BITE user comments - Alan_br12df
Comments by Alan_br12df
Visited 24/10/12 and disappointed to find the kitchen has now closed down (again). Kent beers on the bar and the Yet To Be named 3.7% delicious as ever
27 Oct 2012 14:27
Another visit - purely for research of course - today. Joyce is trying to pull the Bull back up after various changes (see older posts) and interesting beer range on: Gadds No 7; Kent Black Gold and a Cottage: with Paul from Kent Brewery - try the Yet to Be named 3.7% which is usually on - delivering fresh supplies. The bacon and egg doorstep sandwiches are super (3.50)
24 Aug 2012 19:44
Well I have started going back in this pub after 30 years(!) and it really isn't bad for a suburban pub. In competition with the Cock opposite but not being a fan of Marstons was tempted in to The Red lion by Woodfordes Wherry (�2.90). In excellent condition the last few times I have been in and food quite reasonable - especially the non-weekend carvery (�4.99)
24 Aug 2012 19:38
As ever well up to standard. Have had the Fat cat Bitter (�2.30) last couple of times I have been in and it's really quite a reasonable pint. And of course there circa 20+ others to choose from. All those we sampled - and we did sample a few - were in excellent nick. An absolute must.
24 Aug 2012 19:35
Visited on a Saturday lunchtime and found ourselves the only ones in. Have visited what was a superb pub a number of times over many years � not often in North Norfolk � and it is a shadow of its former self. Both the beers we had were distinctly past their best � and the food: � no sandwiches� indifferent. What a shame.
24 Aug 2012 19:32
Visited earlier this week. What a superb range of beers on from Oakhams through to Dark Star. And the usual Wetherspoons value both for beer and food (it was Tuesday steak night). Although the pub is a little faded and could do with some TLC the staff make up for it by being very pleasant and attentive. Well worth a visit for the excellent beer range � a long detour if necessary: this is probably the best Wetherspoons in the country?
24 Aug 2012 19:28
Visited last week and was pleased to see some interesting beer on. We had Long Man Blonde and took it out into the very pleasant garden at the rear (which although I had visited before didn't know was there). However beer was well past its best and we were disappointed.
24 Aug 2012 19:22
Visited last week. 2 Northumberland Brewery beers on (where are the Kent local beers?) and Harveys. Had the Harveys Sussex Bitter which was not at its best. And at �3.50 for that quality we won't be visiting again for some time.
24 Aug 2012 19:19
Unfortunately not open when I visited on a Tuesday lunchtime - and no obvious opening hours posted anywhere
8 Oct 2011 14:31
Visited for the Beer festival over the Bank Holiday weekend. A range of additional interesting beers including ones from Tonbridge Brewery and Mighty Oak (both new to me and excellent). Roast well up to standard and we were looked after very well. They are certainly putting a lot of effort in here. Well worth a visit.
30 Aug 2011 18:56
A very warm welcome from the landlord and explanation of the 1648 ales on offer. Beer quality tip top and sandwich and the lunch we had was good too. Well worth a visit.
19 Jun 2011 20:26
Visited the day after their beer festival so a wonderful range of delights were on offer. My first visit and this pub is a gem. Totally unspoilt and a warm welcome from Doris, the landlady. An absolute must.
19 Jun 2011 20:21
Food quality excellent but quantity a little light and hardly charged at a pub price. But then this is really a restaurant. Beer range and quality ok but all our three rounds had to be requested to be topped up. Staff seem just a bit idle � not around to clear away the plates after the food and more interested in larking around within sight and hearing of the customers.
13 Jun 2011 15:37
Fresh from a fit out and very smart. However the pub was a bit soulless and had a corporate feel about it. In the hands of Robinsons and very busy when we went in. Dizzy Blonde Ok.
13 Jun 2011 15:32
A good range of real ales and a very comfortable and interesting pub. Staff very welcoming and helpful. The Spitting Feathers beer I had was spot on.
13 Jun 2011 15:28
A simply super pub and well worth a visit for the excellent range of real ales. Very comfortable with a range of rooms to choose from. Good choice of food from curries to more traditional. If you are boating, biking or walking on the canal, best access point is bridge 17 at Wrenbury � about 20 minutes walk.
13 Jun 2011 15:25
They really seem to be trying with the beer range here. 6 real ales on with special interest from Kelham Island (very unusual in this area) and Spa Brewery (new to me). Both in tip top condition as was the Larkins.
22 May 2011 19:26
Called in for sandwich at lunchtime (absolutely fine). Thought the range of real ales pretty pedestrian (Youngs, Courage plus 2 Cornish). Whilst the beer quality was fine don't see anything that might suggest this was SE London CAMRA pub 2010. What about some local ales (Youngs is hardly local being Bedfordshire)?
22 May 2011 19:21
I am a regular visitor to this pub. It has been consistent over a long period in providing an excellent choice of real ales (currently �2.20 pint) some just outstanding � such as Thornbridge Jaipur 5.9% last night. And the food value � particularly the steak (Tuesday) and curry (Thursday) nights particularly good value with a real ale or other drink included. Comments previously have mentioned long waits for service but that has not been our experience of late. Well worth your support.
