The White Pheasant

The room was a good size, with a great selection on the tea tray. The shower had plenty of hot water, and the towels and bedding were clean and good quality, though the mattress made the bed uncomfortable. The hotel has a lovely setting, but it’s in poor repair, with rotten windows and a strong damp smell. There was nobody at check-in, so we had to stand in pouring rain and ring to get the access code. We didn’t eat at the hotel, so can’t comment on the food.

The dogs loved the lovely walks right outside, and we kept them on leads as requested. The place is very dog friendly, with beautiful grounds and genuinely helpful, friendly staff. The bar staff we met were wonderful. The rooms were clean but very tired, and a lot of the beautiful building seems unused and neglected. We know it must cost a phenomenal amount to bring it up to a higher standard, but the outside bar was still a mess, with glasses left out and rubbish everywhere. The price reflected what you get, and we might stay again. The reception needs clearer signs from the car park. Nobody was there, but we found my name on a piece of paper with a key, which may suit people who prefer no interaction and could be a cost-saving measure. As a vegetarian, I was very disappointed by the carvery and the limited choices for me and my vegan cousin. The sample menus online were very different from reality and misleading. They ran out of veggie sausages, and we ended up with a soggy, microwaved vegan wellington and no veggie sausages for the full English. Nobody replied to my Booking.com or website message, so after three days I had to phone to get an answer.

The scenery is nice, the food was okay and the staff serving it seemed pleasant enough. Inside, though, the hotel smelled and felt run down, with an eerie sort of atmosphere that wasn’t very cosy. It needs major refurbishment, including new carpets, decent double-glazed windows in place of the old wooden ones, and paint here and there. I suppose you get what you pay for.

The team handled a very busy Sunday carvery brilliantly. We booked for 1:30 but, as it was oversubscribed, weren’t seated until 2. Luke and the four girls I saw working with him were professional, calm, caring and efficient. I may have their ages wrong, but I doubt Luke was over 23 and the girls were younger still. Their customer service was first class, and the food was great too, so well done to the kitchen team.