BITE user comments - BothamsAshes
Comments by BothamsAshes
The Royal Oak, Tunbridge Wells
Popped into the Royal Oak on my way back from a trip to the High Street after a recommendation from a friend and was delighted I did. It may look a tad tired outside, but inside is a world away from the bland Ikea-look pub owners seem to think everyone wants. Wooden panelled walls, old-style gentleman's club leather sofas, a bar billiards table, all fantastic. The beer was excellent, I had the Larkins, and good value. The landlady, though running the place on her own dealing with Sunday roast and drink orders always acknowledged people who came to the bar to be served and apologised for what turned out to be a short wait away - how often do you get that these days? The regulars also all seemed friendly and the pub is highly recommended.
24 Oct 2016 13:38
The George and Dragon, Speldhurst
On a Sunday walk through the Kent countryside I popped into the G&D and liking the look of the lunches I ordered a pork roast to go alongside my pint of Harveys. I found the staff in here all very efficient and friendly, the Harveys was spot on (so I had a second of course) and the roast was excellent (a cracking piece of crackling on top!). Not cheap, but fairly standard pricing these days of £15 for the roast, but the quality was obvious. The location, across from the village church, makes the outside seating very picturesque. All in all a very good experience indeed.
1 Aug 2016 11:54
Had a walk in the sunshine around Eltham and luckily my route took me past the Long Pond so I thought I would drop in to try it out. It's bigger than I expected from a micropub, but first impression was of a clean, nicely decorated place. There were a couple of punters in who both greeted me with a "good afternoon" when I walked to the bar, which was a nice welcome. I had two pints of Whitstable Winkle Picker (which was delicious and just £3.40 a pint) - served by very friendly staff. I didn't eat but the food they brought out looked good - though note they only serve 'proper' pub food - pork pies, cheese/meat platters etc.. No piped music to disrupt conversations, immaculately clean toilets ... what's not to like.
23 Nov 2015 14:37
This pub is now under new management, has changed its name to the Ambleside Tavern and is a world away from what it was before. We went in to watch the footy and rather than having to slum it in the place as it once was, the pub has been refurbished, there is a great choice of ales and the food looked pretty good the other punters were consuming. It's now a place to visit rather than to avoid.
20 May 2015 12:35
First class visit on Sunday, the landlord is a fine chap and we washed down some lovely ales with sandwiches, pork pie and scotch eggs.
20 May 2015 12:32
The Sussex Arms, Tunbridge Wells
We escaped out of the freezing rain into this pub yesterday and it was a really delightful experience. The barman was very friendly when I enquired if kids were allowed and a high chair was brought out before we'd even sat down. The beer choice is excellent - I had a Seasider ale which was very good - there were also 4 or 5 other ales on. The menu is small, but has a Gallic twist (well the chef is French!), including snails which sadly they had run out of but we had cassoulet and steak et frites both of which were tasty and good value. The locals also seemed a good bunch (especially as we had a toddler running around). All in all this is a pub we hope to visit again.
23 Feb 2015 10:31
Handy for Paddington Station so we used this place before and after a recent trip to Bristol. Harveys and Landlord were the ales of choice in our group and were both excellent (The Harveys ran out at one stage but was changed and back on in 5 minutes - top work from the bar staff!). This, the lovely interior and good food made for very pleasant visits.
26 Mar 2014 13:19
On the suggestion of a local we rolled into this pub post-football for a couple of hours on a Friday evening. There was only one ale remaining on, though it was in top condition, however the evening was made by the brilliantly entertaining landlord and his staff who were great fun. This place is a little gem and the sort of local everyone should have.
26 Mar 2014 13:07
Great pub we took in on the way to a Bristol Rovers game (and we wish we had stayed there instead of going to the match!), the Bath Ale was in top-notch condition, the bar staff very friendly and the pub has a lovely interior. One to spend a full evening in on our next visit to Bristol.
