please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Got strange looks as we (strangers) walked in. But clean, and comfortable, and with 3 ales on, and (apparently - though untested) an all-day menu of food reasonably priced.
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Came in here on Thu afternoon and was very impressed. Two helpful members of staff behind the bar. Broadside at £3.14 and Old Hooky at £3.04. Lots of different areas to sit, the food being served looked good and the bar staff were more than accomodating when I asked for one of the televisions to be turned on so I could watch the IPL cricket. My experience was very good!
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Havn't been in this pub for quite a few years and how it has changed. Popped in for a couple of pints of Real stuff over the weekend and will not be doing it again. Real ale was in short supply and ended up with Ruddles, not a bad pint when kept well but this was not. Alternative was courage best or Broadside both of which did not appeal to me so ended up with lager. Originally started in the public bar but moved to the quiet bar, to escape the hostile and smelly atmospere. Finally, the seating arrangements in the pub are totally inadequate , especially the public bar where it is almost impossible to find a seat even when the pub is half empty.
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The Thatch, under Dean's management was a good place with *excellent* beers.
He once told me I should venture in and try an ale. Upon hearing that I walk past the place because of smoking, he changed the fan filters and made one half of the pub smoke free. Good bloke !
Unfortunately, the successive management have made a right hash of the place. First Debbie, then Dianne and back to Debbie.
Last night was the peak of incompetence:
Asked for a Black Sheep. Drinkable, but on 'the turn'. Mentioned this, but was ignored. Next customer ordered one with his meal, but brought it back to the bar; only to be told by the barman that he wasn't allowed to replace it and the customer would need to buy another ! That raised a few eyebrows, not to mention the customer's temper. I was about to mention items-fit-for-sale under trading law, but the customers voiced demand to see the manager did the trick.
Yes, the beer had gone off, but wasn't removed from the chalk board.
Next I asked for a Spitfire. Also on the point of going off. Informed them and was ignored again.
Friend came in for a Best. He informed them there was another couple of pints left in the barrel [before it too goes 'off']. He was ignored.
Finally, someone must have said something because they removed three of their four ales from the visible beer list, leaving Broadside (at �3.37/pint or �6.05/litre)
...and don't get me started on how long it takes to get served. Three staff working, but none behind the bar. Where the hell are they ????? Manageress, sat with friends, could obviously see all this from were she was sat.
The problem with this pub is that 95% of its customers (NOT punters!) prefer Fosters. At �2.45/pint compared to �3+ for ale this is not surprising.
Of the staff employed, only one drinks ale and he doesn't sample the beers at the start of his shift. ??? Why not ??? Maybe I'll ask.
If an ale needs changing, this is done *if* they have time. Usually at the end of the night; if a Fosters needs changing, this is done immediately.
Another issue some of the staff appear to have is low moral. It may well be that their wages are low and perhaps their working hours are not constant (i.e. continually changing due to others' absence)
They allow a tab system to run so you don't need to keep paying for every order, but you have to keep a sharp eye on the final cost since they now have a [regular] habit of messing this up. Recently was asked to pay my tab of �15, for three beers! The printout showed I'd bought a Smirnoff Ice and some WKDs, so someone paid for my ale.
Foul language, obnoxious body gases, sky high beer prices, incorrect bills and very poor service are becoming the norm in this establishment so I've been thinking it may well be time to return to the homebrew because the pub I'd really like to walk to is 45mins+ on foot.
H_P_D.
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This is an lovey looking pub that has terrible attitude. If you can put up with the foul smells, foul language and alchopop teens and actually get a drink you may well find yourself being chastised for complaining about the poor service, poor beer and abusive language. There are much better pubs in the area and quite honestly why would you sponsor such a hostile environment. Whoever runs this pub please review your aggressive policy towards paying customers. Whoever thinks about visiting this pub please think again. A charming historic building full of not so charming people.
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Oops not been back to this site for a while, update required!! Debs has been back for a year now and doing an excellent job with Neil & the team and Jez of course. Pub back to normal with a great new look. Good food, real ales, entertainment and a great bunch of locals young and old. Check them out on Facebook
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Three of us went to the Thatched House Pub in Farnborough for three meals and have to say we were very impressed both with the service and the food.
Although I asked for Chicken Jalfriezi and got Beef Madras, that was purely a mistake. I opted to eat it as I was assured that it would not be ever so hot. It wasn't and I was asked a few times if it tasted OK and I said yes. I was offered a change but was happy with it.
