BITE user comments - CountryBoy
Comments by CountryBoy
Wanted to give it a try, and saw Harveys on the pump, but there was a really big queue ordering food, and both bar staff were trying to take their orders at a side bar. No-one at all serving (just) beer. When about 10/12 bikers came in at the same time as us, I knew there would be a long wait for a cool pint on a hot day! Headed off to the Seven Stars at Leigh instead. Characterful pub with lots of good reviews, so will try again soon. Therefore, can't give it a rating yet.
25 Apr 2011 16:00
Nice old town pub, with a friendly atmosphere and good service. The Shepherd Neame Bishops Finger went down very well, and my friends didn't seem to have too much trouble sinking various other beers either. Worth trying if you are in or around Dorking.
9 Apr 2011 19:02
Tucked away down a side street off the main drag. Quiet at first, but filled up over lunchtime. Helpful, friendly staff, and a laid back atmosphere. Tried the Dark Star Hophead, which I'm sure was fine, but just not to my taste. Food was very good, with big portions and reasonable prices. Couldn't stay too long unfortunately, but it felt like a good place to while away a few hours.
30 Dec 2010 12:53
Closed down for a while, now refurbished yet again, and re-opened as a restaurant/pub, although not sure about how much of the place will be used as a 'pub'. Looks like they spent a lot of money doing it up, and food not cheap - fillet steak + veg at �20 a go, small glass of wine over �5. I quite liked the previous incarnation, but heard that it wasn't making enough money. Don't know if they are going to fill a pretty large building often enough at those prices, but time will tell.
3 Oct 2010 13:50
A proper old country pub, low ceilings, wooden beams, a large fireplace, and lots of nooks and crannies. The terraced garden looked a great spot for a Summer afternoon. Had a good pint of London Pride, and the food was great, reasonably priced with large portions. Adnams Broadside and Shere Drop also on tap. Plenty of people serving, and a friendly buzz around the place - really struggling to find any faults - give up, can't think of any! Definitely worth visiting if you are in the area.
26 Sep 2010 17:14
Before we even reached the bar, the lone barman asked if we were eating, and almost before we could reply, called for a waiter to show us to a table in the adjacent dining area. The bar area itself was completely empty on a Saturday afternoon, so opted for a good pint of Harveys over the London Pride, and stayed in the 'pub' for a while instead. Rebellious or what. Nicely done out with the usual leather sofas etc, pleasant enough. Eventually succumbed to the lure of the lamburger special in the foody bit, which was pretty busy by contrast. Food was OK, good atmosphere, and overlooking a large patio area out front. All in all, not bad, but not really a place for a beer session.
7 Jun 2010 18:59
There was a private function going on in the front 'pub' section, so we sat in the right hand side of the bar area, rather than the dining barn. Lots of wooden beams, pillars, etc, and very comfortable, with a few small tables, chairs, and sofas facing a huge stone fireplace. Newspapers left around for punters, and even had a bar billiards table - don't see too many of those. Adnams Broadside and Sharps Doom Bar available. Had a couple of pints of the Doom Bar which was in great condition. Food was also good, but a bit expensive, which shouldn't be too surprising given the location, and the shiny new motors in the car park.
10 Apr 2010 17:27
Large Marstons pub, mainly set up for families. Only been there once so far, but it seems to be more of a restaurant than a pub. The area probably needed that option, but I thought that the food portions were small, and quite expensive. I have heard other people being quite complimentary, so might give it another go when I'm passing. The Marstons Pedigree was fine by the way.
4 Mar 2010 15:38
Good little pub by the side of the main road into Lyme Regis. Uplyme is a small village about a mile from Lyme itself. Not much else nearby, but really friendly locals, and a nice pint of Otter beer. I was told that you have to book ahead if you want to have their Sunday lunch, so the management are obviously doing a good job. Nice part of the world (Devon/Dorset border), good beer, friendly people, hope that it does well.
4 Mar 2010 12:02
Packed full of noisy chavs shoutlaughing over the music system, which was straining to cope with the volume set to number 11. Got a couple of rounds in, the first time the barman took my money, and then went off for about 5 mins to help someone else struggling to work another till. He completely forgot about my half poured pint of Guinness, and went off to serve another punter further down the bar - managed to grab his attention, and rescued my pint. The second time, there was no-one waiting at the bar, but 3x bar staff were just stacking glasses, and said that they couldn't serve. Waited ages before someone eventually sauntered in from a back corridor. Hard work drinking here! Beer was OK, place fairly clean, but wouldn't have stayed if I hadn't been meeting others later.
