please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This used to be my favourite pub in Uxbridge (following Alan and Norah's enforced departure from the Crown and Sceptre). It has been an excellent place for quality beer for many years, and still is, but generally I think it not the friendly welcoming place it used to be. There has been some criticism on this site about the management, and there are undoubted problems, particularly concerning the volatile personality of the landlady. But my criticism is their dumbing down of the place. There is nowhere to escape from intrusive music. The jukebox (introduced by the new management) plays automatically every 20 minutes and more often, of course, if fed. The television is on in the other bar. In the garden, there's often music blasting from the kitchen. So where do you go for a civilised chat or read?
Oh, and the language! Wouldn't it be nice to be able to invite someone for a pleasant drink without having to listen to some loud-mouth effing and blinding continuously. The previous management wouldn't have allowed it; the present incumbents don't seem to care.
In short, my friends and family don't like the place and won't go. I still do occasionally, but then, I'm only there for the beer!
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Went here on the strength of the GBG and was very impressed with the microbrews available. Liked the feel of the place too - just a shame it's so far from where I live. Kids were present, but not being shouted at!
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I would suggest Mr Martin Shaw takes another look at 'the Load' on any Friday night or Sunday lunchtime, or even any hot summer's day. The place is usually packed then, with both regulars and visitors. The food is excellent, the selection of beers too, and those of us who are regulars are proud to have this pub as our local - and to have Sue & Gary as our friends! To follow up on Chris' comments, I agree. This is not the place to comment on the parenting methods of other people. Give your opinion on the pub only! If you don't like our pub Mr Shaw, I suggest that you go elsewhere and amuse yourself (come to think of it, you probably do a lot of that anyway!).
Phil.
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Retropective review, used to sup there 20 years ago, half decent place, lovely Ruddles County. Reading the recent reviews the fact the canteen and brick are both still functioning can best be described as a shock!!
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I AM REPLYING TO THIS MESSAGE SO PLEASE READ IT THEN READ MY REPLY!
We have been looking at this house for a while now. This is the 2nd (first unreported – legal reasons)
Visit 11th January 2008. Not a nice place. Continual and Abusive (Expletive) shouting from the Manger's wife - not at me - but her children. Social Services need to pay a visit to this particular “women”. I intend to re-visit for no other reason than to experience her filth again. When I do, I shall no hesitation in informing Social Services.
BEER: OK
CLIENTELE: Mainly Drunk. Some were complete pains in the a***
SURROUNDINGS: Fairly naff.
Being in the Good Beer Guide is one thing. Throwing filth and abuse at your children is another. These individuals need to resolve their issues since if they don't the Good Beer WILL be the last of their concerns
Well Mr Shaw as you are a user of this site you know how to search for other pubs in the surrounding area! May I suggest the Militia Canteen or maybe the Cowley Brick where if you made those comments in house you would be repeating them in a statement to the police! (after being duffed up)
This is by far the best pub in a 10 mile radius, The customers might get little drunk but then they do serve alcohol!
I grew up in the pub game and I turned out to be a nice decent honest person I did not see Mr Martin Shaw in the top ten of best fathers in the country! I would suggest you judge Sue on her parent rating once the kids have grown up and left the nest rather than as they are now! Sue cooks lovely food and yes she has a strong character but so what? She is a good person with a good heart!
If we was all from the same mould we would be boring and you would have nothing to complain about!
If you have a complaint about the pub then please feel free to express it here if you have a complaint about Sue then use you real name and talk to her about it rather than hiding behind a website.
I assume you are old enough and mature enough to talk about your problems and concerns with the person or establishment concerned this is a good place to talk about the pubs and the beer but should not be used for making acusations about someones parenting!
Feel free to tell us about you and your children, let us all know what we are up against because if I can't meet your standards I might just give up on having children! And if that happens then I am going on the piss in the Load of Hay with Gary and Sue.
Chris Tracey
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The Load has been closed for the last 2 days, to enable the completion of the bar area refurbishment. Hopefully, when it is finished, the fine old character of the pub will still be intact. I still enjoy my sessions here with my good friends at weekends. I have not seen any drunken clientele or suffered from the language mentioned, but I am not that frequent a visitor, since the restrictions on the live music.
