Hector's on the Wey in Waverley

These guys should not be in hospitality rude beyond belief. This was my second visit thought the first my be a bad day but no, just the same rude attitude. My mistake never again explains why on a sunny Friday lunchtime only three people in the cafe. I can only imagine its their first time as well.

We love this place, Baguette are always fresh, venue is fine if dated the outside always lovely thanks to the river. We go there often sometimes with family sometimes with friends and happy with the service although it's not the usual, often meaningless, !have a good day"

A perfect place to drop in to after a walk along to river. Proper freshly cooked food.. skinny chips and eggs are delicious

Hector is a punt, end of story! Hopefully he'll get thrown in the canal to be eaten by the plankton. AVOID AT ALL COST!

AVOID ‘Hectors on the Wey’ unless you wish to be verbally abused, insulted and humiliated by Britain’s most VILE, VITRIOLIC, VENOMOUS SLOB of a waiter/manager/owner (whatever he is? - seen sarcastically waving in photo). We’d read so many negative reviews but didn’t think he (Hector?) could possibly live up to them… WRONG!! This sad, clearly psychologically damaged individual dishes out far more than just substandard, overpriced food. It must be sheer HELL living in that head of his! IRONICALLY you’ll see a sign in the photo that states ‘Be nice or leave’… Obviously, ‘Horrid Hector’ needs to heed his own advice!!! Pray he does the public a huge service soon by RETIRING!! Discerning diners you deserve better! PLEASE give your custom to a Cafe that actually wants and appreciates your business!! 🙏🏼

I go to Hectors every week with a friend of mine, and what a great place it is. We always have the same order, coffees and a bacon ciabatta which my friend looks forward to all week! There is plenty of choice but that is his favourite. We are never hurried and always feel welcome, it's a shame the weather is getting colder as we both like to sit outside and watch the passing traffic on the river, I even saw my first kingfisher. The Christmas decorations inside are lovely and give Hectors a really warm cosy look. Very good value for money. I'd recommend it to everyone!

Very much enjoyed a couple of ciabattas, fries and salads, cups of tea and coffee, and an excellent NZ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. That done and dusted, finished off with a Belgium chocolate fridge cake; absolutely excellent! Nice chat with other visitors and the proprietor, the latter with a keen and dry sense of humour. Great stuff :)

A lovely stop near the end of a long walk for a strong cuppa (with a proper teapot and tea) and generously buttered toasted tea cake. Nice to have a genuinely friendly proprietor who enjoyed a joke and a terrific location also next to the water and the various boats. Decor a bit tired but frankly that adds to the character of the place.

Tried Sunday lunch following recommendation from friend. Wonderful home cooking. You get what they have cooked that day, be it roast beef, lamb or pork and deserts are delicious. We have gone back subsequently and tried them all. We found them really friendly and will be going back next week. Only downside is parking - there is none and side streets are yellow lined.

A friend and I stopped yesterday afternoon. Huge menu choice. Late afternoon so we had tea and teacakes. The tea came in a huge china pot with a china jug of milk, as well as china cups. Plenty of hot, well brewed tea. Infinitely better than any chain coffee shop serves. The teacakes were were toasted and served with butter spread really thickly - a relic of yesteryear (I could reminisce about toasted bacon sandwiches made freshly on British Rail trains in the 1980s but don't have time here). Bloody marvellous. Hector had dry humour that some might take for grumpiness. There is a sign that says they don't have wifi but that they talk to people instead. Fantastic. And then there is the position - right on the river Wey with narrow boats slipping past and both indoor and outdoor tables with fantastic views! Keep it up!

Extremely rude service on several occasions I have visited. Poor food choice. Best avoided and going into nearby Godalming.

The man is in the wrong job. Should be working on his own away from the public. He could win prizes for his rudeness. He got my very simple order wrong, didn't apologise and just slapped it down on the table. Only stopped there as at end of long walk. Wouldn't bother again sooner go hungry. His mate isn't much better either. He is lucky to get one star.

