BITE user comments - saffrons
Comments by saffrons
A Victorian corner pub of the sort that once existed in their thousands. Single bar with TV, darts and pool; no food or cask ale.
10 Jul 2014 11:42
Perhaps browsers won't again have the opportunity to sample the delights of Clouds Hill - when I passed by a couple of days ago after a visit to Monkey World, there was a notice: closed because of unforeseen circumstances. And it looked like for the long term.
My first visit was a strange experience; like entering a dated 1970s village hall, exposed beams, highly varnished furniture, a few squaddies and local (?) girls. No cask on offer. Stuck in a time warp.
25 Jun 2014 20:02
Pleasant village pub with welcoming service, and a good choice of local ales.
13 May 2014 10:05
Couldn't disagree more with the last few postings! Partner & self visited for lunch today; landlord served me pleasantly and politely, and even smiled at my puny joke. Good beer selection; excellent pint of Landlord; partner enjoyed her wine. Other staff - food manager was efficient and friendly, appreciative of my comments; waitresses were excellent. Food (not forgetting the name of the website) also excellent. Nothing not to like.
4 May 2014 20:49
The George and Dragon, Winterbourne
Decent village centre pub, with pool, TV, darts and garden; two cask ales on offer - Wickwar Rover's and GWB Exhibitionist. A good pint of the former.
30 Mar 2014 22:01
Cosy back street pub, unusually for the location open on Sundays - had an excellent pint of Landlord (£3.90).
18 Feb 2014 12:28
A large, sprawling building that has few remaining signs of its perhaps grander past. Two rooms used as a bar, friendly service but no cask ale.
3 Feb 2014 07:23
Popped in for a Saturday afternoon pint. A splendid Victorian pile with lots of original features - glass & woodwork, with original central bar and rooms to the side. Good community feel, and a good pint of Holt's Bitter.
2 Feb 2014 23:08
In a strange location on an industrial estate. A few Saturday lunchtime customers, background music, games machines; the pub has a patio. No cask aleand service was very slow.
2 Feb 2014 22:25
I can't comment on beers or other drinks, as mine was a morning visit for breakfast; but I can comment on service, from the landlord. I was his first customer, at 9am; he was welcoming, and service was attentive and efficient. As I ate, other customers came in, obviously regulars. So, the last comment was perhaps atypical.
4 Nov 2013 12:20
Popped in for a lunchtime pint. A friendly atmosphere, and an excellent choice of six cask ales - my Bathams was great. Rightly listed in 2014 Good Beer guide.
4 Nov 2013 11:49
After a long walk on the Plain, I really fancied a pint, and if possible, a sandwich. Local village pubs were all shut until the evening; Bustard Inn and Stonehenge are both gone. Eventually came across the Rose and Crown.
There were half a dozen locals in the bar; dining room was closed, no food. Choice of cask - none; Greene King IPA only. The pint was good. Service however was not good - the barmaid was only interested in her gadget. Staff need to learn the basics of customer service!
9 Oct 2013 16:55
An ideal small community pub - single bar, snacks, choice of 3 ales from Fuller's, and one guest (at my visit, Thwaites Wainwright). My pint of Pride was excellent. Look out for the young dog, Cheddar, but don't expect him to hand over his soft toy.
29 Apr 2013 12:26
Popped in today for a lunchtime pint - everything fine! Welcoming log fire, welcoming landlady, selection of three cask ales (1 Fullers, 2 local). I chose Handley Best, and was invited to sample it, as there wasn't much left in the cask. It was lovely, and the attention to service shown by the landlady admirable. Other posters have commented on prices - this is prime gastro-pub territory, and I didn't pay over the top for the area. Can't comment on food (not that this is a food site, though many users treat it as such), as I didn't eat here.
