Hermit of Redcoats in North Hertfordshire

The Hermits has found its own identity again. So welcoming and friendly. Back added to our list of pubs

I had the lemon sole as a main and the chocolate nemesis as dessert. Both were great. The new management is clearly doing something right

Went to The Hermit for Sunday lunch. Everything about it was fantastic - the food, the service and the atmosphere. Will definitely be coming again - definitely recommend!

The new management have come in and had a huge impact already. The food is seriously good - really high quality and reasonably priced, and there is a good selection of beer on draught. We have been twice already and had roasts on the first visit and then had the 'pig in blanket sausage and mash' and the fish finger sandwich second time around and have to say everything has been excellent. Great to see a traditional pub in the hands of people who really care.

So good we've actually been twice in the past two weeks! First visit was a Sunday lunch and the roasts were the best we've had out, the lamb was so soft! Sticky toffee pudding was to die for too. Also been for a midweek lunch and the food was just as good - highly recommend the fish finger sandwich and the prawns, we also had the special pork belly starter and it was absolutely delicious. The new management is a breath of fresh air and have clearly put in so much in taking over. So nice to be greeted by such friendly staff too. Couldn't fault anything and can't wait to come back to make our way through more of the menu!

Had the most delicious meal here tonight. Has recently been taken over and we were very impressed with the service, friendliness of staff and the quality and presentation of food. Really nice menu. Highly recommend.

Under new management, 4 of us all had different dishes, on Wednesday, we all really enjoyed our food. Service was friendly, relaxed and efficient. Great evening. Highly recommended.

Everything you would want from a pub meal. Attentive, chatty nice staff and some epic food. Excellent selection of well looked after beers/wines and a great food menu with fabulous touches (e.g. homemade apple sauce, twists on classics, etc) all of which was delicious. So good to see this place run well but such a great new team. A fantastic day all around.

Great walk across fields and footpaths from Stevenage to this Pub. We both had a steak sandwich for Lunch. Cooked to our liking, within fresh good quality bread. Good beer as well. We will return.

A really smashing place. The food was exceptional. I hope the new management have the success they deserve. Well done

Nicely refurbished, with good ambience. Friendly and efficient service. The lunchtime menu was very well done indeed, a massive improvement on the previous incarnation of this pub. Recommend the black pudding and the whitebait starters. Pickled fennel was a revelation. A really solid addition to Hitchin eating options, intend to return for dinner menu. House wine not too shabby either. Thought and care have gone into this food.

Cannot reccomend more highly. The lunch menu is limited but everything we ordered was of highest quality. And not a problem at all that some of us had no starter, others had two and one picked bits from several options and asked if they could be amalgamated into one main course. Very good food, excellent and friendly staff

Had to try it as it has opened under new management. I must say I was extremely pleased ! Inviting, relaxing, comfortable, friendly, and quaint. Had drinks, starters, Sunday lunch, dessert & coffee, and for the first time in a long time I had nothing to complain about (which doesn't happen often when I eat out !). The food was extremely tasty, well-presented, nice and hot, and simply delicious ! Also a big thumbs up to a good coffee !! It is reasonably priced and will definitely be back !

Amazing amazing!!! Under new management....great menu, great wines, great service. Sunday lunch was delicious!!!! We used to visit a few years back every week...it's the same, incredible standard. They have a fantastic chef on board...,so happy our local is back!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻

Had a delicious meal here last night. The place is very cosy and has a nice, welcoming vibe and friendly staff. Plenty of choice on the menu, and, although there are staples such as burgers and fish n chips, there are also more gastro choices which encouraged us to get out of our comfort zone and eat something that we might not normally choose when eating out. My husband had venison, which was delicious and a very generous portion, and I had clam linguine which was also very good. My husband was too full to have any dessert, but I managed to squeeze in some tart tatin which was the best I've ever had! We had a lovely evening and will definitely be back for more soon.

Come to this pub regularly as love the space indoors and outdoors. Under new ownership, had the most amazing meal!!! Starters, mains and desserts were all delicious. My whole family all tried something different and every dish was great...especially the black pudding starter and salted caramel tart dessert! So glad to have a great food pub back in the area! Excited to return again soon. Thank you

At visit 5pm on sunday quiet large garden occupied inside sparse

Discovered this place after moving to the area, cannot fault it atall. Staff are lovely, food is amazing and it’s set in the countryside with a lovely garden.

Had a meal and a drink there. Lovely

Greatest kids garden area in years

Lovely place. The garden seating area is big and also the carpark. The food is tasty and the staff are very friendly and helpful. Would recommend.

Lovely country pub just a stone's throw from Stevenage. Huge garden with childrens' play area. Children and dogs are welcome. The food's great and the ales well kept. What's not to like?

Booked Sunday lunch for grandsons 18th, large group, mixed ages and a dog. Roasts enjoyed and we especially appreciated the cauliflower cheese. Had a brilliant relaxed time, the staff were attentive to our needs but very relaxed in approach. Made us feel comfortable and ‘at home’. Would recommend to any large celebratory group.