We were offered free deserts as a goodwill, which we happily accepted. Even when we insisted on giving a tip that was only reluctantly accepted.
I would happily give them 9/10 and would also say it was a very friendly pub too and we have every intention of going back pretty soon
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Passing_By, I can't argue with your assessment of the Thatched Cottage's character, but I beg to differ with your assessment of its ale. Your post leads me to believe that you have not been to a certain pub in the vicinity of the Farnborough North rail station. If you want well-kept real ale, go there.
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Pub with plenty of character and the best pub for real ale in the area.
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We used to go here often enough. We don't anymore. I've received a few pints of "off" ale here. A problem that I don't seem to have had with any other pub that serves real ale. I even had words with staff about it since they were reluctant to change my last bad pint for another, and insinuated that I must not know what real ale tastes like. I brew my own ale, I'm a CAMRA member, and I drink real ale in pubs often enough to understand when a pint is off. Their attitude was a real shame, since the building oozes with charm. I've only been back a couple times to sit in their garden, and I now order lager if I'm pursuaded into giving them my custom at all. I much prefer real ale, but no longer trust the management to serve it properly.
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The food is cheap but pretty basic standard. Good garden for a sunny day but they seem to have a real problem in the way they keep their beers. Far too many bad pints to want to go back again. It's a shame as its such an attractive pub.
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Still going down hill, shuts when they like, whole evenings or 40 mins before closing. Beer poor, staff grumpy, manageress who couldn't run a checkout in Asda. All in all very sad for an ex community Pub
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Tweely decorated old looking pub with genuine half timbering and nice carpets. The staff are an odd mixture of surliness and knowledge. Set in what looks like a middle class hinterland the customers are also a bit of a mixture, various ages of diners and drinkers mingling with medallion wearing builder types and uncouth youth. Food not inspiring or indeed competently warmed up. The beer however, more than makes up for any peculiarities in the ambiance etc, a range of 6 very well kept ales from Scotland, Yorkshire, Suffolk and locally from Hampshire and Surrey. Absolutely worth visiting and definitely one of the better pubs in Farnborough.
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'The best pub in Farnborough! .......'
That's not saying a lot is it? Still it isn't a bad boozer, had some good times here, used to be a quite rough, but not as bad now, or have I grown up...........
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The best pub in Farnborough! Always rotating their selection of real ales and a nice atmosphere round the fire. Food is cheap and portions are of a good size even if some of it is microwaved. The landlady is very friendly and helpful and generally all staff in there are nice too. Highly recommended.
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By and large this a nice friendly pub that could be so much better if they didn't find the smallest excuse to shut the kitchen or even the pub itself with frequent randomness.
"broken fryer" best part of a week
"technical problems" i.e. staff didn't turn in and i couldn't be bothered to cook
Excepting the give away price of the Fosters, other drinks are expensive by comparison to other pubs locally.
It is nice to see the pub retains a "traditional local" feel even though it is heavily food orientated (that is when the kitchen is open of course).
The food itself is exactly what it is for the price, cheap and fills a hole, hardly haute cuisine, some people overlook this and think they should be getting the home cooked food that this pub was well known for throughout the 90's.
The pub also has quite a nice sized beer garden that is heavily used in the summer, unfortunately this tends to bring some unsavoury elements of the community who seem to think that consatntly swearing at the top if their voices is acceptable to all (Why oh why did they shut the Prince Louie down? at least they and the police new where they were!!)
I have to agree with other reviewers that the current landlady and her son are the weakest link by far in what is an OK pub, that if managed correctly could once again the Thatched Cottage could be easily be one of the best locals in the area.
Spirit Group, if you ever bother reading comments about your pubs, then keep the majority of the staff but at least get someone in who wants to make you money to lead from the front.
This pub and its locals deserve more than business prevention lady and neanderthal son who are currently dragging the pub down.
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DEBBIE AND JEZ WERE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO NEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING AT THIS PUB ALWAYS A GREAT NIGHT DOWN THERE, ALWAY COULD BE ASSURED OF A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE AND WARM RECEPTION FROM THE THE PAIR OF THEM WHAT THE PUB NEEDS IS TO BRING THE TWO OF THEM BACK, IF THE PUB IS GOING TO SURVIVE
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Been our local for many years, made good friends with Dean and then Debs (and Jez). Always been an great pub for good beer and some fun and entertainment. Good crowd of money spending friendly locals creating a great community spirit and some great knees ups (in the over 21s bar). On an ale front getting in beers that the local punters prefer when possible.
