Buckinghamshire pub guide - information about pubs and bars in Buckinghamshire # beerintheevening.com

Buckinghamshire pub and bar guide

Here's a guide to the pubs and bars of Buckinghamshire - good or bad, we bring you the most talked about venues and the places you have to visit at least once. We've included a few user reviews, to give you an idea of what to expect when you get there. Or you can follow the links to see full details and all reviews for each pub.

The Hop Pole Inn, Aylesbury

Address: 83 Bicester Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP19 9AZ [map]
Phone: 01296 482129
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Aylesbury (0.7 miles), Stoke Mandeville (3.1 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Well done to Vale brewery for making this 'lost' pub into a premier real ale destination & to Stuart and Monia for running the pub so well. Even the font lagers are interesting. When you have 10 real ales on (and none of them from a 'major')do you really need a beer festival! (well, yes - the more the merrier)

1 Jun 2008 20:51

A huge congratulations to Stuart and Monia for winning the local pub of the year award. And very much deserved. We all thankyou for making the pub such a great place to visit. Keep up the good work!

Hop Pole wins pub of the year!

The Hop Pole in Aylesbury has been named pub of the year by the local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
The Bicester Road pub beat 700 rivals in the area to land the prestigious prize.

David Roe, CAMRA's Aylesbury Vale & Wycombe Branch Chairman, said: "This is remarkable because only a few years ago the pub was totally run down and going nowhere.

"It has been transformed by local brewers Vale Brewery and is now a mecca for beer drinkers."

http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/Hop-Pole-wins-pub-of.4027225.jp

www.hop-pole.co.uk

2 May 2008 14:28

Had a terrific (and cheap!) Sunday Lunch in here a couple of weeks back. Ales in top-notch condition, as ever. Wonderful place.

7 Feb 2008 00:40

The Red Lion Hotel, Wendover

Address: 9, High St, Wendover, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 6DU [map]
Phone: 01296 622266
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Wendover (0.4 miles), Stoke Mandeville (2.7 miles), Little Kimble (3.4 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Since the newly re-opened Marquis of Granby serves fresh food produce with a huge chalked up main menu and not one but TWO Seafood Menus for several pounds cheaper - the Red Lion is now dead in the water.

8 Aug 2008 17:04

It's about time that "Honesty" & the Management of Marstons realised that the locals of Wendover are absolutely livid that their hub of the community and meeting place has been ruined. Many,including myself have been regulars for over forty years and are furious at the present situation in the Red Lion.
What it needs is a proper professional tenant like the previous (David&Linda) (Phil&Jan)(Tim&???) managers that know THEIR customers, and get some proper professional bar staff like in the past.
I'm convinced Marstons really don't care a damn, as the reply I received from them after contacting them was passed down to a local member of staff with a don't care attitude. Yes I'm bloody annoyed and so is most of Wendover to have their local ruined!

7 Aug 2008 21:24

Hello Paws_for_beer,

Well done!

Just my own thoughts, but I suspect 'Honesty' is Alison (Daron, the Manager, left on the Monday 28th).

Farian

7 Aug 2008 10:58

The Red Lion, Bletchley

Address: Lock View Lane, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BA [map]
Phone: 01908 372317
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Fenny Stratford (0.2 miles), Bow Brickhill (0.9 miles), Bletchley (1.1 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Looks like no food till late summer. But the Beer gets better and better. They now have plenty of seating outside

18 May 2008 17:13

Red Lion re-opened in December 2007, saw the new year in there. There was a tasty spread put on which went down well with the cocktails that we had.

We can not wait for the summertime it will be lovely to sit outside and what the barges go by. Also Landlord said they should be serving food hopefully by easter. Will have to sample that. New owners very friendly people.

