BITE user comments - twohalves
Comments by twohalves
I liked this place much more than the Red Lion on this visit. The beer was superb and reasonably priced. The owners were very friendly and accommodating to us, but unfortunately the chef had been sent home for the evening because the place was so quiet, so we couldn't get any food after a long day of walking.
17 May 2015 16:05
Dear me, this village is going downhill. This pub used to be thriving on previous visits, but we were pretty much the only customers at 8 o'clock on a Thursday. The village shop has also gone in recent years and the campsite seems underused.
I'm not a fan of the Sardinian food, as there is precious little for vegetarians that is of any interest. Quite expensive too.
The one saving grace is the beer. Very good selection of enjoyable ales in very good condition.
17 May 2015 16:03
I knew from a previous visit that this place doesn't open until 6, so timed my visit to arrive just after it had opened. Surprisingly quite a few people in already, so it's obviously doing OK. There was a very good choice of beers, with the Abbeydale Daily Bread being popular.
Didn't eat there, but it seemed a friendly place and would definitely go again if in the area.
17 May 2015 16:00
I thought this was a a decent place to stop when walking through Derbyshire. I was impressed with the Blue Monkey BG Sips I had, but the lunchtime food was a little disappointing.
This was my second visit, as I had been a few months previously on a Friday evening. I would say on balance that it is worthy of a strong 6.5. Needs to deliver a bit better value on the food front, but the beer situation is fine.
17 May 2015 15:57
Very cosy village local. Deservedly popular with locals on a late Saturday afternoon into early evening.
Limited ale choice from the Marstons list. Pedigree, EPA, etc. But the pint of EPA I had was very good.
Handy for buses going north to Nottingham and south to Loughborough.
19 Oct 2014 11:05
Really busy for a late Saturday afternoon in October. Because it was a mild day, the outside terrace was very popular.
Six ales to choose from - TT Landlord, Bass, Doombar included.
This was arguably the best pub in the immediate area that I tried (also went to Rempstone, Costock and Wymeswold).
19 Oct 2014 11:02
Now called the Three Horseshoes.
Reasonable village local. I didn't eat here but the many looked OK for pub-style dining. Had a decent enough pint of something Greene King-ish.
Nothing special but pleasant enough.
12 Aug 2014 19:11
As JDW pubs go, this is a very good one. Always a very good selection of ales on and usually some local ones from Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire breweries. Plenty of staff on during my visits and it always seems to be quite busy, so they're doing something right.
12 Aug 2014 19:07
Opened up and traded as The Bingham for 18 months. Recently closed again after going bust and owing £200K to creditors. Went for the really expensive and too fancy food with insipid Greene King beers option, which is not what the folk of Bingham needed.
Now up for sale and currently empty.
12 Aug 2014 19:04
Opened up and traded as The Bingham for 18 months. Recently closed again after going bust and owing £200K to creditors. Went for the really expensive and too fancy food with insipid Greene King beers option, which is not what the folk of Bingham needed.
Now up for sale and currently empty.
12 Aug 2014 19:03
Yet another change. Pub People have offloaded to another regime. Blue Monkey beers have gone - a more national list on offer now. Too early to say if this one is going to work out.
12 Aug 2014 18:59
Now excellent and deservedly popular. In this part of Norfolk, most of the pubs have gone terribly 'gastro' with their poncey food and London prices. The Ship is an exception. I found the food to be a good range of well made pub classics at reasonable prices. There were several very good ales on offer too. I tried three of them and they were all excellent.
The best thing about it was the service though. The staff couldn't do enough to be helpful and pleasant to their customers. Well done.
12 Aug 2014 18:58
Deservedly popular both for its wide range of quality ales (over a dozen or so) and also for the good value meals served. Well worth a visit in my opinion.
12 Aug 2014 18:54
Finally got a chance to revisit since it reopened.
I was quite impressed. Very much food orientated these days, but a decent selection of food available from snacks up to full meals. Friendly and efficient staff and a few decent ales on the bar.
All very impressive really.
10 Jun 2014 19:32
I was hugely impressed on my visit to the BBH on a Friday afternoon. Everything about this place just cries out "great pub".
From the range of quality ales available in the main bar, to the many separate drinking areas tastefully decorated, it is a credit to the owners.
The Bedlam Bar serves up four more ales and four ciders straight from the cask. You just have to stay on and sample that, as we did.
Very handy for the Belper to Derby bus service, so you can use public transport and really enjoy your visit.
Well done. 10/10.
17 May 2014 12:28
Continues to provide an excellent service, with a good range of ales always available.
Friendly and efficient service in a lovely old stone building on the A6. I've enjoyed many good visits over the years.
17 May 2014 12:24
I think this might be my favourite pub ever.
Great selection of ales, including Pedigree straight from the jug and fresh as you can get. Good team of staff keeping everybody served quickly despite it being busy.
The garden is a lovely place to sit out and enjoy the sunshine, or you can perch on the wall out front and admire the prettiness of the village.
The food is snack and very home made, including pies and cheeses.
Pub heaven 10/10.
17 May 2014 12:22
Appeared to be closed when I visited on a Friday evening. Big pile of uncollected mail behind the front door. However, several upstairs windows open and a few used glasses scattered around outside.
