the lady did say that they had no problem with customers bringing their own tankards etc, if they so wish. Well deserved CAMRA awards for this landlord and his comforting friendly hostelry. We look forward to visiting again.
15 Nov 2013 22:32
The Ship At Cockwood, Cockwood
Sorry sad and surprised for the experience mikeB58 had. We visited The Ship last May and had the best (5) pints of Jail Ale since the Drewe Arms (which is straight out of the firkin), not only that, the young lads behind the bar not only were courteous, patient and respectful, but seemed to posess at least a basic knowledge of the product they were serving - a refreshing change for these two fifty-something CAMRA Real Ale questers. The Ship is the pub of choice for us in Cockwood now.
15 Nov 2013 22:17
Have heard that The Burtle has closed but I have not confirmed this at time of writing. If this is the case, we are not surprised at all as a) beer was far too expensive and b) most of the times we went in not only were there no other customers present ( and I mean proper drinkers, not transient scoffers), but no staff either, despite much coughing and rattling of money on bar. As long serving CAMRA members, and locals too, this is a real shame, but, closed or not, The Burtle has has all the chances we're prepared to give it.
15 Nov 2013 21:40
Like the atmos - real time-warp place. No food, only a basket of proper home made rolls,scotch eggs etc,on the end of the bar, proper pub fare! Dogs not allowed in (shame), kids are (greater shame). Real Ale quality better than a few years ago, but still hit and miss - when it's bad, it's BAD, which is a shame
12 Feb 2013 12:11
Agree wholeheartedly with comments made by Gann...ESPECIALLY paragraphs 2 and 3........
12 Jan 2012 20:07
Please, please, City Arms - no not have every table decked out for dining, it's a pub first, surely? Most of our drinking is done morning/afternoon, all Real Ales very well kept, and a splendid choice of usually 5 or 6, but please leave a few tables by the bar area free of knives,forks,napkins, menus,etc, like it used to be. If people sitting at a table drinking indicate they wish to eat, then deck the table out.
21 Jul 2011 18:38
Popped in midweek, very pleasant indeed, good atmos, and three local real ales on,teo of which we tried, P G Steam and Isle of Avalon Sunrise, both excellently kept. We shall be returning.
10 Jul 2011 05:44
Decided to give it a go, being as it was now in the Good Beer Guide. Ringwood Fortyniner was very good, and �2.80 a pint. However, this was overshadowed by the bar being occupied by what appeared to be ( in looks and behaviour) Warehams wino/dosser contingent. Twelve year old 'barman' oblivious or ignoring the fact that they were upsetting customers, including us, who had to resort to telling one of their number to s@# off. Glanced through window while passing a day or so later. Same crowd still there. CAMRA will be informed...
5 Jul 2011 22:27
The Atmospheric Railway Inn, Starcross
Returned again, as promised,albeit summer not spring - oh dear, come on Atmospheric, Otter not at its best this time, and quite expensive now, too.
5 Jul 2011 22:07
Excellent, as always. But please remove the tablecloths that have appeared!!
5 Jul 2011 22:03
Beers excellently kept, on gravity, and good prices. Food looked plentiful and cheap, plenty of people eating, not usually our thing when drinking, but decided to have the ploughmans. This was the only disappointment, as it was constructed entirely of el cheapo Happy Shopper or equivalent ingredients. Avoid. Seems to follow quite a trend, 'chefs' fill menu's with plenty of choice, but can rarely be bothered to make an effort with a Ploughman's.'Coleslaw In A Tub Is The Work Of Be-el-ze-bub' !
5 Jul 2011 21:51
Another time warp gem, easily found using a map by those of us fortunate enough to be born in the Common Sense era. Wonderful location, great friendly landlady and drinkers present. Bread was a little past its best in our ploughmans, but not complaining really, good points at this pub def wipe away any such niggles. Bonus personally for us being that the pub did not, like so many others, resemble a creche. Long may the 'health & safety bothering stairs' remain ...!
24 Jun 2011 08:19
Bankes Arms Hotel, Corfe Castle
What the @#$% is going on?? Came in today, after 5 weeks, a regular stop off for us(semi regular for 5-6 yrs), and the place has totally changed - every ) bloody table hijacked for eating, given a new (attempted 'trendy') look, drinlers made to feel like second class citizens, for crying out loud.. Despite the well kept Ringwood, never- a - @$*%ing gain... unbelieveable ....
