Bathurst Arms

Everything came out promptly for our Christmas dinner and it was delicious. My venison duo was juicy and cooked just right, with a little pink in the middle. The waiter was wonderfully cheerful and made us feel welcome, checking more than once that we had everything we needed and were happy. We'll be back!

I made the two-mile walk from Mayfield, the local caravan park, to have a meal at the pub. I went for something different, the Korean Chicken burger, but it was short on flavour and could easily have been from KFC. Several other dishes I saw looked more substantial. Service was okay and the staff were friendly, though they forgot the wine I'd ordered, which was a shame. The pub has rooms as well. I'm not sure I'd go again.

I keep coming back to the Bathurst, and have had plenty of good visits on my own and with friends and family. The food is consistently good, and they cater for an allergy that's quite rare. The Sticky Toffee pudding could be better, though I'm a tough judge of that dessert. It's pricey, but that fits with the A435 Corridor and the area. The bar is lively and good fun, with cheeky banter and sometimes strong language. For a quieter, romantic meal, you might prefer the restaurant or a spot by the river in warmer weather. The bar is the place to join in. I always look forward to music nights and the singers Jason and Sheree have brought in. The staff are friendly and remember people. If they have a laugh with a regular while you're waiting, try not to take offence. Regulars help keep the place open. When I first visited, I enjoyed watching that from a distance, and it's part of why I return. Timing makes a difference. Come between 4 and 6pm any evening and expect a bustle as locals finish work and unwind. It brings a great atmosphere, but also longer waits, so book ahead if you're planning to eat. It's a welcoming pub with good food, lively evenings and quieter spots when you want them.

The surroundings are lovely, and it could be a nice place to stop for a summer drink, but the meal was disappointing and steeply priced. I was looking forward to coming because the reviews seemed okay and the menu looked good. At these prices, I expected a lot more. I won't be rushing back. The service was slow even though it didn't seem busy, and nobody checked how the meal was. In the end, we had to get up to ask for the bill. The waitress couldn't tell us whether they were fully booked for Christmas or what cranberry sauce was, and didn't find out for us. They'd also run out of several things: the haggis bonbon, the pepper snacks, and a couple of items we heard other tables ask for. The roast was over £20, but the Yorkshire puddings seemed to be Aunt Bessie's or similar. The carrots and broccoli were so overcooked they were hard to keep on a fork, and the beef was supposed to come with creamed horseradish, but it didn't.