26 Mar 2014 13:01
I agree with what's been posted previously. Fantastic building, took a lot of photos outside trying not to include the horrific "2 meals for a tenner" signage, inside though it is a lovely interior we were faced with the choice of one beer only, Hobgoblin, which is at best ordinary and much like Greene King IPA something you would only drink if there was nothing else! Luckily it is a short walk to The Cornubia and The King's Head so we won't be making that mistake again. A very poor experience.
26 Mar 2014 12:57
The Reckless Engineer, Bristol
Suggested as a meeting place after rolling off a train at Temple Mead but there are far better pubs nearby (look up The Cornubia and The Kings Head). It has an estate pub feel about it, a fair bit run down and the first beer we had was cloudy, the second tasteless. The clientele were also far more friendly in the other Bristol pubs we visited. We won't be visiting again I'm afraid.
26 Mar 2014 12:50
Beautiful little pub with a cosy enclosed seating area at the back, a great landlady and good beer. It perhaps doesn't have as good a beer choice as the Cornubia round the corner, but having two such great pubs only a spit and a gob apart is fantastic.
26 Mar 2014 12:41
A little tricky to find but well worth the effort. This is a lovely little pub with great staff, a nice bunch of friendly customers, a good choice of well kept beers and even a tank of turtles for entertainment! At only five minutes walk from Temple Mead station this place is highly recommended.
26 Mar 2014 12:38
Three Shires Inn, Little Langdale
Great little pub to take in either as part of a walk or for a quality evening meal or even to stay at (I haven't but have had good reports from friends who have). Beer choice is very good, beer quality is excellent. The staff were friendly and their helping out of a family sat next to me with a little 'un (high chair, bottle warming, nappy changing facility) was first class according to the family. Hot meals looked very good - I only had sandwiches this time and it was certainly tasty. This place is what all Lakeland pubs should endeavour to be like.
20 May 2013 15:18
This pub has a front 'garden' as its best selling point on a spring/summer's evening but it doesn't make up for it being rather uninspiring in general. The beer choice is pretty poor and the pint of best I had was creamy and bland (more like some smoothflow crap rather than a real ale) . Food-wise I went for the curry platter which was good value, though it was definitely more supermarket 'indian' curry then true indian curry. There are better places in Ambleside for food and beer.
20 May 2013 15:08
The beer choice in here is very good and the three ales I tried (Yates, Cumberland and Bluebird) were all in good condition. The food is basic pub grub, but the fish and chips I had on one visit was absolutely fine and the burger on another visit was actually very good. They also do 'light plates', smaller versions of burger and chips say, which are very good value and ideal if you want something to keep you going after a fell walk (or to save room for more of the ales!). It is not a 'great' pub,, it can't compete with the Golden Rule or Unicorn for a Lakes-feel, but it works well for a pint. The staff, contrary to some reviews, I found to be a good bunch.
20 May 2013 14:58
Popped in only for a brief pint during a day's walk, but we quite liked the first impression we had of the place. Bar service was swift with an excellent beer choice and the pub interior was traditional and warm. The village setting has picture box cottages and a lovely little pond, One we hope to revisit.
29 Apr 2013 15:18
Bridgewater Arms Hotel, Berkhamsted
Staff in the pub are very friendly - they were very apologetic about the lack of tables when we arrived late on a Sunday lunchtime (warning: book a table early if you want to eat). Luckily there was a small table in the bar area available. Food was reasonable priced, served quickly and was OK (two of us had venison cottage pie, one had a chicken salad), but menu disappointingly is typical pub fare (burgers, scampi et. al.), so nothing to write home about. Beer also, being Greene King, was mainly uninspiring. ( IPA is bland, Abbot too strong), but the occasional beer was London Glory (4%) which was served up well. Overall a pretty average pub, the staff being the best aspect, but for the lunchtime pub on a full days country walk, we wish we had researched more and gone elsewhere.
