please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Massive refurbishment and renamed the huntsman, so far upmarket and food orientated. About 10 staff serving food and one, occasionally two serving beer. Usual Marston's range plus a guest from Itchen Valley.
|
Impressed with this. In town for a soccer match - unusually the second invasion of Brockenhurst by 200 visiting football fans this season. Most piled into the Forester's and the Snakecatcher, so I unsociably walked up to the Rose & Crown. I stuck to the standard Ringwood Best, which was excellent. They had other beers on. I noticed the first two pumps were for a couple of Flack's products - "Double Drop" and "Catcher" - and "Forty-Niner" was also available.
I returned after the game for a bite to eat and couldn't fault the Cumberland sausages with mash & gravy, garnished with a rasher of bacon. A mite pricier than 'Spoons charge for a similar meal, but the bangers and rasher were top quality here. I wouldn't grumble at £9 - this is the New Forest, not Erith, Easterhouse or Merthyr.
The place was filling up quite well towards 8pm.
Huge beer garden - a good 50 yards by 25 or so, divided into sections and with covered seating on a patio section close to the sit-down / eat-in bar door.
|
Visited yesterday for the first time. Large open plan pub with very large pleasant garden. Ringwood bitter was OK but nothing special. Our food was just about OK but very bland and certainly not worth a special visit. Main fault with the pub was the terrible music, and I do mean terrible, playing everywhere, even in the 'smokers' lounge' covered area in the garden.
|
Returned to this hotel to see what had been changed. Well, the bar/restaurant/reception areas have been sympathetically refurbished and reorganised somewhat, and the service is very prompt, friendly and efficient. Beer was good as was the soup at lunchtime. There is a good sized but sheltered garden with chairs, parasols, etc.
|
Visited this pub last night and sampled a very acceptable pint of Ringwood Best Bitter. Friendly staff and nice decor. Food looked and smelt very good and the place was full of families (Holidaymakers) and locals alike. Will definitely go back when in the area again. This pub is recommended as a must visit if you are in the area.
|
Stayed here this weekend with 2 other couples.
Nice friendly staff decent beer but the food offering needs working on as its bland and formulaic.
A - "B- " when could easily be an A
|
Now re-opened (as of 05/03/12). Tasty food (Ringwood Ale & Steak Pie). Decent beer. Very friendly service. Tasteful decor.
|
Their website says they are closed for refurbishment until 25th November
|
The pub could be a lot better. It has an amazing beer garden which I can only imagine gets absolutely packed in summer. Carvery was OK and just about worth the money, despite getting quite a measly portion of meat. Judging on that I wouldn't go back to eat there.
|
Enjoyed a drink here on Sunday in their very pleasant garden. Seemed like a nice pub and food looked good, so came back a couple of days later for a meal. It wasn't until we'd settled inside that we noticed the very poor d�cor. This is a nice building and should be a lovely pub but looks neglected. Only one real ale on (Cherry Picker) and two bitters. Tried Cherry Picker but tasted like cherry cough medicine. Food was a disappointment, mediocre at best. Also didn't appreciate being grossly overcharged. This was rectified, but took nearly half an hour. It's a shame first impressions didn't last.
|
Sunday Lunch time. Ordered Ringwood Best Bitter but then told it was off. waited a long time to place my food order. Then got to carvery and no Lamb. Spent �25 for 2 not to get either the beer or food of my choice and the wait a long time for the pleasure. Won't be back based on this experience.
|
I do not believe that jill78 is a real entity, nor do I believe that stoutchappie has genitals, I do believe that children are the future. But that has nothing to do with pub reviews, you two weirdos have made my list, so watch it!
|
I dont know why this pub has bad reviews I had a fantastic meal with me and my family, it was my birthday and was made to feel welcome, we had a lovely meal! Great food, great staff, good company what more can anybody ask for thumbs up.
|
Small portions and terrible rude attitude from management.
I ordered vegetarian linguine for lunch at �8.95. The portion was too small; more of a starter than a main meal. I complained but was told that I could not have a larger portion, nor could I have my money back. The manager stated that it was only small "in my opinion". I pointed out that everyone at my table agreed it was a small portion. He stated "we serve quality, not quantity". Well, in a pub for nine quid I expect both quality and quantity!
I have also complained to the chain owner, Marstens, but one week later have not heard back from them.
nick8 - 26 Jun 2010 11:09 |
went here saturday afternoon , great garden lovely food .
would come back for sure !
|
The carvery was very nice, service good also but food not that reasonably proced. However, the letdown with this dining experience was the state of toilets, which urgenty need a refurb. There was no soap in the gents and they smelt.
|
Have to say we didn't eat here, but there was real ale in good condition on the pumps which was well poured. A decaff latte took some time to prepare, and although perhaps not quite as was expected, was good nevertheless. We sat in the area at the front of the pub which was full of mirrors, reproduction Victorian artefacts and comfortable seating - rather cosy and worth going back to for a drink in my opinion. What we both noticed was how clean everything was - as it was a quiet night, the barmaid was polishing the brass and glasswork!
|
Just a big barn to eat in! This place has absolutely no atmosphere and the staff need a BIG lesson in customer service. We visited for the "traditional Sunday carvery" one Sunday evening, only to find that the food on offer had been sitting there since lunchtime and it is left out until it is all finished. Not the most appealing or hygienic way to serve food. Give it a miss.
|
Visited a few weeks ago. The pub's main attraction is its massive (60+ tables?) beer garden and patio, which includes several covered gazebos as well. It really is lovely there on a warm day.
