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Rising Sun, Clanfield

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user reviews of the Rising Sun, Clanfield

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

Oh wow, the comment below me, I totally disagree with! For starters, How could the Decor be outdated by 40 years when the pub was only built around '6 years ago' and the pub is a very tidy and clean! I enjoy the English food served at the place and the cod is huge! The owners are very nice people and the staff are well warming too. So the comment below me is completely WRONG! He/she may have been to the wrong pub by the sound of it.
mrbeermug0.9 - 27 Jan 2012 18:53
Where to start? As it's a pub I guess the drink would be most logical. As much as I only want to say bad things about this place the ale selection is actually half decent, albeit the pipes are inconsistent and don't even get me started on the cowboy prices they charge. Decor was outdated 40 years ago and there seems to be a film of dirt that clings to everything under the roof. Haven't eaten here but the menu looks as outdated as the decor even for standard pub grub. And now the worst thing about this place, the staff. They are rude and have a certain superiority complex as they are running the only pub in Clanfield, think its time to wake up and realise that, yes, this is the only pub in clanfield it's still dead most of the time. People who enjoy good beer, tasty food, an enjoyable environment and decent conversation, drink elsewhere.
MorphMan5 - 2 Jan 2012 12:34
Absolutely great night. Had a brilliant meal and the bonus of Monday night
Quiz. Well done Geoff and Barbara.
Ps ask Barbara about her garden mole - could only happen to you Barbara!!
BluePablo - 14 Jun 2011 16:24
Fantastic pub. Great food and great service. Lovely couple who run this. Geoff has some interesting stories from the past and Barbara is a great laugh, asked her about The Mole! Had a fantastic night Monday with good food, many good pints(!) and an excellent quiz thrown in!! What more could you ask for - a brilliant pub. 10/10 Geoff and Barbara.
BluePablo - 11 May 2011 14:53
Wow , what a pub !! Amazing food and amazing service. The pub is clean and has very nice layed out table. Barbara and Geoff have turned round this pub incredibly in the last two years ( Since 2009 ). I will deffently be eating there again and this pub deserves at 10/10 ! !
savagere - 10 Apr 2011 16:48
By the 4.7 isnt a fair rating of how good this pub is - it is beyond a good 8 if you re looking for pub food that is brilliant - ask anyone who eats there - I do and have ate there several times. Geoff is a legend and Barbara should be knighted !! They have turned this pub round in a year and a half - just try it - but if you do please commentg and get rid of the locals who thought they could buy it and now slag it off for no reason . x
BluePablo - 25 Aug 2010 22:39
By the 4.7 isnt a fair rating of how good this pub is - it is beyond a good 8 if you re looking for pub food that is brilliant - ask anyone who eats there - I do and have ate there several times. Geoff is a legend and Barbara should be knighted !! They have turned this pub round in a year and a half - just try it - but if you do please commentg and get rid of the locals who thought they could buy it and now slag it off for no reason . x
BluePablo - 25 Aug 2010 22:39
Well, I've now figured out who has being slagging off this pub - there's at least 2 of you who should be ashamed of yourselves! Try this pub out, ok its not the best restaurant this side of the Watford gap but try it as a pub offering good food and a laugh!! xx
BluePablo - 25 Aug 2010 22:35
cant believe what im reading with previous comments i eat there at least once aweek !staff are friendly food is cooked superbly presented very well and the satff cannot be faulted prices are good you get what you are paid for !!10/10 everytime !!
chesterrbear - 6 Jul 2010 23:12
We had the most horrendous meal here on saturday and only now friends are expressing their avoidance of this pub, wish we had looked at reviews before we went. we are locals and went for a special family meal that was completely ruined by the general lack of cleanliness, waiting an hour for food and our order not being handled right. very sad for a local pub in such a prime location that used to be so good : - (
hammynotouchy - 21 Jun 2010 11:45
Wow, brilliant serivce and well cooked food. staff and managers look very smart. Landlord and lady are very friendly, also the staff. Im rating this pub a 10/10, they desrive it.