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We have been looking at this house for a while now. This is the 2nd (first unreported – legal reasons)
Visit 11th January 2008. Not a nice place. Continual and Abusive (Expletive) shouting from the Manger's wife - not at me - but her children. Social Services need to pay a visit to this particular “women”. I intend to re-visit for no other reason than to experience her filth again. When I do, I shall no hesitation in informing Social Services.
BEER: OK
CLIENTELE: Mainly Drunk. Some were complete pains in the a***
SURROUNDINGS: Fairly naff.
Being in the Good Beer Guide is one thing. Throwing filth and abuse at your children is another. These individuals need to resolve their issues since if they don't the Good Beer WILL be the last of their concerns
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The Load of Hay is a great friendly pub and always sports a good selection of real Ales. (Probably why it has had an entry in the good pub guide for 13 years).
It delivers good home cooked food 7 days a week but be warned if your not really hungry ask for the medium size.
The recent building work has cased a bit of disruption but what has been done so far looks good cant wait till it’s finished in Jan... Although the owner clearly has no idea of the pub game or he would have done the work when the custom is quiet. Second week I Jan or school summer hols not in the lead up to Christmas.
I have always been made welcome by the manager’s staff and regulars and would recommend it to any one.
Keep up the good work guys.
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The front bar is currently closed-off for a re-fit.
The redundant toilets are being removed and the front bar is being extended into the area. This will enable the existing Borough Bar, bar, to be dismantled, making more room. Looks grim at the moment, with the corridor boarded-up. Real Ales and food not affected.
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The loud, distorted, awful live music is driving me away from what was once my favourite pub.
Why do the managers not ask the customers for their opinions?
Stop running all of the gimmicks every night and let people drink in peace.
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I now only visit when there is live music on, like The Culprits and Sunrise.
Gary and the younger staff are always pleasant and the ale is always good.
Fortuneatly, I have not endured any raised voices from the kitchen and I have always enjoyed my times there.
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Grant Lewis needs to grab this place (and his workers - The Carpenters) and sort them out. Sue, as noted previously, is a naturally nasty aggressive piece of work. Gary, well , he never does any work. 14th person (officialy) to leave this dump
anonymous - 22 Aug 2007 01:33 |
I agree with mightyboy entirely. We suffered massive abuse from HER (Sue) where she once was (she liked to think) the proprietor of the POW in Hillingdon. I have asked the leaseholder (Grant) to speak to her, as regards the filthy attitude. I, despite 11 emails, have heard nothing further. Says it all really....
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On a visit to the area, was recommended this pub and didn't regret the tip. In fact, I went back several times. Beer garden excellent, beer just as good - local real ales - and staff pleasant. (In fact, one of the bar staff was very fetching - say no more.)
Locals seemed a relaxed bunch who weren't put out by outsiders. Experienced none of the stuff posted by others, have to say.
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I like this pub, always 3 or 4 real ales on and the food seems very good, The staff are always very nice, i think it's the best pub in the area. If you like a good pint then give it a go.
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Uunfortunately this pub has turned into quite the joke. The pub is lovely and the bar staff that they have had for the past 4 years I had been going in there were just lovely. The only problem with the establishment is the managers who have no customer service skills, and drive their staff to leave as the landlady is not a very pleasant lady, often seen by staff, her children and punters who are paying for a quiet pint and have to listen to her scream, swear and shout like a woman possessed, especially at her husband....you know who wears the pants there!! Its a shame as the majority of punters are a great laugh and nice and friendly, and pub its self is quite nice. With new managers I would definately have continued to drink there, but quite frankly I cant bare to look at the landladys usually miserable looking face thundering around the kitchen.
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I really do miss Ken, the food is very average nowdays, beer is still pretty good, the quiz machine and projection tv are a pain in the arse, like 2 or 3 of the punters who spoil it for the rest. If you want a quiet drink & a natter then the front bar is best. The new ladies & gents are now off the dining area, spotless and clean, a great improvement. Orange juice machine is a very welcome addition.
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Fear not all ye who seeketh Ken. He's to be found oftimes tending to the regulars and passersby at the Queens Head in Pinner. Still a venerable gent, he can raise a laugh or three with some tales of yore at "The Hay". Be warned!
mikem - 25 Feb 2007 12:35 |
ken was a lovely, lovely man. will be sadly missed by brian and myself. Wouldn't go here again in light of the current "circumstances". Good luck to new managers
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Ken has had to find employment eslewhere. He may have been passed his best behind the bar, but still a great cellarman and an honest man. He is still in the trade and his "ousting" has not prevented him from carrying on serving excellent ale. Ken was the last of the "old guard".
