The Eltermere Inn

For about £50 a head, I expected much better service. We were never asked how the meal was going or whether we wanted more drinks, and I had to look for staff several times. We went for a birthday meal as a group of ten and, understandably, had to order ahead. But some items were missing from the dishes. The bread was stale and disappointing, with no olives, and when we asked, no one even apologized. My trio of lamb was good, but the poor service really let us down. We left for the pub down the road to have dessert there instead, and the service was much better. I wouldn’t return.

The constant peacock noise was so bad that we were given earplugs. Staff seemed uninterested in helping guests feel comfortable, and the atmosphere was drab. The place also looked run down. Breakfast and dinner service hours are short, and after dinner we were told to leave the lounge at 10 pm because of a “FIRE RISK.” Very disappointing. I won’t be back.

I’m fond of this lovely spot, and the food remains a real strength: good quality and inventive. But it could use some TLC. Service was uneven, and one staff member in particular came across as if hospitality was beneath them. It feels as though the place needs a firmer hand running things. The wifi is awful too, and out in the countryside that’s just annoying now.

We’ve enjoyed drinks here before, but today we came for lunch and were effectively refused service because my daughter has a nut allergy. Allergies like that are common, and kitchens should be able to accommodate them. It felt almost discriminatory. We won’t be coming back.