Initially given a room that had a radiator that could be turned off. The room was about 30 Celsius. I called the staff on duty who appeared to resent my complaint "I'm not a plumber" however they eventually put us in am alternative room. The rooms were not the cleanest and the sink blocked. Didn't complain about the sink because the duty staff weren't a plumber. The pub was shut so despite having booked a table in advance had to find an alternative (The wheel and spoke - highly recommended). Altogether the feel of neglect and a place on it's way out.
Iain suggett174 days ago
Needed a bite to eat easy access from j6 m40 forget service stations. I was super happy with everything about this brilliant pub fine ales and a tasty well cooked food served with pride and well deserved too. Would give it 10 stars if I could. The most pleasant staff really made this a super experience thanks 😃
Christopher Neail174 days ago
Saturday afternoon dinner. Haddock and chips A1. Apple crumble and ice cream just ok. Wish I'd had something else. Great selection of beers. Large car park. Beer and grub good value. Never been here before, but would happily visit again.
Chris Oak205 days ago
Not what I would have expected from a pub with accommodation. We arrived mid afternoon on Tuesday to find that the pub was closed on Tuesday, not just for general drinking and eating but to guests as well. We went round to the rear of the property to find a notice pinned to the door, telling us what room we were in.
Room was pretty small but tidy. No TV, though there was a radio hidden in a drawer we found later. Rads didn't work though there was a heater provided, and not really anywhere to hang our clothes, there was a rail in a cupboard but that was a bit grubby itself and it looked like our jackets would get more dusty inside than out!
Bathroom was small but basically clean, everything worked. However, the fan was a bit weak, the shower screen looked like it was about to fall off and the shower head needed descaling.
Throughout our stay we never saw one member of staff. When we came to the door the following morning for breakfast there was another sign saying we could go to a cafe round the corner to get it. Food from the cafe was very good mind.
First time I've ever stayed somewhere and never seen any staff at all. In principle I can see the logic behind what we were offered, but I would have expected at least a message advising of the system, maybe this was why they were so keen to take payment in advance; because nobody was going to be there on the day and to ensure we didn't go somewhere else instead (we would have!)
Rory Marbaix205 days ago
I booked the Fat Fox for my family to stay at during my wedding which was nearby, as a family we booked a total of 6 rooms, so lucrative business for a small B&B.
The issues were numerous. Despite an email confirmation and various phone calls, it transpired on the day before my wedding that a room for my groomsmen and my sister and her partner hadn’t been booked. Heather offered no apology but sought to blame everyone else. She blamed me for not paying a deposit, I offered to do so but she refused and she also blamed my sister for going into a room at checkin that “wasn’t hers”, my sister didn’t checkin, her partner did so this was a lie. Heather then offered one alternative room above the pub that she admitted was noisy and had a shared bathroom, I said a shared bathroom wasn’t going to work and she rudely said it was good enough for a Lord and Lady that were staying there so it should be good enough for my guests. That was incredibly rude and I’m not even sure if what she said was true.
As all the issues came out the day before my wedding, we still had a family meal there with 24 of us despite all these issues. The function room was nicely done and the food was good but Heather completely ignored the monumental errors in leaving my family without accommodation. I think she tried to suggest she gave me a preferential rate on the wine I bought, but the price paid was the same as that quoted in the email.
In summary, not only was the booking procedure a shambles that led to me having a really stressful day the day before my wedding (Heather didn’t bother to try and sort the situation and find alternative accommodation for us), the staff were rude and didn’t take responsibility for THEIR error and more than that the rooms that she did manage to reserve were tired and not in a good state.
Please avoid this pub and B&B as they really don’t deserve your business.
Mark Oulson-Jenkins235 days ago
We arrived as part of a wedding party, a 6.5-hour drive to find we had no room, just wonderful... This was eventually resolved by a number of the wedding party guests finding an alternative arrangement. The groom was tearing his hair out which would have been amusing on his stag doo but not the night before the wedding. I suppose he should take relief and be grateful it was not his wedding night. To be honest it was an absolute shower unlike the one in my room which would have been fine if I was 4ft 7inches tall. Only 12 episodes of Fawlty Towers were ever made, there was enough material in that short stay to make another three at least. It was a real shame because it does have great potential and the food was not bad but a very, very stressful evening for the groom and his parents. I found it amusing.
Peter Keating297 days ago
THIS IS A CON B&B please read so you don’t get conned like us . Notice on door telling us our room was across the yard pub closed for what was described as flood so no food or drinks???
