Bird In Hand

Twice now I’ve wanted to go in and turned back after seeing people smoking right by the entrance. I don’t want to walk through cigarette smoke and have my clothes stink of it. This time I tried the back door instead, but it was locked.

We were there for one night for a friend’s party nearby in Clifton. The bed was comfortable and the room had plenty of space, but it looked extremely tired and dated. The door wouldn’t close properly, and there was no hairdryer. The bathroom was awful, tiny like a pantry, with a loose toilet that was almost lifting off the floor. The shower tray and curtain were filthy, so neither of us would use it. The bathroom vent couldn’t be switched off and kept us awake. There were only two small towels, neither bath-sized, and no hand towels. The pub was rough and rowdy, with people shouting and swearing loudly. We raised the room problems with a staff member, and a manager spoke to us at checkout and said she’d look into them. It seemed obvious the toilet hadn’t come loose overnight, and the shower looked as if it hadn’t been cleaned for weeks. I’m fine with cheap accommodation, but £78 for one night was ridiculous. Honestly, I wouldn’t have paid even £8. Bird in Hand, basic cleanliness and a door that locks are the least I’d expect. I won’t be back.

The Friday night entertainment in the bar was very good, and the owner was accommodating and helpful throughout our stay in June 2022 for Liam Gallagher. At £50 a night for two people, we got what we needed for the price. I’m hoping to stay again in February.

An emergency booking, and a horrid stay. The TV and furniture were broken, the carpet looked like it belonged in the 1940s, and there were stains on the bed and in the shower. No soap, no proper towel, just one for the floor, and a strong musty smell. Nobody explained anything about the place. We were handed keys in a rowdy, laddish bar downstairs, and ended up with no breakfast. Awful place and atmosphere.