The Feathers, Rickmansworth

My visit to the Feather was a great example of how some pubs/pubcos are going over the top with their response to coronavirus. Despite there only being a couple of others in, I was queuing outside the door, whilst peoples' details were being input into a computer system that the staff struggled to work. Once shown to my seat, I had a frustrated wait for table service, despite several staff trying to appear busy, whilst just chatting at the bar. The solitary real ale was Tribute. This was the last Rickmansworth town centre pub to have appeared in the Good Beer Guide, back in 2014. It falls a long way short these days.

Nice looking place that always looks well kept. Half of the pub is set out for dining with most of the rest given over to sofa's and seating. There's a small corridor between for the vertical drinker. There is always a decent selection of real ales in here. albeit at a price. Good outside seating area.

An attractive building that has recently been heavily made over inside and the place has shot off towards Planet du Gatsropub sans juis. To be fair, the interior has been nicely done and there is still space set aside for drinkers. The garden is pretty good too. There were four ales on the go, irritatingly poncified by having their names chalked in scrawl on a slate pump clip. The resulting ales were in excellent shape (Youngs and Castle Rock Harvest Pale were the two we sampled, Pride and Ruddles being the others) though they were priced at an eye-watering £3.60. The girl behind the bar was perfectly pleasant. As said elsewhere, this is clearly a place to be seen in. Should you find yourself in Rickmansworth I’d say it’s worth having a look in for one.

The Feathers is a lovely old building and its recent refurbishment has been done sympathetically. To the left is the dining area with drinking to the right although you can eat anywhere. Floors are flagstone and furniture is a mix all in dark wood. Lighting is dim and there are candles lit on every table. It feels comfortable and cosy, the welcome is warm and the barmaids attractive. It's really a gastropub and we were asked once or twice if we were eating and offered more drinks when we declined. The menu's seasonal and looks interesting if pricy. Four ales were offered: Jennings Cumberland, which wasn't great, Pride, Ruddles County and Castle Rock Harvest Pale. A shame as there's clearly been a lot of effort put into the food menu and very little into either the beer selection or its condition. A good place to come for an ogle and possibly something to eat but not a venue for a session.

A very upmarket gastro pub which has been the beneficiary of sustantial investment.The open plan interior has been cleverly modelled so that to the left of the front door is the dining area while to the right,the flag stoned area is more for drinking,although attractive waitresses will enquire if you are eating this evening.We weren't ,so the offer was table service of drinks if required.In one corner of the pub side is an unusual sunken seating area with a large banquette and a mirror overhead,while close by is a gas effect fire which would have benefitted from being real.A large candle is lit at every table in the evening and this upmarket ambiance attracts a good number of women,and admiring males seated at bar stools...a place to be seen. The menu changes seasonally and is priced at the premium end of gastro,and there are four handpumps all with handwritten pump clips which is trying too hard to maintain the gastro feel in my opinion,especially as they only dispence nationally available beers.My Jennings Cumberland was a little tangy and vastly overpriced at £3.90,but I suppose overheads need to be recouped somehow. There is a quiz on Tuesdays ,and I can see why the pub is popular with local lotharios.Not sure that it is my cup of tea.

Well, we went back. Oh dear. Service was very slow, even though there were not as many customers as on my last visit. We waited for so long, I thought that I might have to pop home for another shave. The food, when it eventually arrived, was well presented, but only just warm. The beer was still in good nick, though. I will give it 3/10 this time, so as to average my rating at 5. If this had been my first visit, I would not contemplate a second.

When I went in, I thought that the place was a little on the pretentious side. However, the staff are very pleasant, efficient and helpful. They even laugh when the oversize menu gets too close to the lit candle on the table, and catches fire. The food is overpriced for what it is, but, it is rather good. As to the beer, I had the Castle Rock, Harvest Pale. An excellent brew, well kept and served just right. Mind you, at £3.60 a pint, it should be. Is a return visit warranted? Oh, yes.