Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 5th May 2024) with aleandhearty
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Shady Oak, Tarporley
Tiverton
Postal town: Tarporley
CW6 9UE
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 3½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about Shady Oak
The Shady Oak has a fair bit going for it: canal side location, close to both walking and cycle paths, an adjoining campsite and an attractive historic building. These are the things that would bring you here but you may not stay for long.
Inside it feels like an unloved junk shop with dusty bits and pieces, cardboard boxes, trinkets, old furniture all strewn around the place in a seemingly random fashion. This could add character if you felt the whole was clean and looked after.
Many were attracted to the place for both the food and drink on our Sunday lunchtime visit including walkers,cyclists and boaters. The numbers rather overwhelmed the one waitress, who ran around spilling soup but remaining cheerful, and the friendly barman, who spent a fair amount of time making tea and coffee and changing barrels in between serving beer.
Beers on were Jennings Cumberland, Thwaites Bomber and Black Sheep. The Cumberland was as lifeless and flabby as some of the middle-aged lycra clad cyclists and I switched to lager.
I'd guess that this is owned by a pubco and that the tennants are gradually being squeezed and losing interest which is something of a shame given its obvious advantages.
There was a sign in the loos apologising for their condition and stating that a refurbishment was scheduled for the, less busy, winter. As it turned out the loos were the best bit of the pub.
On 19th September 2013
- rating: 3
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Shady Oak
One of the few canalside pubs in the immediate area the original small building has been extended to the rear and decking provides moorings for passing boats.This pub reminded me of all the bad features of pubs in the 1980's,and the waft of the deep fat fryer on entry set the tone.The extension has a lot of exposed brickwork but has at least incorporated a real fire,while steps up to one side lead to the old part of the pub,looking very unloved with a large collection of dead flies by the tables near the darts board.There was a general feeling of stickyness.Notices did apologise for the missing tiles in the gents,but the unkempt beer garden and well worn furniture give a poor impression.
The overworked barman meant a long wait for service and the three handpumps were serving Black Sheep,Thwaites Bomber and Jennings Cumberland in a tired condition and only just drinkable.The collection of china shire horses on a ledge were a feature but little else of interest could be found.
A sign proclaining "Real food at real prices,we are not fine dining" looked painfully true with pub grub dishes around the £7 mark."Cash only ,no cards".The muzak blaring out ethnic sounds was equally unimpressive.
This is a family run establishment ,but every one serving looked rushed and flustered on a Sunday lunchtime.There is a campsite to the rear which probably sustains the pub but it must be a struggle in the dark winter months and maybe the lack of investment over the years is taking it's toll.It could be so much better.
On 15th September 2013
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2737 recommendations about 2737 pubs]