29 Apr 2013 15:12
The Fishermans Return, Winterton on Sea
Had a week's stay in Winterton and visited this pub every day. Contrary to reports the beer quality is very good, the Wherry was excellent every day I had it (which was every day!). The food choice is changed daily and is of a high quality, though I can understand a long wait in summer as the place is hugely popular. The locals are also amongst some of the nicest people you could meet (that too goes for the staff in the Dunes Cafe on the beach, the little chippie and the newsagent). As there was no sign of the cold reception mentioned below, I suspect it is more a problem with that reviewer than the residents. Highly recommended to visit.
8 Jul 2012 13:06
Contrary to the reviews below this place is certainly NOT a gastro pub. Having been a regular for several years the pub has in the last few months had some money spent on opening a roof terrace, much improved toilets and a lick of paint in the main bar. The bar itself has been kept so the 'new' style is very sympathetic to how it always has been. However, its main draw remains the fantastic range and quality of beer it sells and the first class landlord and staff who work behind the bar.
21 Jun 2012 17:46
Sad to see this place sterilised as I had many great nights (and a few piss poor ones) drinking Harveys and watching the sport. Obvious thing about trendy bars is that something more trendy soon opens up nearby and then all the punters drift off to that one. I'll give this place a year before it closes, turns briefly into a restaurant and then becomes flats. I certainly won't be drinking there.
30 Apr 2012 17:27
The Mad Hatter Hotel, Southwark
Good, if unexciting, venue for watching the footy compared to the ever dwindling pubs with Sky on the north side of the river. Was packed for Barca v Chelsea and thus the bar service was very poor but the beer (London Pride) was absolutely excellent. Food we ordered (a couple of platters for 4) were expensive and took a while to arrive as you would expect on a busy night. Sadly, though the food was good, the amount served was more suitable for 4 hamsters than 4 people. Only other downside were two or three morons in the toilet who thought shouting "let's go score some f***** charlie" was big and clever, still this is no reflection on Fullers as such tits can be found elsewhere.
30 Apr 2012 17:07
Fabulously decorated pub with very good service and the OBB was on good form, however it is a shame to see it now priced, if I remember right, at �2.70. OBB was great value at around the �2 mark, but is just too ordinary to want more than a couple of pints of it and we drifted off to a Nicholson's where the beer choice was better though we had to pay more. Sam's USP, a fair pint at a very good price, has now gone. On another point, the Princess Louise sells food in its upstairs room but you cannot bring bar snacks downstairs where punters generally drink! What's that all about? If they are worried about the smell of onion rings and chips the pub hardly smells like Provence in the Spring. We bought no food (there were 12 of us) and with the beer price increase I can't see when we will visit again. Shame.
4 Apr 2012 13:58
Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Ambleside
Having spent many weeks camping in Great Langdale for many years this place remains probably my favourite pub anywhere. Fantastic location, great choice of well-kept beer, good homemade food and bar staff with character - if not teeth :O) Cracking.
5 Aug 2011 16:46
The Stickle Barn Tavern, Great Langdale
Excellent spot for morning breakfast (full english with tea/coffee for �7) with a good choice of beer and fair choice of food for the evening. As mentioned previously the menu is fairly uninspiring compared to the nearby ODG, which seems to have a more home made feel and certainly compared to The Britannia in Elterwater. The beer though is always on good form and the staff, notably the manager, couldn't be more welcoming.
5 Aug 2011 16:30
Tweedies Bar at Dale Lodge Hotel, Grasmere
Arrived just before the 3pm cut off time for lunchtime food and received such a barrage of sarcasm and rudeness from the barman on duty we almost walked out. Our need for sustinance having walked miles over the top from Great Langdale was the only reason we didn't leave. Luckily the visit was saved by the excellent beer, the very good food and the waitress who delivered the food being very polite and helpful.
A great venue for beer and food and a fantastic garden - it just lacks some customer care training for certain male members of staff.