Nearby, a large extended family of slack jawed hillbillies watched our various attempts to gain entry without summoning up the gumption to warn us that it was closed. Idiots!
If in Holbrook, go the Dead Poets and don't waste time on the Spotted Cow.
17 May 2014 12:16
Looks like it is still closed. No sign of life on a Friday evening.
17 May 2014 12:13
Excellent drinkers pub with a great selection of ales to choose from. The building itself looks really old and traditional with uneven floors and low headroom doorways inside. There is an outside drinking area out the back which can be a bit of a sun trap on a nice day.
17 May 2014 12:12
Now doing food again.
A more realistic, pub classics, menu. Rather than the finer dining of previous times.
Three Blue Monkey beers, really well kept. Perfect.
26 Apr 2014 10:00
Well, I thought this pub was nice. Lovely outside drinking area in a sheltered yard. But inside, it is given over almost entirely to an eating set up. I understand that's where the money is for rural pubs, but the remaining area just for drinking is really quite small.
What you end up with is my pet hate - people hanging round the bar, standing or on barstools.
Some really good beers on offer though, so well worth a visit - particularly if you want some food as well.
26 Apr 2014 09:58
Further to my review, I should add that although this has a Grantham postcode, it is not in Lincolnshire. It is deep into Leicestershire, about 3 miles from the county line.
26 Apr 2014 09:55
My first visit, having seeked it out on a walk. It;s handy for the Jubilee Way.
Really hard to find up a side street on the edge of the village, but signposted from the bottom of the hill coming in from Branston.
Nice friendly local where the licensee is really making an effort. Internally, it is comfortably renovated, but there is lots of scope to do something with a large area of grassland out the back.
Couple of decent ales on.
26 Apr 2014 09:53
Dr Phils Real Ale House, Middlesbrough
Superb micro-pub, bringing quality ever-changing real ales to the beer desert that is Middlesbrough. Worth a visit, but check the opening times first.
Also, be prepared for its intimate setting. This place is really tiny, but the conversation can flow and the locals are friendly.
The good doctor in charge knows his beer (and cider) well and will recommend something to suit your taste.
26 Apr 2014 09:48
Would have liked to review it, but after five minutes wandering around the bar on a Thursday afternoon and nobody appearing to take my order, I left and went to the excellent Star next door instead (see review there).
No local guest ales either, just a selection of nationals like Caledonian. Didn't get a chance to try them due to the aforementioned lack of visible staff.
26 Apr 2014 09:43
Another relaunch and this time it has really hit the mark.
The owner of the national pub of the year finalist, the Horse and Groom, has brought innovation and high quality to the Star.
The selection of ales is fantastic, with something for everyone. Great garden out back and several interesting seating areas inside, including lots of books to read if you pop in for a couple on your own.
26 Apr 2014 09:40
I'll be the first to review this newly-launched pub.
Five years ago, Steve said the potential is enormous. It is now well on the way to realising that potential. The new owner has done a great job, bringing in a top chef to do a great and unusual pub food menu. Four good quality real ales are on the bar, GK Speckled Hen, Marston Pedigree and Tim Taylor's Landlord seemed to be the stock beers, with Castle Rock Harvest Pale as the guest beer. I tried three of them and they were all good.
Lots of seating space inside and out, although there is still work to be done on the outside to improve it.
26 Apr 2014 09:32
Pub apparently has quickly re-opened. Lease taken on by the Pub People Company, who have a lot of decent pubs around the North Midlands. Usually championing local micro producers, so might be good. I will try it out and report.
21 Dec 2013 08:06
The Horse and Jockey, Stapleford
I visited early Saturday evening after it had won the East Midlands pub of the year.
Doing a roaring trade with a great range of beers to choose from. Deservedly popular with a wide range of customers. But would I put it number one on my list of pubs in the East Midlands? No I would not. It is very good and a great example of what can be achieved to make a community pub really work, but it still lacks a kind of homeliness for me.
Well worth a visit if you're around those parts, but there is little else in the vicinity to make a night of it.
5 Dec 2013 17:58
Pub now closed.
The company that ran the place put a notice up saying how the competition had driven them out of business as they were unable to compete. That'll be the Butter Cross (JD Wetherspoon) then.
5 Dec 2013 17:54
The Queens Head, Stow on the Wold
By far the most comfortable and most pub-like in Stow. Feels very traditional and even had the interesting locals and knowledgeable landlord to prove it.
Decent Donnington ales on offer, all of which were very good indeed.
Recommended.
5 Oct 2013 09:40
The Kings Arms, Stow on the Wold
Look a decent menu, but didn't feel entirely comfortable as a pub.
With only Greene King beers, it is never going to attract drinkers, who will seek out better and more interesting ales.
Still I'd happily sit here and have one on a trip around Stow.
5 Oct 2013 09:38
Very popular on the Friday night I was there. Packed out in fact.
Decent ales and food looked very popular as well.
Doesn't feel very homely and pubby though. More of a restaurant with bar.
5 Oct 2013 09:36
The Horse and Groom Village Inn, Upper Oddington
Now deservedly the local CAMRA pub of the year. Some great beers from Gloucestershire and Herefordshire on the bar. Popular with locals and visitors with a really welcoming interior and real open fire.