deano100 - 15 Jan 2010 22:19
Would any one remember james MacDonald and his wife Barbera a former land lord of the rising sun.
joemacd - 11 Jan 2010 13:30
I have no idea why there are a few such negative reviews on here about the Rising Sun. The landlords always make me feel extremely welcome. I have never found them to be anything less than hardworking and lovely people. The bar staff are friendly and the food is excellent and good value for money. I too have never experienced any 'loud-mouthed gormless yokels'. The locals are in fact very friendly and welcoming. The people who wrote these nasty comments are talking rubbish in my opinion. I visit the pub regularly and have never seen any evidence of the things they claim. I agree totally with Blue Pablo - the place is better of without ignorant customers like some of the ones below.
Keep up the good work Barbara and Geoff.
eveofshadows - 8 Oct 2009 13:42
I must be talking to the wrong landlord and lady judging by the below comments. Geoff and Barbara are really friendly and nice caring people who I don't have a bad word to say about. I went in as a customer and chatted to them (something that obviously the others haven't bothered to do) and felt they were really genuine and nice people. Yes they have teething problems when first coming into the trade but they are true grafters and are learning all the time. They have staff issues which they are sorting out but these staff were left from the previous landlord/ lady and inherited by Geoff and Barbara.
Snuggles - you are so ignorant and rude - Barbara has health issues and if she was lazy as you say she wouldn't spend her time in bed like so many spongers in our society - yes she does sit down because this eases her chronic pain but I have never seen her let anyone wait at the bar just because she is sitting down.
I agree that the prices are high for drinks - don't blame the landlord - this is Enterprise Inns at their money grabbing best (if a pubs doing well sting them!).
The food is good with great portions.
Keep going Geoff and Barbara you won't miss the below ignorant customers and your better off without them.

BluePablo - 5 Oct 2009 11:11
Well, I visited here early on Saturday evening, not having read any of the previous reviews and did not receive anything like the same service etc. I've double checked and it is the same pub. The man who served me was pleasant enough. The pub had a nice feel about it and there were at least 6 real ales on. The Brakspear Oxford Gold was well looked after, albeit pricey at �3.20. Tried the food too and the portions were huge and not that expensive. There were no "loud mouthed gormless yokels" inside so maybe I was lucky. I don't live nearby, but I would visit again if I was in the area.
triumph - 12 Jul 2009 11:43
I moved into Clanfield in 2005 - visited this pub a week later and was so impressed by the utter rudeness of everyone working there that I left a comment - see below.
Now, it's 2009 so I've heard lots of comments from the locals - not one being positive. In fact the place has a reputation for causing trouble at night time with loud mouthed gormless yokels.
I went back in myself - only the once at a lunchtime. Let's be frank, it was like walking into something befitting Leigh Park. What a waste of potential.
Tinker1950 - 5 Jul 2009 20:59
my wife and i have been visiting the pub for several years now and with the new management it is evident that they are seriously struggling to maintain the previous reputation from the former owners. it was obvious the young girls working were very attentive yet the landlord and landlady lack guidance and positive interaction. prices remain high drinks as well as food, and it seems when the i'm presuming assistant manager is working regulars always come first and when met by him it is always an unfriendly welcome, sometimes not a word uttered. Very disorganised pub, with a long wait at the bar, Lack of customer service is very clear. I feel there is a lot of potential in this pub because they are general nice people but dont know what they are doing.
L.Renisson - 27 Jun 2009 23:06
I have to agree with Snuggles, the new owners have chosen the wrong profession, they are unfriendly to a point of being rude, they are miserable and never seem to be sure of what they are doing, we quite often went there for a meal and drinks, although expensive - we wont go back, they have spoilt a nice pub, remember a smile goes a long way - landlords,
treecutter - 18 Jun 2009 20:40
Since new owners taken over this once popular pub it has gone downhill week by week , new landlady lazy and horrible and thinks more about sitting on her bottom than ever working, landlord not much better, owning a pub means working didn't anyone tell them, only one who works is the son-in-law. staff are not trained and didnt even know when asked what shorts they served and when finally served short measured me gave me 35ml instead of 50ml not ever going there again they seem to only be interested in after hours drinkers and not the regulars. hygiene getting bad too, food always being unavailable surly chef dosn't know what he's doing either. prices still high no different from other owners, new menu waste of time taken off all our favourites, shows they haven't owned a pub before. don't know anything while thinking they know everything. glad bird in hand has opened again.
