Travellers Friend, Woodford Greenback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Re the comments about the friendliness/unfriendliness of this place: admittedly I've only been there once (Tuesday this week) but the young chap who served me was welcoming and friendly, as were the regulars perched around the bar. Beer was fine (Broadside, £2.80/pint).
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I do not know what the last comment was about by Smirny. If you want to make friends and get chatted up by people, why do you not join a lonely hearts club?
The beer (real ale) here is always superb, they always have a great selection and this pub is the best traditional pub for miles. The staff work hard to keep all the lemonade drinkers and idiots out I would imagine. They sell lemonade down the sweet shop and it may be fizzier there but they do not sell quality beer!
The New Beer Garden is the best kept secret until now!
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I visited this pub for the first time and I think it's only fair to say I was appaled. When walking in I understood the regulars staring but the bar staff looked straight through you, with just a glare and a stroppy face. Not only was the land lady the most miserable I have ever come accross in my life. Waiting almost ten minutes to get her attention, I asked if she would mind changing a drink as the lemonade was flat, she began moaning about how the drink is fine and if i didn't like it then to leave it. In which I did. Customer service was appaling, drink was awful. I wouldn't advise anybody to go there.
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well what can I say about the staff. They are rude, arrogant, will serve their favorites first and totally blank you. The beer is great but the staff should be sacked especially the stroppy landlady and her bully of a daughter
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I use 'The Travellers Friend' on a fairly regular basis and have thoroughly enjoyed reading the reviews and the subsequent banter.
The fact that the beer is kept very well and is the best in the area,I think, is beyond doubt.
As far as the comparisons with The Slaughtered Lamb('He made me miss'-Brian Glover-American Werewolf in London)I feel the Locals are being unfairly represented. The fact that they turn towards the door when it opens is purely to see if the new entrant is also a regular whom will almost certainly be in need of a speedy libation. If you found it difficult to open the latch door the stare could be somewhat prolonged but whose problem is that? In all the Locals are a fairly good representation of the area with Tradesman,Bankers and even the odd classical pianist extricating themselves from lifes mortal coil.
And now the prickly subject of the staff, I can offer no defence. On a good day they're rude is the best I can muster. You will find many an ex regular begrudgingly in the Rose and Crown no longer able to endure the Landlady's incivility and no cab journey is complete without the driver waxing lyrical about the Welsh Dragon.
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Have not visited this pub since before Christmas I think. Popped in the other day and it was full of the regular crowd of people who seem to have their head up their own backsides and will not let you near the bar to get a drink. Was not greeted yet again by any of the staff who did their usual blank stare as you enter. Beer was in great condition though which made up for having to share the bar area with a bunch of red faced misfits alot of who were worse for wear.
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xenopohobic? a dislike of foreigners? you're getting your big words mixed up. where have I or anyone else been guilty of that? if you re-read my reviews I'm not totally dismissive of the travellers, it IS a nice pub, it DOES serve a good range of beers, but as already stated, it DOES have its share of middle class twits. I don't have to like these any more than I do a pub full of chavs. I do expect a certain level of service though, and yes, I can vote with my feet which I quite often do.
I am entitled to my opinion and this is a place for me to air it. not that damning really, is it? more annoying is the blinkered waffle coming from the regulars/bar staff.
finally, may I quote from the very first comment for this pub back in 2004:
'small but friendly punters, frosty bar staff'.
Just about sums it up.
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I think all the comments by snidey people on here are disgusting, davidwaspnest, you certainly wouldn't know friendliness if it slapped you in the face. and i think its completely out of order from those people who have commented on the size and looks of the staff, it's sizest and xenophobic. the pub has a beautiful new outdoor heated smoking area, beer is stil consistantly good and if you are looking for a pub that doesn't have 'plump' staff with faces like smacked arses and are looking for model types, go somewhere else like faces/cuckfield/etc etc and see how friendly THEY are.
Love from the other daughter.