31 Jan 2013 16:36
The Duke of Wellington, Aldgate
I try to speak of pubs as I find them - after a long day of walking, I needed a decent pint, after a disappointing experience nearby. This place fitted the bill - a choice of two reasonable cask ales, served in a friendly manner. Many visitors are more interested in service and choice than environment - so, is shabbiness a hanging offence? Well-worn is a term I'd prefer to use.
Plus, breaking almost all stereotypes, a black lady ordering a pint of cask! How cool is that?
1 Jul 2012 15:23
After a long trek around the area, all I wanted was a decent pint of cask - not to be had, not even Smooth! Had to settle for a half of Guinness, served by a barmaid who was more interested in her mates than new customers. Bohemian/run-down is fine, if offer and service are OK. This place offers neither, though it might be fine for insurance clerks.
1 Jul 2012 15:14
The Junction Tavern, Kentish Town
I popped in yesterday for a pre-lunchtime pint after a long walk, and didn't find the gastro-pub atmosphere at all intimidating. Was pointed in the right direction to the bar by friendly landlady; enjoyed a bit of banter, and had a good pint of Wye Valley. Can't comment on lack of sofas - a table will do me fine; or the price of fish and chips - if I want that, will go to a fish bar. Get a life, burgerstall!
1 Jul 2012 15:07
A friendly welcome from the (Scottish) manager, who was very attentive, although my lunchtime visit only required a sandwich. A good pint of Badger - in an H&W pub, you must expect to be served with their ales, whatever you think of them. Worth a re-visit, if beer and food needed.
8 Mar 2012 20:04
Appears to be closed: tried to visit lunchtime today. The building is beginning to deteriorate.
31 Jan 2012 19:20
The Blackwater Stream, Broadstone
What a transformation since my first visit, a year ago! Then, desolate, couple of customers, disinterested staff, only Ringwood Best; now, full, people having a good time, good age range, good ale choice. All power to Wetherspoons, whatever you might think of their corporate presence, this is 100x better than it used to be.
7 Jan 2012 17:39
I had a slight sense of foreboding, having read earlier postings: but the pub has been renamed from The Pines, is now The Sky Lark; refurbished, with the standard light-coloured fittings & furniture, seating on different levels; staff prompt, polite and young. Only cask, unfortunately, Ringwood Best, but some people seem to like it... Great price - opening offer?
7 Jan 2012 17:18
The Sportsmans Arms, Pennington
Clip on cask pump turned round; barmaid suggested a "smooth" beer instead, which was gassy and cold. The only other customers were a group of young blokes sitting at the bar. Compare and contrast with another pub 100 yards away, which was buzzing. On the plus side, service was good, and my dog was allowed in.
4 Sep 2011 16:44
In the heart of Westcliff hotel territory, seemingly catering for tourists who have little discrimination: no cask ale available. For those in the know, the Goat & Tricycle is only a few minutes walk away...
22 Jun 2011 16:39
Apparently a change of management since latest comments. At my visit (hot day, half-term), service was understandably slow, but pleasant. The internal lay-out of the bar area does not help: apart from bog-standard items, staff have to go up steps to the kitchen, which slows things down. Staff friendly, sandwich good, beer (Greene King IPA) well-kept.
4 Jun 2011 18:21
The Thomas Tripp, Christchurch
This pub really must decide whether it does food or not. After a spell over winter, only serving instant food, the specials board was up outside yesterday, and we looked forward to fresh fish. On trying to order from the barman, he told us , perhaps shame-facedly, that there was no food this evening. The cook was clearly visible in the kitchen. Prima donna? Fatigue syndrome? Couldn't be bothered? A few pounds worth of takings for food and drink lost there. Won't be back soon.
31 May 2011 11:55
After a morning's stroll along the spit, was in need of liquid refreshment, so the Gun was an obvious choice. Interior interesting, though with an accompanying dog I chose to sit outside; beer choice (4 cask ales) good; Landlord (I couldn't have wished for anything better) excellent; service, from the guvnor, fine; as a bonus, crab sandwich very tasty, and quickly served. Proper users of this site already know that BITE is about beer, and not food.