Very quirky venue, but a sadly average meal. Has to be a walkers venue as no nearby parking. Roast beef was stunning but accompaniments were somewhat disappointing.

We walk down the Wey every few weeks. Always welcomed by Hector. They amazingly remember our different orders. A brilliant place. I totally sympathise why he thinks cyclists are prats!

Ignor the silly one star reviews!! This is a great place for a brew and bacon roll for breakfast. Not sure where the comments about the owner and service come from. Great place, great location great service.

Called here today on walk along river and had elevenses: coffee and cake, very pleasant, no complaints at all. Were wondering having read reports but did not get any bad vibes.

I concur with all the negative comments written on trip advisor about this grumpy hector. Made to feel so unwelcome that we did not stay for round two! I have given one star as 0 is not an option.

I can only echo all of the other comments about the owner of this establishment – quite possibly the rudest man I’ve ever met and frankly should not be working in any form of service industry. Also the food is very mediocre (and they got my order wrong !) and very expensive for what you get. Avoid this place at all costs.

Six of us had a lovely lunch by the river wey in the sun. The owner was friendly and even gave one of us a gift. We must try and get over here more often to relax and enjoy nice food with a great location. If we feel lively we can even go for a row up the river. Give it a try and don't believe some of the comments written here. We have always found the service friendly and welcoming

My friend and I have a coffee here after walking our dogs along the river. On this occasion the cafe did not look open so I opened the door and asked politely if indeed they were open as no lights were on and chairs were stacked around the outside tables. The man inside said to me and I quote... ‘ Do you speak English?’ ‘ Can you read?’I was so shocked my friend and I just walked away!!! This response was completely un called for, rude, impolite, possibly very racist and actually unbelievable !! I will never return. He was obviously referring to the very tiny open/close sign on the door which I innocently thought had not been changed as the whole place was so dark! I shall tell all my friends to not go there and shall spread the word far and wide as to just how disgusting, rude and unbelievable this customer service was!!!

a great little cafe serving a great sunday roast as well as gerneral food and cakes very nice coffee and you can watch the narrow boats going by and get a narrow boat cruise from the cafe as well warm and welcoming

We had Sunday lunch today. We had pre booked, the staff were most helpful on booking they changed the roast meat from pork to lamb as our friends don't eat pork. On arrival they were very welcoming, we were served drinks within 5 minutes and order taken shortly after. The roast was well cooked and tasty. The staff were cheerful and attentive. We will definitely return.

I read the reviews before I went, and now having gone, I think the reviews are way (no pun intended) off the mark. It's not fine dining and it doesn't pretend to be. We went for Sunday Lunch, the sun shone and the food was satisfying and tasty. Very tender lamb, perfectly cooked vegetables, ok potatoes and really nice gravy. We followed with lemon pie which definitely hit the spot. All washed down with 4 glasses of Pinot. A roast diner is £ 8.50, the dessert £ 4.00 and a glass of wine £ 2.50. Parking can be a bit of a problem but we found a spot just off the bridge. I loved the dry humour of the two Peters. We were adequately attended to and walked out with a smile, and yes we will go again. I have given it 5 out of 5 for being good at what it sets out to do and not pretending it is something greater. I hope a few more diners will judge it in a similar manner.

Just visited with my family for a cup of coffee. The manager looked at me like I was an alien when asking if I could order some coffees for my family. The most disgusting personal manner I have ever come across and should not be working in customer service!! Do not visit.. you have been warned

Ghastly person running the place ,which is shabby and dated. This person should not be in hospitality and I'd even go as far as to say he is the most unpleasant, rude, vile individual I've ever met in my 50 years. I hadn't quite clocked how awful he was until placing the order, so did still eat there. The food was basic and average and not cooked or served with any care. Never again. The only reason I'd recommend it is if you fancy going along for a laugh at him! Horrible man. Let someone else run it who cares and knows how to behave and it could be a great place, as the location is lovely..

