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 Nutwell Lodge, Lympstone

Best rates for a Local Hotel

Review by caroline brooks on 15th February, 2013

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Went with my husband for the Valentine s meal. This was reaaly lovely. Good service and a good choice. We belong to the diamond club and have really good meals. Would definetely reccomend this eating place.

Date visited: 14/02.13

Review by Nicki Gatherum on 21st June, 2012

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My family and i visited last night for my daughters birthday. Being a wednesday night i didn't think to book a table - what a mistake this was. We arrived at 19.10 to be told that there was a 45 minute wait. 50 minutes later they sat us at a large table that had been empty and unused since we arrived! They then told us that she couldn't do carvery for all of us (5) but might be able to manage 2 but they only had belly pork & lamb left. They then proceded to push all the most expensive items on the menu to the rest of us! 2 of us ordered the bacon cheese burger which took over 20 minutes to arrive and it was so dry that i couldn't eat it. Also because the menu food took so long the carvery eaters had finished they're's before ours arrived. Will not be trying this again!!

Date visited: 20/6/12

Review by Marty FRENCH on 17th June, 2012

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I thought we would give it another chance, since we had a disasterous visit late last year. Alas it is still absolutley rubbish. Staff who havent a clue, food that it medoicre AT BEST. Tried it for fathers day with my family and left really dissapointed, dissatisfied and very out of pocket for sub standard food and service. Suggest you try elsewhere - this place is and never be more that a cheap dump trying to be average and failing.

Date visited: 17th June 2012

Review by David on 11th February, 2012

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My wife and I have lived in the area for nearly five years and yesterday was our first visit to The Nutwell Lodge. We had heard various comments on the food so we gave it a try. The carvery was very good with a choice of four meats and a vegetarian option. The Food was hot and there were plenty of well prepared vegetables (even at 2pm). An all round pleasant experience.

Date visited: 10/02/2012

Review by maria on 10th January, 2011

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took my family here for a xmas meal and after spending £100.00 to pre-book it we all left very hungry. The food had been pre-preped, left out all day and was awful. I live locally and have visited The Nutwell several times over the years. The service is disorganised, which is down to the restaurant manager to keep a tight ship!!

Date visited: 24/12/10

Review by R Speight on 31st October, 2010

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I am not in the habit of complaining verbally or in writing. However, the meal that I invited a friend to last night at Nutwell Lodge fell so far below acceptable standards that I have felt obliged to voice my disappointment and anger. Having looked at the menu and established that there was a vegetarian option at the carvery, we decided we would choose the carvery. When we got to it, the beef looked very dried out – I would guess it had been there since lunchtime. I consequently opted for the turkey and was duly served. My guest wanted the vegetarian option only to be told there was none made up. By this time I had taken the vegetables I wanted. So we ended up one with a meal and the other having nothing. While I ate my meal my guest had to choose from the a la carte and wait while his Sea Bass was cooked. His meal arrived just as I finished mine! I then had to sit there while he ate his. I was not at all happy with the quality of the vegetables. The roast potatoes were soggy, some of the cabbage was so dried out that I could neither cut it with a knife and fork nor chew into smaller pieces to swallow. The Sea Bass was luke warm and the parsley butter remained totally unmelted. The staff we spoke to were courteous and welcoming. I did not voice my displeasure to them as I did not consider the complaints I had were their fault. I do, however, consider that management needs to get a grip of the quality and availability of the food they are serving. I am sure you can’t like to receive letters of this nature – and I don’t like writing it, but there were some serious problems that need addressing

Date visited: 31 October 2010

Review by Mrs Tron on 11th October, 2010

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The palce looked nice inside but thats about it really, the carvery was quite shocking, the roast potatoes were not roasted for sure, they had dried out and became rock solid shells, the veg was too hard, the meat when i found it was just chewey and awful, i had to push back into the que for mint sauce, where you think it would be at the end with the gravy. all i can say as it was not enjoyable, the waitress just rushed us through and was not that polite. I don't think i will be in a hurry to return!

Date visited: 10/10/10

Review by Chris & Marian Hebden on 24th March, 2010

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Having visited the Nutwell on a few previous occasions, we were somewhat apprehensive of this visit due to numerous adverse comments posted on the net. However, there was no need to worry - the standards were even better than our previous enjoyable visits. My mother-in-law and wife had the carvery, which was excellent, with an extensive choice of vegetables and the best Yorkshire puds ever!. I tried the fish and chips, which were absolutely superb. Finally, thank you to the staff, who were extremely friendly and helpful. We shall be back!!

Date visited: 15/3/2010

Review by Anon on 24th February, 2010

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There were 5 of us seated on a drafty bench seat. The carvery was horrible. The turkey still looked pink, the beef looked dry so I had the gammon which was tough. The Yorkshire pudding was like leather and the sprouts hard to cut into. The rest of vegetables weren't particularly appetising either. Will not be revisiting.