snuggles - 30 Apr 2009 16:32
I would have to agree with previous reviews but i must say since the recent change in managment things are considerably better. The food was good and reasonable priced and the staff were both friendly and efficient. In all I would say that it was a very plesurable location to spend an evening.
youelljames - 2 Jan 2009 19:39
The most expensive and unfriendly pub I have been to in a long time. The meals are typical pub meals but as soon as it arrives the amount puts you off wanting to eat it. Just out to make money.
realaleman42 - 24 Jun 2007 18:14
little expensive but makes up for it will a good drinkin apmophere alll ages are welcome!! good for us younger guys.
alll round goood pub!!!!


anonymous - 9 Mar 2007 10:40
I think most peoples problem with this pub is that they want a simple, quiet boring night every night and do not like that fact the pub now caters for the slightly younger generation as well. Believe it or not I class myslef in that bracket and we are entitled to have a pub as well. The drinks are a bit more than most village pubs but if you don't like the prices don't come back and keep moaning. You will not find that many variations of beers and lagers on offer in many pubs! I have never had a bad meal in there nor do I know anyone that has. The 12-O-Clock License IS in place on a Friday and Saturday night, but not on week nights. The Monday night Quiz is a great laugh as long as you don't take it as serious as a certain person does. Reference someone taking pot shots at the windows; a gentleman very much drunk himself with a sling shot and marbles was responsible for that. Congratulations to Vic and Mareen on a wonderful re-invented pub!
Dazzaboo - 8 Aug 2006 16:48
i have been to the rising sun many times and i have never had anthing to complain about! the beer and drinks are always served cold and refreshing, the food is fantastic, yes the portions are BIG but we would all complain if they were small!!! you pay for what you order and you get what you pay for. some meals can be a bit pricy but always is very high standards! i really enjoy taking my friends and family out for the night because i know they can accomadate for young kids and the older generation!! maureen and vic have done a wonderful job building this new edition to the village it has so much going for it, friendly staff, super meals/snacks, specials boards and a wonderful atmosphere you couldnt ask for more in this lovely village pub!!!!!
wkd_chick - 11 Jul 2006 00:13
I have lived in Clanfield for over ten years and frequented the old portacabin although it was a bit of a dump it still had more atmosphere than the new one this is totally due to the current (so called managers) who would be much better placed in an inner city pub. You hardly ever see them (that is a good thing) the food is good and plenty of it but the beer is extremely expensive and not always as good as it should be although they have started cleaning the pipes a bit more often. they have a 12 oClock licence but never use it so a lot of the locals go elsewhere, Why shut at 11 when you have 100 people in the pub and a 12oclock licence, they also start cleaning up before time and are often very sharp at kicking you out. This could be a great pub and a real asset to the village with the right people managing it (vic Maureen the owners sort it out or you will lose trade)
boozycars - 25 May 2006 14:41
Probably one of the most expensive pubs in Hampshire ? - Discuss
W980501 - 25 Apr 2006 09:53
Generally a pretty good local pub. Food is OK, Prices on the expensive side. Nice atmosphere however, and generally friendly staff - particularly the co managers. good selection of beers.
Can get busy on fridays and saturdays, particularly in the smoking half of the pub - worth booking if you have your heart set on the rising sun on a friday/saturday night.
steady.eddie - 28 Mar 2006 20:46
Rick and Marlene have gone to Ireland. The Rising Sun has changed completely. It's no longer a village pub but a woodbe Beefeater Restaurant. It certainly is a joy to look at, and we all had very high hopes for it during the rebuild, but it has very little character beneath the decor. As a place to drink, it's incredibly expensive. The food is expensive and the quality variable. The owners have bought another pub elsewhere and put the Rising Sun in the hands of managers, who spend very little time actually in the place. Theres been some action there though. A short while ago a local resident was taking pot shots at the pub from his window after getting annoyed at the late night noise of pub patrons wheel spinning away in their cars! He was taken away by an armed response unit apparently. Not a place to take your family.