Knowledgeable bar staff and friendly service. Definitely recommended.
5 Oct 2013 09:34
Nice pub on the main A-road down to Stow. Not to be confused with the other Coach and Horses in Longborough village itself.
Popular for lunches on the Friday I was there. Also had just had a MacMillan Coffee Morning and there were loads of home made cakes for sale.
Good pint of Donnington beer.
Inquisitive buzzard low flying over the garden time after time was an interesting addition.
5 Oct 2013 09:31
Coach and Horses Inn, Longborough
Very pleasant village local. Friendly staff and good value lunches. The little fat Jack Russell is friendly as well.
Decent pint of Donnington beer.
5 Oct 2013 09:28
The Crown Inn, Moreton in Marsh
Feels more like a hotel bar than a pub. Pleasant enough but devoid of atmosphere. One of the Everards beers was a bit ropey as well, although the Tiger was fine.
5 Oct 2013 09:26
Great Western Arms, Moreton in Marsh
Spent an interesting Thursday evening in here. Mix of locals and visitors all getting on well. Pool table and popular juke box. Decent ales and good sandwich menu.
Feels more like a proper pub than the Crown and the staff couldn't have been more welcoming.
5 Oct 2013 09:24
Again, plenty of hand pumps on show, but only Pedigree or Banks Mild on offer. Not great even by Marston's standards - could at least get a bit of Wychwood, Jennings or Ringwood on.
Nice to sit by the canal and watch the boats go by, but this pub is a wasted opportunity.
11 Sep 2013 20:21
The Swan In The Rushes, Loughborough
Still a quality pub with a great range of beer. One of them (Elgoods) was past its best last week, but it was changed without hesitation for something else.
Always a welcoming atmosphere and good cross section of clientele.
Worth a visit.
11 Sep 2013 20:19
This pub is now part of the Steamin Billy chain of pubs around Leicestershire and is a fine addition to the Loughborough ale scene.
Visited last week on a Friday teatime and found it busy and vibrant with a good mix of different types, a very knowledgeable man behind the bar, and above all a good selection of quality ales.
Nice looking covered garden out the back and a few comfortable sofas about the place. Highly recommended.
11 Sep 2013 20:17
Apparently it is rather good and has appeared in recent guides.
However, I will never know as they did not bother to be open on a Bank Holiday Monday. Seriously, most of the working population get a day off work and are looking for ways to spend money on a glorious sunny summer's afternoon - and the pub is shut.
Poor show.
27 Aug 2013 19:55
Welcome addition to the Sileby pub scene. Proper good ales as part of the Steamin Billy chain, three of their own plus a few guests as well.
A welcoming atmosphere on the afternoon I visited, with some good music being played too.
Worth a visit.
27 Aug 2013 19:52
OK village pub on my visit. Jennings Cumberland and one other beer on. My pint of Cumberland was good, but not a great choice there.
Bank Holiday Monday and they stopped doing food at two. And the pub was closing at five. Not great customer service there. One of the few days everyone else is off work with money to spend on a glorious summer's day - and the pub shuts.
A solid five, but could do lots better.
27 Aug 2013 19:47
Superb pub. Great selection of quality beers and knowledgeable landlord. Warming fire (gas, coal effect) on a winter evening.
Very popular, but it seemed a reasonable turnover early evening, so you soon get a go at having a sit down.
Not much else out there, between the High Cross Centre and the bus station, so you'd need to walk a little bit to make a crawl of it.
30 Jan 2013 19:18
The Shakespeare's Head, Leicester
I echo what others have said. It is as if the 1970s were back, only with 1990s prices.
Acorn Barnsley Bitter very pleasant (if a little cool) and at just over £2 who can argue, in an area where £3 is more the norm.
Yes, it is an old geezer's pub, but well worth stopping in for one.
30 Jan 2013 19:13
Very good on my last visit. My favourite out of the three on the Basford Tram Route. Excellent wide choice of beers, styles and strengths and quality pints all round.
I was there in winter this time, but there is a large beer garden for use in the summer.
Right next to Shipstone Street Tram Stop.
30 Jan 2013 19:06
The Horse and Groom, New Basford
Some great beers on and good variety of them in terms of strength, type, etc. Just five minutes from Shipstone Street Tram Stop as well.
30 Jan 2013 19:03
Thai food was excellent on my recent visit. I would say restaurant standard.
Only about four of their beers available on a Friday night. Maybe they just can't shift it in enough quantity to retain quality. Most of the locals seemed to be drinking anonymous corporate lager.
30 Jan 2013 19:02
The Horse and Jockey, Old Basford
Closed on a recent visit, with a 'to let' sign out front. It has also disappeared from Castle Rock's website without any fanfare, so I guess it is no more.
30 Jan 2013 18:59
The Farndon Boathouse, Farndon
Went there for my birthday. The food was excellent. I really enjoyed it. Nice little atmosphere as well and views up and down the Trent.
It is not a pub though, so it doesn't seem fair to score it as one. It is all about the food here, as evidenced when I tried to order a beer. The Newark Ale was off, the Greene King IPA was off - all they could offer me was some abomination by the name of Ruddles Smooth. I declined.