We had a meal, but as other reports here have indicated, the service was horrendous. My husband bravely waited in a 10-deep queue for around 20 minutes just to order the food. The meal was a bit expensive for fish and chips and a pie, but the quality was alright.
It also took a while to get served at the bar. As I was walking away, having already been served, it sounded like someone in the food queue dared to complain about how long it took to get served and the woman behind the bar basically said, "...if you don't like it, you can go elsewhere..." Not exactly what I'd call a smashing attitude. Perhaps they feel they don't require more customers - the place was packed when we were there.
|
My wife and I were staying in Brockenhurst . Although this pub was not on the recommended list provided by a friend who is a regular visitor to the area, we thought we would try it for an evening meal.
I should have recognised the warning signs as soon as I entered. The "specials" chalk boards were clearly not updated regularly; the menu items were obviously part of the regular menu. The hot food serving area appeared it was rarely used. A glance through a glass-panelled door in to the kitchen area suggested little activity. My minimal expectations were realised by a half roast chicken that looked and tasted like a late dinner reheated. My wife�s chilli beef (slightly more appetising) had so many chopped red chilli�s with seeds intact that she abandoned it after a sterling effort. My best guess is that in a prominent position next to a busy through route and with a large garden with outdoor heaters, this pub/hotel must depend on passing summer trade. One to avoid in future.
|
More of a hotel and restaurant than a pub with a limited range of real ales and the beer and food is pricey. Photos of local airfields from the War adorn the walls which are interesting to look at.Nice beer garden on the side.Staff a bit slow serving when I've been in there.
|
Been in there twice. Both times had to wait a long time to be served as there only seemed to be one guy working (dealing with the hotel and everything). Very hot, very loud music, but still a lot nicer than any Eldridge Pope I've ever been in!
The food looked very unappealing and the prices were insane. Seems to be trying very hard to be posh, but failing.
|
Great location and nice beer garden. unfortunately teh range of beer wasnt amazing. We didnt try the food having been advised to eat at the nearby Foresters instead by a local.
|
We have had a fantastic weekend this weekend, we had a four poster bedroom which was such a peaceful room considering it was such a busy pub, the food was fantastic, the staff were friendly and helpful. We have stayed in some real top hotels, but none of those compare to the friendly atmospshere we received at the Rose and Crown, will definitely be staying again.
|
stayed here this Easter and booked a four poster room. We travelled down from London early morning so no time for Breakfast, they couldn't do us lunch and referred us to a large menu scampi and chips as an example �10! We didnt want a full meal as were going for dinner that night.In the evening they closed the kitchen at 8 and so we had to eat at the fish and chip shop across the road. Assistant Manager was rude and patronising room was filty with a spiders nest in the frame of the bed! We were moved to another room with a large corner bath...no hot water for 3 days! Manager Ann was never seen except to take all the glory for the carvery. Lots of other residents complained whilst we were there. This was our first time away together as it is a new relationship and it was supposed to be special and we had a thoroughly miserable time. We couln't leave as we had pre booked train tickets for our return on Monday. The whole place needs an expensive refit and the staff all foreign are all run ragged! Stay away!
|
Stayed here back at the start of September for the weekend and had an absolutely superb time! It was REALLY busy in the restaurant and we didn't have to wait too long for our meals and they were lovely, breakfast was wonderful and the staff exceedingly helpful. Don't think I've been made to feel more welcome at any other hotel i've been in! A credit to the managers, Ann & Charlie.
|
Nice location in a pretty New Forest small town.
Ate there last night. Lasagne was awful.
I couldn't finish it, which doesn't happen with me!
My husband had lovely, authentic paella though.
Excellent, spacious beer garden.
|
Awesome pub - we stayed in an amazing room, the breakfast was very tasty and staff were friendly and helpful. Drinking facilities good also.
anonymous - 8 Apr 2005 13:44 |
Nice pub but really poor accomodation, located on a very noisy road (with old windows offering almost so sound protection), and a totally ridiculous 10am checkout time. I would not stay here again.
anonymous - 31 Jan 2005 08:33 |
stayed there in july 2004, had a room in the courtyard at the back. really nice room, just like the pic, breakfast was fab, evening meals are a bit over priced and quite small. young staff were brill.
sue weaver - 8 Sep 2004 17:07 |
Lovely accommodation and really great young staff. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and were made most welcome. Great breakfasts, too.
Vicky - 8 Apr 2004 23:08 |
Lovely Pub, Snooty Locals and around ten pounds for well below average pub grub.
|
Great accomodation in the coach house at the back. Love the food - full english breakfast is great if you stay there. Friendly staff and good wine list too!
Sarah - 19 Aug 2003 16:04 |
