The Queen's Inn

After a long drive, I stopped in hoping for a quick drink so I could get back on the road. I barely got seated, then waited ages at the bar while the staff looked busy. Most other customers had drinks brought to their tables, but I had to go up myself. When I explained I was in a rush, they still seemed unwelcoming and said they were really busy, despite only seven occupied tables, three of them inside. I work in hospitality at one of London’s biggest event venues, so I know what busy looks like. I’m not local, but I certainly didn’t feel welcome. I’d give zero stars if I could. Avoid.

The building and location are lovely, but the food and staff let the place down. Three of our four meals were nice; the ribeye was so fatty and gristly that even the steak knife couldn’t cut through it properly, and it wasn’t edible. When staff asked if everything was all right, we told them, but they only said they’d inform the kitchen. We waited around fifteen minutes to order coffee, then had to call the barman over. At the bill, we questioned being charged for the steak. The waitress reluctantly took it away, huffed as she left, then came back with the card machine while we were still drinking our coffees. After we paid, she rudely said we should ask for a replacement next time if we weren’t happy. I can’t see us returning to somewhere with poor food and service like that.

Breakfast was very good, and our evening meal was tasty too. We were two couples and had lovely rooms for our stay at the Queen's inn. The welcome on arrival was warm, and everything about the visit felt fabulous. Our friends were celebrating their anniversary and received a lovely little gesture. I’d happily recommend the place and would go back.

The staff were attentive, though not especially friendly, and the pub itself had cobwebs on the ceiling and light fittings. We stopped because it was the only nearby pub serving restaurant food after 5 on Sunday. Our table was sticky and dirty. The fish was good, but the thrice-cooked chips seemed reheated from lunchtime and were very dry. The mushy peas were more like mashed peas and tasted a bit odd. We won’t be back.