Had a birthday meal here on Sunday (roast ) excellent meal 14 people all served at same time would recommend posted by Barbara

Fantastic. Go on a Thursday, Pie Night, and have one of their truly delicious pies. Proper cooking! Absolutely lovely place.

Good food, beer and great bar service

Such a shame, had been to this pub years ago and it was amazing. Chose it to celebrate my birthday with my family. There were 9 of us. What a shocker, never have we ever been served such poor food. Fish was awful, over cooked and hardly any fish when you broke the batter. The fries were like a cheap version of stringfellows. Fillet steak ordered medium was well over done, ribs were like mush. The cook (not chef) was sitting in the bar on our arrival and went into the kitchen to rustle up our meals. We all left hungry, and we didn't pay for the steak and the fish, really the whole lot should have been refunded for the worst ever dining experience we have ever had, we even got my birthday cake back from behind the bar to take home as we couldn't bare being in there anymore. No Manager came to apologise and it was left to a young girl to deal with us. Had it been my pub I would have done everything to try and resolve. I would have preferred them to reject the booking if they could not cater for a large party. Awful and such a shame.

Good meal, best pie I've had in ages. Chicken pesto pasta was a bit overcooked and over pesto'd but tasted OK. Nice place as well. Worth a visit.

Massive garden as always food was fantastic

Poppy our waitress, was first class . The food was first class . The surroundings /ambience made our 37th Wedding anniversary perfect.

We pre booked and arrived but was not shown to a table was just told to sit anywhere. Following this the tables left to choose from were dirty with crisps and sugar rappers. We were not given any table service and had to go to the bar to order the food. Food was extremely mediocre. Salad was very disappointing. Staff was polite but provided not service. Chairs were broken and worn. Left feeling very disappointed will not be back

Nice setting, friendly staff. Good choice on the menu. Car park to the rear.

Beef was very tough, not alot of meat and only 3 roast pots, one girl working on her own on a Sunday lunch, so slow to order, no one asked if the meal was OK- wouldn't rush back

Lovely pub we found on the of chance , What a lovely place and the food was very good ,the peroni is also spot on

Came here for Sunday Lunch, food was excellent, service was brilliant, could not fault it, will be returning. Thank U

Visited one lovely sunny evening. The food was average, the staff friendly, the pub empty but it was great and relaxing place to visit.

Nice pub to look at however garden full of dirty ashtrays and a bit scruffy while staff stand chatting. Serve TT which is great. Landlady is awful. Miserable rude woman who doesn’t smile at customers but only friendly with Clique few. Her dogs (x3) jumped up at me and pulled a £100 cardigan. She didn’t apologise for them jumping up and has no control over them annoying begging for food ect. Been here a few times recently but I’d avoid in future and spend my money elsewhere thanks

Only went for a coffee with my walking group. Sat outside which is nice, which is well laid out.

Just stopped by to meet someone, so not my local! Roast stops at 5pm, and I arrived at nearly 6pm. Having enquired if they had anything left, as hadn’t eaten all day, they were kind enough to rustle up some roast potatoes. That was a top effort in my book! Thank you

Love the place and ambiance. Staff was really friendly. A bit sad that when we went, a few of their menu items were not available. We went there for dinner on a Saturday night. The food we ordered was good.

So rare to find a good traditional pub who haven’t tried to go too gastropub. Good honest food at really reasonable prices; great garden in the summer and friendly service. A long time since we’ve visited but it won’t be long before we’re back.

Very quiet. Nice staff. Good food

Fantastic people and dogs, friendly and homely pub.

Visited with my mum and sister. The staff were very attentive. The sandwiches were lovely, great fresh sweet and savoury scones and delicious cakes made it a special occasion. Will definitely be back.

Very friendly country pub. Used a lot by locals who are very welcoming. 3 lovely dogs who know their boundaries.

Came here for some lunch and was served the saddest burger I’ve ever seen. It was obviously a supermarket-bought frozen veggie burger heated up warm (not hot) served up in a slightly stale bun with a side of sloppy sweet potato fries and the poorest excuse of a side salad - which consisted of not even a handful of salad leaves and one cherry tomato cut in half. I really wish I took a picture of it to share with you all. Definitely not worth the extortionate £12 price tag! Shame though as the pub in general was quite nice.

Very friendly service and amazing chips 😀

Popped in for a spot of lunch for 2. Excellent service, and the sharing menu done us proud. Loverly atmosphere. Will defo go back

Excellent food, very good value and very friendly staff.