12 May 2011 15:26
Generally I only comment on beer, atmosphere and service (why else would the site be called BITE). Pleasant decor, good service; landlady/chef talking to customers. Beer were the predictable offerings from Hall & Woodhouse; Badger was well-kept. My ploughman's contained an excellent Cheddar, that must have come from one of the cheesemongers at Wimborne Market.
6 Mar 2011 16:32
Perhaps ownership has changed since latest comments. Service was pleasant and friendly; there were locals at the bar, and a choice of beer, albeit predictable. My pint of London Pride was served at the proper temperature, and tasted fine.
4 Feb 2011 18:18
Perhaps ownership has changed since latest comments. Service was pleasant and friendly; there were locals at the bar, and a choice of beer, albeit predictable. My pint of London Pride was served at the proper temperature, and tasted fine.
4 Feb 2011 18:18
Popped in for a lunchtime pint; delighted to see Landlord on offer. But �3.40? Even Ringwood Best was �3.20. Totally unreasonable.
9 Jan 2011 08:12
OK, I don't do food in the afternoon, just popped in for a pint - the food might be fantastic. Barmaid very busy clearing away lunch tables, and eventually served me. Seasonal beer, as usual in Badger managed houses, overpriced. Only other customer was dribbling into his pint of lager.
For another nearby pub that has some atmosphere, try The Walkford (sorry, it's Greene King), but it has recognisably alive customers, enjoying themselves (in a non-aggressive way).
20 Sep 2010 20:55
Now calling itself "Milton Barns", dining, tea rooms, accommodation; presumably no longer a pub.
20 Sep 2010 18:32
Despite the sign saying that the premises are to let, I feel that there might be grounds for hope, if they can hold out until something is done about loss-leader supermarket drinks' prices. Landlord welcoming, the place had a nice feel; even the customers' choice of music was OK. Ringwood Best fine, even if totally to be expected.
4 Sep 2010 18:07
No, please ignore the last and last but two comments. Last but one is spot on; for a pub advertising itself as "last pub before France", you should at least be able to buy a decent pint, rather than Whitbread's Best & Boddington's fizz, even if it's only Ringwood Best. Interesting location, bijou size, but a few pictures of boats and twirls of ropes don't do anything for me, in terms of atmosphere.
4 Sep 2010 18:00
Eyes light up: three handpump clips. Heart falls: they are all Ringwood Best. Heart falls even more: �3.25 a pint. Traveller, go the extra couple of miles to Drovers Inn. Marston's, you must be able to do better than this.
27 Jun 2010 09:40
Closed, and currently half demolished. According to hoardings, to be replaced by retirement homes (well, this is Bournemouth, on the coast)
24 Jun 2010 23:12
The Somerford Hotel, Christchurch
Popped in today for a pint after a heavy session at the nearby dump (sorry, recycling centre!). This is not the usual sort of pub I would visit; Brewers' Tudor can be fine, but belonging to a certain chain of carveries/motels is not. And I wasn't let down: pattern refurbishment, with incomprehesible buzz-words (USPs?) on plaques, young barman who served a short pint, and had to be asked to top it up. Redeeming feature: Ringwood Boondoggle at a reasonable price.
8 Jun 2010 18:02
NOW CALLED THE TRIPLE CROWN. Rename presumably related to new landlords, sporting theme reflected in photos on the walls. Quick lunchtime pint (hungry but driving ); good pint of Henry's, excellent sandwich, not on the menu, but chef very co-operative. Also available: 6X, Horizon.
16 Mar 2010 22:48
The Happy Union, Llandrindod Wells
After a heavy morning's walking, was looking forward to a pint in the village local, but, shock! horror! it was shut at lunchtime. The landlady, also village postmistress & shopkeeper, must have heard me rattle the doorlatch, and opened the door. She explained that they only open in the evening, but let me in. No cask ale, but a bottle of Summer Lightning, which was almost as good. 10/10 for service!
