Unfortunately and with regret, we found today that we agreed to say a goodbye to longstanding friend. For many years, we have enjoyed excellent meals, with excellent service, whilst visiting either Howard Hillier Gardens or Montifont Abbey. Since we live a considerable distance from both venues. We had not visited for some time due an illness my wife suffered. So today, we visited prior to visiting the gardens and we were taken aback by how standards had fallen with new management. In previous years, we always went midweek. So, it was a sorry state to discover that on a Saturday over the Easter weekend that the pub had about 25% of the anticipated customers I would have expected. I was doubting that we would turned away. However, on drawing into the car park. I knew this would not be the case. The food was not bad. But, nowhere near the standards we had come to expect. My double cooked belly of pork had not been properly cooked the first time! We took a grandson and discovered they were not able to provide tomatoes sauce?? The service was poor, to the point, I asked myself if they wanted return business! A sorry end to a long relationship.

Didn’t get chance to have any food as my phone call to reserve a table was treated very rudely and then the phone was put down on me! Strange behaviour. I had made sure I phoned at a quieter time and I didn’t think this was an unreasonable request. I booked somewhere else.

Hearty country pub with delicious home cooked meals. Large portions, reasonably priced and excellent service. Highly recommend

Pleasant country pub - good food and beer - dog friendly and a recommended BritStop. Parking: Campervans can park overnight without any fee. Book in advance.

Very atmospheric pub with a good fo9d menu. Lovely garden and area for children to play in. Also able to overnight in a campervan.

We chose this pub as have visited previously and enjoyed the whole experience. Today, a Thursday lunchtime, we were celebrating a birthday and had booked. It wasn’t busy but we were shown to a table so close to other diners it was uncomfortable and we asked to move. This was agreed but might have set the tone for the service that followed. Drinks order was taken with minimal politeness and no smile. The order arrived but while serving a pint, beer was spilled (it happens) on the ‘birthday girl’ and table - no apology, the waiter just walked away. We mopped up with serviettes and then waiter returned with a cloth - no apology, no smile and no conversation. Food order arrived with the same perfunctory service - it was good food. We then had drinks, desserts and coffees - they got the order wrong but it didn’t seem worth correcting them. We spent over £120 - the food was good but their customer service is appalling.

I did previously enjoy the quiz nights and other meals ive had. Always had a warm welcome from the gentleman and serving staff. Tonight we were warmly greeted by the staff, who took our food and drink orders. Our food came as the quiz started, we'd been looking forward to it all day. 3 of us ordered off the specials menu, 2 off the normal menu. All the food arrived together but as I cut into my lamb shank the meat was cold. It was taken awa, with apologies and a freshly heated meal arrived after the rest of my table had finished eating. I also had to go to the bar to ask for more cutlery and mint sauce. Not to worry I thought, I'm sure they'll make it up to me. We had a round of mochas to finish whilst doing the quiz. It was not the normal quiz master, not a problem, we came for a nice meal, a bit of banter and a catch up. However, during the quiz the land lady ( who had stood in for quiz master) came to our area of the pub, saying loudly " one table is being very loud, shut up!" She looked at our table but when I later suggested this was not the way to treat customers she replied she'd looked at all the tables. Anyhow at the age of 57 I will not be treated like this. The atmosphere in the pub could be cut with a knife for the rest of the quiz evening. When we went to pay our bill I asked about consideration for my messed up meal. The polite barman said he'd have to check with the landlady. She came over, asked if the replacement hot meal was OK, which it was but I'd received it after my friends had eaten. She said you get 20% off but as we were at quiz we all got that anyway. She asked if I was satisfied I said not really but there you are. I also said I didn't like her tone of telling customers to "shut up" twice during quiz, there are more polite ways to speak. All the murmering afterwards agreed with me. The staff were clearly embarrassed too. What a shame. I paid my bill but cannot recommend returning, I will go to places that value my custom. I work in hospitality myself and would not dream of telling a customer to "shut up!"

My partner used to work here and has told me how badly he was treated. My experience however, as a customer, was dreadful, other than the one time I got a few drinks late in the evening on a weekday which was okay, the one time I tried to order food, was awful. Half my party when to order some lunch whilst my partner and I waiting for his mum to see what we would eat, not even t minutes after the two members of my party who ordered food had sat down with their food and my partner and I went to order food, we were told the kitchen was closed. The kitchen closes at 2pm (for lunch I believe) however the time we went up was at least 5 minutes before 2 which may not seem like much time but for half a party of customers to have been served and the other half not is very poor service. In the end, we had to make do with a few bags of crisps and some peanuts Kid-friendliness: Tiny little, seemingly old kid's obstacle course

Food served quickly and hot! Good choice on menu. Pleasant and helpful staff Kid-friendliness: Garden play area

Booked for lunch x 4… warm, pleasant surrounds, good proper pub ambience, attentive staff and home cooked food… with very ample servings. What more can you ask for? Much enjoyed my lamb chops followed by apple pie and custard. Pie of the day was excellent. Recommended 👍