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The Travellers Friend has won the title of London Area Pub Of the Year 2008,judged by CAMRA.Well done the Spivs,we regulars always said its the best pub around.
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Went to this pub for the first time, and was surprised by the friendliness of the place. Not what I was expecting after some of the reviews. The place didn't go silent, I was served with a smile by the landlady, and was free to enjoy a quiet drink with my girlfriend. The ale is excellent, probably the best of any pub in the area. Servers 4 bitters plus a guest ale.
drbee - 28 Feb 2008 11:58 |
I have to agree with Mr Waspnest, this is a Forum for views and comments of Consumers. What is the point if all the observations are favourable? I use the place a couple of times a week and the Landlady is still has a grim look on her face every time I enter. Like a Bulldog trying to swallow a Waspnest. The rest of the staff are generally fine and the Landlord is an absolute gentleman. The plump daughter takes after her mum though and is too sarcastic and seems to hate being there. I complained about ice once and she bit my head off. The beer is still far superior to any pub in the area and is the reason that I still visit. The locals are very unfriendly and act like poor relations of the Cheyne Walk crew. They hog the bar area and won't let strangers through until you tread on their toes or gently shove the relevent idiot out of the way which normall has the desired effect.
That big dopey looking 'Adams Family' lookalike bloke still haunts the place smoking cigars outside with his red wine, scaring kids. She can't be that bad the old Landlady doing her bit caring for the community.
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get over yourself teatotaler, this is a legitimate forum for people's views. the pub's pretty good, that's undeniable, but as for (some) of the locals and the odd member of staff...
still, you can't have everything, right?
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Message to certain people who continue to post negative reviews on this site.New years eve had a £10.00 charge to cover a fantastic buffet ,a disco,and party items,which i think was very cheap compared to most pubs in the area ,which charged and you got nothing in return.Also the party was arranged by the locals and not by the so called miserable landlady with a mop hair cut!!!!!!!!!!!IF the people who keep returning to the pub and listing negative reviews would like to make themselves known to the landlady and express their views face to face ,im sure things would be resolved .If you dont want to air your feelings to herand still think the pub has all these bad points ,why keep returning, to have a miserable time ,We locals would love to meet you.
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Did not go in over Christmas after all as had the flu. Went in last week and was told you had to pay to come in New Year Eve!!! Glad I did not manage it. I was told by a friend that the Landlady was as miserable as ever over Christmas and things got worse when a couple of drunks commented on her mop hair cut and said it was unfinished etc and she might have overheard it. Went in last week. Beer was well kept which makes visiting this odd place a pleasure. Just grin and bear the staff!!
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Having just found this site, I could not wait to comment on this place. Must be the most unfriendly pub around. I only come in to meet friends who work in the Bancroft School over the road. The staff are always miserable and the one who I think is the Landlords wife is the worse of them. I agree with Davidwaspnest's comments and most of the others about the staff. Trouble with pubs like this these days is that they take their customers for granted. They have their favourite customers and thats it. I was told you even had to pay to get in here over the holidays!
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Im going to pop in Christmas Day if open and/or Boxing Day. I am going to be really friendly as I got two weeks off work now...yippeeeeeee!!!! Please try and be happy dear staff..it is Christmas!
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listen pubworker2007, I don't pretend to be a detective, the reason I thought it could be the landlord's daughter, was a) the time it was posted, b) the writer is evidently drunk and c) the spelling/grammar is atrocious.
finally, I don't believe you're a bloke for one minute, a man just wouldn't write like that. I'll be in on boxing day, wake up a few of the coffin dodgers at the bar!
happy xmas!
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I went in again the other day and once again had a frosty reception. If there was a piano playing in there I reckon it would have stopped. 'Pubworker' must be one of the snivelling teachers pets who suck up to the Landlady and Daughter oozing complements all night. I like my own company but a 'hello, how are you' would be nice. Instead you get a moronic glare from them when you walk in. I always smile and am polite. A mate sent a beer back once and what a scene the Landlady caused! I can just imagine old 'Pubworker' rushing home after a few beers saying to the owners that he will write something nice for them. Multi-task my backside! Get some sleep you fool if you have a baby, instead of writing tosh and currying favour. The pub is lovely! The staff are generally not!
