BITE user comments - paulfitzs
Comments by paulfitzs
The Stratford Haven, West Bridgford
No doubt about it, this is a proper English pub.
Called in here a couple of years back when I was staying in Nottingham for my daughter's wedding. The hotel we were in had no cask beers so I looked for the nearest pub and this was it. My mum, my wife and I walked to The Haven and when we walked through the door they were stunned at how basic it was. I think they were a bit scared it might be a rough house. I reassured them that with the selection of beers on offer this was a place where people were more interested in what they drank and the quality of it than how much of it they managed to gulp down. I told them rowdy behaviour was unlikely but that good natured fun was probably guaranteed. With seats at a premium we found a spot at the bar and propped it up for a couple of hours. It was quite noisy but with lots of conversation, not shouting or loud music. All the beers we tried were on form, the bar staff and other punters were polite and friendly. I got both my mum and wife drinking pints of proper beer and thoroughly enjoying it. They both loved the evening saying it was a great experience. My mum especially, she'd got to her 80's without experiencing the wonderful range of flavours that you can get from malt and hops.
20 Jan 2016 13:01
Went in yesterday with family, eight of us in all including 2 children. Food cooked well and served very quick, all of us able to eat together without waiting. Beer good as ever, rarely get a dodgy pint in "Spoons". Eight meals with drinks £60. My mum said her fish and chips was better than Harry Ramsdens premierre store. Overall this is one of the better Wetherspoons, although all but a tiny minority are perfectly OK.
11 Apr 2015 17:16
This is one of my watering holes when returning from a cycle ride into Surrey. I've always found beer well kept and there is always a good choice. Although very much geared up for food, I've never been made to feel unwelcome as just a drinker. Staff were willing to find seats inside for three people on a cold Mother's Day when many tables were booked. "You can sit there for an hour or so but must be prepared to move when booked party arrive". I've no problem with that, anyway before the party came another table became vacant and we moved and spent another hour or so and another £12. Lots of other pubs with pretentions to being restaurants should take note.
3 Apr 2015 10:31
Nice enough pub, garden furmiture is now very worn. Beer well kept but £3.90 a pint is a joke.
I will not return. Low rating is due to the outrageous pricing.
10 May 2013 13:46
This is one of my favourite pubs. The choice of beers is good with about half a dozen real ales on at any time. The beers are invariably well kept and I've never had any problem with the staff as I've always found them attentive, polite and helpful. The no children rule could be a problem for some but it's a traditional pub and a no children rule works for them. It obviously doesn't adversely affect custom. If you like good beer and plenty of choice leave the kids at home and enjoy your visit.
2 Apr 2012 13:37
As Adrian S says this is a traditional pub. I visited Sunday 01/04/2012 with some friends. We were scouting out a pub in the area that could do Sunday lunches for a group of 10+. Unfortunately they don't do food, at least not on Sundays but the welcome from publican and locals was friendly and the Harvey's Best was nicely kept. Publican was good enough to direct us to a pub that could cater for food requirements. If what you're after is a couple of pints in a friendly atmosphere in a no nonsence boozer then this will fit the bill nicely.
2 Apr 2012 13:21
I have used this pub over the last 3 or 4 years calling in on a Sunday afternoon during cycling trips. I have always been happy with the changing choice of beers available and have yet to try one I did not like. The beer has always been well kept, politely served and competitively priced. Yesterday I tried the food for the first time, it was absolutely delicious. I had an ample starter of whitebait and a main of cod and chips. My wife had prawn cocktail followed by beef and ale pie. We both cleaned our plates, no mean task as there was plenty there. For the price this was an excellent meal, my wife commented on how lean the beef was, rare for her indeed. This is pub food about as good as it gets whatever the price! I didn't eat here under the former management but the Sunday meals look as ample as they ever did and as so far as the beer is concerned the high standards have survived the management change intact. I would recommend this pub to anyone either for a couple of pints or for a good meal out.
15 Feb 2012 13:21
I paid this pub a visit, purely by chance, 05/09/10. Three friends and I were cycling past and I just noticed the sign in the window "cyclists welcome, come round the back". We locked the bikes in the nice garden and bagged a seat under the canopy of hops. A trip to the bar and the landlord told us proudly that they brewed their own beer. He gave us informative descriptions of his brews and we chose Bildeston Best. He is rightly proud of his beer as it was an excellent pint. I asked if the beer was made on the premises and was advised it is. He asked about our cycling and our bikes and was extremely welcoming. We returned to the garden to finish the beer. The landlord then came out to speak to us again and see our folding bikes. He then gave us an unexpected view of the brewery and a most informative overview of the brewing process. He is clearly an enthusist for beer, and has a deep love of and respect for the product. Ultimately it is the management team that makes a pub and in this respect the King's Head is an absolute gem. My one regret is that we were on a car assisted ride and I still had to drive back from Sudbury to South London. This made it impossible for me, as driver, to sample the other brew "Landlady". If the King's Head were within cycling range it would be on our regular pub stop list. Small but perfectly formed, well run with decent priced, good quality beer. 10/10 - no hesitation.
6 Sep 2010 07:41
Clean and tidy, bar staff friendly and welcoming. Harvey's Best and Sharps Doom Bar on tap. Tried the Doom Bar and it was a nice pint. Reasonable prices too. Well off the beaten track so nice to see it surviving.
11 Oct 2009 21:17
Well worth a visit, even with the 50 mile cycle ride to get to. Friendly service, beer always good. A no-nonsense, genuine English Pub. Sadly the garden is no more, still if it enables this excellent village pub to stay open it's a small price to pay.
21 Sep 2009 11:34
Nice pub in good location. Beer nice and though not cheap not too pricey for this area. I've never had a problem with service. I intend to return.
21 Sep 2009 11:23
A fine example of an English country pub, the settees by the fire would be great on a cold winters evening. Nice selection of ales, beer nicely kept , friendly service. Outside area for sunny days. Well worth a visit.
19 Aug 2009 07:52
Angel Inn, Dukinfield
Called in here last year while in Dukinfield visiting my daughter and family. I had passed it several times and it looked OK from the outside so I gave it a try. It was very busy with people enjoying a meal with their drink but I still managed to find a place to sit. There was a good choice of cask ales and those I tried were well kept. From the pump clips around the walls it looks like the beers are regularly changed and a wide variety has been on offer. The prices were good too but coming from London anywhere except Surrey looks cheap.
20 Jan 2016 13:16