1 Jan 2013 19:18
Definitely agree with MTaylor. The Bass was fine and the welcome was very friendly indeed. They are making a special effort with a few real ales and discount for CAMRA members. Big screen Skysports as well.
Doing well from the overspill who can't fit into the Little Chester Ale House.
1 Jan 2013 19:15
Further to my earlier review. I'd forgotten that the Duke of Clarence does meals as well.
1 Jan 2013 19:12
Popped in for a swift half. Had their house beer, The Duke, brewed by Derby Brewing Co. Not bad at all.
Proper locals pub with a few beers on offer.
1 Jan 2013 19:10
Very recently done up. Everything still looks and smells fresh.
It is now a rather smart establishment with the emphasis on eating. There is a wide-ranging menu of decent pub classics and something for everyone. Prices are pretty reasonable too. I can recommend the chips as they are proper ones.
Three or four standard ales on offer. I had a very decent Pedigree.
As the gateway to Chester Green and the only pub around there doing meals, it can form part of an excellent little crawl.
1 Jan 2013 19:08
First visit today and I suspect it won't be the last. As other reviewers have said, it has a great selection of ales and helpfully listed from lightest down to darkest. It does have the feel of a genuine community local and has a friendly atmosphere.
With the Ale House and others just round the corner, you can make quite a nice little crawl around the Little Chester area now.
1 Jan 2013 18:50
Paid a second visit before Matlock v Luton football match. Busy with football fans and locals alike. Still seems friendly and successful. Had a very nice Wychwood seasonal ale on and the Batemans seemed popular as well.
Didn't see anyone eating, so not sure if they still do food.
They have got a TV, but weren't showing the lunchtime football game so probably not got Sky and ESPN.
16 Dec 2012 09:56
Now called Harpurs. Emphasis is on food, which is very good. But confusing menus promising pizzas (which they only serve on Mondays, of all days! - Why? I like pizza on other days of the week.)
Good beer selection and live music on a Friday if you like that sort of thing. The layout is not great as it seems to encourage that bane of a drinkers life - the bar hogger. Just what you don't want to see when you walk through the door is your path to the bar effectively blocked off by a wall of grinning idiots.
14 Nov 2012 19:39
It was an OK stop off on a Friday night out. Decent beers on and quite a few locals in. Had a friendly feel to it and I'd be happy to go there again.
14 Nov 2012 19:36
Changing hands again by the look of it - temporary management in. And closed on a Friday afternoon/evening at half five. Was on a night out in Melbourne so wasn't going to walk back to Kings Newton later to see if it had opened up.
If they can't be bothered opening up, I can't be bothered giving it any points.
14 Nov 2012 19:33
I enjoyed my Friday evening visit to the Blue Bell. It feels like a proper local and attracts customers of varying age groups. The beers are excellent and varied.
14 Nov 2012 19:30
Found this to be a friendly place, serving an excellent pint of Pedigree. Unpretentious locals pub and none the worse for that. TV and dartboard. Worth a visit on a night out in Melbourne.
14 Nov 2012 19:27
I agree with the earlier review about the identity crisis. Feels a bit upmarket rather than pubby on the inside and the food tends toward the gastro end of things. Also lots of tables marked "reserved" when I visited, which I don't really approve of in a pub.
However, the rare beers and choice were superb and it is well worth seeking out for that alone.
Just up the road from Pimlico tube station, but a relatively short walk from Victoria or Westminster.
7 Aug 2012 19:54
Visited again as under new licensees. Much improved. A couple of real ales on, from the Greene King stable, and a couple of TVs showing sport. Friendlier atmosphere as well.
7 Aug 2012 19:47
Lovely pub in a very traditional terraced Victorian setting. A great range of beers and plenty of places to perch or sit, with stuff to read if you're on your own enjoying a bite and a pint.
26 Jun 2012 20:00
I was very impressed by this pub. Not just for the classic exterior and interior, which makes it feel like a proper boozer, but the quality ales on offer. And above all, the friendly atmosphere that prevailed on the evening I visited, made it feel very welcoming. Worth seeking out.
26 Jun 2012 19:57
Very pleasant pub with a very good range of ales, mostly local in provenance. Quality food available from sandwiches up to full meals. If anything, a little too food orientated, with little room for just sitting and drinking when it's busy, unless the sun shines when there is plenty of space outside. Deservedly popular though as it is a quality pub.
26 Jun 2012 19:51
Wonderful setting on the village green overlooking the stream that was in full flow after lots of rain. Four or five good ales to choose from and cosy interiors.
26 Jun 2012 19:48
Limited Theakston only beer range, and my mate had a pint of the guest beer that was utterly vile. Nice solid old style Pennine stone building, with benches out front to watch the world go by.
Loses a point for that cardinal sin I cannot abide - allowing a bunch of surly locals to line up on stools all along the fairly small bar front, causing me to have to bellow my order over their heads. Get a table!
26 Jun 2012 19:45
It's OK for a visit on a pub crawl, but I doubt I'd stay here all night. Some decent beers and good old fashioned feel to it. Not terribly busy though for a Saturday night.
26 Jun 2012 19:41
It was OK. A bit sterile perhaps. But pleasant enough and some decent ales to try. Definitely one of the better ones in Skipton.