5 Jan 2008 17:04

The new couple seem very friendly, The Landlord is passionate about his REAL ALES

23 Dec 2007 10:06

The White Horse, Hedgerley

Address: Village Lane, Hedgerley, Slough, Berkshire, SL2 3UY [map]
Phone: 01753 643225
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Seer Green (2.4 miles), Gerrards Cross (2.5 miles), Beaconsfield (3.2 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Another visit - A good little Freehouse that can get some really interesting beers. Cannot get these in your local pub owned by pub co - chain antiseptic multi-nationals.Treasure it.
Vive the difference.
cheers

13 Apr 2008 14:32

A very interesting place, with a super selection of ales. Food is also good. I've now visited a few times and the staff have always been friendly and knowledgable about the beers.

Cracking place to sit outside, front or back, on a sunny day and sample a few of the ales.

3 Apr 2008 20:57

As most others have said, The White Horse has a great selection of beers. The thing I like best is the fact that it's one of the only pubs I know that has a nice Belgian stong beer on tap. However, they only have one at a time (per month), and sometimes it's one of those fruit beers...which I don't like. As far as their other beer, I have had one or two that might have been reaching their age limit, but I suppose that's expected when you try to keep so many beers...many of which are largely unknown. The place is great when the weather is nice...to sit either in front, or the back garden. Never ate there, so can't comment on that. Worth a visit.

31 Mar 2008 14:05

The Pack Horse, Wendover

Address: 29 Tring Road, Wendover, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 6NR [map]
Phone: 01296 622075
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Aylesbury (0.9 miles), Stoke Mandeville (2.1 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

An awesome local pub, great beer, superb bar staff, and they are dog friendly.
Highly Recommended.

Well Done the Pack!!!

20 Jul 2008 17:24

A very sound Fullers house, a very loyal regular crew
- indeed, by the rating, incredibly loyal. Decent pub though the score is a little misleading.

18 Jul 2008 15:04

Wonderful place, still unspoilt and uninterfered with. Visited with a friend this evening and we were thrilled to see every fixture and fitting intact and in place. We enjoyed a well-kept pint of Fuller's "Discovery" and watched locals play what looked like a game of tennis on the WII set.

This remains a gem of a pub and should be retained just as it is. Make sure you visit while in Wendover.

26 Jun 2008 02:11

The King and Queen, Wendover

Address: 17, South St, Wendover, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 6EF [map]
Phone: 01296 623272
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Wendover (0.4 miles), Stoke Mandeville (2.7 miles), Little Kimble (3.3 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

been a while thought i would ease of the booze for a while but spent a lovely hot sunday in the garden of the kingy surrounded by the smell of a wholesome roast until it got the better of me it was very tasty indeed went home at 10.oopm ophs!!love the new wine list.... book me in next week.

9 Jun 2008 18:10

The angry comments and exchanges below could have been more delicate.
I think the pubs in Wendover need to realise that we are paying customers and do not expect to be social workers for persons like the peace campaigner lad.
I am aware of a trauma but it is not our problem. We are customers out for a drink and a meal.

4 Jun 2008 14:02

I was staying in Wendover before and after xmas and Easter whilst conferencing and attending training courses.

Naturally, my colleagues and I toured all of the pubs and the and the experience was awful, with the exception of the White Swan.

For future events we will not be in the Aylesbury area.

Are you the landlord writing reviews for his own pub?

If so, that's sad.

Caro

23 May 2008 12:03

The Rose and Crown, High Wycombe

Address: Desborough Rd, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 2PR [map]
Phone: 01494 527982
See full pub details

Nearest train station: High Wycombe (0.6 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

great friendly pub, clean. i have not been more welcome in any other pub in high wycombe. bar staff very efficiant. will be going back for another great sunday roast.

30 May 2008 15:53

Bring back Barrington and the late night lock ins

Charlo

p.s. Cristabel's got big tits

15 Apr 2008 19:14

Of course I will give it a good rating!!!!!
Definately worth a visit. Best loos in town, someone said!!

