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Detail Pages
White Hart Hotel, St Albans Central, St. Albans
St. Albans
AL1 1EZ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about White Hart Hotel
This is an excellent Tudor-era coaching inn built opposite the abbey on the old coaching road through the city. Current Covid protocols mean that to enter the pub, you have to pass under the archway leading from the road into a hidden courtyard which nowadays doubles up as a car park and small beer garden, before entering via the hotel reception area. The current layout is quite unusual, with two very small front bars behind which is the reception area that doubles as a pub overspill space with a large dining room to the rear. Each of the two front bars has its own separate entrance from the street, and both rooms have been carpeted and have wood panelling on the walls and access to a servery which bisects the two rooms. There are heavy drapes on the front windows, lots of old photos on the walls and shelves laden with ceramics and earthenware, all of which add to the traditional feel of the bar, although the full suit of armour stood in the front left corner might be a step too far in this regard! Doors at the rear of both bars lead into the reception, with the hotel desk over to the right and a couple of long tables with pew seating under wood panelled walls. A brick fireplace with a modern stove can be seen on one wall, Tudor-themed paintings adorn much of the wall space and a couple of ridiculous thrones stand against the back of the servery for no apparent reason. There is a blue plaque behind the reception desk which details the stay here of Simon Fraser – the last member of the aristocracy to be beheaded in this country, who apparently stopped here for the night on his way to the executioner. A final door to the rear of this room lead into a simple rectangular room with very nice wall panels and rows of standard seating that mark it out as the dining room. It’s quite a grand space that looks like it would be better used hosting grand banquets than serving fry-ups to bored hotel guests. For all of the impressive history of this place, things were marred somewhat by the incessantly inane pop soundtrack that chuntered away over the course of my visit.
I was greeted by a very friendly lady who was both manning the bar and reception and led me through to the bar before detailing the ale range and taking my order. She apologised for the fact that they only had Adnams Ghost Ship as the sole real ale (£4.70 a pint), but with only three or four other punters in attendance, it was clear to see why they hadn’t risked putting any more on. The Ghost Ship turned out to be in pretty good shape which I was pleased with as lots of pubs seem to handle this beer very badly.
I really liked this place and thought the history seeped out of every part of the building, making it a very interesting place to spend a little time exploring (social distancing permitting, of course!). I’d have liked to see it in full flow, with a decent crowd and a couple more beers on the bar, but that might have to wait for another time, as I’d happily pop back in here again in the future.
On 16th November 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about White Hart Hotel
Characterful U-shaped hotel bar over two rooms with lots of wood panelling and wonky plaster walls. Suit of armour and two golden Tudoresque chairs/thrones in the rear reception area. Upright piano spotted. Three ales spread over the two bars, ‘Alban ale’ from the local Verulam brewery which was fine, Oakham (which most definitely wasn’t) and one from Adnams. Beware that these are not advertised in both bars so make sure you check what’s on before ordering. Very hit and miss on the beer but the interior makes it worthy of a quick stop.
On 1st August 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about White Hart Hotel
Probably not the kind of place I would normally frequent , but it was good enough for the purposes of the pub crawl we were engaging in,a suit of Armour and a couple of thrones added some quirkiness to the proceedings. Initially disappointed with the beer on offer in the House beer Alban Ale and Adnams Southwold Bitter, until I spied another pump in the other bar, the more interesting Oakham Preacher, however as BF found out it was on its last knockings and promptly went and as such wasn't at its best.I would consider having another look in here if only to check out any Oakham beer that may be on.
On 28th July 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about White Hart Hotel
A well kept establishment, with a slight upmarket feel, maybe wanting to a attract a more discerning clientele. There wasn't really much of a choice on the bar, ale wise, for a bunch of thirsty Pubs Galore Unquenchables. Two ales on handpump, I went for the house Alban Ale, which seemed the better choice, on this visit.
On 22nd July 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about White Hart Hotel
You can enter through a narrow doorway off the coach entrance,and encounter a small lounge with it's own bar access.The other side of the bar has a slightly larger seating area and it's all in wood panelling with several pleasing features.The room away from the bar is larger still with lots of settles and also contains the hotel reception.It feels like a classic hotel bar apart from the intrusive muzak.
Oakham have awarded the bar Oakademy status but sadly my Oakham Preacher was tangy and was replaced once the pump clip had been reversed.The house Alban Ale was decent and brewed by Verulam at the nearby Farmers Boy.The other ale option was Adnams Southwold Bitter.Shame that an Oakademy holder didn't have a ready replacement for the single Oakham beer which went off,but it's probably still worth poking your head around the corner to see what's on if crawling around the City centre.
On 18th July 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about White Hart Hotel
Strange one this.Hotel reception in the bar.Circa 1470 so wood panelling ,suit of armour,couple of gold thrones to sit on .Weird.Very English apart from the staff.2 beers on cask Oakham -mompressons gold and a very good Alehouse -albans ale.Must visit pub as its a bit unique and antique.
On 28th February 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about White Hart Hotel
I found the White Hart to be more hotel bar than pub and the inclusion of a reception area in the small seating area behind the two small bars confirmed to me that this is a hotel. The music was very slow and the other punters were couples that looked as though they were guests. Some standard draught products were available during my early Saturday evening visit and there are two hand pumps in either bar that were drawing Adnams, Pediree, a guest beer and Old Rosie cider. I went for the Pedigree which I didn’t rate very much.
The service was friendly like one would expect from hotel staff, but the atmosphere was nonexistent. This is a place I would give a miss when next in the area.
On 16th May 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Clive Thompson left this review about White Hart Hotel
Although sited next to the hotel’s reception desk it does have a pub feel to it. Two small bars with a reasonable drink selection including real ales. It’s never particularly inspired me though, there are much better places just a short stroll away.
On 18th July 2010
- rating: 5
[User has posted 777 recommendations about 697 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Nick Davies left this review about White Hart Hotel
Traditional coaching inn , the front part certainly hasn't changed in decades, so it's avoided the refurbishers and indeed much attention from anyone at all despite being on the main road. Beer range fine, good mix of customers, well worth a look.
On 1st June 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 567 recommendations about 559 pubs]