Very disappointed!! Meat was tough, roast potatoes like leather, obviously had been reheated several times and were quite dry inside (what was left of it). Knives blunt, so had great difficulties cutting up the meat and the potaotes Won't go again. Nice location though.

Went here for an event and wondered what to expect because of previous negative comment regarding a Miserable Hector. Two Peters were on duty coping with around 40 people who arrived in close order. Service was friendly and efficient with freshly prepared filled jacket potatoes or filled rolls and salad and a good selection of scones and cakes with wine and coffee. The location on the Wey Navigation with narrow boats alongside made for a very pleasant summer evening .

One of the worst experience's I have ever had, grumpy, rude and frankly diabolical. I really don't know why anyone would want to be so rude,

so we are in a group of 8 cyclists and we arrive at Hectors at 9.55. We are told by the owner / manager that he was not open until 10.00, although a number of his 'friends' are sitting inside drinking tea with him and chatting. We walk back in at 10.00, to be told he disliked large groups of cyclists turning up and we should have telephoned ahead. after making comments like "they don't know what i'm like" and " they haven't come across me" to his friends, we felt so unwelcome that we decided to turn around, leave and find another eatery in Godalming. So, don't know what the food was like, don't really care... but we know what the welcome was like..... it wasn't welcoming at all and would never recommend it..

Rude and unpleasant were the first and lasting impression that Hectors staff left on me.

Visited this lovely setting for a cafe stop earlier today which we as a group of 8 were hoping the cafe would live up to initial expectations. Wow we’re we so wrong!

An awful experience - the owner is obnoxious, rude and highly disagreeable.

We enjoyed a short walk to Hectors on the River Wey, and found the food was very good, a bit expensive, but the setting was great by the river.

Great quality food and more than we could possibly have eaten for a trip on the river! Highly recommended.

Wonderful location, possibly the rudest cafe owner/staff member I have ever experienced. Having walked into the cafe I said hello to the man behind the serving counter only to be totally ignored. I assumed he couldn’t have heard me because surely he wouldn’t have been so rude as to totally ignore me and my two daughters?! I was wrong. Eventually after the man deigned to speak to me intimating that should order, I asked for a sandwich without realising you can only purchase Panini’s or Baguettes. Big mistake! The grumpy old man serving couldn’t/wouldn’t speak just glared at the menu as if I was an idiot, pulling a face that would have soured milk. Having let his rudeness pass I ordered our lunch and asked for a coke. All the grumpy old man could say was “fridge”. With that I pointed out how rude he was and left. I would rather stick pins in my eyes than visit again, manners cost nothing and the grumpy old man certainly doesn’t have any. If I could give this place zero stars I would!

At the start of a cycle ride along the towpath we had the misfortune of meeting Hector.

Lovely Sunday roast turkey dinner followed by rhubarb crumble and custard, just like mother used to make . Pretty setting with good friends, a beer and spring sunshine.

We had a tea scones with jam and cream these were the best we have had for some time.We tried these in DEVON last year and HECTORS were far far better and the tea was very good too.Its location is nice to at the side of the canal what could be better than having a nice scone and watching the barges going past.

I find it quite hard to believe the reviews about "grumpy Hector". We have been here a couple of times and always found both guys to be pleasant with a wicked sense of humour. This weekend we started our trip away on our canal boat with coffee and sausage/bacon baguettes. Very fresh and extra coffee too. Piping hot and served with slight wit, the two men do a great job.

We hire a day boat from the lovely people at the boat yard next door,every year for a business meeting. Last year Hector was very grumpy, today when we tried to order coffees, he threw his toast in the bin,then went to his plate and threw the un eaten toast in the bin.

Decided to stop for a snack and drink at Hector's after a walk along the towpath. Lovely setting and food very nice but long wait (nearly an hour for a baguette) and staff seemed unprepared for being busy on an exceptionally nice Bank Holiday. The younger lady waiting was very charming and welcoming but others seemed more than a little flustered and grumpy. Shame as hardly surprising that it was likely to be busy yesterday - and good for business!

