BITE user comments - BruceReed
Comments by BruceReed
The John Bunyan, Coleman Green
Excellent local, albeit slightly off the beaten track. As per comment tregarding favouring locals over visitors, pub tends to have a local clientele of necessity, due to difficulty of getting here by foot, but staff mostly very welcoming. Squarely targetting the over 40s, seems to have stood up well both to the recession and the previous government's war on the pub.
Mcmullens tied house so usual selection of AK and Country (both of which well kept) Food unpretentious, good portions and well cooked. all in all, an excellent pub, the likes of which are sadly a growing rarity amidst the theme pubs, faux wine bars and chain houses which seem to proliferate in town centres. Thoroughly recommended.
23 Nov 2010 12:52
The Seven Springs, Seven Springs
Very much what it says on the entrance. A 'Hungry Horse' pub tucked away on the main Cotswold Way between Gloucester, Cirencester and Cheltenham. Pub is very large with upstairs dining as well as a large split level ground floor.
Portions of food were very large but probably not of the highest quality. Beer range limited in terms of Real Ale to Greene King IPA. A stopoff point if you're after cheap nosh. Otherwise, pretty average.
22 Jul 2008 13:52
A no-smoking pub for at least fifteen years prior to the 1930's German legislation being re-enacted in July. However, even as a smoker this was well worth a visit. Excellent food and very cosy decor. Off the beaten track but well worth seeking out. Beer range limited, but the surround does compensate
27 Dec 2007 19:00
Hmmm. Had to stay here when working back in 2003 in nearby Greenford. Again, location problematic, as it's on the main A40 out of London and in an area which is probably not featured in 'Time Out' on too many occasions.
Limited selection of real ale, although copious quantity of different lager. I founf the service to be reasonable, if a little erratic depending on which shift manager was on.
Revisited the pub earlier this year, and hadn't changed a great deal. Menu is substantial but food is more quantity than quality. Given the absence of real alternatives, it would be worth visiting, particularly if you have small children. (there is a Child's play area attached to the pub) Otherwise, a far better dining experience at the 'Starvin Marvins' diner nearby. Not top of my list!
27 Dec 2007 18:57
This was my local for two years in London and probably the only pub serving reasonable real ale anywhere in the vicinity.
The location (On the main Ealing-Harrow road) is pretty difficult to appreciate, although as previous posts have mentioned there is a beer garden out the back.
Nevertheless, reasonably well-kept beer and a good, if standard Fullers menu make it worth a visit if you are in the area and at a loose end for places to eat. As with many London pubs, the staff are a cosmopolitan collection which change with regularity. good, friendly service, though, and always made to feel welcome upon my visits there. Beer selection encompasses three to four real ales plus 1845 in bottled form. Recommend, especially given the alternatives in the area.
27 Dec 2007 18:51
Blessed I was indeed to have this as my 'second local' in Hampshire. A complete contrast to the nighbouring Newport Inn, an all-day opening policy meant that I had many a happy Sunday afternoon in the Wheatsheaf. An Enterprise Inns outlet, it serves Four real ales (Landlord, Hook Norton and HSB with one other) All kept very well, and immediately replaced in the event of any issues arising.
Food was a varied menu, only slight drawback being prices which at over ten pounds a head was on the expensive side. Nevertheless, very nice pub, landlord and landlady both extremely polite and nice. Thoroughly recommended if you are in the area
28 May 2007 19:53
As a student in Cambridge, this pub was somewhat off the beaten track but well worth seeking out. Standard Greene King beer range although periodic guest beers made an appearance, both of which were well maintained and served.
Staff were efficient and the pub generally had a good atmosphere. It features a small beer garden outside (2 tables). A limited menu is served and the food was pretty good although not spectacular. The pub also has accommodation although due to its proximity to Central Cambridge, it tended to get booked up well in advance. Visited last August and still going strong, recommended if you want to avoid bumping into student dominated watering holes!
28 May 2007 19:38
The Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone
This was the second pub (after the Queen Anne!) I walked into in Maidstone when I was based there nearly 7 years ago. It is heartening to know it remains almost unchanged since that time. Upon my entry striking up a conversation with the laconic landlord, he warned (tongue-in-cheek) that bringing the 'Daily Telegraph' in again would result in a life ban.
Joking aside, pub is a small one bar local serving beers from the small Goachers brewery based across the river in Maidstone. One of only two tied houses, conversation is key here and the landlord and landlady are almost a throwback to a different era. Amazing the place survives given the proximity of the town centre, but it does have an 'ace in the hole', in that the beer (Goachers Fine Light and Dark Mild, as well as periodic appearances of the sublime Crown Imperial Stout) both tastes magnificent, is reasonably proced and exceptionally well-kept.
If Theme pubs or loud music are your tastes, avoid. Otherwise, thoroughly recommended.
21 Mar 2007 18:52
Stayed in this pub for several months back in 2001. Have visited several times since - excellent Best and Directors. Very good food and reasonably priced accommodation. Would thorougly recommend it as landlord/landlady extremely friendly. Function room available and popular with local community.
26 Jun 2006 12:14
This was my local for two years when I lived in Hampshire and was one of the finest, most authentic pubs I've ever visited. The beer is excellent (Gales) and the default glass is the now almost defunct Dimpled Glass with a handle.(If ordering beer, the landlord will ask,straight or handle?) The landlord and landlady are both stalwarts of the local community and appear to have been at the pub since time began. A bona fide classic well worth visiting but with the acquisition of Gales by Fullers and House Prices in Hampshire showing no sign of slowing down, I fear its future is far from certain. Make the most of it whilst you can
26 Jun 2006 11:08
Caunton Beck, Caunton
Recommended by 'Good pub guide', this was not the easiest to find and was in fact the second pub I came to in Caunton coming off the A1. (Other one does not appear on the site yet!) However, was very impressed with the service and quality of the food. A reasonable selection of real ales (Black Sheep, Woodfordes, Thwaites) and a quite cosy nature contributed to the experience.
Only gripe is it seemed eerily far North for such a Londonesque establishment. Those seeking more of an authentic 'pub' experience should bear in mind that the 'dry' side of the business has been made the priority, with food quite pricey , although excellent. Certainly worth a slight detour (maybe 20 minutes) from A1 for a lunchtime stop off. Very clean and decor appeared almost brand new.
23 Nov 2010 12:58