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Submitted on Saturday, 7^th May 2011
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Toby Carvery Maes Knoll, Whitchurch, Bristol

Bristol Road
Whitchurch
Bristol
BS14 0PF

Phone: 01275834698

Correct details

Pub Type

Toby Carvery (Mitchells & Butlers)

Served areas

Whitchurch

Reviews of Toby Carvery Maes Knoll (Average Rating: 5½ of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

E TA left this review about Toby Carvery Maes Knoll

Not the best Toby by a long shot. It has changed little since Blackthorn’s review, below, except that there is no longer any real ale on draft, nor is there any bottled beer that particularly appealed given the prices they charge. The staff were pleasant enough, helpful even, while the clientele were certainly a cut above those in the nearby Sizzling pub. Beer aside, I think the food this chain delivers is generally good value, so I wouldn’t be deterred from visiting for a cheap meal, but the lack of ale makes it somewhere I’m unlikely to come for just a drink.

On 26^th July 2024 - rating: 4
[User has posted 3516 recommendations about 3480 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Blackthorn _ left this review about Maes Knoll

This pub is actually a Toby carvery, so that straight away gives you some idea what to expect. For many years it was known as The Black Lion. Quite why it needed to change it’s name is not clear, but at least it’s changed it to something with a local connection (Maes Knoll is the name of an Iron Age hill fort a few miles to the south) rather than something entirely spurious as is so often the case.

There’s nothing at all wrong with it, but then again there’s nothing particularly right with it either. It’s bland but inoffensive, no character but clean and tidy. They’ve tried to make a bit of an effort but ultimately there’s only so much you can do once you’ve ripped out the original interior and are starting afresh. It’s carpeted throughout, with some exposed brickwork, flock wallpaper elsewhere, a pastel blue painted plaster in yet another area and some whitewashed wood panelling. A bit of everything it seems. A snug area off to the right is reminiscent of a hotel drawing room with it’s dark wood panelling, green button backed leather bench seating and drawings of old Bristol on the walls.

I didn’t check the menu, but there was a dominant carvery counter off to the left as you come in. How many of these they sell on sunny afternoons I’m not sure, but I guess if that’s what your brand is about, you have to persevere. There is another room at the rear with a couple of sofa’s and a plasma on the wall, although this had the volume tuned off.

There is also a small beer garden, although this is rather uninspiring being tucked away around the back of the pub, with just a blank wall and the car park for a view. That, together with the constant drone of the kitchen extractor fans, makes for a somewhat unappealing ambience.

Beers on this occasion were Butcombe and Marston’s Royal Union. There was a third pump that was in the process of being changed. This may have been Theakstons going on one of the meal deal promotions I saw chalked up. Ciders were disappointing, with just Bulmers and Strongbow, unfortunately.

On 7^th May 2011 - rating: 5
[User has posted 2060 recommendations about 1962 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Pete Yeates left this review about Maes Knoll

Still referred to as â€œThe Black Lionâ€ by many true locals, this place stands on the corner of the Wells Road and Staunton lane in the middle of Whitchurch Village.

Now predominantly a food operation, it is well worth a visit for the carvery. Forget trying to book in advance, I tried, just try and get there early!

On 29^th December 2007 - rating: 8
[User has posted 99 recommendations about 92 pubs]

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