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may i just say, the reason i leave reviews so late at night, is becos i have a 6mnth old baby girl, and this is the only time i have on my own to go on to the computer without having to multi task. You david wasp nest are very naive or silly to think that the landlords daughter would be so obvious and leave a review on here, defending she is much to young! But i know her and she will have a laugh knowing u think thats what she is like, or has time for! i am a mid 30s male, who came up witht the name pubworker as its easy and all i could think of at the time.
So maybe leave the investigation work to the professionals, as your not very good at it!!! I say this again, this is a wonderful pub, and there are many under 50s who go in here!! As im one of them!! and my mates are certainly not middle aged! And they have a very good time, maybe you are just for your youth! you wasted it being negative! If you are so critical of this pub STAY AWAY!!!! save us all from your missery!!!! AS my friday nights would be better off without you, interupting my drink!
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I wouldn't have a bad word said about this pub. I am not a regular, but would like to be. On a recent visit (my first in a few months) I was made to feel welcome by the landlord who did engage in conversation. When visiting a pub, it is also the responsibility of the visitor to engage other people in conversation if that's what they want, and not sit back and wait for the busy bar staff to talk to them.
To be honest not many pubs do make a newcomer feel welcome. You can't tell me that managed chains like Wetherspoons make people feel welcome, yet I have yet to see comments such as these appear against any of their pubs.
The warm welcome and the excellent selection of cask beers made me stop for a few more than the one I intended.
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pubworker2007 and anonymous both leave entries in the early hours of the morning, a sign of working late shifts, perhaps in a pub? perhaps in the pub in question?
some facts: it's a nice looking pub (both inside and out) and they do have a good range of beers, no question, but read between the lines on a lot of these reviews and there's something up. my earlier comments about being made to feel unwelcome by the boorish locals still stands, if you're not a regular (and happen to be under the age of 50) you'll be looked at with distrust. so in conclusion, a nice pub, shame about the regulars.
do as 'pubworker2007 ' (the landlady's daughter?) and bugger off down the rose and crown instead and talk about the 'boring issues of your life' to the landlord there, he'll take you hard-earned.
nice to be friendly, isn't it?
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maybe the landlady talks to her favourites as they are interesting and have the intelligece to engage a decent conversation. In addition some of the customers of this pub prefer to have a quiet drink to themselves, get away from the nagging wives/girlfriends and the demands of family life. I have seen the land lady try many times to chat to new customers most seem too witless to even reply with a decent response, or are just rude with short answers, as they dont want to chat. The lady lady in my opinon is a wonderful woman, who always listens to those who have something relevant to say, not mind numbing chit chat. like the minority of customers who are sad men anyway who only want to chat while drinking for attenstion the main topics being women, sex or how much of a bigger man they are compared to everyone else or other boring issuses from their life. (Note for these men please go down the road to the rose and crown). The previous comments description of than man to avoid is spot on! 95% of customers would never consider having the land lady change anything about her fabulous self!!!!! The Travellers friend is about having the right atmosphere with friends to the pub and landlords, those regulars are commited people who have earnt their right to be there after years of loyalty. New customers are welcome as long as they arrive with a good attitude. Just come in on xmas day and see whos complaing then!!! the boring old farts who want to rain on everyones day because of their sad little lifes!!!! So please get an attitude change or move on! This pub is always highly recommemed and a really joy!!
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I have been using this pub over the past few months and have to agree the comments about the Landlady. She seems to talk to her favourites only. She has an expressionless look about her. Vacant stares. The beer is fine always which is what I am concerned about. Beware, if a tall, large bloke with a broken nose and idiotic look, bit like Tommy Cooper, aged about 60 engages you in conversation. He drinks red wine and smokes cigars. This bloke is an absolute fruit cake and can drive you round the bend. Do not get involved in a conversation with him. He is a nuisance.
