It is important to remember that for every bad review there are probably lots of satisfied customers. These reviews are the comments of individual visitors to Information Britain and have not been authenticated by us. They should not be taken as the views of Crawbar Ltd - publishers of this web site.

Reviews of Kingsbridge Inn, Bourton-on-the-Water

Best rates for a Local Hotel

Review by Dissatisfied customer on 10th November, 2012

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This pub is in a popular tourist area where many new potential customers are and therefore the pub does not rely on a good reputation. Without the tourists this pub would need to build up a good reputation in the local community in order to survive. However as it is at the moment it would fail miserably. It is a pity that these reviews are not displayed at the door and then maybe visitors would move on to the many better establishments in the area, or, the owners would address the issue of standards and give training to its staff including its manager.

Review by David on 17th July, 2012

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Had a terrible experience at this pub, during an otherwise lovely day out with my family in Bourton on the Water. The portly, miserable, barman on the afternoon of the 15th July 2012 was PIG IGNORANT. He choose to serve two girls ahead of me, then two more that came after them (the bar was virtually empty apart from us). I'm not one for confrontation, but felt compelled to ask him why he served them ahead of me and he shrugged his shoulders and replied "dunno". I asked him if he felt the need to apologise and he replied "No". Our conversation continued along these lines for a few minutes (that seemed like hours) until he eventually caved in and gave a pathetic apology just to get rid of me. I can honestly say that I have never been served by a more obnoxious and ignorant person. Avoid.

Date visited: 15/7/12

Review by Dissatisfied customer on 13th April, 2012

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Having ordered a pint of beer I asked how much it would cost in order to have the correct money ready. The bar man said that he had no idea as this was his first day. Having handed the pint to me the till told him how much I had to pay. I saw that the beer was totally flat and unappealing. I made no comment and having finished my drink I returned to the same barman and ordered a second pint. I saw him reach for a glass, initially hidden from my view, and place it under the tap of the pump and begin to top up an already half full glass. I told him to stop and said that I wanted a fresh pint. This he did and this pint now looked satisfactory. Whilst clear of view of the barman I spoke to a young male member of staff who was at this time clearing tables. I asked him if I could speak to the manager and he said abruptly, "Why." Was this any of your business? I thought.I gave him a look which sent him into the kitchen searching for the manager. I saw through a window in the kitchen door that he was speaking to a young female who came from the kitchen to me. I explained that my first pint was totally flat and told her that the barman uses stale beer and tops it up when orders are made. She dismissed my observations stating that the barman had merely not fitting the sprinkler to the tap. She did not consider it an issue and at no time did she consider an apology necessary. I went on to describe his actions when topping up a glass half full of stale beer. She was quick to say that he would not do such a thing. I again told her that I saw this happen to which she quickly made the excuse that he must have just served a customer who changed his mind once half of the glass had been filled and I then was given the beer rejected by the previous customer. (I will add that no customer was at the bar as I approached and it was not possible to know how long this glass half full of beer had been waiting) I grew up in licensed premises and I am aware of the activities of some who are in the habit of serving the slops from the drip tray in order to reduce wastage. I would hope that this is not the case witnessed by me but I do know that at no time did the manager consider any apology necessary nor the offer of a complimentary drink nor did the manager consider saying that she would monitor the staff and have words with the barman concerned. It was apparent that I was wasting my time talking to the manager. I did however talk to managers of other pubs during my stay in the Cotswolds disusing my experience at the Kingsbridge Arms. The common reaction was that of shock and disbelief. Thankfully there are several other good pubs in the area which we used without complaint.

Date visited: 9th April 2012

Review by RB on 11th January, 2012

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DO believe all the negative comments! I am pleased h venables had a good christmas lunch though - that would have been such a shame for them to have kept to their usual standards! The staff (inluding manageress, I assume she was anyway, she was the Chef's partner) was rude, and when the kitchen made a mistake and we asked for our correct side orders we were made to feel as though we were in the wrong. We ordered the Ginger Nut Sundae as dessert, what we got was Digestive Sundae - as bland and boring as it sounds! They didn't even have the good grace to tell us prior to serving it! On reflection, I wish we'd refused to pay the bill.

