The Partridge, Partridge Green

In answer to the (justified) comment about the lack of secure parking for cycles, I would point out that the Landlord has now installed a long section of secure cycle bars.

2 May 2014 09:21

Red Lion, Ashington

Having used this pub in the past and had good meals I was looking forward to an enjoyable lunch after a walk with my grandsons. But what a disappointment.

We arrived at about 1155 and the place was open - although, as is so common with badly-run pubs, there were no signs anywhere indicating the opening hours. I was told that they started serving meals at 1200 and so we took a menu and placed our order. Whilst waiting I had a pint of Harveys which was quite acceptable although the cask beer selection was poor with only three beers on sale - and the price was high for the area.

Although the pub was not busy it took 30 minutes for the order to be delivered, which would have been acceptable had the food been of startling quality. Sadly it was not.

I chose a beef and ale pie with a selection of vegetable which cost nearly a tenner. The "pie" was a small earthenware container covered with puff pastry and, although the meat was quite nice the quantity was small. Apart from a couple of carrots and a few mushrooms in the pie, there were no vegetables apart from a mashed potato puree which, by its colour, had some green vegetables included. I was still hungry when I had finished but decided against risking a sweet.

My grandson's chicken burger turned out to be a slice of chicken breast (shouldn't a burger be minced meat?) whose toughness defied the best efforts of his and our knives so I can't comment on its taste. The dog liked it, though.

Although the pub must have been open for at least 30 minutes prior to our arrival, the collection of full ashtrays on the adjacent table (presumably left from the previous evening) was not cleared until 1300.

By coincidence I had a meal the following day at the Lynde Cross, Horsham (a Wetherspoon's house) and had a steak and kidney pudding which cost just about half the price of the Red Lion's steak pie. It was a proper pudding with proper suet pastry, served with ample chips and peas. The quantities were such that I only just managed to finish the meal. Although the Lynde Cross was heaving (it was school holidays) with every table filled, the meal still only took the same time to serve as did the Red Lion's.

Oh, and the Lynde Cross had 12 different cask beers on sale with their prices averaging around two-thirds of the Red Lion's.

As the only pub in Ashington I can only assume that the management of the Red Lion assume they have a captive market. Well, they've not captured me.

16 Apr 2014 10:26

The Lynd Cross, Horsham

Typically Wetherspoon pubs get downrated by people simply because they are Wetherspoon. However, to be dispassionate and non-prejudiced you need to look at what a pub is, not what you might prefer it to be.

The Lynd Cross has the best selection of Real Ale in Horsham - 12 beer engines the last time I was there, all connected. A good range of interesting ales, including some locals - and all at a very fair price (with 50p per pint discount for Camra members)

Many people who complain are complaining about the clientele - but that cannot, surely, be blamed on the pub.

8 Apr 2014 13:41