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It is indeed the case that those who use the pub like I do (not every evening), are not greeted with a smile or words of kindness or welcome. This is a minor point. If those concerned practiced smiling in front of a mirror and just saying 'Hello, how are you', things would be much better. I have not been turned down by any member of staff and it has suprised me that you would even make such a suggestion and I really do not know what you are implying. I must admit that the larger of the two seems more appealing after a few pints of your fine ale. I want to enjoy your establishment and these little deatails would vastly improve things. Merry christmas to you all and let us please see an improvement.
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may i just say to rodger the daughter, you speak for the minority!!! the landlady and her 'larger daughter' (cheeky sod) are as much as an asset to the pub as the good beer! maybe you speak about them so vuglarly as you were proberly turned down by the larger daughter!!!!maybe in regard to your obvious liking of spanking! maybe you got a cold reception as you has a face of a smacked arse!! if you are who i think you are, maybe you should look at your own life before you criticse others. Maybe its time you moved on to another pub that welcomes miserable people like you, suggestion the rose and crown! the right place for a sad person like you!!!!!!
anonymous - 30 Nov 2007 02:28 |
If you are into spanking come here, because never will you see more of a smacked backside. It is on the face of the Landlady. Been drinking in here on and off for years. Only here for the beer which is great. Her husband is lovely chap but the words 'hello, how are you, can I help you' are unknown to her. the larger daughter takes after her mum.
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May i just say, this pub is one of the best i have ever been too! wasp nest or whatever your name is, you dont know what your talking about! I have been going to this pub for many years! Am a faithful returning customer, know the family very well! Am glad to call them my friends, the landlady is a fabulous woman! who has had a tough time lately, and i think she is a real trooper, and someone to be admired! The landlord, you could not wish to know someone more respectful, worldly and a really nice guy! The daughters may i just say wow, really light up the place when they are home!! The customers help make the pub what it is, a great place to be, they are loyal and not afraid to give someone a hand. I will be in aound xmas and really look forward to it!!! If anyone has any negative comments, instead of hiding behind a user name, go into the pub and enlighten everyone with your views face to face, maybe you didnt enjoy the pub as you turned up with a neagtive attitude!!!
anonymous - 25 Nov 2007 01:31 |
Take a look at camra good beer guide 2008.Has been in the last 20 years editions.
anonymous - 3 Nov 2007 13:12 |
referring to the 'anonymous' entry on the 29th @ 13.44, the reason I don't have a good word to say about the pubs I've visited, is that the majority of them are just as I've described; awful. some get good reviews, but these days a good pub is the exception rather than the rule.
ok, some of my comments about your pub were a bit glib, but when I visited, there were boorish, ruddy faced locals at the bar who wouldn't budge to let anyone get a drink. tossers. there's a definite 'local pub for local people' ambience, too.
finally, if you doubt the veracity of my reviews, spend an evening in zulus/the cuckfield/shannon centre, and tell me I'm making my comments up.
sometimes the truth hurts.
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Located on high road,found it in camra real ale guide,as quoted in guide ,friendly,clean,serving 5 real ales.Must say after visiting other pubs in area ,its the best.Good,well kept ale,friendly service,could do with a better smoking area,found it to be very cold standing outside with my friends who are smokers.Also has a very good review from the camra
south east branch that visited the pub in august.Will be back for a another visit.
anonymous - 29 Sep 2007 13:52 |
Traditionial locals pub,serving a good range of real ales,showing rugby world cup on tv, 3 beers at £1.50 a pint,brains sa,wells bombardier,deuchers ipa,quiet in afternoons,expect for a regulars that come in every day,hardly call them inbreds as quoted by David Waspnest,who does not seem to have a good word about any pub he visits.We found the customers friendly and the staff good.Shame no food served,but am told service will resume after xmas.Will return for another visit had no problems with this pub.Nice to find a good old traditional pub .
anonymous - 29 Sep 2007 13:44 |
kind of place where the piano stops playing as you walk in.
most of these reviews seem fair, you'll get the odd glare from some real ale drinking coffin dodger, but nothing to worry about. you should be more concerned with why you chose to come to this pub in the first place, it ain't for the women; the only girls in here are those serving the drinks, and it ain't for the atmosphere which is akin to a masonic lodge.
leave the inbred locals to themselves, walk 3 minutes down the road to the horse and well, much friendlier.
if the landlady/landlord should happen to read this, your bar smells of wee and your missus has a face like a rat-catcher's glove!
