Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Random news of the day with Bucking Fastard
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Toby Carvery Maes Knoll, Whitchurch, Bristol
Whitchurch
Bristol
BS14 0PF
Pub Type
Toby Carvery (Mitchells & Butlers)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
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 7th May 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1945 recommendations about 1858 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pete Yeates left this review about Maes Knoll
Still referred to as “The Black Lion†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 29th December 2007
- rating: 8
[User has posted 99 recommendations about 92 pubs]