Date visited: 07-01-2012

Review by Anonymous on 6th January, 2012

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Very unimpressed, unprofessional front of house staff, food ok. Managers NOT helpful in the least, if not for great location of pub, I doubt it would still be open.

Date visited: 28/12/11

Review by h venables on 31st December, 2011

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Can not believe the negative comments from previous patrons. We visited the Kingsbridge for Christmas Lunch and could not have had better service or better food.The staff were most attentive and pleasant and the food was delicious and plenty of it!! In fact possibly too much for the average appetite!!!!. We did not have room for the mince pies and coffee so the very pleasant waiter suggested that he wrapped them for us to take away. So we left with a pretty parcel topped with a Christmas bauble. We will certainly visit this establishment again. Thanks to all the staff at the Kingsbridge and Happy New Year.

Date visited: 25 december 2011

Review by Alan Waugh on 15th August, 2011

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My sister and I had the misfortune of eating at this hotel on our recent stopover in this lovely village.From the outset alarm bells rang with the very poor attitude of the bar staff who were most unpleasant indeed to the extent we nearly didnt have the meal we were looking forward to after a long journey from northumberland.I eventually ordered the rump steak meal after a very long wait my so called rump steak arrived it looked nothing like the description it was a thin piece of grizzle it was terrible.worse still I attempted to eat it leaving most of it.I complained to the very poor staff at the bar asking to speak to the management no one was available.tyhe reply came back from the horrid barman that as I had eaten half of the meal it couldnt have been that bad then blank looks from rest of the staff.This place should be avoided at all costs its a disgrace dont go people.

Date visited: 5 August 2011

Review by ELAINE HIGGS on 9th July, 2011

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My husband and i had the misfortune to eat here on our 1st night in Bourton.What a mistake,i sat down and my hubby ordered some drinks.It was pretty messy,tables dirty food on the floor etc.We thought that the staff had been busy and hadn't had chance to tidy up.We both ordered lasagne ,and asked to have the table wiped.The waitress said she would be over to do it.We didnt have to wait too long for our food to arrive,but our table still hadnt been cleaned.So the food got put on the next table while the table was wiped over.It's the 1st time i have eaten a lasagne with a crust !! The garlic bread was cold and soggy and the salad looked very tired.As we were so hungry after travelling ,we just ate what we could and left.The whole experience ,of the dirty table food and unhygenic looking staff is a warning to others .Its a shame as the Kingsbridge is in such a lovely location.If this pub were any where else ,it would have closed a long time ago.

Date visited: 02/07/2011

Review by Andrew on 31st January, 2011

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I went to the Kingsbridge with my girlfriend and family for lunch before coming home. Despite the pub being relatively quiet (it is January after all!) we waited over an hour for our meals. No apology or proper explanation was given for the delay, not even a complimentary drink. When we received our food, the chips looked overcooked, but were cold. The steak pie, however, was extremely hot, so hot it burnt our mouths! We complained about the food, but the staff did not seem interested. All in all, very poor customer service. The pub is very lucky to be in such a prominent location in Bourton, otherwise it would gain very little custom.