26 Jun 2012 19:40
My favourite of the ones in Skipton I tried. Relaxed atmosphere and a good range of drinks on offer. Free sandwiches as well when we were there.
26 Jun 2012 19:38
Surprised at some poor reviews for this pub. It was my second favourite in Skipton.
It did get a bit lively later on, but that added to the atmosphere. Before that there was some great music being played. And there was a great selection of Copper Dragon Ales - five or six beers to choose from.
26 Jun 2012 19:36
Recently well modernised. Much improved pub with a good beer selection available. No food other than crisps etc.
Comfortable and light now whereas it used to be a bit dark and dingy.
7 May 2012 20:49
Stage one of redevelopment now complete. No tenants as yet, so standing empty. Has new signage and has been renamed The Bingham.
26 Feb 2012 19:00
First visit yesterday. DBC have done the now expected excellent job of rejuvenating this big pub. Feels a little bit more food-orientated than the Brewery Tap and The Greyhound, but none the worse for that.
The usual wide range of quality beers and the famous Rack are available. And there is a bus stop outside that makes it just 15 minutes from the centre of Derby.
Very pleasant walks from here to Holbrook and Makeney, so you could make it a great day out.
15 Jan 2012 10:11
Generally good experiences in this pub. Ales have usually been top quality and a good choice. Last night we had one pint pulled by the barmaid that, once settled, was barely more than a half. Not good when they don't take responsibility and when you have to ask for a top up.
Friendly bunch though. And worth a visit if in Chesterfield, particularly as it's fairly handy for the train station.
26 Nov 2011 11:11
The Derby Tup, Whittington Moor
Cannot fault it. Good staff and friendly locals. Fantastic range of beers and all most excellent.
Got a seat by the roaring real fire which made the whole experience even better.
Worth making a special trip up to Whittington Moor for.
26 Nov 2011 11:08
Great old building and top class town centre pub. Plenty of decent ales to choose from and friendly staff and locals. Free buffet doing the rounds last night as well.
Well worth a visit, in my opinion.
26 Nov 2011 11:04
Good town centre pub, with good staff and wide choice of ales. Mind you, for a Friday night, the ales were a bit strong. Not much available under 5%. Head is a bit fuzzy this morning.
Shame they didn't do food any later than 7:30, as the menu looked good.
26 Nov 2011 11:02
The Montagu Pyke, Charing Cross Road
OK, but poor selection of real ales for JDW. Only 3 on. I had London Pride, which was actually a decent pint. There are much better Wetherspoons in the West End to spend your CAMRA vouchers in.
14 Nov 2011 19:11
Truly odd. Seemed friendly enough and is open late on a Friday night if you are waiting for the 00:15 Red Arrow. The real ales were not in evidence though, so had to have a cider.
Karaoke was being well used.
14 Nov 2011 19:08
Yet another excellent pub in the West End. You really can't go wrong here, with lots of fine ales to choose from, including local produce, and a decent looking food menu.
There is a really good circuit developing around here with the Seven Stars, Horse and Groom and Flowerpot, plus Ashbourne Road not being far away.
14 Nov 2011 19:04
I was very impressed on a recent visit. I had been in a few years ago and it was OK, but nothing special. They've renovated it really well and put on a good selection of ales. Best in Old Sawley in my opinion.
14 Nov 2011 19:01
The Briton's Protection Hotel, Castlefield
Delightful old tiled interior, with passageways, nooks and crannies and a decent large outside area that is quite sheltered from noise and wind. Always a decent pint in my experience.
23 Oct 2011 17:31
The Peveril Of The Peak, Castlefield
I've found it open on two consecutive visits - which is a record - one was a midweek lunchtime and one was a Saturday night.
Characterful old style pub with 3 or 4 fairly standard ales on offer. Had a very decent pint of Everards recently.
It is quite expensive, but worth a few pence more to guarantee its survival I think. A proper boozer.
23 Oct 2011 17:29
Has become a favourite for its excellent choice of changing real ales. Can get a bit crowded at times, but worth persevering with. Decent lunchtime pub food at reasonable prices.
23 Oct 2011 17:26
The Grey Horse Inn, Manchester
The point has been made before, but this really is more spacious than it looks from the outside. And compared to the Circus it is huge. The beer was all right when I was there recently and similar to its neighbour, it seems to attract a friendly and chatty crowd of locals.
23 Oct 2011 17:24
The lack of space in this pub actually makes for a very sociable vibe - you are more or less included in everyone's conversations by default. Decent enough pint, although no choice.
A real throwback to an earlier age and one that deserves to continue in its unimproved form. Very friendly staff and locals.
23 Oct 2011 17:22
Well. Tried it again recently to find it without any ale. Must have been indicative of some decline, as today the doors are locked and there is a notice on the window saying something like:
"The licensee has been relieved of their duties and the pub will be closed until further notice"
23 Oct 2011 17:19
Leaping Salmon, Berwick upon Tweed
You know how there are only two kinds of Wetherspoon? The good ones with well kept ales and friendly and efficient staff; and the grim care in the community halls for borderline sociopathic alcoholics.
This is the latter.
6 Aug 2011 23:23
Went on a lunchtime. Sadly not drinking due to driving that day, so couldn't comment on the ales.