Sadly all has changed, bad choice or real ales, beer runs out, kitchen shuts for days, lousy music, short pints, management don't care (and haven't got a clue) and most of the good staff have left, even the pub shuts when they feel like it. I hope new management is comes to save this pub soon or it won't survive.
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This pub has been our local for 7 years and found it to be a nice local pub when it was run by Dean and then Debbie took over and it was still our favourite pub in the area. It is now a same as Debbie has left and it was taken over again and it has gone down hill!!!!!!!!
It seems to run by a few family members of the manager now, which i find them to be quite rude, not very often do you see the manager behind the bar as she is off sick alot or on holiday, which leaves the pub badly run, but when i have seen her there she upset alot of the locals which has made the pub lose its nice atmosphere. Which is a shame because as i have mentioned this pub was always well run, had a good atmosphere and i always had a good laugh in there. i will say this pub has always been clean thoughout the management changes.
Please make this a nice pub again as this is one that has not closed down and bring in a good manager.
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What a mess!!! I cannot believe a Pub can be run so badly!!! They ran out of beer on a Thursday... quiz night... so guess a bit busy you should make sure you have some. But then there wasn't that many and I saw a few people walk out when they said they had no Best.
Don't go.. the staff (some) are useless at the quiz night and drag it out longer than a plot on a soap!. As for the quality of the beer then forget it. They serve the bitter like it was Lager... COLD!!!.
Its a real shame as this Pub is very beautiful but the brewery keep putting the wrong people to run it.
The takings must be going down badly as they try to serve food till late. if you can call it that..
I would not be suprised if it didn't close soon...
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Wondering whether the Thatched Cottage has been recently purchased by the Spirit Group? Was in there a couple nights ago and it seemed like their food menus had changed to Spirit Group menus. Lots of 2 for �10 deals.
Still some very good guest ales and good atmosphere.
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still the best pub in farnborough would not find a better pub then that everyone is friendly towards each other
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A once great pub that has slowly gone down hill over the years. But one thing was guaranteed and that was a good pint...particularly the Courage best.. and they always had some great guest beers too.
Give Dean some credit, he always had a good pint ready for you.... come back Dean!!!
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One of the better pubs in the Farnborough area. The food improved somewhat when the new landlady took over. We had stopped going for quite a while as the food used to be terrible. The garden area is good, especially when it's warm, and it seems to be quieter than some other pubs with outside seating. The dart board could be situated in a better area. Decent pub in a beautiful old building.
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always had affection for this place, haven't been since new landlady toke over.
bit rough and ready when i went but it had a charm if you became familiar to the surroundings and locals. used to do the quiz on sundays, good fun.
food was good, with the matronly large old woman cooking everything herself behind the lit up counter in the corner!
have a great deal of good memories in the place, haven't been for a while, must go again! PROPER PUB!!
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Thank God there are still decent pubs left round here. The new manager is a lovely gal and I'm glad she is keeping the quiz nites on. Food is good too.
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The best pub in Farnborough/Cove. Even though I've moved away I still pop in as often as possible. Only one gripe - if you're going to double the price of food, then double the quality!
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GREAT PUB GREAT BEER SMASHING LANDLADY ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE A LAUGH WITH ASWELL AS THE BARSTAFF GREAT TO THE PUB HAS COMPLETY CHANGED NOW THE OLD LANDLORD HAS GONE I NOW CONSIDER IT AS MY LOCAL. ALWAYS ENTERTINMENT THERE ASWELL
anonymous - 8 Jul 2007 16:08 |
GREAT PUB NEW LANDLADY SMASHING PERSONALITY GREAT PEOPLE GREAT ENTERTAINMENT, SMASHING FOOD GREAT STAFF WORTH A VISIT WHEN IN FARNBOROUGH BEST PUB AROUND NOW THE OLD MANAGER HAS GONE, PRICES COMPARE WITH ANYWHERE IN THE AREA QUIZ NIGHT TWICE A WEEK SUNDAY AND THURSDAY ALWAYS SOMTHING GOING ON THAT APPEALING TO EVERYBODY
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We went here for a quiet drink and it was really nice. There were 4 real ales on hand pump and a really nice non-smoking bar (although this will cease to be relevant soon)
There could have been more atmosphere, but on a Tuesday night there weren't that many people in the pub!
