Best Western Old Mill Hotel& Leisure Club

The staff were friendly throughout, and we slept comfortably. Breakfast was very good with plenty to choose from. We had the all-inclusive package, and the evening meal was a mix: the steak pie and gammon were lovely, but the fish and chips weren’t great. Our room felt a little dated, though it didn’t spoil the stay. The coffee machine wasn’t working, so I had tea instead, and I could’ve done with an extra pillow. We didn’t bring swimwear, but the pool looked nice. We’d recommend the place and would visit again.

The all-inclusive drinks from 6pm to 11pm were good quality and plentiful, and we thought the package was well worth the money. Dinner was very good: we had steak pie with chips and greens, plus fish and chips with peas, and dessert each. The supplement came to just £2 in total. Breakfast had a generous full English as well as cereal, croissants, toast and yogurts. The bar and restaurant felt cosy. Our room was clean, if dated. We didn’t use the gym or pool, and they didn’t look especially inviting. We had a lovely overnight stay for my husband’s birthday.

The biggest problem was the noise next door. My room could be joined to the one beside it to make a family room, and loud, cheerful neighbours kept me awake from midnight until 2:30am. I called the night porter at about 1am, but nobody followed up. For a B&B, a decent night’s sleep matters, and I didn’t get one this time. The room was clean but basic, and the hotel is dated in places. Still, the staff were pleasant and welcoming, and the fresh, well-cooked breakfast was good. It’s comfortable enough for a short work trip, but light sleepers might want earplugs.

I contacted the hotel before booking because I’d been diagnosed with coeliac disease since our previous visit to the Old mill, and they said gluten-free food wouldn’t be a problem. At check-in, they’d noted my dietary requirement, and the dinner menu had gluten-free options marked. But when I ordered prawns and fish and chips, the waitress explained the prawns couldn’t be made with panko, only batter, and there was no separate fryer. She also couldn’t guarantee the chips hadn’t been cooked in a fryer used for gluten. With few other choices, I took the risk, which was a mistake. By 8:30pm I had severe stomach pain, diarrhoea and sickness from being glutened. They need more awareness of cross-contamination. Even a breadcrumb can make someone with coeliac disease very ill. At breakfast I still felt unwell and was reluctant to eat. A friendly woman greeted us, but when I asked what was gluten-free, she loudly announced she’d just had another person like me over there, then listed my options. Coeliac disease is hard enough without being made to feel singled out or difficult. I was okay after breakfast, though still feeling the effects of dinner, and the illness ruined our anniversary night away. The room was basic and very dated. The pool hadn’t improved since we last stayed a couple of years ago, the tiles were peeling and the water looked murky. In room 26, the bed was extremely hard, rubber was coming off the shower screen, and the bathroom mirror lights didn’t work. I’m not sure we’ll return to The Old Mill.