15 Apr 2008 16:27

The Betsey Wynne, Swanbourne

Address: 21 Mursley Road, Swanbourne, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK17 0SH [map]
Phone: 01296 720825
See full pub details

Reviews by BITE users:

Really nice place, and an interesting building. Food was excellent and good ales on. I found the service pretty good, though it was a quiet lunchtime.

Definately worth a visit if you're in the area.

24 Jun 2008 13:56

Wll, food was good, beer was well kept and served. But at the end of the meal it took an age to attract someone's attention to pay the bill. It all went south from ther on in. I would have rated this pub higher, if it were not for that.

21 Jun 2008 10:41

We recently had lunch at The Betsey Wynne pub in Swanbourne. This pub displays may plaques confirming it's excellent conversion from I guess an old house or farm building,

The interior in light and airy, making a really pleasent environment.

We had lunch and a couple of pints of real ale each and the bill was a modest £24, which I thought to be excellent value, considering the quality and freshness of the food. I am told that all the meat is sourced locally from farms within the Swanbourne Estate, which is great news.

In summary. Well worth a visit.

20 Mar 2008 09:16

The Queens Head, Chesham

Address: 120, Church Street, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, HP5 1JD [map]
Phone: 01494 778690
See full pub details

Nearest tube station: Chesham (0.3 miles)

Nearest train stations: Amersham (2.2 miles), Chalfont & Latimer (3.7 miles), Great Missenden (4.2 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Fabulous pub! Friendly and helpful staff. Landlady is lovely. Great food and good sized portions. Smoking ban has improved it ten fold and I loved it to begin with! Great community events including a charity bike ride and fun day. Just lovely!

21 Jun 2008 20:51

Very good quality beer and great conversation with the friendly bar staff and locals. Easily the best pub in the town. The food is always popular although I've never tried it.

25 Feb 2008 19:58

Still no change from the previous post. Excellent pub, excellent beer, good service, decent customers, what more can anyone want.

10 Feb 2008 21:15

The Royal Standard, Wooburn Common

Address: Wooburn Common Rd, Wooburn Green, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP10 0JS [map]
Phone: 01628 521121
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Bourne End (2 miles), Beaconsfield (2.8 miles), Cookham (2.9 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

What a gem..! Has been on my radar for quite a while now owing to the extensive range of real ales available. Has also been the venue for one of our 'One-Pub Pub Crawls' .. now that's an accolade..! Don't know about the grub, but supposed to be good, according to people I know who have eaten here. If you drink bitter, you'll not be disappointed..!

7 Mar 2008 00:55

The best real ale pub in this area, quality beers well kept and decently priced. Friendly regulars and bar staff. Every visit here is an absolute pleasure. The food is also very good ,decently priced and traditional. The new smokin area that is at the side in the car park is huge with tables comfy chairs and heaters - the smokers outside often outnumber the non smokers inside. Summer Lightning/Crop circle always on and all your other favorites/ no less than 10 beers to choose from - What more can you ask. This pub now far better than the White Horse in Hedgerley due to the quality and choice of beer.

8 Feb 2008 14:57

Ahhhh the Standard....one of the best Traditional Pubs in South Bucks.

If you like Beer, you'll love it here.....just leave the Car at home eh?

12 Dec 2007 15:37

The Three Horseshoes, Marlow

Address: Wycombe Road, Burroughs Grove, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 3RA [map]
Phone: 01628 483109
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Marlow (1.6 miles), Bourne End (2.8 miles), High Wycombe (2.9 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

As noted it is very food oriented, this is the sort of place you would take someone out to eat. The beer was superb but as it's a short walk from the Rebellion Brewery it should be! The bus stop is right outside the pub so easy access to Wycombe and Henley/Reading. I will certainly visit again.