5 Dec 2009 16:59
Fairly quiet on a Saturday night, but it's a big place, so it may have been busier than it looked. Got served quickly, the London Pride and the Youngs were fine, and Adnams Broadside was also on show. Friendly atmosphere and comfortable. Not bad, and Coulsdon definitely needed somewhere to meet up for a pint or three. It might be good if they ever re-develop the old Red Lion site, and build another pub to give this one a bit of competition.
2 Dec 2009 20:17
The pub is is in a great setting in the New Forest, a (very) small village, with ponies and Gloucester Old Spot pigs freely wandering around the lane outside. Looks like the old building has been pretty much gutted at some stage, and painted light grey inside throughout, to give it a touch of the 'bistro' look. Tried the Ringwood Best which was fine, and they also had Old Speckled Hen, Adnams Broadside, and London Pride on show. Had the beef casserole for lunch, which was decent value for just under six quid. Nice place, good beer, but didn't get the impression that it was the local drinking haunt.
23 Oct 2009 20:13
Small cosy pub, stuck out on the end of Mudeford Quay overlooking Christchurch Harbour. Very dark with a few booths, the single bar has a bit of an old world atmosphere about it. Nice pint of Ringwood Best, didn't try the food but it looked good.
23 Oct 2009 19:58
Decent pub, with a good pint of Ringwood Best and London Pride. Screens at either end of the bar showing different Champions League matches when I was there, the sound was turned off so it wasn't intrusive. Steady queue of people going into the Thai restaurant at the back, and the Landlord and Landlady were sitting out front making sure that the staff were doing their jobs, keeping the beer (and bar food) flowing. A good, well run pub for both locals and tourists.
22 Oct 2009 11:19
A Sunday night out of season might partly explain it, but this was an odd place. A badly planned day meant that we arrived about 7.30pm, trying to grab some food and a few jars - the nearby Harbour Inn closes at 6pm on Sundays. Ordered the steak for about 12 quid and sat down. Then noticed the young kids doing shuttle runs in and out of the main door every 30 seconds, that the only others in the pub seemed to be their uninterested parents, and the strange choice of headache inducing music (OK I'm an old git, but it was definitely wierd). What a pleasant surprise when the food turned up, it was good quality, and the portions were huge. Unfortunately, couldn't stick the place for too long, so finished up and moved on.
21 Oct 2009 22:20
The Pilot Boat Inn, Lyme Regis
Bright modern interior doesn't quite match the look of the building from outside, nor the character of the town itself. However, the staff were really friendly, and the two linked bars were spacious and clean. Tried the food which was fine, and had a few pints of Palmers. Not a beer that I had come across before, but liked it, and will try again. Landlady went out of her way to sort out a taxi for us, after we had missed the last bus (at 9.40pm!) on a Saturday night.
21 Oct 2009 21:55
Ordinary looking pub from the outside, but situated in a great location on the edge of windy Dungeness - not to be confused with the Britannia which is further up the road next to the nuclear power station! On the inside, and as someone else has mentioned previously, a bit like a large busy fish & chip shop serving beer. Loads of wood panelling (explained on the menu), photos for sale, etc. Very clean, loads of space, and the cleanest 'pub' toilets I've seen for a long while. The beers that I spotted were Broadside, London Pride, and GK IPA. Tried the Pride which wasn't in great condition, but drinkable. The food portions were huge, and the Haddock was really good. An unusual pub, in a very unusual place, with friendly service. Stormy winter evenings could be interesting experience.
19 Jul 2009 10:49
Now packed every Sunday afternoon, and with good reason. The food is great value starting at �4.99 for a main meal, nothing fancy, but good quality. The ales are well kept, the London Pride and Timothy Taylor are particularly drinkable. The families tend to start leaving around 2pm, leaving the way clear for those enjoying a leisurely pint, and the fun & games of the meat raffle! There is one barmaid who works incredibly hard, serving beer, delivering meals, cleaning tables, etc. - could possibly do with a few more staff at peak times. Still get served quickly though, so no complaints!