They advertised 'homemade' pizza, which I ordered, only to be told that the bases hadn't been delivered. Hmm. Not quite my definition of homemade.
Still a pleasant enough place that seemed very popular with locals and visitors alike, as it was quite busy. The food we did have was fine for a lunchtime snack and reasonable value.
6 Aug 2011 23:20
Excellent on every level. The food was fantastic and the service extremely friendly and helpful.
The two ales (Farne Island and an Allendale) were both very good indeed.
Worth seeking out, but beware both limited opening hours and its popularity for food in the evening - booking ahead advised.
6 Aug 2011 23:17
A very pleasant surprise. To be honest, it looks a bit run down from the outside, but once inside it's really nice. Two good ales in fine condition (Marston EPA and Ushers 1824) and some quite excellent and interesting food choices. There is a really pleasant sheltered garden at the side with tables and a paddock containing goats, geese, pigs and chickens.
Very limited opening hours though. Often closed by 9.30 during the week and always closes in the afternoons.
Surprisingly not advertised by signage off the A1, so you wouldn't know it was there. Perhaps that is the way they like it, but I can't help thinking that with all the tourists you could make more of this pub.
6 Aug 2011 23:14
Just along from the excellent Bodega, Tilleys is well worth a visit. A good number of quality real ales to choose from and some good lunchtime food options.
26 Jul 2011 11:54
Very friendly and informative staff. Eight or so top quality beers. I'd been in previously when nearly all the ales were 5% plus, but this time there was a spread between 3.8% and 4.6% - probably as it was a lunchtime.
Top pub and always worth a visit on a trip to Newcastle. Double it up with a visit to Tilleys a few doors down.
26 Jul 2011 11:53
Always try to visit here on a trip to Newcastle. Some wonderful local ales to choose from - always a wide selection of breweries and styles on offer.
Great old building that feels 'proper'. Check out the classic old turntable record player - a much better idea than the piped muzak you get in some places.
26 Jul 2011 11:50
It's all right. Only one real ale is a bit of disappointment, but the food is OK. The building itself is historic and is in a good spot.
Get some more real ales in and this could be a real winner.
26 Jul 2011 11:48
Good friendly pub with a good range of beers. On my recent visit the one I had was past its best, but still drinkable, and the people I was with had very good beers, so I won't hold it against them.
Rare example of a traditional bar billiards table as well, complete with rules for the uninitiated (i.e. most people).
Gets very, very busy when the rugby club is at home.
26 Jul 2011 11:39
Lovely old building with a central bar and lots of drinking areas. Full range of Everards beers plus a guest (from Bath Ales this time). Good quality and very friendly service. Worth a visit when in the centre of town.
26 Jul 2011 11:37
Yes, it is a squat and ugly looking 1960s building. But get inside and you will discover a fabulous range of beers all in very fine condition. You must try the traditional pizzas with a massive range of toppings and really excellent value for money. Great traditional juke box too.
26 Jul 2011 11:34
Unbelievable ale selection. A dozen or so real ales from a wide variety of micros. High quality as well judging by the ones we tried. The building is huge and very comfortable, with plenty of seating. It is on the hugely attractive New Walk which is the envy of many other city centres as a green oasis.
26 Jul 2011 11:32
Excellent backstreet city centre alehouse. Hoskins beers plus guests and ciders. It has quite a spartan interior, but that fits well with the place. It's just off the main street through the town and quite handy for the train station. Well recommended.
26 Jul 2011 11:29
Went a few times a couple of years ago and the landlord was the friendliest and most accommodating I've met. The three ales were good quality, if limited in scope to the major producers and the food was very good on the couple of occasions I ate there.
I drove past a couple of times last weekend and the blackboard outside said something like "We regret this pub is now closed". What happened?
16 Jul 2011 11:24
Very nice rambling old building and some excellent beers from Farmer's Brewery. Food is bit expensive, but I suppose that's in keeping with the tourist area.
10 Jul 2011 17:23
Couple of decent regular ales and the odd guest ale. All in very good condition. Had a good lunch but it took ages to arrive - not a problem for us as we were happy to sit outside in the sun and have a drink. Has opened up a new cafe alongside the pub, selling coffee and cakes.
Staff seemed very friendly and helpful.
10 Jul 2011 17:19
Limited choice of beers - only two available when I was there. But they were in good condition. Live music on a Saturday night led to a lively atmosphere. Plenty of locals and visitors in.
10 Jul 2011 17:16
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn, Castleton
A fairly decent pub. Some decent beers on and they were in good condition. A good mix of locals and visitors on a Saturday night. Friendly atmosphere.
10 Jul 2011 17:14
Very good pub, with excellent food and some good beers too. Deservedly popular, so get there early on weekend evenings unless you want a long wait for food.
10 Jul 2011 17:11
Beer choice was a little more limited than some Castleton pubs, but the ale that I tried was very good. There is a fairly large bar area as well as a big room set up with dining tables
10 Jul 2011 17:10
Was very impressed with this pub. It was lively and welcoming and had some excellent beers on. A well maintained interior and pleasant little outside area.
10 Jul 2011 17:03
Popped in for a pint on a crawl round Castleton. Four ales from Robinson's were available. Like most Castleton pubs, it was geared up for food inside, but had a pleasant outdoor area out the back with views across to Mam Tor and Hollins Cross.