1 Jun 2008 18:26

Beer is very good, but a bit pricey.The Rebellion mild was especially tasty.Food looked good(didn't try), but also a bit pricey.Pub a bit lacking in atmosphere and clearly geared up for food.Worth a visit, but the Royal Standard in Wooburn Common is a better bet(for food & beer) when in the area.

4 May 2008 20:52

I will add my review although I will repeat most of what has gone before.
We go to this pub for both the BEER and the FOOD.
A group of us was in the other night (with some overseas visitors) and we went through most of the Rebellion hand pumps. The IPA and Smuggler were on top form. We also tried the seasonal 'Roasted Nuts' which I found excellent, but wasn't to the taste of some of our lager drinking continental visitors.
As for the food, gmlatic has got it spot on. The chalk board menu is enormous but is usually mostly something that was formerly living and isn't now. But we always find it well cooked and the portions are enormous (on this occasion 'half a roasted duck, half a roasted chicken, and the chicken and ribs combo was not for the faint hearted. In fact the only person who was disappointed was the veggi.
So should you go to this pub ?.
If you want an excellent pint of cask ale and can consume half a cow... Yes.
If you are vegetarian and drinking orange juice... no

17 Jan 2008 10:48

The Farmer's Bar, Aylesbury

Address: Kings Head Passage, Market Square, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 2RW [map]
Phone: 01296 718 812
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Aylesbury (0.2 miles), Stoke Mandeville (2.5 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

This place is a real conundrum. For a pub that's part of a National Trust site, the decor seems strangely incongruous. It's all a bit flowery and semi-modern. It doesn't really feel like a pub at all.

It also suffers from the same affliction as many pubs that also serve food - whenever I come here, I often find myself wondering "if I'm not eating, am I allowed to sit there?". I'm all for pubs serving food as well, but if you leave the punters who only want a drink wondering if you're allowed to sit down, you're in trouble.

But when all this is said and done, there are always some good ales on. The Chiltern Brewery ales are always worth supporting - the current Cobblestones summer ale is very good indeed, and I enjoyed the mild earlier in the year. I've seen the odd interesting guest here as well. I haven't eaten here yet, so can't comment on the food.

18 Jul 2008 12:39

Chiltern brewery 'brewery tap' owned by the National Trust - does the best beer in Aylesbury, usually has Chiltern ale, Beechwood bitter and another such as Copper Beeches or Three Hundreds - sometimes it's a guest. No dress policy but the staff are very smart. Together with the Hop Pole, Aylesbury actually becomes worth visiting!

5 Jul 2008 13:51

I discovered this pub by accident and have since put it on my list of favourites. It is owned and run by the National Trust which, in this instance, is A GOOD THING. The bar staff are all very young and sometimes seem a bit clueless but they are always pleasant, helpful and friendly. The beer is lovely - a good range from the local Chiltern Brewery plus various others from different parts.(Try some of the bottled stuff behind the bar...) No telly or jukebox, which, for this boring old fart, is a good thing. I haven't tried the food but they tell me that they will, if given 24 hours notice, take into account any strange dietary requirements (My girlfriend is a ceoliac) So I will be testing the grub within the next couple of weeks.

16 Nov 2007 21:59

The Boot and Slipper, Amersham

Address: 2 Rickmansworth Road, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, HP6 5JN [map]
Phone: 01494 727082
See full pub details

Nearest tube station: Amersham (0.5 miles)

Nearest train stations: Amersham (0.4 miles), Chalfont & Latimer (2.3 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

I mentioned my experience to a friend who happens to runt he Queens Head in Chesham. She said she would NEVER go back to the Boot & Slipper after her experience a few weeks ago - they tried to speak to the manager about it but he was uninterested and they walked out!!

