ReviewThis is an absolutely massive pub, it’s like walking in to the TARDIS. Whilst it might not be out of place in a busy city centre, it is in fact located in a quiet residential cul-de-sac in a small village. Most odd, although fair play to them if they can generate enough business to keep it going. That said, there were no more than about ten punters rattling around in there in a recent mid-week evening.
From the outside it looks conventional enough, probably fairly modern but reasonably welcoming and not unattractive. Walking in the rear entrance from the car park, you’re confronted with an attractive slated-tiled bar with a plush looking restaurant area off to the left. The main bar counter is to the right. Walk down a few steps to the central area of the pub which has an almost medieval feel to it. Here there are exposed stone walls, a flagstone floor, plenty of thick beams on the ceiling, an old tapestry and large mirrors on the wall, a couple of sofa’s in front an enormous fireplace and an elaborate black iron light fitting reminiscent of something you might get in an old castle. The effect is spoilt slightly though by the bar continuing on past this where there are lots of tables laid up with cruets and cheap looking laminated menus.
There’s a recess off to the left, and a larger bar at the front with striped wooden flooring and a dart board. To the right is a further room with a separate bar counter, pool table and a quiz machine. Further on again is a large skittle alley. As I said, enormous. Landlady seemed friendly enough and proffered a cheery “goodbye” as we left.
The menu as previously mentioned was a cheap looking laminated affair that folded out in to three sections like you’d get in a Hungry Horse or somewhere similar. Whilst it had the pub name on the front it was clearly the sort of thing that was mass produced by the PubCo (Greene King in this case) for many of their outlets. Food choice was extensive as you would expect with a particularly good choice of burgers and sizzlers. It appeared reasonable value with most of the mains being around the £6/£7 mark. We didn’t sample it though, so can’t comment on the quality. There were a couple of deals such as two courses for £9 on selected dishes and a curry and a pint for £6.99.
Beers on tap were just Old Speckled Hen and Ruddles County, although there was also keg Ruddles Best and John Smiths. Ciders were Thatcher’s Gold (regular and slush) and Strongbow.
