The Black Lion Royal Hotel

The room was lovely and warm, and the service was really good. The new manager, a helpful and attentive gentleman who used to be a chef, said he was cooking our lunches himself after dismissing the cooks who had been there before Christmas. The menu looked inviting, with a specials board too, and the food was delicious. The empty plates said it all. A big thank you to him for going above and beyond, and to the young waitress, who was polite, knowledgeable and a delight. There were six of us booked for lunch on Thursday 15th Jan. I hadn't expected much, since I'd heard the restaurant was closed at lunchtime and a few people had had poor meals there before Christmas. We’ll definitely be back.

The new chef has made a big difference to the food, and even came over to ask if I was happy with it. There’s a nice buzz in the restaurant in the evenings, with locals, hotel guests and friendly staff mixing together. I’ve stayed here several times for work and never had a problem. The staff have always been great, the rooms clean, and each has a large smart TV. Parking works well even for big vans. The hotel is on the high street, within walking distance of a supermarket and about a five minute drive from a decent gym, which is handy when working away. I haven’t tried breakfast, so can’t comment on it.

The kitchen and waiting staff deserve top marks. We had a fantastic meal here during the October 2025 half-term, and my 12 year old children were very happy with the kids meal. The gourmet burger and steak were especially good. They also serve one of my favourite lagers on tap, Staropramen.

Two drinks took 20 minutes to arrive, and there was just one waitress working. When I asked about gluten free food, the only option offered was a £30 steak without chips, since the chips weren't gluten free. So it was basically steak on a plate. The waitress wasn't helpful and didn't know what other sides were available. I did eventually get broccoli with the steak. We came for an evening meal and were met by a foul smell at the entrance. Then I saw online claims that the place was infested with rats left decomposing. The food was okay, but arrived cold. A former staff member also told me they'd let all the staff go apart from one to keep the place open that evening, and weren't going to pay wages they owed. That's appalling. People who work hard deserve their pay. This place needs pest control ASAP. We won't return, and I'd advise others to avoid it.