28 Jun 2008 22:01

were you on our table????? we had exactly the same experience that night. Had to wait 15 mins before anyone seated us,even though we had booked, were told we had to order at bar although it was after 6pm. in the end they did serve us. Was told on the phone that there was plenty of choice for vegetarians, turns out there are abt 3 dishes with asparagus in, so it's ok if you like asparagus! Waited an hour for food, and then abt 40 mins for them to ask if we wanted dessert, by which time we were all fed up. The only good thing about this place were the people I was with and the wine went down quite well!! This place is shocking and the service is terrible. Will try the swan in old amersham next time for food as the bar staff are excellent there so i'm presuming the standard will be better by a mile.

28 Jun 2008 19:47

I feel I have to comment to agree with the below statement! I have REGULARLY gone to this pub since Oct 03 when I moved to this area and it was WITHOUT DOUBT the best pub in Amersham, probably Bucks. Since about April this year, the last 10-12 times I have been, whether to drink or eat or both, I have been very disappointed with the food, drink AND service. It pains me to write this as I used to LOVE this place but I would no longer recommend it and stopped going. I understand management has changed recently so maybe this is the problem. There used to be a FANTASTIC ale range as well as original and varied specials. I had a work party there over Christmas just gone and the entire team made our party welcome and happy. The young male manager (who could've been no older than 25) came over and talked to us for a lengthy period of time and there was a real feeling of locality and respect for the guests. Bring back old management and I will bring back my custom!

10 Jun 2008 19:28

The White Lion, Great Missenden

Address: 57 High Street, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, HP16 0AL [map]
Phone: 01494 862114
See full pub details

Nearest train station: Great Missenden (0.2 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

This wine-bar styled place has been closed for while. Word is that it'll reopen as a tapas bar. Judging by previous posts. hopefully under new ownership..!

2 Aug 2008 13:57

Gastro pub - beer average to not great. Very good food BUT the chef has left now, owner is quite possibly the rudest proprietor you'll meet

13 Nov 2007 18:36

Nice food but not many tables, booking is recommended.

Car Park at rear. Pub is nicer than it looks from the outside.

7 May 2006 11:42

The Royal Standard of England, Beaconsfield

Address: Brindle Lane, Forty Green, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 1XT [map]
Phone: 01494 673382
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Beaconsfield (1.1 miles), Seer Green (2.9 miles), Bourne End (3.6 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Terribly disappointing food here. Having looked forward to visiting for quite sometime now I was most upset upon receiving our main courses to find that Bisto ‘gravy’ had been poured over and ruined everything we had ordered!! Being the host for this small get together of friends I was totally embarrassed. And I really don’t like to be a ’stick in the mud’ but for the prices you pay here I find this practise of saucing with Bisto completely unacceptable, I wouldn‘t do this at home so why should I pay ‘experts’ for the ‘privilege’ of serving us this god awful monstrosity of a ‘sauce‘? Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall would have a fit. I also think that this should be made clear to customers on the menu itself to avoid further embarrassment and a short line added with an opt out clause along the lines of ’With or Without Bisto’. A potentially good meal with friends ruined in what can only be described as a ‘caricature’ of a gastro pub.

20 Apr 2008 10:58

Another visit to this fabled pub with heaps of character. We had some excellent beers in a cosy and friendly pub nook in front of one of the log fires. Very ale house - lots of wooden benches.

The food is good too - Dozen Oysters were fantastic...wife was pleased!... and the old dog got a sausage. They allow dogs in - very civilised.

Best time to enjoy this special pub is late lunchtime and early afternoon, when it's not so rammed with drinkers enjoying the rare beers from the craft brewers.

Even more full on the weekends.

That said, it's also enjoyable when thoroughly crowded...
A hidden gem never disappointed.
Cheers

13 Apr 2008 14:16

I went there a few weeks ago after seeing recommendation in a mag. What a let down - long queues at bar, cluttered tables, diy cuttlery - and the prices!!!!for nothing more than scraps of steak and kidney in stodgy suet. I'm glad I no longer live in the area, I've obviously got used to better quality. The only nice bit was prolonged views of the barmaid while waiting. Don't waste your money there.

5 Apr 2008 12:23

More information

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