As others indicated didn't get to sample the food as met by one of the most rudest people had the misfortune to meet. The boat staff were great and nice setting but avoid the restaurant if you don't want your day ruined

Llegamos aquí al principio reservar un fin de semana en el astillero. Fue una mañana espléndida, así que decidimos llamar a Héctor para tomar un desayuno tardío. Tenían una oferta donde se puede tomar un café/té y un rollo de tocino o salchichas de £4. 25. Qué ganga y una gran jarra de café y un rollo de tocino recién preparado, nos alimentamos bien para nuestro día. Par de chicos que eran muy habladores y amable. Altamente recomendado

No puedo revisar la comida, porque francamente no llegar tan lejos. Tener en este lugar encantador con mi ciclo me increpó por un hombre he asumido era el propietario por atreverse a asomarnos mi bicicleta contra una mesa vacía fuera! El lugar no estaba lleno y no me quedo. Parece de otros comentarios que tiene la forma, verdaderamente un tío Héctor! Es una pena realmente, ya que la ubicación y, de hecho su cliente se merece algo mejor.

Estaba bien, pero nada especial. No había mucho para elegir, menú parece limitado. d Por su hermosa cationes que podría ser mucho más.

Nuestra tribu llamada para un almuerzo ligero habiendo tomado el paseo por el canal de navegación de La Coruña - Wey el centro de la ciudad. Establecimiento está en una ubicación agradable y siempre un buen lugar para café/té y aperitivos. La decoración es robusto y limpio, hay algunos asientos en el exterior. En esta ocasión teníamos una papa al horno con atún, una baguette con jamón ensalada y maravilloso plato de humeante sopa de verduras. Acompañados por algunos maldita café fino (finalmente). El servicio es siempre bueno, si algo único. . . . Lugar recomendado por mí.

Mi marido y yo hacer un hábito de visitar cada Viernes para nuestra Hectors semanales regalo. Buena comida, excelente sopa casera, todo servido con gastar bromas. Última visita fue hoy, con sólo un Peter presente, pero Liz hizo un excelente trabajo como soporte. Lo pierdes si no estaba allí! Personas que se quejan, o no tienen sentido del humor o han sido pomposo o grosero a los dos Pedro y han tratado en consecuencia!

I have been to this cafe many times over the last 4 years. The food is good basic fare. The atmosphere has always been jovial. I have a very tall profoundly autistic son who has always been made to feel very welcome when we have been there. In fact they have gone out of their way to make sure we were okay. So I was very surprised to see a couple of negative reviews.

Didn't know what to expect from this little place on the river. Upon entry I was pleased with everything they had to offer. From playful banter to food, it was all GREAT.

dropped by recently on a weekend. The place was 3/4 full. Had soup, coffee & pastries. Soup was hot, but not filling ( Celery & fennel). Coffee was drinkable.other visitors were doing Sunday roast lunch which looked OK.Located on the tow path of the Wey. next to rowing boat and canal boat hire place.Bills itself as a bistro. Not that standard however. If it had said it was a cafe I would have done 4 stars.Good bolt hole on a wet or cold day - toilets available next door

Welcoming, homely; Walking boots or Sunday smart. Delightful location on canal side. Chocolate biscuit cake excellent.

Out on a stroll along the river came across this very well positioned tea room and called in for a snack and tea. This place is very relaxing just by the side of the river Wey, friendly staff and good service.

This is a lovely place to visit and the food is all freshly cooked and varied. Try the egg and chips or the ciabattas with lots of lovely fillings. Also enjoy the banter between the two Peters, one who cooks and the other serves. There is always a cheerful welcome and customers can eat outside if the weather permits and enjoy the view of the boats on the canal.

Hector's catered for our group with their usual friendly service and good food. We will be back soon.

