please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The rating for this pub is seriously out of date as it is weighted by poor previous landlords. The June 2013 is the only relevant one.
Current landlord is doing a great job turning this local pub back into a local pub. The atmosphere is now friendly and welcoming. Cask beers are well kept and there is always a couple of guest beers in addition to the usual (boring) Pride and Doom Bar.
Half of the pub is now a separate business, a Thai restaurant, which is an excellent addition to the village.
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Since the last review the pub has changed management again, and one side of the bar let out as a Thai Restaurant, which, despite my apprehensions, is quite good.
He seems like a decent landlord, who knows what he's doing and is keen to improve all aspects of the pub, and is gradually getting there and whipping the staff into shape!
They've reduced the hand pulled pumps from 4 down to 3 as there was not enough demand to keep them all flowing; 2 regulars - Doom Bar & London Pride, and one guest that changes every week or so, depending on popularity.
Certainly worth a visit.
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The Barley Mow has recently been taken over and we have been watching to see what the new owners do. Sadly it is not good news. It has had a lick of paint and new hanging baskets but service is sullen and food is below average. They made an effort to spruce up the garden and put in a wooden train for children but then allowed the pub dogs to use the whole area as a toilet. It is a shame as it is a pretty pub in a nice village. I would not recommend it to anyone, no matter how thirsty!
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Lets just hope that they keep up the good work!!
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Just got back from a visit to the Barley Mow, and I have to say, the atmosphere is so much better than it was before. The beer was superb, the barmaid very friendly and polite. The only bugbear was the glass I was given for my second pint was very dirty. Other than that, looking good, so I've upped my rating slightly.
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Yes. Kevin and Jenny have both left The Barley Mow.
Lets hope that the new owners will now make as most use out of the location and character of the building, as possible.
Maybe they may seduce the other 95% of the village to frequent the Pub.
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Don't quote me on this... but I've been told that Kev and Jenny are leaving this Sunday. Not sure if it's true, just something I was told last night.
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its such a shame to see this old pub going down the pan !. dont think we will bother going there again the rumours were true !
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Very well. I'm glad you had a good time there citypoolrg21.
Seems as if there are a mixture of opinions on the Barley Mow.
I've spoken with many and it has been a concern for a long time about how this pub should be so much better.
The food here seems to be a local joke.
Very often you can hear the microwave go... and I think it's too pricey for what it is...
Dog hairs in your food... Along with Jenny's hair.
Kevin is drunk from 16:00 and has to retire to bed by 20:00...
(It's a long time when you have to listen to him make sexist and degrading remarks).
I will never step foot back in this place.
The heart of the village... And I think it is also the oldest part of the village... yet they let one side of the pub be dominated with drunks and fools... a sticky floor which has suffered because of spilt Zambucas and careless drunks.
A pool-table cramped in to the corner... Where you can't even enjoy a game of pool.
The other-side has a very somber and dull atmosphere.
It makes me angry... How they haven't thought about anyone else in Oakley Village... and only cater for the regulars.
There's so many people... Respectable people that don't go there and for very good reason too.
How about using some experience and using the location and building as a tool to lift this pub up? Just like it should be...
The sooner this land-lord and land-lady are gone... THE BETTER.
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My wife and I have recently visited the Barley Mow Public House and enjoyed two sperate very delicious vegetarian meals for very reasonable prices. With a good selection of beverage (non alchoholic)afterwards.The Landlord/Landlady & their staff were on both occasions very friendly, hospitable and the conversation was good and they were very helpful. They have two very beautiful springer dogs (Dyson & Oscar) who kept us company.
The Lounge bar was clean, tidy with the service efficient and helpful at all times. On both occasions the locals were chatty & interested in our visit and welcoming. They seemed to have a wide selection behind the bar. The village is easily excessible from Basingstoke and the nearby Pond is certainly very photogenic and the older houses added to it's obvious beauty. We hope to return for more very soon.
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Went through Oakley yesterday (Saturday).
It was around 13:00, the sun was out and it was a beautiful day.
Yet there were no tables outside occupied and the car-park was empty.
Ginger, I can not wait until the land-lord and land-lady leave.
Give the village of Oakley something it deserves.
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'Current user rating: 3.5/10 (rated by 11 users)'.
JOKE.
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It's good news that the present landlords of the BARLEY MOW are leaving, the place is a dump under their management.
Oakley parish Council say under Village Vision that people are requesting somewhere good to eat in Oakley. The Barley Mow under GOOD management could be the place.
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Don't worry Gingerbiscuits... Surely anyone could do a lot more better with that pub. Maybe 80% of the village don't use this place... Although, I do know that it is in the pipe-line, that they are leaving. Lets hope it happens soon.
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Awful!
Landlady sitting eating a bar of chocolate.
Flashing fruit machines.
This pub. could be so nice under a good landlord and landlady--it is in an excellent location in the centre of an affluent village --people could walk there and walk home if good food was served in a pleasant atmosphere.
It is such a waste as it is .
Where is an entroproneur for this sadly neglected pub.?
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Just to back-up Cosmogirl... You're seriously right!! Rumour has it, that Kevin was running the pub into the ground, before he had the lease... so he can get it cheap. He was saying for ages before he and Jenny got the lease... about all the Tapas-type food he was going to do, how it was going to change... But this never was the case. Robfrancis... if you honestly beleive that The Barley Mow is a good pub with good service, it means that you don't have any idea what a good pub is... OR... You're one of Kevin's crowneys... sitting there and cracking dirty jokes torwards women. This place REALLY is a DIVE. Now beleive me, 90% of people that drink there would agree. Majority of people go there for conveinience. The place is gone...
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My wife and I went in the lounge bar where we spent an enjoyable half hour chatting to the Landlord and some of the locals. The beer was excellent, Tim Taylor's Landlord, as was the service. We didn't sample the food as no one else was eating, (strange for a Sunday lunchtime) and the pub certainly needs re-decorating. But, all in all this is a pub that I would certainly visit again.
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I think cosmogirl is talking nonsense. Went in a couple of weeks ago, and it was lovely. The beer was superb (if a little bit pricey) and the landlord was very welcoming (although his jokes could be much better).
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Recent visit to this pub and what a shock this place has gone way down over the last few years, it smells is dirty and the beer was of a poor quality, didn't eat there but have been told that the food is whatever frozen ready meal the one stop shop over the road has in stock. Loos like Kevin who has been there for the last few years and certainly enjoys a drink or several has well and truly run this pub into the ground!
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Very nice pub, well kept real ale and changing guest ales.
the Barley Mow caters for everyone with the main part being a usually quite lounge bar for the 'older' drinkers and eating with a seperate bar with t.v and pool table for younger drinkers.
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A very lovely and friendly pub
well worth a vist.
Mr A.F.Barnes - 10 Jul 2004 18:24 |
A real regulars pub, and quite small and compact.
Alex - 4 May 2004 10:54 |
