The Beacon, Bletchley - pub details
Address: Bond Avenue, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK1 1PA [map] [gmap]
Tel: 0871 951 1000 (ref 35276) - calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras
Fenny Stratford (0.6 miles), Bletchley (1.2 miles), Bow Brickhill (1.2 miles)
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> Current user rating: 1.8/10 (rated by 8 users)
other pubs nearby:
Red Lion, Bletchley (0.5 miles), Chequers, Fenny Stratford (0.6 miles), The Plough, Simpson (0.6 miles), Caldecotte Arms, Milton Keynes (0.6 miles), Swan Hotel, Fenny Stratford (0.7 miles) - see more nearby pubs
user reviews of the Beacon, Bletchley
please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
| Now known as The Inn on The Lake, being in Milton Keynes this is naturally quite a modern building, but is nonetheless an interesting design being almost circular in shape (it's actually got about 12 sides, but I've no idea what such a shape is called) with a glass turret roof and views along the lake, as it's name suggests. There are a few picnic benches outside which would no doubt be a pleasant spot in the warmer weather and this is adjacent to some parkland as well as lake. Inside the front three quarters of the pub is one open space but divided in to dining and drinking areas with a roughly 2:1 ratio and is mostly carpeted other than some tiling around the bar area. Decor wise there is quite a bit of exposed brick, particularly the pillars between the windows which run pretty much all the way around to make the most of the outlook. Elsewhere there is some wood cladding on the walls in a very pale blue colour and this is also reflected in the front of the bar counter. Seating in the dining area was all tables and chairs as would be expected, with small leather armchairs in the drinking area along with a couple of brown leather sofa's in front of a large brick fireplace. This contained several copper pans and the like as well as what appeared to be a wood burning stove, although on closer inspection appeared to be burning only gas. A plasma was up in the corner although there was no sound on. Various arty photo's of wine bottle and glasses are dotted around and there was also an illuminated stained glass portrait of a swan on the lake. A selection of pastries and cakes were on the bar reflecting the fact that they promote morning coffee and afternoon tea as well as alcoholic beverages. At the rear is a slightly more enclosed room which is again geared up for dining, although this was not in use on a recent Monday evening visit. This has a much higher roof and a back wall painted in a terracotta hue, along with a couple of old dressers and even a butter churn. There is also a smaller upstairs room in the glass dome of the roof which must give good views, although that looked as though it only had one or two tables. The menu was quite extensive and offered a number of "pub grub" options such as Chilli Con Carne, Ham Egg & Chips, Lasagne, etc., along with a few more adventurous dishes, fish options and a "pie and pudding club". These were priced mostly in the £8 - £12 range. My Chicken & Mushroom Stroganoff in a brandy and cream sauce was a pleasant and tasty dish, although at £12.95 I felt that the portion size was a little on the small side. The tables also had flyers promoting the Christmas menu which seemed a bit premature until I read the small print and saw that it was available until the second week of January 2013. Doesn't anyone ever clear up here? Beers on tap were a little disappointing, and despite three hand pumps on the bar the sole offering was Bombardier. The solitary cider was Stowford Press. Blackthorn - 12 Mar 2013 07:55 |
| Further to my last review, this pub appears go have gone to pub heaven (hell?). Now reopened as the Inn on the Lake. Not been yet but sounds like it's had a full refurb. There's hope yet... jjsint - 11 Jun 2012 14:41 |
| This is a very special pub. I do not mean this in a good way. jjsint - 25 May 2011 17:23 |
| Was in here before watching my team Hartlepool play MK on Saturday. A starnge pub, its location is very pleasant being right next to a fantastic fishing lake. The pub itself seemed very run-down and lifeless inside. Judging by the size of the place and the area that its in I would expecgt that it is dead on a non-matchday. Still we enjoyed standing outside in the sun and there was a good mix on home and away fans. Kentbeerboys - 11 Aug 2009 07:16 |