It was a nice suprise to find something this nice in Farnborough.
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The pub still appears to be running as per usual. With a themed 70's night just next week, well worth a visit and you can even get out of drinking ale by having a becks vier. only downside was the low beams which are painful!
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I heard a couple of rumours about the Thatch!
1. That Dean (the manager) had left. True?? Think that one is.
2. That they'd lost their Premises Licence recently?? Really don't know about this one - anybody fill me in?
Haven't been in there in a while as I moved away but I do go back to Farnborough to see friends and don't really want to arrange to meet people at a closed boozer!
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Not a bad boozer. Do they still have taped 'get-out' messages at the end of the evening?
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probably the best pub in farnborough. Nicely decorated with large non smoking area. Dog friendly and good staff.
anonymous - 1 Oct 2006 21:16 |
Nice old Tudor building which was literally a thatched cottage and only became a pub in the 1960's.
Five real ales on handpump, my pint of TEA was a bit green on my first visit for several years, but I've visited in the past and generally found the beeer quality to be good.
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People seem like they know each other a lot here. As with many of the pubs in the area. A more lively pub than some, better atmosphere as well. Drinks are good
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Menu has changed here recently, food still nice but quite a bit more expensive.
Ales are generally pretty good (although not as good as The Prince it has to be said). Nice Landlord and most of the staff are very friendly, big pub with a big beer garden, good selection of lagers and lets just say the locals are very diverse.
Definately one of the better pubs in Farnborough, so well worth a visit sometime soon,
8 out of 10
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The food here is ludicrously cheap, but I have to say it has always been lovely as well.
We wandered in one evening years ago attracted by the olde worlde quaint exterior - it's not quite what we wer expecting, but we have been back a few times.
I haven't been in on a Sunday night for the music quiz for ages. I'm not sure they still do it. We used to go not so much for the music nostalgia as the entertainment factor of the funny little man who used to ask the questions. Comedy!
I was there recently with my mum who seriously rates the food - but not the staff. Whenever I've been there they have always seemed competent enough.
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How can you say the landlord is unfriendly? Just because he plays a tape repeatedly telling you to drink up and go home rather than come round and politely usher you out... Alright pub that does decent beer.
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Your paying for quality with a �4 steak, I bet is was succulent, tasty and melted in your mouth after a day under the hot lamps. I like this pub and have been in many times, the roof is too low by one door, which entertains me greatly walking in with tall people. I like the landlord and he always serves me which is after all what he's there for, I love the Sunday night music quiz, mainly because its so easy I always win but also because of the little squinting fellow who does it. Sometimes it can be full of total scum but that is 90% of Farnboroughs' pub going populace so you have to expect it.
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Its just as it says on the tin. An old thatched cottage with oak beams and open fires.Six real ales including Adnams Broadside,Hogs Back TEA and Hop garden Gold. Youngs Special Courage Best and A GUEST.There is even food on all day every day with STEAK at only �3.95.
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is the menu still the same i wonder?
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Funny you say that hengist, he struck me as very unfriendly as well.
anonymous - 16 Mar 2005 06:33 |
I used this pub alot last year, but no more. The landlord does not mingle with the regulars and just thinks of profit. No lock ins ever, no frindly drinks with customers, no tv for sports, no pool table but food is good. Used to be full on the weekends but quite empty now. A real shame as this pub was good.
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We use this pub a lot for lunch as it provides a good meal at a reasonable price and most important of all we get to eat it before its time to go back to work. The Thatch is also a good place to take Americans to as its 'quaint' or Australians as its sells 'The Dog's Bollocks'.
Lin - 20 Oct 2004 11:40 |
I visited yesterday (Tues 14/9/04) and was very impressed by the lovel old building and the impressive selection of beers on offer. I was particularly impressed that they have Courage Directors and Best on the handpump all the time. Excellently priced menu. Less than four quid for a steak and gammon with everything. Lovely!
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a superb mixture of old style friendly country pub and lively town pub. Food is good, both in value and content, with several guest ales usually available. Disco entertainment on Sunday nights, rather more informal music night on fridays, quiz evening on thursdays, darts matches on tuesdays (sometimes used by the Lakeside pros for practice). Good beer, good food, friendly service, good sized car, large beer garden; what more can you want?
Pete Marshall - 21 Mar 2004 13:14 |
