Fox and Grapes

The food was really tasty, and the two young waitresses were lovely, but the service from others made the visit uncomfortable. We’d booked a New Years Day pub lunch after a walk on the common, drawn by the location and the promise of a cosy pub. I can’t speak to the rooms. We arrived about ten minutes early and were told our table wasn’t ready, though we could get a drink at the bar. The woman serving there was surly and abrupt, with no welcome or smile. We sat briefly at an empty table and were told to move, without an apology or any effort to make us comfortable. It didn’t feel like somewhere you could stand at the bar, more like a dining room where we were in the way. A child’s scooter and bike were propped by the bar and posed a bit of a hazard. The vibe felt off, with an oppressive manner from some of the older staff. If you’re after ambience and friendly service, I’d choose one of the other excellent pubs on the common.

The food is brilliant and the venue is so charming, which makes the service we got all the more disappointing. I’d been here a few times before and loved it, and after we couldn’t get a mother’s Sunday booking, I was excited to bring my parents on Saturday instead. We had sharing starters but weren’t offered side plates. One waitress saw us cutting food on menus and didn’t help. Nobody mentioned the specials, and when we asked, we got raised eyebrows and a tone that suggested she couldn’t be bothered. We had to ask for water three times. When my mum asked for a refill, her cup was aggressively snatched off the table. We smiled, but didn’t get a single smile back. The waiting and bar staff made us feel like an inconvenience, and the staff ruined the experience. I won’t return. I didn’t stay in the rooms, so can’t comment on them.

I had a great roast here about a year ago, but my visit to the bar was a different story. I asked for a lager top, specifically in the top, and the bar steward poured the lemonade first. When I explained that you drink the beer through the lighter lemonade on top, he shouted, “I know what a top is!” while pouring a very strong shandy.

The man behind the bar was very lovely, but the rest of the stay was a complete letdown. There was no parking, and we were expected to sleep in a bed with no covers or pillow cases. The sink was wrapped in clingfilm so it couldn’t leak, and we had to walk through the kitchen and staff areas. A woman working there was very rude, singing obnoxiously over guests trying to eat and complaining loudly that the music wasn’t working. The place needs a new manageress.