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Really thought it was going to be a nice place to have a pint, looked nice from the outside, but get looked up and down by the ever present regulars who obviously dont like outsiders and the bar lady had a face like Red Rum just because someone who was new came in, I tried twice and it was the same but wont go back there now.
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Pleased to see that there are still customers that want a proper pub.The Travellers Friend offers a excellent standard of real ale,no music ,tvs,drugs or underage drinkers .The Travellers Friend is there for people who want to spend there hard earned leisure time in a safe environment,away from trouble makers ,loud music and drugs .
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Been using it on and off for nearly 25 years, as have many people I have known over that time. All agree this is one of the best PUBS around;no noisy records, bandits, just a real pub. Good for those who like to talk.
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Don't even think about going here if you are under 50. If so, you will immediately be asked for ID with a cold sneer, and even then, when my friend and I went there in the summer, they had no clue what a provisional driving license looked like. It's like they intend to keep people out - not good.
If you want real ale and look young in any way, take your custom elsewhere - the beer may be fine, but the cold reception you get off the bar staff will put you right off it.
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girls, blacks and irish are allowed but chances of you seeing any here are slim. sort of place where alcoholism amongst locals is actively encouraged. been here 3 times with the intention of sitting inside out of the cold but found the outdoor seating preferable to the 'icy reception' at the bar. still, at least theres no kids or wideboys (avec porsche) waiting to steal your girlfriend of 5 years.
anonymous - 27 Mar 2006 19:23 |
Too cliquey and up it's own proverbial, avoid
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Lovely little pub with many of it's original features still intact, friendly regular crowd and the staff and landlord were very pleasant indeed, beer is kept very well with a choice of 3 lagers and usually 5 real ales.
Good write up in the good beer guide too. will definately visit more often.
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I really must say that the last post sounds suspiciously typical of many, often found on this site, where the Landlords or their staff have suddenly woken up and realised, too late, that the horrible truth is now out.
I sincerely hope that this is not the case however, and that the earlier concerns about the unpleasant attitudes of the staff are now things of the past. This is an excellent pub which deserves not to be let down by moody, rude and sullen publicans!
anonymous - 27 Oct 2005 10:16 |
Visited here last week ,great little local,we found it from the write up in the 2006 good beer guide.No fruit machines ,or tvs.great range of beers ,Abbot Ale£2.45-Broadside£2.45.-Guest beer £2.45,Courage Best £2.15.Archers Village £2.15. Has not been spoilt by large brewers.Seems to have a good regular local trade. A dice game called perudo was being played,seemed to be very popular,nice to see dogs were allowed in the pub.Service was very good.staff were very busy ,but found time to tell us a little history of the pub,and even fetched a sausage for our dog.Will be returning again for sure when in the area.
anonymous - 15 Oct 2005 19:50 |
Yes to the pub- no to the staff. I got the impression that if you wern't a regualr you were lucky to be let in, let alone served!
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Very traditional, unspoilt by Plc. A good range of real ales, 5 when I visited. Roaring fire and friendly locals. Mostly frosty staff, but one stood out as friendly.
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I apologise, what I meant to say was the the pub itself is small, the punters are friendly, and the bar staff are frosty. NOT that the punters are small and friendly, my error.
Sir - 15 Oct 2004 14:29 |
Small but Friendly punters, frosty bar staff.
Sir Drinkalot - 14 Oct 2004 11:37 |
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