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Where is Ken?
He suddenly disappeared - does anyone know why? Te beer is not quite as good recently.
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Acceptable. Pub is a leasehold and on loan to a (once) local school teacher. It is run by two individuals who once managed the Prince of Wales in Hillingdon. Pub is OK but cliquey and not cheap. It will be interesting to see how the next rent review goes...
anonymous - 6 Aug 2006 22:54 |
Consistently good - cut my drinking teeth here!
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Always been an excellent pub - I've used it for 30 years.
Beer range is excellent and even when the place was becoming run down, Ken kept the beer in excellent condition. It has recently received a 10 years in the Good Beer Guide award.
The new owners have cleaned it up but not spolit the atmosphere although it does get a little crowded.
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When you enter this pub you will find that the staff are polite and friendly, there is always a good choice of real ales, the food is excellent home cooked foodand there is a wide variety of chioce.
They regularly have live music and if you like mowtown, 70s disco diva and rock and roll then watch out for the one and only Maddie, she has a brilliant voice and she will keep you entertained all night.
A very nice and friendly pub.
P.S. Go and have sunday lunch for £5.50 it is well worth it.
anonymous - 22 Jan 2006 18:58 |
Excellent pub! Friendly staff, homemade cooking, clean toilets, nice sized beer garden......... the list goes on. There is always some form of entertainment - live music, special theme nights, quiz nights etc..... It is a favourite of mine and it doesn't break the bank!
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Great pub, once you find the entrance? (Round the back oddly enough). Excellent 'home-cooked' food, friendly staff, welcoming atmosphere. This is really a hidden treasure!
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Excellent real ales, superb vegetarian cuisine, great live music and wonderful staff
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The Noisy Boyz gig was very well received on Saturday, 21/2/04.
The Load of Hay was quite packed and everyone enjoyed the performances, which included that of my ex-front man/guitarist Pete Coulshed, who played solo in the intermission. The BOYZ will be back in town soon, so watch this site. John.
John - 26 Feb 2004 10:48 |
Lots of changes in ownership, decor, atmosphere, plus new regular punters from elsewhere in a short time... but still my favourite boozer...
3 good and varied guest beers on hand-pump, with 'Pride' always available.
Pete - 26 Feb 2004 01:15 |
The live music scene is being revived at the Load Of Hay. Look out for the "Noisy Boyz", (black dog Dave and his son), (not noisy at all). An excellent country/folk/blues duo. They have played in the Militia Canteen many times and are alway well received. John.
John - 30 Jan 2004 18:02 |
The excellent food is now so popular that it can be hard to find a seat some Sundays. The ever changing range of top quality real ales never fails to impress. The walls now have some pictures and the lighting has been fully refurbished. My favourite pub just keeps getting better.
John - 26 Nov 2003 19:02 |
Since the Red Lion, Fuller's pub, oposite St. John's Church in Hillingdon, closed, to be turned into a Fuller's Hotel, all or most of it's regulars now use the Load Of Hay. It's good to see the pub with so many new,friendly, frequent customers. Refurbishment is continuing, with the oak tables being restored to their former glory, one at a time.
John - 23 Sep 2003 01:20 |
Visited last year with two friends; the pub was absolutely excellent I would have given it 10/10, but I never got the chance to visit this year. Will try again soon. The food was superb and there was a good range of ales, just as it said in the Camra good beer guide. Hope this still is the case.
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The re-furbishment has not been to everyones taste, but it is only paint. There is to be some toning-down soon. With the walls still bare, without any pictures and mirrors, the yellow emulsioned walls in the borough bar and gloss black beams, are very in your face. The new engines and real ale range are excellent, as to is the re-vamped food. The front bar is now fully open with it's own new engine. The pub is now open all day. The carpet has been found to be perfectly OK after some serious industrial cleaning and the new floor covering in other areas looks good. Long live the Load of Hay.
John - 15 Sep 2003 17:29 |
My favourite pub in Uxbridge.A true free house.Excelent beers, good food and occasional special event live music.Friendly staff and regulars.This fine old coaching inn had got a bit run down but is being refurbished 5/9/03 to 12/9/03 by the new owners just starting. Give it a try 12/9/03.
John - 2 Sep 2003 18:52 |
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