The food was basic and a little over priced, but it did the job. The owner however - what a horrible man! He was rude to a child on his own, rude the table beside us and very rude to a lady with little ones who asked if there was a free table. Luckily we weren't subject to his attitude, but many others were in the firing line, we won't be going back and don't recommend other visit either.

Nice lady serving, but the gentleman who was doing his accounts or something was scowling and muttering to himself which mad a bit of an atmosphere in this sweet tea shop. On the river Wey Hectors is in a lovely spot. Maybe people go there for a a bit of real grumpiness. I wouldn't.

OK - in the summer you can sit outside and chortle at people attempting to get into rowing boats (and yes, I have done this too!!!!) and in the winter you can sit inside and look out at the winter weather on the river. For some reason the tomatoes used in the tomato sandwiches always taste home-grown. Delicious! Owners are also incredibly helpful. We went not realising we had to pay cash for a small amount and had no cash. Owners let us go into town to get cash after we'd eater and to take it back later.

We had the worst ever experience of this place. The man running it was unbelievably rude and insulting and left us all feeling very, very upset. When I say rude I mean rude. I would never dream of speaking to anyone the way he did let alone customers! I was visiting Surrey and I visited with my 80 year old Auntie and three children. We had just taken a rowing boat out on the river, it had rained heavily so we were all wet and cold and were looking forward to a nice hot drink. We arrived at the tea shop 15 minutes before closing time and my children and Auntie went to order some hot drinks while I returned the boat. My child came to me as I was in the boathouse and told me he wouldn't serve us and was horrible. Thinking my child must have this wrong I went to the tea room and asked him for some tea; he refused point blank to serve us saying he had turned off his hot drinks. When we pointed out that it was not closing time the abuse started. It was absolutely horrible. I complained to the boat house who were very, very quick to point out that the tea shop was totally separate to them; I got the impression they were used to this type of thing. The tea shop wasn't even very nice inside. I think what was the most shocking about his behaviour was the fact that I was with my 80 year old auntie and my three children. Avoid this place.It really is upsetting.

The most excellent and simple ham, egg and chips ever (according to my eldest) after a great hour rowing on the River Wey!!

The food here is nothing to write home about. Average or below would be fair. It's a good setting by the boathouse on the Wey Canal, but indoor and outdoor furniture is a bit shabby.The real nail in the coffin is the terrible attitude of one particular member of staff. Laugh out loud bad. Like Fawlty Towers but replace the canned laughter with awkward silence of the diners. I walked out today after he was extremely sarcastic and rude. They don't deserve any business.

I found the beautiful English countryside highlighted by a wonderful meal at Hectors with a good sprinkling of humor & conversation. Our meal was well presented & delivered with a smile & a very pleasant Bon appetite.We enjoyed our visit & will definitley be returning, it was a most pleasent experience.

I had high hopes for Hectors after I read they had been voted 'Best Roast Dinner in Surrey' in the Surrey Ad (I think it was).The food was aweful, the roast beef was tough and like leather, the potatoes were like Aunt Bessie frozen ones, and really powdery, and were very hard to ear.I ordered a beer, and was given a can of Fosters poured in a dirty glass, and it top it off there was a dead spider sitting in the top, the lady serving it didnt even notice.The people working there are fairly friendly, but the food was a massive let down.I would say do go here for a drink, or bit of cake, but AVOID the roasts, or anything cooked there, this really needs to be improved.

Very steamed up windows and rather a "cold" atmosphere to the place - but hey it was the middle of the winter.

I had lunch here with a group of friends. Hector's may be a convenient place to stop for a bite to eat either during a walk along the Wey canal or if you are boating on the canal itself, but the atmosphere is dull, the room dark, the furniture basic and the menu not extensive - sandwiches, baked potatoes or soup.However the experience was completely ruined by the officious and unacceptable attitude of one of the male serving staff who laid into my wife for 'moving all the chairs about'. My wife explained that the first chair she had used was so rickety that it was in danger of collapsing, and that she had severe back problems from cancer, so needed a comfortable chair with back support, this was met with complete silence rather than anything resembling an apology. Had we not been with others we would have walked out. As it is, we shall not be returning, and will look for better service elsewhere.