We had just cycled the ridgeway and this was a huge disappointment as no messages to let us know this and we had to rush to find food
The guy that let us into our room said we’re was a chip shop on the corner !!! Also this meant no breakfast !! And we’re told we would a 10 pound refund which was ridiculous as the whole point of booking was sleep and food on a cycling holiday( still awaiting refund why am I not surprised)
Room was dirty sink and shower was stained as not cleaned. Blinds were on the window sills not the windows
As it was after 8 we decided we had to stay and avoided the person who let us in as I was so disappointed
I noticed in day light the next day it was a brakspear pub and was up for let and looking for someone to take it on which probably explains a lot
So on my return yesterday I spoke to stef at brakspear brewery who took my details and said she would have the area manager contact me so fingers crossed
This is a con and do not stay here is my advice and trip advisor you need to update reviews
Emilija Sokolova358 days ago
The security was rude and didn’t let me back in after i went outside for some air and they said i wasn’t allowed in because i tripped over a curb, after i asked can i speak to the manger they said he wouldn’t talk to me and if i asked again they would permanently ban me . They ruined my night and would not recommend going there.
Altogether the feel of neglect and a place on it's way out.
I was super happy with everything about this brilliant pub fine ales and a tasty well cooked food served with pride and well deserved too. Would give it 10 stars if I could. The most pleasant staff really made this a super experience thanks 😃
Room was pretty small but tidy. No TV, though there was a radio hidden in a drawer we found later. Rads didn't work though there was a heater provided, and not really anywhere to hang our clothes, there was a rail in a cupboard but that was a bit grubby itself and it looked like our jackets would get more dusty inside than out!
Bathroom was small but basically clean, everything worked. However, the fan was a bit weak, the shower screen looked like it was about to fall off and the shower head needed descaling.
Throughout our stay we never saw one member of staff. When we came to the door the following morning for breakfast there was another sign saying we could go to a cafe round the corner to get it. Food from the cafe was very good mind.
First time I've ever stayed somewhere and never seen any staff at all. In principle I can see the logic behind what we were offered, but I would have expected at least a message advising of the system, maybe this was why they were so keen to take payment in advance; because nobody was going to be there on the day and to ensure we didn't go somewhere else instead (we would have!)
The issues were numerous. Despite an email confirmation and various phone calls, it transpired on the day before my wedding that a room for my groomsmen and my sister and her partner hadn’t been booked. Heather offered no apology but sought to blame everyone else. She blamed me for not paying a deposit, I offered to do so but she refused and she also blamed my sister for going into a room at checkin that “wasn’t hers”, my sister didn’t checkin, her partner did so this was a lie. Heather then offered one alternative room above the pub that she admitted was noisy and had a shared bathroom, I said a shared bathroom wasn’t going to work and she rudely said it was good enough for a Lord and Lady that were staying there so it should be good enough for my guests. That was incredibly rude and I’m not even sure if what she said was true.
As all the issues came out the day before my wedding, we still had a family meal there with 24 of us despite all these issues. The function room was nicely done and the food was good but Heather completely ignored the monumental errors in leaving my family without accommodation. I think she tried to suggest she gave me a preferential rate on the wine I bought, but the price paid was the same as that quoted in the email.
In summary, not only was the booking procedure a shambles that led to me having a really stressful day the day before my wedding (Heather didn’t bother to try and sort the situation and find alternative accommodation for us), the staff were rude and didn’t take responsibility for THEIR error and more than that the rooms that she did manage to reserve were tired and not in a good state.
Please avoid this pub and B&B as they really don’t deserve your business.
This was eventually resolved by a number of the wedding party guests finding an alternative arrangement.
The groom was tearing his hair out which would have been amusing on his stag doo but not the night before the wedding. I suppose he should take relief and be grateful it was not his wedding night.
To be honest it was an absolute shower unlike the one in my room which would have been fine if I was 4ft 7inches tall.
Only 12 episodes of Fawlty Towers were ever made, there was enough material in that short stay to make another three at least.
It was a real shame because it does have great potential and the food was not bad but a very, very stressful evening for the groom and his parents.
I found it amusing.
We had just cycled the ridgeway and this was a huge disappointment as no messages to let us know this and we had to rush to find food
The guy that let us into our room said we’re was a chip shop on the corner !!!
Also this meant no breakfast !! And we’re told we would a 10 pound refund which was ridiculous as the whole point of booking was sleep and food on a cycling holiday( still awaiting refund why am I not surprised)
Room was dirty sink and shower was stained as not cleaned. Blinds were on the window sills not the windows
As it was after 8 we decided we had to stay and avoided the person who let us in as I was so disappointed
I noticed in day light the next day it was a brakspear pub and was up for let and looking for someone to take it on which probably explains a lot
So on my return yesterday I spoke to stef at brakspear brewery who took my details and said she would have the area manager contact me so fingers crossed
This is a con and do not stay here is my advice and trip advisor you need to update reviews