6 May 2011 18:03
The Fighting Cocks, Horton Kirby
Visited this pub today for the first time. A delightful garden and location by the river and obviously some money has been spent recently on upgrading the pub. First pint, and order for sandwiches, after some wait, was served in a rather off-hand manner. However for the 2nd pint I was served by someone else and it was a lot more professional and pleasant. 1st impressions count though!. Baguettes were decent enough if a little expensive. Good to see Dark Star there � Hophead in tip top condition (�3), the American Pale Ale (�3.20) less so.
6 May 2011 17:56
Revisited the Bull today and was made very welcome by Sussana. The pub only reopened last week (29 April 2011) and the cellar is currently being upgraded. So today there were only 3 ales on but with plans to bring back the delights of Dark Star Hophead and other super ales once the work is complete. Kitchen has not yet re-opened so sadly no food, but we were told that it is planned to get food back on soon. All looks very promising so well worth keeping an eye on.
6 May 2011 17:48
The closure of the Bull is just tragic. From a stunning collection of real ales to the super food and the welcome. As the last post says, let�s hope someone will take it on and attempt to follow in Garrett�s footsteps. In the meantime where are we to go now for our fixes of Dark Star and other interesting beers? And best wishes to Lynne and Garrett for the future � if they are continuing in the pub trade in the Cotswolds it would be good to hear where � so that a necessary pilgrimage can be arranged!
15 Apr 2011 11:35
4 real ales on offer and pleasant enough service but the Dark Star Hophead was not really up to stratch being a little tired. Hope this is just a blip because I have visited before and found it to be well worth recommending.
27 Dec 2010 15:19
Well I was in here just before Christmas. Had a super Sunday lunch - Roast Rib of Beef - well up to standard - and the beer choice and quality was good too. It was very quiet (we walked because of the snow) but the pub was welcoming and well decorated for Christmas. I note the previous poster has only ever commented on this pub, and if the Halstead Cock is now improved it would be good to see an updated review posted onto BITE.
26 Dec 2010 14:55
I have been going to this pub for 7 years and I have not visited this pub since the previous landlord, Bob, left. I have been following the comments since and last Sunday decided to visit the pub to see for myself. I also visited this Sunday. What a relief! Another new landlord (Paul) arrived I understand about 3/4 weeks ago. The beer range is as good as Bob's with the beers in good condition. Had a roast last week (good) and asked where the legendary rib of beef was. Now back on this week. What a totally super roast - well up to standards previously set and I have to say the best roast in any pub that I know in the area. Let's hope it continues.. The landlord seems keen on his real ales and showed us his plans for the next few weeks. All of you who have abondoned this pub should give it another chance. It deserves your supprt. We will be back....
24 Oct 2010 18:54
A just stunning range of real ales on show yesterday lunchtime. The landlord deserves full marks for his efforts in bringing unusual and delicious beers into his pub. A CAMRA "beerticker" was in and rightly so. This should be on everyone's list to visit if they care abour proper beer. The food was excellent too and we were made very welcome by the landlord and landlady and the locals. We'll be back......
14 Aug 2010 19:28
This pub has over a number of months offered an interesting range of real ales. Quality is generally spot on and apart from an occasional session when for some bizarre reason there is a large number of dark or high strength beers at the expense of more standard mid-strength ones you cannot really fault it. And with current price at �1.89 a pint (Feb 2010) you cannot fault that either. Usual range of good value Wetherspoons food. Staff attitude and helpfulness vastly improved from a couple of years ago. CAMRA members seem to look down their nose at Wetherspoons pubs but this one mostly definitely deserves support.
12 Feb 2010 19:28
Super beer range, excellent food for a weekly changing menu. Absolutely well worth a visit.
12 Feb 2010 19:04
A super find. Located in good walking country and very welcoming to muddy booted walkers (i.e no fuss). Food is excellent as was the beer choice on the day we visited. As I understand it the regulars are London Pride, Adnams and a local beer from Surrey Hills, with on our visit guests from Dark Star and Oakham - both superb breweries.
Very busy on a Friday lunchtime and suggest you book if you want to eat.
Happy pubbing!
16 Feb 2009 16:58
Improved in recent months (appears to be new manager). Service now ok and number of guest ales better (although not consisent). But seems little thought to what real ales they put on together eg could all be around 5% or might all be dark ales.
They need to stock lighter more drinkable beers eg Bitter and Twisted, Oakham JHB.
However excellent value beer and food which really is generally very good for the price.
23 Jul 2008 20:06
Cosy 3 room local with excellent chef: continental dishes. Greene King, London Pride and always one independent guest (often a micro) available. Parking difficult but worth the effort
26 Dec 2004 18:45
Quite simply the best pub in Norfolk for real ale. A stunning choice (always) with lots of "out of area" beer to try. A must for anyone in the Norwich area.
7 Dec 2004 17:15
The Rose and Crown, Halstead
Great News! Change of Landlord bringing interesting beers back to the pub. Still 6 pumps with Larkins for the regulars but on visit found Rudgate, Harviestoun, Tonbridge on. Worth keeping an eye on as landlord appears to know his Beer Stuff with a delivery of Old Dairy while I was there. Food offer remains the same with good pricing.
17 Aug 2016 20:29