Date visited: 31 January 2011

Review by Martin Keay on 5th September, 2010

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I thought i should add a post about this pub as the service we recieved was so unbelievably bad that i felt we had to mention it to any unfortunate soul who ventures into this fleapit. My partner ordered a steak that was unfit for human consumption but bravely battled through half the meal before we flew the white flag of surrender and complained to the waitress. She looked at the meal and stated"yes it looks pretty awful"before departing with the plate. We thought that the chef or management would put in an appearance and offer some kind of apology for dreadful food we were served but after 15 minutes and blank looks we decided to go to the bar to pursue the matter. My partner was met with the sound of kitchen staff swearing and laughing and a bar person who had little interest with trying to resolve the problem. We once again attempted to speak to the waitress who informed us that she had spoken to the chef and had told her to inform us that"you had eaten half the bloody thing so it cant have been that bad" No refund,no apology and definately a NO return to this dreadful overpriced tourist greedy pub. We tour the country with a large group of motorcycle enthusiasts,many of them proffesional people and i will be making sure that everybody is made aware of this desperatley poor pub,god help any US or European visitors who stay or eat here,a stain on the nation.

Date visited: 03/09/10

Review by Adam Steer on 12th June, 2010

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Upon arriving in the village, we asked a member of public where they recommended for a pint and meal. They answered us with the kingsbridge, and told us where it was. We got some drinks upon arrival and took a seat in the garden. we ordered our meals, and were told at least a 40 minute wait. we thought this was an ok time to wait seeing it was a holiday day, midweek. within 5-10 mins our cutlery was bought out, and the meal followed 40 mins ish afterwards. My wife's meal was not what she had ordered and so we asked a passing waitor. He was very co-operative and sorted the problem out as quickly as he could. We later asked him his name. Thank you Jack for co-operating well during a busy time, and making our visit to the kingsbridge overall a success.

Date visited: 03/06/10

Review by Michael Phillips on 9th May, 2010

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On entering the bar we were greeted by a good selection of ales, however we were also greeted by a surley young bar tender who promptly swiped her runny nose with her hand as she handed us our pints. We took a table with a picturesque aspect and contemplated a good meal, we were however (and maybe fortunately) shocked to be handed a menu which was covered in a previous meal...our request of a clean menu was met dumfoundely with an offer of a second menu, equally caked in old food. While we had deceided that eating here was out of the question and very possibly dangerous we attempted to enjoy our pint although even this seemed ludicrously impossible as the "ambient" music fought against the blaring radio and bad language from the kitchen!

Date visited: 09-05-10

Review by Keith Shipman on 8th February, 2010

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My wife and I spent a weeks holiday in Bourton-on-the-water in January 2010. On our first night we went into The Kingsbridge as it was the nearest to where we were staying. We had read some reviews which had made us a bit wary. We went anyway. This place is staffed by young people who are polite, helpful and diligent. The food we ordered arrived in reasonable time, hot and well cooked. We ate here a few times during our week and had no cause for complaint at all. A big pat on the back to the staff at The Kingsbridge. Well done guys and gals!!

Date visited: 23 Jan 2010

Review by Richard Stokes on 7th February, 2010

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After selecting a place at rather short notice we fell for the Kingsbridge - Lovely atmosphere - lively. Good ales too. Unfortunatly My 'slow roasted lamb' was more of a 'slow microwaved' as it came out still frozen. The Roast dinner, ordered by the other 2 parties was mediocre. Definatly a drinks only place.

Date visited: 7/01/10

Review by peej on 12th August, 2009

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Came here with my family and parents. Beer good. Food truly awful. Don't eat here. Please. Also not a clean pub. Unfinished meals left lying on tables. Nothing is wiped down. Yuck.