25 May 2009 14:19
Had a spur of the moment visit here, on the recommendation of someone who lives in the area. Hadn't read the reviews, but wasn't expecting much due to the tourist location. Got served straight away at the bar with a decent pint of Harveys, and although it was busy, we managed to find a table for six in the restaurant area. The menu seemed more varied than other M&B pubs, and everyone actually liked the food! All the staff were friendly, and we had no trouble ordering food and a variety of drinks. Then I came home and read the reviews! I don't know if there has been a recent management/staff change, but the place does seem better than previous reviews suggest - maybe I just got lucky.
12 Apr 2009 12:16
Sad to hear that it's closed, I guess that it will become yet another block of 'luxury' flats. This used to be my local in the 70s, when it was known as the Northumberland Arms. It was never exactly special, but was friendly enough, and there weren't many options nearby even then. Those options - the Red Rover and the Maltese Cat - also closed some time ago. I never really thought that this would be viable as a Jim Thompsons, as it was too far off the beaten track with no passing trade. I suppose that it did manage to last a few years, but just how many pubs are closing every week?
9 Feb 2009 15:42
First time that I've been here, and I was very impressed. An old building with loads of character, and a lively atmosphere. Busy, but easy to get served by the staff, who actually smiled and said hello (a small point I know, but I think that I was slowly getting used to scowls and grunts). Good pint of Best served straight from the cask suspended at the back of the bar. The function room upstairs was also fine, and had it's own small bar, with a large jug of Best at the ready, plus bottled beers and wines etc in the fridge. As in many old buildings, watch out for the low beams. Definitely worth visiting if you are in this part of the world.
25 Jan 2009 12:20
Good pint of St.Austell Tribute, reasonable prices, and friendly bar staff, make this a pleasant place to while away a few hours. The view out to sea from the upstairs bar is pretty good aswell - even on October evenings! Apart from the nearby Beach Hut (which is mainly set up for food), and the bar of the Watergate Bay Hotel (pricey, and obviously not a pub), this is the only place to get a pint on the bay itself. Not really a problem though if you are staying within staggering distance.
19 Oct 2008 19:23
I Agree with the previous comments regarding the good range of beers, friendly service, etc. Just to add that they have live music upstairs, and although the small bar there wasn't manned when I went, there is another set of toilets at the rear - great news for those who can't manage the trek to the loos in the vault!
6 Aug 2008 19:37
It's amazing how much this pub has changed since I used to drink here (about 25 years ago!) The great open vistas from the rear terrace towards Penshurst have vanished. Trees on neighbouring land now seem to be closing in all around. It also seems claustrophobic and dingy inside - it feels as if the pub has been left to slide. Not many beers available, but I didn't try the food so can't comment on that. Maybe my memories were slightly better than the reality, but felt let down somehow.
28 Jul 2008 21:22
Typical large 'old style' Youngs pub, with a good sized paved beer garden. There was a function going on, and it was a busy Saturday night. Even so, the bar staff kept their cool (and their humour)under a lot of pressure. There were no great queues to get served, and both the Youngs Special and the Ordinary tasted fine. I hadn't been there for many years, and I haven't sampled the food, but it still seems like a decent enough boozer.
29 Jun 2008 15:02
The Plough & Attic Rooms, Rusper
Good staff, good pint of London Pride, and a lively atmosphere. A 16th century building I think, with the lowest ceilings I've ever seen, so watch your head after a few jars, or walk between the beams!
25 May 2008 11:42
This place was dirty and miserable when it was a Harvester, particularly in the scruffy bar area, where people also had to wait in quiet desperation for a Restaurant table. The whole pub has now been re-furbished and knocked into one, but still has various small sections, where you can sup a few pints, and/or grab a bite to eat. I know that it is standard Mitchells & Butler, but the food is actually pretty decent, the steaks are as good as I have had anywhere locally. I have tried the London Pride quite a few times, plus Adnams Broadside, and Harveys, when it was on offer. The beer also went down well. All in all, it's a lot cleaner, the food is edible, and the beer more than drinkable. Perhaps it is a bit 'corporate', and could be classed as lacking character, but it is still much better than it was, which I concede wasn't too hard.
10 Apr 2008 12:11
The Tudor Rose (Harvester), Coulsdon
Now seems to be a large 70s style bar! However, at least it's better than the old Harvester. Went there the Saturday before Xmas, and the place was more or less full by 8.30pm. There were 4x bar staff constantly serving, so even though they were a bit inexperienced, valuable hours weren't wasted queuing. The beer was fine, the food standard Mitchells & Butler, and because there are no other pubs nearby (I don't include the Fox for obvious reasons), it could be a little gold mine. Time will tell.