19 Jun 2011 16:33
Another return visit was again a little disappointing (last week), had two pints of Branoc, just tasted watery, def had better Branoc elsewhere. Asked for beer in handles. Was told 'no, chucked em' quote. Regrettably might have to consider giving it a swerve in future.
6 Jun 2011 12:57
Royal Artillery Arms, Highbridge
Looked forward to returning after sampling a few well kept ales previously, atmos the, was spoilt only by the poor sod of a parrot kept prisoner in the bar. anyway, disappointed on return visit, had two pints of very cloudy RCH, had been told before that the brewer of said beer often drinks in there. would have been nice to have met him.
6 Jun 2011 12:47
Well deserved Good Beer Guide entry, (although for us it was Beer In the Afternoon), a few excellent pints of Exmoor Ales Stag. Plan to return asap.
6 Jun 2011 12:38
Managed to get served after twice giving the pub a swerve on other occasions owing to apparently being invisible (both of us) whilst standing at the bar. Anyway, glad we did, as the Bath Gem was absolutely perfect, straight from the cask, beautiful, so a sesh was on. But the marvellous original flagstone flooring has been replaced by tiles. Criminal.....
16 May 2011 19:14
yes, def our favourite pub in Wareham now, always cycle in from our campsite at Corfe. Excellently well-kept beers, good prices, and at the correct temperature - (Duke Of Wellington, please take note!!) Glad also to see the people who use/rate pubs just for eating (yawn..) are tucked away in their own room,so that every bar table isn't set out for nosh...
16 May 2011 19:02
great pub, we in the Real Ale Questers Cycling club (both of us), fell off. . . excellently kept beers, one and only criticism from last visit - tablecloths ? what's that all about......?!
16 May 2011 18:51
The Black Horse, Clapton in Gordano
Wholeheartedly agree on all good points previously said about this pub -( to use a tired old phrase), it really IS a gem. Stumbled across it by accident and what a surprise. We in the Real Ale Cycling Club (both of us- ) have only one criticism - def should be a real fire in that small bar instead of the old bottled-gas jobbie...can't wait to return.
20 Mar 2011 14:44
Yes, it is popular for weddings, handy as it is slap bang next to the church! We have also got caught up in the throng whilst visiting. Ales all exceptional, straight out of the cask, lovely. Another of our regularly-visited taverns
14 Mar 2011 15:36
proper beer, properly kept, sofas- can always guarantee a sesh is imminent if there is a sofa - no sport blaring out spoiling the atmos, and whenever we've been in, no kids - what more could you need..
21 Feb 2011 15:18
Goat and Tricycle, Bournemouth
Good pub, excellent choice and quality of ales on offer. Have only visited morning/afternoon times though. Nice that children have to keep to the 'family area', and away from the bar. Well worth a visit, tucked away from the main hustle and bustle. We in the Real Ale Cycling Club (both of us) were pleasantly surprised to find bike racks just a little way down the road..!
16 Feb 2011 20:37
The Moon and Sixpence, Clevedon
One of the best (consistently) pints of Abbot Ale ever, nice pub, just a bit noisy, but it is popular.
16 Feb 2011 20:25
Excellent, a real Real Ale drinkers pub. Cobwebs, dust, candles, great atmos, no ponsing about. We in the Real Ale Cycling Club (both of us) , fell off......
16 Feb 2011 20:14
great beer, good prices, helpful staff. Don't hesitate - go!
16 Feb 2011 20:11
nice, quiet, no mobile phone signal, and, when we visited, one of the stand-out pints we'd had in years - flat as a witches' tit, with tiny fleks of yeast in the bottom - mmmmmm!
16 Feb 2011 20:09
The Square and Compass, Worth Matravers
Fantastic, what can one say about The Sloop...? We in the Real Ale Ramblers Club (both of us), walk from our campsite at Corfe Castle, nice easy going walk, well marked footpaths, etc. Makes a nice change to find a boozer that hasn't hijacked half it's space for the purpose of serving meals. You must give it a go!