Date visited: 12th August 2009

Review by Tony Starkson on 6th May, 2009

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Whilst on a caravaning holiday of the cotswolds myself and my wife met up with some friends and decided to have lunch in The Kingsbridge on bank holiday monday. When we walked into the pub we were supprised as to how busy it was given the poor weather, we made our way to the bar to enquire if a table for 5 was avaliable at such short notice, the young man behind the bar (I didn't catch his name but he was wearing glasses) said that he could arrange one as a family had just finished. Apon taking our seats a portly fellow named John came over to clear the remaining glasses and plates and wipe the table, we enquired as to how long we would have to wait for food as the pub was very busy, he said that it should be around 40mins and then told us of what was missing of the menu (sounds like they had a busy few days!). After ordering our food and sitting back down again, we chatted amongst our selves and after what could only have been 20mins John re-apeard with our meals, cooked to perfection!!! As the weather had started to turn cold we opted to spend our remaining hours with our friends sat in the Kingsbridge rather than trapceing around very busy shops and after the warm reception and service we recived it felt like a home from home. If only other pubs and resturants had the same attitude to their customers as the kingsbridge does, where tourists are welcomed friends rather than pests as other establishments have made us feel. I would only reccomend a few things in life... wear fresh socks, be polite to strangers and visit the Kingsbridge Inn!!! We are looking forward to our next vist!

Date visited: 4th May 2009

Review by Mr J Pears on 11th March, 2009

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I am not one to usually tell of my meals when ive eaten somewhere but after my experience on monday night i fell i must. Myself and 4 very good friends are staying in Bourton On The Water this week because of going to the Cheltenham Festival. Now as this was our first time visting this gorgeous cotswold village, like many of you on here i always have a quick read up on the net of where to and not to eat. Upon arrival and checking into our hotel i asked the receptionist where would be the best place to eat, i was told the Kingsbridge Inn. After reading the previous reviews i was very against the idea but the receptionist assured me that it was (in their opinion) the best place in Bourton. So being the first night we thought we'd all give it a go ( mainly not to offend the receptionist ) As soon as we arrived outside the pub you could see it was a hive of activity with people enjoying drinks and food alike. On entering the pub had a nice warm and friendly relaxed atmosphere with people laughing and joking in the bar area and also to the right a seperate resteraunt area that was very busy with people enjoying their meals. We all ordered our drinks from the lovely friendly girl behind the bar, ( who later i found out was a girl called Stacey ) Well i must say it is such a nice change to come across a pub that treats their real ales with respect. I had a Pedigree and my friends opted for the Banks Bitter every pint was perfect in every sense of the word from colour to taste. We sat down and after some deliberating over the choice of meals we decided on 3 of the 8oz Rump steaks and then 2 of the Steak and Ale pies. After approx 15 mins we had our cuttlery on the table and were being delivered our food, very quick and effiecient i thought to myself seems there was so many people in the pub. The Steaks were beautiful cuts of meat without gristle, lots of chips and fresh veg. The pies were equally eye catching ( obviouslly homemade as they should be). At this point i was starting to wonder what all the reviews were talking about as our experience up to now had been excellent, must be the food right ? WRONG!!! the food was just as excellent, none of us could fault the food at all and it was such good value too, an 8oz Rump steak like this for under a fiver! The Landlord must be mad. When we had finished we got up to leave and thought we'd give our thanks at the bar to Stacey. We bumped into a man who appeared to be the Landlord and mentioned at what a good night we had all had, he thanked us for our comments and then proceeded to chat to us asking us where we were staying, where we were from and if we are enjoying our stay. After a few minutes of chatting with him ( Mark ) he asked if we would like a to have a drink with him as he had just finished for the evening, of course we said yes and spent another hour or so chatting away with him and his staff. It was getting late so we decided to head back to the hotel, on the way back we all agreed that that experience we had all encountered was second to none. We also all agreed that it is such a shame that there aren't more establishments like the Kingsbridge anymore with the pub trade dying like it is. So all in all what a great place to go, i would highly recommend to anyone who visits this village to definatley visit the Kingsbridge and it will be one of the best memories and night out you will have.

