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Detail Pages
The Rose & Olive Branch, Callow Hill, Virginia Water
Virginia Water
GU25 4LH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Rose & Olive Branch
I don't generally visit pubs specifically to eat (JDW breakfasts excepted) but I did here today, dropping by for lunch with my daughter. The pub itself is a small J shaped room with a beamed ceiling and plenty of exposed brickwork. Formerly a Morland pub and once tied to Simonds of Reading, the pub is now under Greene King stewardship, beers were IPA, Abbot and London Glory. A few pump clips on display suggested you can on occasion strike lucky and find a non GK beer on offer.
The unusual and I believe unique name originates from an exchange of peace symbols between the Roundheads and Cavaliers during the Civil War, this is depicted on the pub sign.
Decor includes pictures of ships in sail, local scenes and paintings of the pub, a small figure of a police constable from bygone times, truncheon in hand on the bar and interestingly, photographs of former landlords/ladies on the bar gantry. Glass jugs hang from hooks over the bar.
Carpeted and comfortable with a country feel, seating is traditional with tables in fours along the longer side and banquettes around the front. There are a couple of log burning stoves which I imagine would make for a cosy feel in winter.
It is rather foody but the food is unpretentious home made stuff, with real pies, wellingtons (not just beef) and veggie dishes listed on chalkboards around the place, the table menus are also traditional and portions are large.
The welcome and service are genuine and friendly and you get the feeling that nothing is too much trouble. Please note, closes for the afternoons at 3pm during the week, last food orders 2:30. Some outdoor seating around the back at standard picnic benches.
On 13th September 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Rose & Olive Branch
A nice little pub just outside Virginia Water. A couple of Greene King brews were on and served well. There was an interesting food menu which looked inciting but I didn't have the time to order anything as I was sad enough to want to get back and watch the Tunisia vs Saudi Arabia game. Real fires spotted so would be nice on a winter's evening I suspect. Easy-going clientèle and bar staff make this a decent visit, though it's less of a drinking destination and more of a foodies choice in the evenings so the rating is based on that.
On 16th June 2006
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5185 recommendations about 5168 pubs]