"Additionally, there were several pieces of broken furniture: a drawer front was hanging off, there was a battered trunk in the bathroom, and a bathroom mirror was waiting to be mounted. Access to the side entrance via a cobbled alley is essential, particularly when the front door is locked, as it prevents the hassle of dragging luggage through the bar. The interior has various levels and steps that add character, but unfortunately, it makes the space inaccessible for wheelchairs.
The bar area is appealing, featuring Theakston Old Peculier Best, Black Sheep Best, and Nick Stafford's Hambleton Ales Stud on tap, along with John Smith's, pickled eggs, onions, and the standard lagers. During my visit, the local football team was celebrating a victory with their trophy, initially in high spirits. However, a brief fight broke out in the bar, causing some patrons to seek refuge in the dining area. Thankfully, it ended quickly without any significant damage, likely involving some over-enthusiastic footballers, so this shouldn’t be considered a regular occurrence.
I found the chicken liver starter acceptable, though the sauce was too watery and would have benefited from some bread for dipping. Dirty wine glasses are simply unacceptable, especially in dim lighting. My glass had noticeable smudges from someone else's lips, which is not appealing. Next to me, the owner engaged in a long-winded conversation about roadworks, which detracted from the focus on cleanliness and hygiene.
The lamb casserole was delicious, albeit a touch sweet, but was undermined by the stingy portion of bread served. I was given just *one* small part-baked French roll, not nearly enough to accompany the dish. It felt ridiculous for such a meal. Noise from the bar carried into the dining room, as soundproofing clearly wasn't a priority during construction — having a few drinks might help drown it out.
In the morning, we were greeted by the pleasant sounds of horses being exercised nearby. The bathroom supplies were a bit odd, offering four shower caps but no soap. Breakfast was satisfactory but unremarkable. Overall, while this review may sound critical, my experience wasn’t bad at all. It was good value, but with minimal effort, it could be significantly improved."
Cold Coffee