Seemed pleasant enough, without being particularly excellent in any way.
10 Jul 2011 16:55
It was OK, but could do better. The beer range was a bit limited. I had the Theakstons which was very good.
The food list is enormous, I can't help thinking that they'd do better to shorten it and focus on the quality. I thought the food was quite expensive as well.
3 Jul 2011 21:37
Seemed a friendly place. Decent beer, but seemed a little bit expensive. Worth a visit.
28 Jun 2011 22:22
Some decent beers. Feels a bit 'studenty', but nice enough and plenty of space and seating. Not at all bad.
28 Jun 2011 22:21
Getting better, I'd say. Landlord seemed enthusiastic about the beer and the pint I had was certainly very good. Possibly smartened up a bit as well since some of the previous comments. Worth giving it another go.
28 Jun 2011 22:20
For twenty years this was one of the armpits of Nottingham. Magnificent old pub building, really ornate, but gone to rack and ruin and attracting a vile crowd.
Now, after a significant refurb, it is nice again. Three real ales and pleasant surroundings to drink them in.
28 Jun 2011 22:15
The Navigation Inn, Nottingham
Currently closed and undergoing a big overhaul. Time will tell if it can return to form - it had been terrible for the last couple of years.
28 Jun 2011 22:11
The Trent Bridge Inn, West Bridgford
Well, the all new TBI has reopened as a JDW house. And what a surprise it is. They've really gone to town on it and made it very nice inside. Lots of separate drinking areas, plenty of seating and a very good selection of beers available.
The usual good value but no frills food is there if you're hungry, but it's the building and the beer you really go for.
28 Jun 2011 22:08
Ventured in for the first time in years recently. Found they have introduced real ale again - a bitter from the Derby Brewery when I was there and very nice it was too.
They have also introduced Live Football on the TV, which brings it back to Bingham after six months without any of the six pubs showing football.
Good luck in this venture, as it is a lovely old pub building (1792) with a fantastic sheltered beer garden. Plenty of potential.
28 Jun 2011 22:01
They've done a really good job on this place. It feels like a great local and a good place to travel to for the excellent range of ales and particularly ciders.
It is a shame that many of the locals don't seem to care about the quality on offer and just order the mass-produced, tasteless, fizzy lager.
Still a great effort and I wish them all the best in this venture. It deserves success.
28 Jun 2011 21:55
The Old Oak Inn, Horsley Woodhouse
Two years on from the last review and I can confirm from my recent visit that the Old Oak is as good as the previous comments make out. I didn't count all of them, but there must have been at least 15 beers either in the main bar or the backroom RURAD bar.
It's a good sized place with four very different separate seating areas. Bus stop right outside as well.
28 Jun 2011 21:50
Well, nearly two years on and I can confirm from my recent visit that the Bell is still just as good. Half a dozen or more real ales - the one I had was an excellent Whim Hartington. I didn't eat but the menu looked good value and the people next to me seemed to enjoy what they had.
It feels like a proper pub too. And a very welcoming staff presence.
28 Jun 2011 21:47
Decent real ales available. Roaring real fire not out of place on a cool June evening. I thought it was OK - quite friendly and some decent music being played.
18 Jun 2011 21:41
The Princess Victoria, Matlock Bath
A large range of real ales on offer now. Some very good ones from local micros. There was a live music act on, which unfortunately takes up about a third of the floor space in this already small pub.
All in all, this is probably the best pick of the five pubs on the Parade.
18 Jun 2011 21:36
Seemed much improved from my last visit a couple of years ago. A choice of real ales in good condition and I thought it felt a bit friendlier on my latest visit.
18 Jun 2011 21:29
Friendly traditional village pub with stone flagged floor. Three good real ales.
A great setting overlooking the dale and just a short walk down to Matlock Bath.
18 Jun 2011 21:26
The small bar on the right is popular with the garrulous and entertaining locals. Three excellent quality real ales on offer, so they know how to serve a pint. Large dining room on the left with good choice of food at reasonable prices.
18 Jun 2011 21:23
Attractive stone building, with a central bar and feels like lots of separate areas despite being largely open plan. Three real ales including one from nearby Peak Ales. Seems a well run establishment.
18 Jun 2011 21:20
A good example of a decent Wetherspoon pub. Lots of good quality real ales, many of them from local micro breweries, including several from Thornbridge when I was there. Even the service at the bar was good, which is not always the case with this chain.
18 Jun 2011 21:17
Very loud music. Eye-wateringly lurid interior paint job. One real ale on (Abbott), but didn't stick around to try it. Terrible place.
18 Jun 2011 21:11
The Coach and Horses Inn, Fenny Bentley
I echo the previous comments. I didn't know much about this place, as the Bentley Brook gets all the plaudits. But what a great pub. Pleasant old building with lots of separate areas to sit in. Delightful sheltered garden. Great beer from a good selection of available ales. The food was excellent home made stuff and good value.
Service with a smile makes a lot of difference too and the staff here were very welcoming.
15 May 2011 11:34
Having read earlier reviews, I still went along to try for myself. And yes, it is rather shabby. The real ale was good, though there is not a very wide choice. I didn't get to try the food as they stop serving at some ridiculously early time - this being on a Saturday afternoon, in the school holidays, in a prime tourist location.