5 Aug 2011 16:19
The Anglesea Arms, Hammersmith
The ale here was excellent, had Woodforde Wherry, which was spot on, my friends reported the Sharps Cornish Coaster was excellent. This isn't a cheap place to eat but the food was sublime. Our party had a good selection from the starters and mains and they each were excellent. The accompanying wines were also very very good. We found the staff were also brilliant, great fun, humerous, even knowledgable about the 100 years war!, but notably were great with the young 'un we had with our party. I really look forward to visiting here again.
1 May 2011 20:32
This was my first ever visit to the pub. First impression was that the landlord was very friendly as were the other members of staff who were sitting customer side of the bar as it was very quiet. Contrary to other posters, the pub had Brakspears on handpull (of which I had a pint and which was fine), there was also a London Pride hand pump, though the clip was turned and was not available. The lunchtime menu is standard fare (all day breakfast, scampi etc.) and pretty cheap. I had a fish finger sandwich which was fine, and at �4.50 was great value. All in all a pleasant visit on a quiet Tuesday lunchtime.
12 Apr 2011 14:55
The Pavilion End, Mansion House
Visited on a Saturday to take in a 3D footy match and a couple of pints. The beer was in good condition and the food my friends ordered was not cheap, but seemed good quality. Staff were also very friendly.
Things may be different on a Friday evening when the place is heaving, but I couldn't really fault anything.
18 Oct 2010 17:23
Fabulous pub. Great choice of ale all in excellent condition - the Coniston Brewery's Britannia Ale is especially good. The food is a little pricey but absolutely excellent (I had roast duck with black pudding - delicious!).
12 May 2010 17:44
The New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Langdale
Turned up with the Langdale Folk Festival is full swing! Excellent fun and excellent beer, but sadly once again the food was appallingly bad. We had cumberland sausage which was burnt and served with cold, brown chips and cold mixed veg straight from either a tin or the freezer. It is a shame that for such a great pub with such a great atmosphere and such great beer they serve up such slop. Drink here then eat up at the Stickle Barn instead.
12 May 2010 17:40
The Bunch of Grapes, London Bridge
I must say I am surprised about the comments on the staff and service here because, having been here several times over the last few weeks, the staff have all been efficient and friendly, notably the (Fijian?) manager.
The only downside this Tuesday evening was the jazz band they decided to employ. The Grapes is just too small a pub for live music inside and after having our group's conversation killed stone dead as we couldn't hear each other we jumped ship and went down the road to a quieter pub (and probably spend upwards of �100 on drinks and food there!).
Definitely worth visiting - if they got rid of the stupid music I would rate it higher.
26 Nov 2009 23:23
The Stag and Huntsman, Hambleden
Fab little village pub. The staff were great and the beer (had Loddon Hoppit) was excellent. A warm welcome on a cold day during a long walk, but walkers take note they close at 3pm on a Sunday!
19 Oct 2009 10:55
Very good quality beer (Rebellion) and friendly service in the public bar. The food was excellent quality, we had the confit duck (a strange language mix that one!), a steak and lamb shank, however it was expensive and the portions wouldn't leave a hamster full. We also got the feeling we wouldn't be welome as walkers aywhere other than the garden or the small public bar to eat. If we do the Time-Out Marlow Circular Walk again we would eat and drink elsewhere.
19 Oct 2009 10:49
This is a traditional pub which has been done up with mixed success. Some areas inside are fine but there is a very seedy sofa section in the corner which is out of place and perhaps best avoided! The London Pride (Adnams also available) was spot on and my friends very much liked theirlattes . The staff were very friendly however, management take note, the three chavs who's full and rich lives seems to involve sitting at the bar loudly taking the piss out of customers are only going to drive preople away from the pub.
19 Oct 2009 10:39
Old Brewery Bitter very well kept and at a fantastic price! Excellent interior, very friendly bar staff with prompt service. A first class pub all in all. The much inferior Butcher's Hook and Cleaver, just one minute up the road, is always packed leaving this place relatively free for the more choosey punter!
14 Sep 2009 17:26
The management in here looked after us brilliantly whilst the Drunken Duck up the road seems to regard everyone in walking boots as riff-raff. The food is good and well priced and the beers very good. An excellent little boozer.