Date visited: Wed 17th Feb 2010

Review by Marty FRENCH on 7th February, 2010

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I never pass judgement on an establishment unless I have visited it three times, and today, (my wifes birthday) was the third in recent weeks. I am sorry, but it has become a very substandard establishment. The staff are keen to rush you to a table, often which is too small for requirements, (this time we had 6 of us crammed into a booth). There seems to be only 1 member of bar staff, and any other service apart from that is non existent. The food is a very poor choice, and the standard of veg is often poorly cooked (I agree with the patatos comment previously - on this occasion they were full of 'eyes'). We had to fight to get our sweet ordered, and then it took over 40 minutes to be delivered, and I cannot say the place was full. Even then, it was billed as 'home-made', but it did not taste or appear as good as any cheap supermarket brand. Of the house sweet specials, less than 50% were available. Overall, a substandard place, with poor service and food of very limited and poorly prepared standard. Shame I really used to like the place but it definately took the edge off my wifes happy day.

Date visited: 7th Feb 2010

Review by anon on 31st October, 2009

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My family and I have been visiting the nutwell for a while now.We used to love it- the food was great. I must admit that it does have a much nicer atmosphere and I think the re- furbishement has really paid off. It is so much calmer and relaxed. However, recently things haven't been so good. Some dinners have been nice, others average and a few rather disgusting! Last time that I went- yesterday- it was... not too good. We had to wait half an hour to be seated, then after us a table of three came. After five minutes, a lady approached the crowd of three and said, "we've a table for four, but you may have it as you are a party of three." We had been waiting much longer than them! We already had bought drinks from the bar when waiting, which was fine. They were lovely. Then, we all ordered carverys and got them. The meat was good, potatoes tasted good, but were incredibly hard to cut and sometimes chewy, carrots were rock hard, but ok, gravy was good, yorkshire puddings were good and parsnips- some were good, some not. We didn't get any service all through the meal and it didn't look like anyone else did. They had part of the resturaunt closed. It was obvious that they didn't have enough staff on. At the end of the meal, finally someone took our plates and offered pudding menus. We never got the menus, we had to ask for the bill, so basically it is nowhere near as nice as it used to be. I think it all depends on staff and chefs.

Date visited: 30th October 2009

Review by graham chandler on 25th September, 2009

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just had a few days break in my old haunt of exmouth had a carvery at the nutwell lodge as had not been there for 3or 4 years , whatcan i say the whole carvery from the roast beef down to the gravy was absolute perfection. the chef really knows his stuff , you will not get a better meal anywhere for £7 i kid you not.i have had carveries in london costing 3 times that do not come anywhere near the quality offered at nutwell lodge. congratulations to you all at nutwell, i for one will be a regular when next in town

Date visited: 23 09 09

Review by Ms Rowe on 24th September, 2009

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Took the family out for a birthday meal, the waitress did came and ask what drinks we wanted, but we had only just sat down, so asked her to come back in a minute. 20 minutes later I went to the bar, where all the staff were hiding, and asked if we could please order food. Ordered 3 roasts, and one steak. After waiting 30 minutes we went and got our roasts, whilst the steak still didn't appear. Went back to the bar asking if we could order drinks, where a prissy girl hissed that it was table service. I pointed out that actually, there was a flaw in the statement. The steak still hadn't appeared, so grabbed the spotty oik who skuttled off to the kitchen and found one within a few minutes. Have you seen the prices of the puddings! jelly and one dollop of ice cream is about £4! Didn't bother leaving a tip.

Date visited: 23/09/2009

Review by Alan on 20th August, 2009

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Huge disappointment. SORT OUT YOUR STAFF ISSUES!!! The meal was average, but could easily have been so much better. Arrive for 7:30. Drinks ordered and take 25 minutes to arrive. Order entree - told it would be 30 minutes. Go to the carvey at 8:40, 4 of the vegetables have run out and are not being replaced, the 'chef' doing the carving was as grumpy as anything and having been told that we could have additional vegetables, they were all cleared away at 850 - inspite of the menu advising they will be there until 10. The waiter had such bad BO it was offensive, the lady who turned out to be the duty manager didnt have a clue, the service was incredibly slow, the kitchen staff unhelpful boardering on rude and the food very average. My recommendation: Sort out your staffing issues, give them some proper training and leadership, explain that customers are in fact important and not the reason you cant go home and just maybe you will start getting some better reviews. My recommendation: GO ELSEWHERE.

