Shears Inn

The staff were friendly and helpful, and the portions were very generous. The roast potatoes and chips were lovely. The pub itself is a lovely old place, but it feels worn and shabby, seemed unclean, and wasn't comfortable to sit in for long. Some of the food was nice, though there were a few letdowns: the steak was thick but a bit chewy, the pie lid was hard as if reheated, and the jam roly-poly had no jam inside. Jam was poured over it afterwards, then it was microwaved, leaving the custard gloopy and not great.

We visited for a meal on 27th Feb and the place was so cold that we had to keep our coats on, like everyone else there. The new menu has lots of choices, but some prices felt too high, including £16.00 for three sausages with peas, mash and gravy. Our steak Canadian sandwich and chips cost £10.00, which felt more reasonable and tasted good. Choose carefully.

We were a party of nine, and the staff were efficient with everything served hot. The portions were generous, and the extra cauliflower cheese and mushrooms were good-sized, nicely cooked, reasonably priced, and enough for more than one person. The menu had a good range of puddings, although we couldn't fit one in. The atmosphere was pleasant and welcoming. I can only comment on the food and drink, as we didn't stay. Finding the place was the downside. The cobbled roads seem to go nowhere, and the bends feel sinister in dim light. Access is challenging and not friendly for wheelchair users or people with a wonky leg.

The evening was really disappointing, and I won't be going back. There was a mountain of mashed potato under thick, sludgy gravy, with the meat buried somewhere beneath it and hard to find. It was the same story with the carrots and peas. The custard was so thick it had almost set, which might work in a trifle but not with sponge pudding. With all the past reviews, I'm surprised they haven't got a new chef.