28 Jul 2009 11:55
The Drunken Duck Inn, Barngates
Good quality beer is about the only good thing to say about this place. It was once a brilliant, atmospheric walkers pub, now it's like a combination of the clubhouse at St. Andrews and the pavilion at Lords, stuffy and full of mutton dressed as lamb old farts dribbling over their over-priced food. Management is so stuck up its own arse they won't even serve bar food outside in the evening - which with the views across towards Ambleside is just what you want after a hard days trek. Lets hope someone buys this place and reverses this gastro-monstrosity back to its former glory. For four better pubs, better priced food and a warm welcome, what the real Lakelands tourist wants, then head a couple of miles down the road to Hawkshead. But if voluntary euthanasia is on your agenda The Drunken Duck is for you.
28 Jul 2009 11:51
The Swan and Edgar, Marylebone
Sadly this traditional local and post-Lords tradition has been completely ruined. No real ale on and the tackiest interior you will ever see. It will no doubt be busy at first and then the mug punters who are attracted to such tatt will move on to the next new bar to open. Hopefully this place will then go bust and be re-bought by someone with taste and intelligence who turns it back into a proper pub.
13 Jun 2009 13:12
Just an excellent boozer. Dropped in for a quick beer before getting a train and the beer was first class and the manager a top bloke.
18 Jun 2008 14:38
Monday evening and it was completely dead (and yes there are City pubs with some atmosphere on a Monday evening!). The decor is pretty dull after the refurb, but then again this place was ruined with the refurb they did in about 1996 when they turned it from a proper pub into an airport lounge.
Staff were friendly, the chips were very good, but the Pride was not up to Fullers usual high standard.
OK venue - but far from Fullers or The City's best.
18 Jun 2008 14:34
Closed?! Thank the good lord for that one! I assume off sales of extra-strong cider and wife beater have been rocketting! A move by JDW from the Bankers Draft into there would be generally welcome though in an ideal world I wish someone like Fullers would buy it!
18 Jun 2008 14:26
Took in some football in the basement bar mid-way through a long walk. Three real ales on in good nick and though packed the place was friendly and the service fast and pleasant. Not a classic Lakes pub of course, but for a sport watching venue not at all bad.
15 May 2008 14:47
The Stickle Barn Tavern, Great Langdale
Once again the food was good - but how about something on the menu more local - rabbit, trout, lamb? The beer choice was very good - Cumberland Ale, Coniston Old Man and a couple of other real ales. Bar staff very friendly indeed especially compared to the Old Hotel down the road.
15 May 2008 14:42
The New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Langdale
The food was a bit of an improvement over last year - it looks like they have finally changed the fat in the chip pan! Excellent beer choice, though again the bar staff are often rude to customers especially non-English ones which doesn't do the Cumbrian Tourist Board much of a favour! Not sure what one of the previous writers was going on about regarding the NT camp site across the road - it is always quiet and trouble free, in comparison to the one in Chapel Stile down the road!
15 May 2008 14:39
The management seem to have given up on this place. They don't bother putting the sound on when there is footy on the TV, happy simply to pump out music so loud you can't hear yourself think - hello this place is supposed to be a friendly local boozer not a night club! Often no real ale on either. This place has really gone downhill over the last three months.
27 Apr 2008 20:17
Wonderful pub to stop at for a couple of pints and a Sunday Roast whilst doing a long walk. It was snowing heavily outside and the open fire was as warm as the welcome from the staff and the locals. Four real ales were on including Harveys Best and Mild. Both were first class. The lunch portions are just a little small for �12 but that's a very very minor criticism.
6 Apr 2008 19:35
For such a lovely pub it's a real shame it's "all keg in here Sir"! Sam Smiths need to get some real ale in here because otherwise it's a non starter for an evening out.
2 Apr 2008 16:21
Excellent refurbishment job, the beer (Archers I tried) was in perfect condition and the staff were excellent, very welcoming indeed. First Class.