Date visited: 20 August

Review by Andy on 4th April, 2009

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First time at the the nutwell since the re-ferb and what can I say....... It will be our last!!!!!. Complained about the soft drinks, as they had a funny taste, were told there was nothing wrong with the soft drinks dispencer as nobody else had complained. Were then told that we would be charged for the bad drinks as well as the replacements as they said the soft drinks machine was working fine. Had to complain to the owner to get the drinks taken off the bill. Overall the bad service killed the evening and the possibility that we, as locals, will go back or recomend it to any of our visitors.

Date visited: 04/04/2009

Review by Alice Sankey on 28th September, 2008

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Me and my extended family visit Exmouth every year, and always dine atleast one night at The Nutwell Lodge. This year we managed to visit twice, the first time was a very nice experience. Friendly staff, nice atmosphere, extroadinary meal. We all chose to have a carvery. In previous visits there has been an offer on the carvery's, but unfortunately this year there wasn't. We were all so pleased with our meals that we chose to dine there during the second week of our stay. But this time, however, it wasn't as perfect. The staff were VERY rude and miserable. Not friendly or helpful at all. I chose to have the fish and chips from the menu, and it was absolutely disgusting! The chips were not cooked.. I almost broke my tooth tryiing to eat one of them. And the fish was awful! It had a horrid earthy taste to it.. I was almost sick. And I also found what seemed to be a 'worm' in it. I wasn't pleased at all, and neither were the rest of my family who had a carvery. They said that the turkey was tasteless, and the potatoes had repeatedly been reheated. The yorkshire puddings were just a clump of batter. Not very impressive. To top all of this off, I was sick that evening. I personally blame it on the fish I was served. As for the refurbishment... all you've done is paint it all white and buy a load of pointless photo frames with nuts in from IKEA. It's not a very welcoming environment, and I'm afraid to say that we will no longer visit you in future years. Alice Sankey, 16.

Date visited: 23rd September 2008

Review by Jack Baker on 18th March, 2008

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Visited the resturant for the first time since its refurbishment. What can i say!! The place looks stunning, much better system(no longer need to que) and the menu- What a Transformation!! 4 of us dined, two had carvery the other two ordered from the menu. the prices have raised but so to has the quality. everthing was loverly with friendly service from the manageress. It does seem a shame reading other of the reviews that some people will critisise just because they dont like change. if you want the cheap offers and fast food there is plenty of other choice. good job!

Date visited: 20/02/2008

Review by Keith Dickson on 13th January, 2008

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A favourite venue refurbished we could not wait to see what was what! Shown to our table, drinks order taken and served (now table service and no offer on carveries!). However what looked like an improved menu so we decided to order from this. Smart new decor, although the cramped bench seats were still there and the lights over the carvery section are so bright sunglasses would be advisable! We waited...and waited....and waited.....FINALLY after half an hour the manageress (I think she was)came to take our order, BUT let my wife actually give her request before telling us that only carvery was available due to a problem in the Kitchen! By this time the queue for the carvery was horendous and would have taken an hour before we would have got any food! So we went to the bar to pay for our drinks (£6.05 for what was £4.90 befor refurb!)and left. My family and I have made many previous visits to the Nutwell Lodge before its refurbishment and always enjoyed a well cooked good value carvery. We were therefore sad it had to shut for so called refurbishment, if its not broke why fix it? We deliberately waited to now to test the newly refurbished Nutwell Lodge, let any teething troubles as it were be sorted.

Date visited: 12/01/2008

Review by Mr Michael Organ on 17th December, 2007

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When my partner and I go out for a meal we always give the meal/venue marks out of 10.Usually most places get 8/9 points but I am afraid the Nutwell Lodge only got 5. We had the cavery,I have to say the meat was great but only 2 SMALL slices,the yorkshire puddings were awful just a ball of dough,the roast pots were just OK,(another lady sent hers back).We were sat at our table the next thing a high chair was put nearly next to me and a young child was deposited in it,it then procceded to cry and scream.When I go out in the evening I do not want a screaming child next to me,this was 8.30/9 in the evening you should have a family room or a time limit when children are allowed in.The service was not great we had to wait to have our table cleared.We think you are trying to be something your not,your not a chain you should be the local pub restaurant.We were not given any money off our meal.All in all not a good experience. Mike Yvonne

Date visited: 22nd December 2007

Review by lin booth on 2nd November, 2006

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we visited this resturant on the suggestion of a friend and found the food superb the atmosphere cordial and the freindly staff very helpfull a brilliant place for a meal

Date visited: most weeks

Review by Fay Knowles on 16th September, 2005

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I would like to commend Nutwell Lodge Manager Joanne Reed on her great team of eager, helpful and friendly staff. The Nutwell Lodge restaurant is our favourite place for a delicious, value-for-money and top quality meal, with a relaxing atmosphere, when we are visiting Devon from abroad. We return again and again. Keep up the good work Nutwell Lodge! Best wishes, Fay Knowles http://www.bahamaswriter.com Nassau, Bahamas

Date visited: August 2005

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