Old Crown Hotel

There were eight of us at The Old Crown, and we had a lovely evening with a great atmosphere and good food. At times, one person was handling the bar, taking food orders and serving drinks, so there was a bit of a wait. That's just an observation, not a criticism. We'd definitely visit again.

I know live sound and audio levels as a DJ and music producer, and the system at The Old Crown was badly managed. On New Year’s Eve, the music was painfully loud and distorted, with the levels pushed into the red. A few of us had to leave because we couldn’t talk or enjoy the evening. The venue is beautiful and historic, which made it a shame that the sound spoiled the visit. This isn’t about the music itself. The distortion and clipping made the experience unpleasant, whatever the cause, and turning the volume down and managing the levels properly would help. I wouldn’t recommend the bar on a busy night unless the sound improves. The DJ wasn’t good either.

The coffee was delicious, and the fries came in a generous bowl with creamy mayo. I was told the hot chocolate was amazing, and it smelled really good. The service was quick, and the staff were lovely. I’ll be back soon with friends for food and drinks. I only popped in for coffee while waiting and ended up looking into the history of this adorable pub. The Old Crown has been around for over 600 years, surviving two demolitions and wars, and it’s lovely to see it combine medieval character with modern hospitality. I’d be proud to work somewhere with so much history. I haven’t seen the rooms, so can’t comment on them.

We had a really nice stay. The room and bathroom were clean, and there was tea and coffee with a kettle, which we enjoyed. It’s a beautiful building and the staff were very friendly. The pub noise was the one drawback. Luckily we’d brought earplugs, but keep it in mind when booking.