13 Mar 2010 20:51
The Knightley Arms, Yelvertoft
Unusual & welcome to find a country pub open all day weekdays (well, Friday at least). Locals in bar, open fire; good range of cask from local microbreweries. Very nice pint of Ratcliffe's Stout, if slightly too cold.
8 Mar 2010 14:17
Definitely open today; landlord ok, knew his beer. Well, atmosphere is dingy, but beer range very good & beer well kept. No need to try his advertised selections of scotch, or Belgian ales, as English cask was excellent.
17 Feb 2010 19:46
From a brief visit, struck me as the paragon of a country village pub; good choice of ales, including a house beer brewed by the local small brewery; locals around the bar; open fire; mixed clientele; lots of items of interest to appreciate & read.
10 Jan 2010 09:07
From my previous visit, perhaps 5 years ago, I remembered the Bull as a Hopback tied house, good range of ales, if a bland pub.
What a deterioration! One ale only, Ringwood Best; is now a carvery, missing only the Harvester sign. Sausage sandwich was execrable, full of hard, burnt bits of unidentifiable substances, served in processed bread; salad without dressing. On being asked for dressing, waitress brought a sachet of salad cream.
Do your palate a favour and go the extra 1/4 mile to the White Horse to see what a mixed country pub should be like!
10 Jan 2010 09:02
If the new managers have such a distinguished history, they have their work set out for them. Firstly, get rid of the Hall & Woodhouse rubbish make-over of baskets of logs, aphorisms, false beams & levels & standardised company menu (unless of course they have to continue to present it as a rural McDonalds). Most importantly, stop saying H&W seasonal ales are "guests", so worth more than �3 a pint. Perhaps their hands are tied! Anyway, good luck to them!
28 Nov 2009 20:07
Closed again last month (October). Owners Admiral Inns say they "are reviewing (their) options".
3 Nov 2009 19:43
A dismal experience. After a couple of hours' gentle walking, was looking forward to a pint in the village local (shown on Ordnance Survey). Arriving here, my heart sank. Three handpumps, all offering Ringwood Best; not my favourite pint, but faute de mieux... Anyway, it didn't taste right, and was too cold. If you appreciate a good pint, don't bother; if you're a harassed parent with hungry family, who drinks lager, it will be OK.
6 Sep 2009 19:46
Difficult to believe that a pub (even in North Bournemouth) could achieve such a low rating; that is, at least, until I popped in for a Sunday lunchtime pint. Two handpumps, both unused, so as a very second best, asked for a pint of Guinness. Response: "We've got some cans." I wonder where they came from? The pits!
26 Jul 2009 18:23
Was in yesterday for a lunchtime pint & some food. Ale: good pint of Harvey's Best; also on offer, Pride, Landlord & ,er, Bass. Service pleasant & attentive; landlord chatty. Signs of attention to customers' wishes: a (long) voting list for the next guest ale. Food fine, didn't have to wait too long.
14 Jul 2009 21:17
Clientele doesn't seem to have changed since recent postings: teenage mums & babies still in evidence. Cask (Speckled Hen) served too cold.
10 Jul 2009 09:04
Lovely pint of Palmer's Bitter, friendly landlord, pleasant garden, good roast beef sandwich, what more to enjoy? (well, perhaps, but not on offer!)
29 Jun 2009 23:15
It reopened at the weekend as "The Ragged Cat". Decor pop-based, pictures of singers &tc, decor not exactly restful (black and white), fittings look car bootish. Not a bad pint of Pride, though; Pedigree on offer as well. Chatty guvnor; says he'll let it run for a few months, then close for a proper refit. Good luck to him.
22 Jun 2009 08:38
Lovely canal-side pub. If you don't know, it might take some time to work out that the entrance is from the back via the marina (poorly signposted). An excellent lunchtime pint, and a good pork pie.