This is a quaint little place to stop if you are hiring a boat or taking a walk along the river. I have always found the staff pleasant. The food is OK and there are some very tasty cakes. I recommend the rock cakes, which are yummy. It is very relaxing to sit outside in the summer and watch the boats go by and it is just as nice sitting inside in the winter.

We went to Hectors in the morning before we hired a narrow boat for the day and the staff were very helpful and we were given a nice breakfast to take on the boat with us. On our return we were met by a gentlemen (in the loosest sense of the word) who was rude and abusive and slammed the door in our face and flipped the closed sign over. There is plenty of places to eat along this lovely river so walk or sail past Hector and give your money to somebody who deserves it.

Dropped in at Hectors cafe after a winter's walk. Very friendly welcome and the best chocolate biscuit I have ever tasted, bar none. We will return

We've visited Hector's several times and we are always delighted. We'll be returning. The hosts are a 'unique couple of guys' - almost a floor show at times - and the food and drink is good, as is the setting. Don't be put off by the recent negative review due, it would seem, by the cafe's disinclination to have unruly children running wild, having fallen foul of the boat guys just before apparently; we are personally happy that there are still some standards alive!

The two Peter's made me fill welcome. The food was so good and value for money. I will be making Hector's one of my regular places to eat when out and about. And I will tell all my friends to go there

I was there today with my children and nieces and we had to leave and demand our money back. It's a lovely little place and I'm sure the food is good but we found the staff there particularly unfriendly. After grudgingly taking my order a tall man, I presume Hector, started shouting at my daughter, who had just taken a sweet from a little basket next to the till, thinking it was free (she lives abroad and is accustomed to free sweets in shops and restaurants). The sweet was returned but the hostility continued when Hector said "you don't have to eat here", or something similar. At this point he gave us our money back and we left. Perhaps Hector was having a bad day and I understand the misunderstanding over the sweet, or maybe, just maybe, he should make a little more effort. I won't go back there and I will tell at least 10 people of my negative experience.

We have returned to Hector's again and again for good simple food. We found it on when we were hiring a boat and have gone back for the food alone.

This bistro / tea room is just around the corner from where I now live and the owner is a great laugh.The service is tounge-in-cheek and there is always some banter whether you are known to the staff or not and that's part of what makes this place great! Both of "the Peter's" are more than happy to chat with everyone and are very friendly, unlike the comments from "Beth w" at the bottom of the reviews list.If you're passing by they are well worth dropping into and they can also prepare food if you're hiring one of the boats from the boathouse as well as catering for private events etc...

nice food, reasonably priced. Good service and a lovely setting. Not great if you're watching the carbs, tho - no salads to speak of!

Really nice place to stop of for a drink or a bite when travelling down the river. very friendly and reasonable prices.

My wife and I have been going to Hector's for many years. The food and drinks are fine and we plan to visit him again soon. You have to remember this is a small tearoom, not the 'Mayfair' in London. The service and prices are that of a two person run establishment. You get value for money. By the way, we have dined at the 'Mayfair' so we can compare!

I visited this tea room on a cold Sunday morning with my local cycling club. There was probably 12 of us all turned up on mass all looking for some warmth. We arrived to find a friendly Scotsman who offered us tea and coffee with a good selection of cakes. What we found was a nice touch is the owner (we think) put a jug of hot coffee on our table to have refills at no extra cost. We will be making sure we add this stop to our club website.

Unless you're a local and sound like one skip this "friendly" tearoom. The proprietor was rude and insulting and that was after being uncommunicative and unfriendly. I love little tearooms and love boats so I had high hopes. We had friends with us and the rudeness was very embarrassing. The scones were terrible and when the proprietor/waiter (I'm not sure which he was) heard us talking he came over and berated us and was quite insulting. Do not go.