19 Feb 2008 17:15
Yes just been past and peered in the window, it's clean and bright inside and handpumps with London Pride, 6X, Pedigree and a beer from Archers Brewery. As the previous writer said, it's about time Eltham has a decent real ale pub (sorry Rising Sun but Greene King ain't the best). What with the new �20M leisure centre and the new trading floor at M&S things are looking up!
31 Jan 2008 13:06
Fantastic building hosting an excellent pub. Service is first class even on busy days, staff are friendly (especially given the odd fat bawdy lawyer type you occassionaly get in there) and I've never had a bad pint of Pride in there (and I've sure drunk a few!). Yep it's not cheap at �3 a pint but it's still cheaper and more atmosphereic than the sterile All Bar Ones and the like in the vicinity.
29 Jun 2007 14:16
Adnams and IPA now almost always on which is a big improvement on the beer side compared with a couple of years ago. The pub remains well run, great management, friendly efficient staff and with a good atmosphere.
21 Jun 2007 23:14
First visited today. Excellent 'local'. Spot on London Pride, excellent service and a mixed clientelle which gave the place a real atmosphere (a few suits, a few locals, a few construction workers and a few council workers). A real gem and yes the old till is priceless!
21 Jun 2007 22:46
The Bunch of Grapes, London Bridge
Have to agree with Grumpy Dwarf, whoever was responsible for sanitising this place should be shot. Gone are the distinctive grape carvings above the bar, the snob screens and the old signs. Yep the beer's still good but there's now no special reason to visit, there are more characterful pubs near London Bridge. Nice one Youngs.
21 Jun 2007 22:44
Wainwrights Inn, Great Langdale
The staff were a bit miserable in here so we assumed it was a Wainwright theme pub at first! The beer was fine though and the pub is pleasant inside.
12 Jun 2007 15:17
The Stickle Barn Tavern, Great Langdale
Beer choice is not as good as up the road at the Old Dungeon Ghyll though the Jennings and Coniston Bluebird were both very good. This place scores on excellent service and much much better food than the Old Dungeon.
12 Jun 2007 15:14
The New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Langdale
Fabulous beer choice after a walk, nice friendly atmosphere amongst the customers. Sadly let down by very poor food - the Stickle Barn up the road serves a much better meal.
12 Jun 2007 15:11
Good choice of beer, good service, food excellent if a little pricey.
12 Jun 2007 15:09
The Swan and Edgar, Marylebone
Used to be a post-Lords tradition, but quite frankly the refurb has removed the whole character of the place. It was once a quaint little local, a real oasis, now the interior looks like a whitewashed council house. The London Pride in there used to be excellent (especially after the John Smiths canned rubbish they sell in Lords), last time it was flat and tasteless. Sad to say, but this institution is no longer recommended.
16 May 2007 12:47
Basic interior is more than made up for by the excellent beer choice (Harveys plus guests) and good service. There are a large number of TV's showing Sky Sports, but the atmosphere in the place is very friendly so it's a recommened venue for the big matches.
16 May 2007 11:07
Harveys has outlets for their beer at The Market Porter, The Pakenham Arms and a few others, but this is their own boozer so well worth seeking out. The service is excellent, the brews pure nectar. First Class.
10 Feb 2006 14:13
Wouldn't have gone there if I wasn't meeting friends. "Good by O'Neill's standards" sums it up. No proper beer available only Irish Keg shite served by rude staff. Crap chain, crap pubs. Crap.
8 Feb 2006 17:00
Pits of a place. Expensive, crap beer and music to make your ears bleed. Avoid like the plague.
8 Feb 2006 15:33
Brilliant boozer if you can get in in winter, comes into it's own in summer when you can stand outside. The Spitfire is always excellent, the service is very friendly and quick. A real family feel to this place. The only downside is the race track down Wilfred Street with tossers looking for a short cut. Westminster Council take note - pedestrianization or traffic calming would be a bonus to residents and customers.