CiderStar - 14 Jan 2006 18:27
All the locals heaved a sigh of relief when the old pre-fab was eventually pulled down and were delighted to see the traditional external finish of the new Rising Sun.
Internally also quite good but a bit tight at the bar area, kept clean though and nice loos.
So what's wrong?
The most expensive drinks in Hampshire; very slow and poor service, normally by very young girls who seem to have no previous experience behind a bar; very expensive but ordinary pub grub - too large portions; smoking area of bar is frequently totally hogged by a dozen plus ignorant and foul mouthed males (with dirty work clothes/muddy boots between 1700 and 1900); hardly anywhere to sit unless you're eating; landlady rarely in evidence, landlord totally invisible.
After the huge amount of money that must have been invested in it, the Rising Sun should and could have become a popular village local, unfortunately it's too expensive and unfriendly for the majority of the local community who continue to drink elsewhere.
ravenman - 28 Oct 2005 12:08
Moved into the village just a week ago. Visited the pub at lunchtime with my two dogs. Was going to sit outside in sunshine and read the paper. As I was attempting to get served one of my dogs looked in. "Go away" was the insrant response from a young waitress. I asked for my drink, the woman who served me felt it necessary to make more comments about the dog (who was simply sat at the doorway). She then told me it had to be on a lead. I replied I didn't have one. Well, she nearly wet herself in her haste to tell me it was illegal to have a dog breathing air without a lead (it isn't of course).
I went back outside and sat down. The next table had four very pleasant ladies taking lunch - we'd spoken on my way in and the were very pleased with the dogs.
I had only been sat down for 3/4 minutes and the landlord came over to me a simply launched into a tirade about the dogs. The women said they were more than hppy with my pair. He wouldn't have it at all - how dare customers tell him what they wanted - -and sat outside in the fresh air as well!
He ordered me around the back of the pub to a seating area devoid of people. I said I'd go, but that he had lost a customer. Well his response said it all. Rude, agressive and arrogant. A place to be avoided - no warmth or welcome at all.
Tinker1950 - 1 Sep 2005 17:19
Much better than previous incarnation ...which was a shed !Also better than the other local'ish pubs Farmer,Green Dragon,Horndean village etc
W980501 - 4 Apr 2005 10:33
does anyone know where the ex landlords rick and marlene have gone to?
anonymous - 7 Oct 2004 22:16
Had a meal there last week, and the food was very good. However it was very hot in there and the no smoking area did not seem to extend to the eating area which made it very unpleasant. You would think a new pub like this would have a decent smoke extraction system but it would appear not.
Pompeyrodney - 22 Sep 2004 14:53
Portacabin type Pub demolished and new one built in the traditional Hampshire style i.e. Brick and Flint.
Now best pub around for miles.
A joy to look at whether you enjoy a pint or not.
Martyn Tanner - 11 Sep 2004 12:22
I could never understand the reasoning behind a pub in a glorified portacabin. When was based at HMS Mercury we used to bypass it and go straight to Petersfield or Pompey for a proper pub
Colin - 31 Mar 2004 12:49
Doc entititled to his opinion, the landlord may have been on the fruity but he served a good cheap pint. shame he was not comming back after the rebuild.
believe he`s gone abroad lucky sod. bet he couldn`t put up with the local wallies.
anonymous - 26 Jan 2004 00:45
Closed down for redevelopment
Phil - 7 Jan 2004 09:15
Famous in the area for having been built in a day and serving beers that evening, it looks a bit run down from the outside but inside is pleasant enough. Decent range of beers and one of the few places around here serving mild. Landlord can be quite entertaining if you can prise him off the fruit machine
Doc Sausage - 19 Jul 2003 00:31

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