9 Jun 2009 22:56
"Ambience" seems to extend to very subdued lighting, lots of industrial ducting & upside-down tiles attached to the ceiling. So be it; my pint of Badger was fine, barmaid attentive & glass properly filled. Better the Railway up the road, even if it is a mausoleum...
6 Jun 2009 20:44
The Southbourne Cliffs, Southbourne
Popped in on a fine afternoon - 2 customers at the bar. Being so close to the beach, should have had more than that. No cask, had to settle for a Guinness.
5 Jun 2009 08:22
The Branksome Railway, Branksome
Popped in for an afternoon pint: Otter, excellent. A few locals, middle aged, reading or contemplating; younger pissheads digging a deeper hole for themselves with the barmaid. The concept of shabby chic might have been invented here.
31 May 2009 08:31
The Sandacres Free House, Sandbanks
Estate agents might say the property "has potential". Large room, small seating area outside; half-term, beautiful weather, superb location, but only half a dozen guests. Sounds as if the interior has been revamped since recent comments: all is now leather chairs/settees, very impersonal. A good selection of ales: 6X, Summer Lighting & Ringwood Best; Summer Lightning was tasty.
28 May 2009 18:36
A good pint of Ringwood Best, pleasantly served. Didn't stay for a second because the juke box music was too loud for my taste.
26 May 2009 21:32
The Woodcutters, Three Legged Cross
Basic pub, good to see two separate rooms. Public bar has TV & darts. Not a bad pint of Ringwood Best, the only cask on offer.
25 May 2009 17:23
Sorry to confound the doom merchants; on my visit, for a mid-afternoon pint, the beer was well-kept (I had Deuchar's IPA), service quick & pleasant, and not a note of aggro to be detected.
24 May 2009 22:54
Had an excellent pint of 6X here yesterday lunchtime, though I did have to ask for the glass to be topped up - it was well short. Also an excellent roast beef sandwich. Service pleasant & helpful.
24 May 2009 15:55
Wide range of well-kept Brain's ales; food unimaginative, but filling.
6 May 2009 11:50
Perhaps a Bank Holiday Sunday wasn't the best day to rate this obviously very popular pub, but the staff, though helpful & pleasant, were over-stretched. The bar is far too small for the quantity of customers, and the noise level oppressive; that was before the music started. A excellent pint of Pride; it would have been good to sample other ales from the marquee in the garden, but that meant paying first at the bar. Food had seen better days; prices charged didn't seem to correspond with those advertised.
4 May 2009 08:01
Pleasant, simple front room. Some confusion over which cask beers were on offer; barmaid suggested landlord might have been drunk last night. Beer (Buccaneer, she didn't know who brewed it) was fine, though. Pity no food available at lunchtime.
27 Apr 2009 21:38
Popped in with some friends on a fine afternoon for a drink. 2 staff on duty; blackshirt, presumably the manager, finely trained in expressionlessness, and indifferent barmaid. OK, the beer (choice of 3 ales) was fine, and garden pleasant. I went to the adjacent public car park to take a picture of the pub, as one does, and was taken aback to see blackshirt striding up to me, to demand why I was taking a picture; I needed permission from the company. Which is of course rubbish, photographing from public property. Blackshirt obviously prefers watching his CCTV screen to treating his customers decently. A sad reflection of Ember Inns' training policy, perhaps.I won't be seen there again, of course.
18 Apr 2009 07:50
The Wight Bear Ale House, Southbourne
Bournemouth's second micro-pub, opened a couple of months ago. Usually four cask ales (including mild or dark) and four ciders on tap, served by gravity. No lager, muzak, TV or ring tones! Excellent local pork pies and Scotch eggs. A family enterprise well worth a visit - there's usually good crac. CAMRA members get a 30p discount.
13 Sep 2015 07:31