8 Feb 2006 15:31
Better than the other reviews say it is. The beer is always on and good, the service isn't too bad either. Food is so-so, the sandwiches are a safe bet and quite good value. Better than some places around Victoria, but seek out the gems first.
8 Feb 2006 15:26
Mexican Nights, Pig Racing and a School Disco sum up what a crap hole this place is. Following the refurbishment the place looked like it was turning a corner but no such luck. The good choice of beer stopped after a few weeks leaving Courage Best (or Crapat Best as it's known) as the sole beer when it's on and drinkable which is rare. It's a great building, close to the station and shops. New Eltham's only pub really does deserve to be better than this. Let's hope someone who gives a toss does somethign with the place.
8 Feb 2006 15:22
Always a sociable place to have a beer. Good mix of local residents and 5-a-side footballers from across the road. Staff are fast and friendly.
Now the downside - The White Lion was proud to be in the Good Beer Guide a couple of years ago and always had excellent Pedigree and Adnams on. Now when we visit there's practically never any real ale on. This side of the pub has gone downhill appallingly. Come on guys get a grip - it's not rocket science to keep one ale on is it!
6 Feb 2006 14:41
Superb pub full of character. SS Old Brewery bitter is always on and is outstanding value. Even my lager and Guiness drinking mates like SS's own lager and stout. Only downside is that the bar staff sometimes are busy fiddling behind the bar with menu's and cutlery or wiping tables rather than serving customers waiting at the bar. Priorities guys!
6 Feb 2006 14:27
Dire place. Insides gutted and converted to look like a railway waiting room. Bar staff too dumb to start the Guiness before the rest of the order, then the London Pride ran out leaving no ale on at all. All this at over-the-top prices. Have a look through the window and then have a walk to The Lamb or The Citie of York and see what a real pub should be like.
6 Feb 2006 14:22
Ah those days of watching Aerobics Oz style on TV on a Friday lunchtime then tucking into a few pints of Pride and an all-day breakfast!
That was 10 years ago and it's good to see the pub is now under the management of Ross who runs it to the same high standard as he did at Williamsons.
Tim Taylors Landlord was excellent and, according to my drinking colleagues, so were the other available ales.
Friday evening was busy at first, but thinned out as the evening went on. First class.
6 Feb 2006 14:14
Williamson's Tavern, Mansion House
Don't get SMDC's comment on the beer choice. This pub has London Pride, Adnams, Dechaurs IPA and Old Speckled Hen with occasionally Landlord, Bass or another.
Beer is always of top quality with great service from friendly staff. Amongst the banality of the likes of Pitcher and Piano and Corney and Barrow swamping The City, this is a good old fashioned British pub.
6 Feb 2006 14:07
The Rising Sun is now owned by Greene King. The good news is that (a) they now have two well kept ales on (IPA and Abbot - it would be good if they guest some of their other brands), (b) there's no smoking at the bar and (c) John the landlord still works there.
28 Nov 2005 16:49
Sky Sports has returned to the Wellington (saw Germany 1 England 5 at this venue!) and so I returned to watch the ManU/Chelsea match. Beers I tried, Pride and Youngs were both excellent and the service, despite a coachload of about 60 Dutch blokes arriving 5 minutes before kickoff, was fast and courteous.
14 Nov 2005 14:42
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The Woodman, Otford
Lots of very old reviews for The Woodman so having visited the pub on Sunday I thought an update was in order: the food if not high quality cuisine, is absolutely fine and very good value - the Sunday roasts looked pretty good. They have Harveys ale on which was in very good condition. The bar staff were friendly, as were the one or two locals I interacted with. There is Sky Sports in the pub though the game on, Swansea v Leicester, wasn't attracting too much attention I'm lead to believe it can get pretty busy for bigger teams (apologies to Swans and Foxes fans there!). All in all, maybe not a classic Kent village pub, but I'd be more than happy to revisit for beer and food in the future.
16 Feb 2017 10:55