Date visited: 09th March 2009

Review by Mr I Stuartson on 10th March, 2009

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Myself and two friends decided to go here for a meal today as the nearby hotel we are staying in (the Old Manse) had a very limited and dull menu. Apon our arival we were supprised by how busy the pub was, Stacey, the bar maid informed us that it's due to a theme night they were running, but she said this shouldn't result in us waiting for ages for food. With a slight hessitaion we all orderd Steak as it was on offer. We were told that the food should take about 20mins to arrive. After no more than 10 we had 3 steaming hot, fresh meals arrive via our waitress Sophie. As anyone would be, we were dubious as to the quality of the steak as it was under £5 per head, but it was soon apparent that it had been prepaired in first class conditions each steak cooked to perfection with veg and chips to match! So impressed were we with the service we recived and standard of food, we have now reserved 'our' table for every night for the remainder of our stay in Bourton-On-The-Water!!! A first class establishment!!!!!!

Date visited: 9th March 2009

Review by M Stanley on 24th September, 2008

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We decided to eat at The Kingsbridge (myself, wife and two friends) because our friends have two dogs and it was a pleasant evening and we were able to sit outside. The food arrived very quickly, three meat dishes and a vegy dish. The meat was ok but the vegitables were terrible. The peas were bullets, the cauliflower was grey and hard and the carrots were black and hard. Two of our party returned the plates with the vegetables uneaten to the kitchen but were unable to speak to the chef. I unfortunately mixed my veggys with the pie and ate them. Five hours later I saw them again evacuating from both ends of my body, and for the rest of the night.I have never been so sick in years. According to the Environmental Health my symptoms were due to a bacteria called Bacillus Cereus. BEWARE.

Date visited: 20. 09. 08

Review by Diane Jewkes on 30th June, 2008

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We ate here yesterday and wish we had found somewhere else, I hadnt read the reviews before! We were 4 adults and 2 children, we first had a terrible time trying to get a martini bianco and lemonade with ice nad a slice of lemon....no kidding it took 4 attempts, including one where she put lime in and tried to convice us it was lemon! Food wise we ordered 2 roast beef dinners, a lasagne, a burger and a childs sausage in yorkshire pudding. It wasnt till 10 minutes after we'd ordered that they told us the beef was finished, and wasnt till the chicken was in front of us that they tols us there was no yorkshire pudds.......and that went for the kids meal too, the lasagne was too herby and the chips with the burger meal fatty and undercooked, The kids ice cream with sauce and wafer came without sauce and wafer...basically a scoop of vanilla ice cream! Service was surly and basically pretty bad! There are nicer places in Bourton...dont eat here!

Date visited: 29/06/08

Review by Jimmy Jones on 16th May, 2008

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Hiya i have been to the kingsbridge inn many times and i think it is a fantastic pub the food is beautifull the satff are amazing and the silly c*w moaning about the chicken pie dont no wht she is talking about!!

Review by Nicola McMaster on 6th March, 2008

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I went into the pub with 5 of my friends. We were on a coach trip from East Yorkshire. We ordered lunch at the pub and three of us ordered the same meal, chicken pie. Two of us paid on one debit card and my other friend paid separately on her debit card. However, the third chicken pie did not arrive and when asked what had happened to this we were accused by a member of staff for not paying for the third meal. My friend had not recieved a till receipt as the till roll had run out. The attitude of the member of staff was appalling and she treated us like criminals. My friend has subsequently checked her bank account and the transaction did go through so the meal had been paid for. This was a very upsetting incident for all six of us and we certainly won't go back there again.

Date visited: 1st March 2008

Review by Jackie on 28th February, 2008

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I took my Daughter to the Kingsbridge Inn when she was here on a visit. we thought we would have our 'Pub Lunch'at the kingsbridge Inn. However, I have never in my life met with such appalling service, the woman who served us was obviously grieved to receive a food order 10 mins before food stops being served as she was already bringing in the menu's, she was the rudest, most impolite person ever!! begrudgingly taking our order and to boot literally throwing ice into my daughters drink [because my daughter had asked for ice, which was not offered, obviously an offence at the Kingsbridge Inn] 3 other patrons were also insulted by this most awful person who shouted "Now, order now" & when she bought my order shouted "Plaice" I jumped out of my skin whilst she threw the plate on the table,literally. Even though we ordered 'Light Meals' we did not expect our lunch to arrive on a childs side plate, the meal was made out of regurgitated cardboard and I would never visit this pub ever again and would suggest you never visit yourselves. As suggested there are many more eating places in Bourton which are vey nice. We were so disappointed that this Public House is even in Bourton! [It really is a let down for such a beautiful Tourist Attraction].