This could be so much better.
15 May 2011 11:31
Good beer with a choice of three or four ales. Didn't try the food, but the menu looked interesting. Pub is nicely done up inside and has a pleasant outdoor seating area. Very good all round and friendly welcome too.
15 May 2011 11:26
The Bowling Green Inn, Ashbourne
As previous poster stated, a bit out on a limb. Pleasant enough pub with decent enough ale, if an unexciting choice. Quiz machine ate our money and rebooted though...Grrrr!!!!
15 May 2011 11:22
Terrible. At least it has a couple of real ales, but I think the regulars favour fizzy lager pop.
15 May 2011 11:19
Very impressed. Good interesting selection of ales rather than the tired old Greene King stable you get elsewhere round here. Very quiet on a Saturday afternoon - pleasant pub.
15 May 2011 11:18
Much improved. Good ale and friendly locals. Saturday night has a bizarre quiz and free buffet going on. Worth a visit.
15 May 2011 11:13
Six real ales and some good separated seating areas accommodating large groups. Got quite lively on a Saturday night. I had to leave before the fiddly-diddly live music started, as that signals the death of conversation in pubs.
15 May 2011 11:12
Looks like a conversion of an old building, but actually a new build made to look old. Pleasant and friendly enough. Food menu looked OK and reasonably priced. Real ales, including one from Castle Rock. Bus stop right outside. Multiple screens for watching sport.
15 May 2011 11:09
Great pub. Eight or so fine ales to choose from with great variety and lots of local representatives. The cider choice is amazing, up to 15 drawn from the barrel.
Also, the food is good pub grub and very reasonably priced. Good portion size too.
Bit off the beaten track, but there is a bus from Chesterfield.
7 May 2011 12:50
The Royal Oak, Radcliffe on Trent
Latest addition to the chain that runs the Lord Nelson in Burton Joyce , the Wollaton, and the Larwood and Voce in West Bridgford. This means it has been gentrified and gone a bit foody. Perhaps not the greatest time to do this in a recession.
Anyway, the three or four real ales are of decent quality and you can just pop in for a drink without feeling out of place.
7 May 2011 12:47
The Black Lion, Radcliffe on Trent
Seems to go up and down in quality over the years. Currently on an upward swing. Four or five real ales in good condition. Decent and fairly reasonable pub food. One of the very few places in and around the Vale of Belvoir that actually shows live football on TV.
The bar always seems a bit gloomy, but the lounge is bright and cheerful.
7 May 2011 12:44
Dreadful estate pub. No ale. Not even live football anymore, so no reason to ever go there.
7 May 2011 12:42
Great back street local. Exactly what a pub should be, serving its local community well but providing interesting beers and live music to entice people to travel from elsewhere. Look out for the occasional beer festival which is worth travelling for.
Is a good starting point for a west end crawl.
7 May 2011 12:38
A decent enough place that is trying hard to please. Disappointing lack of guest beers as tied in to Marston's unadventurous brews. The one I tried was a good pint though.
7 May 2011 12:36
The Old Poet's Corner, Ashover
Fantastic pub. Friendly and efficient staff. Ten excellent beers available. Very good pub food at a good price and massive portions.
7 May 2011 12:29
Excellent pub. Full range of current Thornbridge brews available in third of a pint tasters with a bowl of olives. Included tasting notes and the barman talked us through each one as well.
Worth making a special trip for. A 10-15 minute walk from the train station.
7 May 2011 12:26
Friendly local with Bombardier and Adnams. Just round the corner from the train station and a better bet than the Bridge if you're waiting for a train.
7 May 2011 12:24
Tiny pub that gets very busy most nights. Always an excellent choice of real ales from breweries all over the UK. No outside area so you might end up standing if it is busy.
11 Jul 2010 21:43
Mainly food orientated massive pub on edge of market place. Always four or five decent ales on the bar, including a local one. The food is excellent and the staff are very friendly and helpful. Good garden as well.
11 Jul 2010 21:40
The Navigation Inn, Barrow upon Soar
My favourite pub in Barrow. Great canalside location and four real ales on the bar. Nice little sheltered outside area.
11 Jul 2010 21:31
The Hunting Lodge, Barrow upon Soar
Excellent building and fantastic garden. Limited ale choice when I was there. Only two ales on. More of an eatery that does a bit of beer on the side.
11 Jul 2010 21:28
Soar Bridge Inn, Barrow On Soar
Decent village local with good range of Everards ales. Reasonable outside area alongside the car park.
11 Jul 2010 21:25
The Three Crowns, Barrow Upon Soar
Decent village local. Only two ales, Pedigree and GK IPA. Popular outside area in summer.
11 Jul 2010 21:24
This pub has closed. It is being converted into a day nursery.
11 Jul 2010 21:22
The Lathkil Hotel, Over Haddon
Top marks for beer quality and choice. Best I had on the whole trip I think.
As previous poster noted, the buffet layout for the food is a little odd - how long has it spent under hot lamps I wondered.
Anyway, the terrace with views over Lathkill Dale is what makes the place special. Worth a visit for that and for the beer.
17 May 2015 16:07