16 Feb 2011 20:02
Great pub for beer, another of our regulars on the Real Ale quests, visit many ,many times a year, friendly bar staff/landlady, but after a bad experience trying to communicate to the 12 year-old 'chef' on what I had been served, will never eat there again. No matter, as for us, with pubs, the beer should always come first.
16 Feb 2011 19:53
The Duke Of Wellington, Wareham
Ah The Duke, what can i say.. Another of our Real Ale Quest regulars, good selection, very good prices, but, (and I hate there to be a 'but'..), last year we noticed a distinct trend toward cooling the Real Ales down too much - a very big 'no no'... With a heavy heart, we left this time after a couple, and de-camped to the Kings Arms at the top of the High Street. Not as big a range, but comparitively priced, and the correct temperature. Give 'em a go...
16 Feb 2011 18:55
The Who'd A Thought It, Glastonbury
Who'd A Thought It ? Who Can Afford It, more like.....
16 Feb 2011 18:49
great pub, no noise, dogs are allowed in, and best of all no children spoiling the atmos (sorry parents, but there simply HAS to be somewhere for us to go where children do not act/think they have the god-given right to be there and run riot). Fantastic quality Ringwood Ales, beautifully kept. A regular on our RealAle quest, we cycle from Corfe Castle, and it's well worth it, please give it a go!
16 Feb 2011 18:47
Wholeheartedly agree with Trouty, we walked 9 miles to get here, and it was worth every step, one of our best RealAle Quests, and we were not disappointed.
Temperature on all beers sampled was just right, just a shame we ran out of time to sample them all! One of the warmest welcomes and friendliest hosts we have ever encountered.
16 Feb 2011 18:38
The Atmospheric Railway Inn, Starcross
what a shame to read the poor reviews - we visited three times in 2010, pub found to be pretty good, Otter Bitter in excellent condition - perhaps we were just lucky? Will be returning in Spring 2011, so watch this space!!
16 Feb 2011 18:32
Nice pub, no kids allowed inside to spoil the atmos- excellent! Gravity served Real ales are unfortunately hit and miss. Garden lovely in the summer - rickety old furniture - lots of it - and fairy lights in the trees!
16 Feb 2011 18:28
Broden, salutes, top gooner - thanks mateys, you wrote my review for me, we in the Real Ale Questers Rambling Club (both of us), spent hours walking here, beautiful hot sunny day - only to find the choice suddenly of only 2 real ales, paying for them, sitting down, then being told by the miserable landlady that we couldn't sit down (in the empty bar), as it was reserved for diners 'in an hour's time'. When a protest was voiced - politely - , she promptly turned her back and ignored us. Against our better judgement, six months later, we returned in the evening, and were treated like second-class citizens as we were not interested in eating. Luckily this time our money wasn't taken before our minds were made up. Swerve rating out of ten - eleven.
16 Feb 2011 18:08
absolutely fantastic, our Real Ale Questers Cycling club (both of us), get here whenever we can, no keg no smooth, no lager, and served in handles - what more could you ask - erm, except longer opening hours,please!!?
16 Feb 2011 17:59
the Anchor, well, what a gem, for us Real Ale questers it was a great find...providing you have an afternoon sesh.. I know this is Beer in The Evening, but unless you're eating, and have therefore booked a table, you will be treated like a second-class citizen during the evenings. We tend to use pubs for drinking in, strange as this may seem... We counted 36 tables, restaurant AND bar, and every one was reserved, this occured on four different occasions, so now it's aftenoons only. A great shame, as it is a beautiful pub, in a beautiful location.
16 Feb 2011 17:57
we know Corfe Castle and it's pubs well - most spare weekends spent there in the last 10 yrs. The Greyhound, well, it may be the most photographed pub, but only because the castle is behind it. totally agree with 'imdownthepub' about the staff and food. Tend to give it a swerve now,as it's yet another pub rapidly turning into a creche......
16 Feb 2011 17:50
The Red Lion, Swanage
Well it's a sad goodbye to the Red Lion for us, after a big price hike all in one chunk. We also believe Karen the landlady et al are no longer there, but not sure, it's only what we've heard.
18 Jun 2015 08:41