Date visited: 26th February 2008

Review by anonymous on 16th December, 2007

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I live in Bourton, and have enjoyed good food and service at the Kingsbridge. Maybe there's been a management shakeup recently to imporve things. It's worth noting that although the food is OK here, there are much better eateries in Bourton! If you're visiting Bourton, try The Rose Tree - excellent food, or The Croft, again, superb food.

Date visited: 15 Dec 2007

Review by Tony Vincent on 23rd November, 2007

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Although we have never eaten at the Kingsbridge Inn we were visiting the area so we went in for a drink, it was the Thursday music night. We had a great night it was fun, the entertainer was great, and people really seemed to be enjoying themselves,not all pubs have to restaurants for people to have a good night out, great atmosphere,what a good pub should be like.

Date visited: 22,Nov,2007

Review by Colonel Tim Frost on 9th November, 2007

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These reviews have a purpose. I saw a lovely picture of this Inn in the Australian Motor press. I was going to stay there. Now I won't. Thank you to the reviewers. Tim

Date visited: 9.11.07

Review by angela sanford on 21st June, 2007

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As I have now read I am not the only one who has received terrible service and dreadful food at this establishment. The pub seemed to be run by a group of teenagers who although may have been trying their best didn't have a clue. The food took more than 35 minutes for the starters which my partner had ordered. These were very very greasy and overcooked and looked most unappertising. The main course which my partner had to chase up the service of was truly dreadful. I had chosen sausages and mash after seeing the other over cooked food being served. The sausages appeared to have been fried not once but twice making the skins like leather. The mash had long since been anything like potatoe and tasted more of industrial strength instant. The onion gravy wasn't and had likely never seen an onion. It was merely gravy granules undisolved. The food should have carried a government health warning with the level of salt in it. When I complained I was offered a pudding. How would a bowl of icecream take the place of a main meal. As other reviewers have said I have eaten in some of the poorest countries in the world but this has got to be the absolute worst. If you are looking for a meal I reccomend anywhere but here.

Date visited: 16.06.07

Review by Peta Kennedy on 15th April, 2007

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We visited Bourton and decided to eat at the Kingsbridge Inn. It was an absolute disgrace. After waiting a full hour for the lamb roast Sunday lunch we were told that there was none left and would we have the beef or turkey instead. We had seen people who had come in after us getting their meals and had wondered what was going on so asked and that is when the waitress advised us about the lamb. We decided to go with the beef which arrived eventually. It was absolutely tasteless and the vegetable also had a peculiar taste. Whilst eating this meal another waiter came up with yet another two plates of roast beef dinner for us!!!! We negotiated with the manager for free deserts because of the wait and the no show of lamb and when I went to enquire how long the deserts would be I was told another 20 minutes at least so I basically told them to forget it. I think this has to go down as the worse place I have even eaten in this country or even in the world and believe me I have eaten in many establishments around the world - so called third world countries make a better job of presenting food than this place.

Date visited: 15/04/2007

Review by Jonathan Walker on 3rd October, 2005

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Don't bother eating here! I went to this lovely pub expecting a cracking sunday roast. 30 minutes later after putting up with repeated customers and waiters going in and out of the door next to us, leaving it open for the cold wind to freeze us whilst we waited, the food finally appeared. The worst sunday roast i have ever eaten and at £7.95 thats no mean feat!! One bit of beef and roast potatoes that were uncooked with veggies that had obviously been boiling for a couple of days! Shocking.

Date visited: 02/10/2005

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