28 Dec 2007 16:50
I heard a rumour that things had improved, so thought that I'd give it another try last Bank Holiday Monday. Knowing that it might be a touch busy, I wandered in late afternoon looking for a few pints, and maybe something to eat. I should have known better! There were 6 or 7 very fed up looking people queuing to order food, but no sign of any staff remotely interested in taking their orders. There were 2 very young bar staff trying to cope with the massed ranks of people waiting patiently for a drink. I realise that a Bank Holiday was probably not the best time to try this pub again, but surely the Management expected a few extra customers? Quickly calculating that it would take about 20 mins to get served, I wandered straight out again. Don't think that I'll bother again.
2 Sep 2007 10:33
All previous comments regarding the friendly staff and pleasant atmosphere are spot on. The pub is used by a real cross-section of punters, and is none the worse for that. The London Pride was in good condition, and even though the four separate bar areas are quite small, there was loads of space to spread out. Historically interesting, good beer, friendly staff and customers, a perfect local for those who appreciate such things.
15 Jul 2007 10:07
Went there last night, the Fullers London Pride was great. There was good live music in the back bar, and whole atmosphere meant that I was sorry to have to leave in order to catch the late bus home. The previous post dated 9th July mentions an application to demolish the site - I hope that never happens, as this pub is a local gem.
15 Jul 2007 09:52
A proper pub, but getting slightly grubby now. The bar staff keep changing, and a bit of experience behind the bar might help. The food is also not quite what it used to be. On a positive note, the regulars have always been friendly, the beer is good, and the atmosphere is lively for what is essentially a small tucked away boozer.
15 Jun 2007 12:03
Not a 'real' pub, but not too bad for a leisurely afternoon session, looking out at the world passing by. One drawback was the lone surly barman, with a large chip on both shoulders. He obviously felt that he was destined for greater things, and that the five customers in the bar were a major inconvenience.
12 May 2007 13:37
The Goose on the Market, Croydon
Just plain wierd. Bouncers mingling with the crowd, and searching strange looking people who seem to expect it anyway. Everyone shouting at each other, because everyone at the next table is doing the same. All the stuffing ripped out of the seats, must have been extremely fidgety drinkers. A bit like a scene in From Dusk Til Dawn - and all this entertainment in the middle of the afternoon! Cheap beer though.
5 May 2007 18:34
The Botley Hill Farmhouse, Warlingham
Been here a few times. Bit of a strange place, miles off the beaten track, huge car park, but only about 10 people in on a Saturday afternoon. Beer was good, but food a bit overpriced at �9 for pretty ordinary scampi, chips & salad. They have tribute bands etc in a marquee at the side, but not sure what the place wants to be - a country pub, an upmarket family restaurant, or an entertainment venue? Nothing to stop it being all three I suppose, as long as it gets the punters.
1 Apr 2007 19:30
The staff are friendly and efficient. Tried the food which was very good, and the Greene King IPA was well kept. The whole pub is clean and has a relaxed atmosphere. A lot of tables get reserved for diners in the evenings, but there is still lots of space for those who just want a drink. The people running it seem to know what they are doing, will return again.
25 Feb 2007 12:51
The Tudor Rose (Harvester), Coulsdon
Terribly depressing, smelly, shabby pub area. Building sites have more atmosphere, and are certainly cleaner. If you are waiting for a table in the restaurant, it might be better to sit in the car park.
1 Jan 2007 18:31
Used to visit this pub regularly with friends, sometimes for a few pints, but often for a meal as well. On the last few occasions (Saturday afternoons & evenings) we left after one drink, as there was only 1 stressed person serving behind the bar, and he was also trying to deal with the queue of people waiting to order meals. There didn't seem to be anyone around to help out, and there doesn't seem to be any 'management' whatsoever. I take the previous point regarding this being a Vintage Inn, and will also take the advice to go somewhere else. I hope things improve - it used to be a decent watering hole.
1 Jan 2007 18:12
The Seven Stars, Leigh
Hadn't been here for about 30 years. Not much has changed, which in my opinion is a good thing. A proper country pub, with good service, good ale, and good food. The London Pride was well kept and the food very tasty with big portions. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for. Nice gardens around the side and back, lovely place to spend some time.
25 Apr 2011 19:38