Cozy English pup. Deserve to revisit

Friendly helpful staff wonderful food brilliant service lovely surroundings, definitely worth many more visits.popped in today once again this establishment has the most wonderful atmosphere, staff are brilliant and the food top notch

Thought we’d pop in for lunch on a bitterly cold day. We used to visit a lot with the previous owners so we thought we’d give it a try. Apart from 1 occupied table it was empty which was the opposite of what it used to be with the previous landlord. The menu was a bit of a disappointment as the food used to be fantastic but we ordered anyway. The barman was friendly and attentive but the food took ages to come. Only two tables were occupied! In the meantime I sat there shivering as it was so cold in there and I was tempted to put my coat on! I felt the radiator near us and it was cold. The fire wasn’t lit. I had the homemade steak pie with mash and gravy and it was very nice, but I just wanted to go home as I was so cold. It snowed later in the day so I wasn’t being a wimp! A pub should be warm, cosy and inviting. I shan’t be returning.

Great atmosphere, only had a drink on a Sunday night but will return.

Nice pub food. Let dogs in aswell which is a bonus

Amazing Sunday lunch and super friendly and helpful staff. I would definitely recommend this pub. We had three young children with us, and we still had an enjoyable lunch 😂 We will definitely return. Thank you!

Three lads went for a meal, it had been many years since we had been there but it was always extremely good. Well what a complete disappointment, walked in and it was dead and lacked an atmosphere, before it would have been impossible to get a table if not booked. We were quite early at 6:30 so thought maybe that was the reason. We asked for a wine list, “the” wine list couldn’t be found after a few minutes of searching so ordered after a show of the wines. The table was next to the bar, no menus on it and after a lengthy wait the wine turned up with some Sherry sized glasses so we asked for larger glasses and menus. We sat waiting and ready to order, apparently it’s order at the bar although no where does it say that nor were we informed. Three fillet steaks please, sorry no steaks left, really! Saturday night, empty pup and start of dinner service and you don’t have the most expensive item on the menu 🤷🏻‍♂️. What food eventually came was average, the whole experience was thoroughly disappointing, the bill ended up at 90 for three and we had gone expecting to pay that each, but we ditched the starters, cheese and biscuits as we just wanted to eat and go. So in summary, poor service, average food and just not what it used to be, shame.

Wow what a difference… visited in 2020 and it was ok, visited today for a spontaneous lunch and was pleasantly surprised Lad behind bar very warm, friendly and welcoming but also genuine too which is sometimes hard to find (wasn’t over the top). We ordered food and it was cooked to a brilliant standard for Pub Grub Partner had sausage and mash I had chicken & bacon bloomer with side of chunky chips 😍 Massive tick was how dog friendly it was Will 100% be returning with family and friends and the hounds Thank you x

My son booked Sunday lunch for 6 people here here today. He and his partner are vegans and had perused the menu on line before they booked. There seemed to be a lot of vegan options. Arrived at 2 o'clock and the pub seemed rather quiet. We were shown to our table and were the only people in that particular seating area. After a fairly lengthy wait we had our drinks order taken. There were no menu's on the table apart from a chalk board which showed about 3 or 4 roast dinners on it. We asked for a proper menu and were told that they only served the roasts on a Sunday. Nothing was mentioned about this when the meal was booked on the phone. Ok we thought, it might not be so bad. We could do without starters and dessert. We checked the chalk board and there wasn't a vegan option only a veggie one. We couldn't believe it when the waitress said 'so the vegans can't eat the Yorkshire puddings then. We told her that they couldn't have the vegetarian roast either as it contained brie. I nearly fell on the floor when she said 'they can't eat the beef can they' What restaurant in this day and age doesn't cater for vegans? We obviously couldn't stay. I said we weren't happy and wouldn't be paying for our drinks. After a chat with the manager she told us that was fine which was the least they could do after spoiling our celebration meal. If you go to the menu on line it doesn't say anything about only serving roasts on a Sunday with no puds/starters or vegan option. Every pub/restaurant I've ever been to on a Sunday that serves roast dinners also offers a normal menu as well. It's such a pity that we never got to sample any food and I can only give it 1 * but it was a disappointing experience.

What a lovely find great staff so welcoming and friendly , food was great and fabulous family night we had a mixed group and couldn’t have had a better time x

'Proper' old pub, serves good beer and food

Lovely menu, great value and a fabulous play area for kiddies.

Very disappointed to have the misfortune of visiting the Hermit of redcoats for a lunchtime drink Although the bar wasn’t busy the staff were very slow & seemed completely disinterested in anyone other than their cliche of friends around the bar Such a shame as this used to be such a friendly & welcoming pub The outside area looked very tired & unkempt, fag butts overflowing from ashtrays , the whole place was a huge disappointment Won’t be returning!

Well kept beer and good basic pub food. Friendly staff. Will definitely visit again.

Have visited this pub on many occasions in the last year and we have had mixed experiences. It's nice to see money has been spent on a playground, outdoor seating area etc. It does seem to be a social for the landlord, family and friends always sitting at the same table next to the bar. We have decided we would not be returning after an occasion where the landlord lost his temper when he saw our children sitting on top of a small gypsy caravan situated in the play area. There was no signage on it whatsoever saying not to climb on it and the way he decided to deal with the situation was completely unacceptable when dealing with paying customers.

Lovely Saturday lunch. Very welcoming staff and lovely park for children. Food was lovely will definitely be returning

Went for Sunday lunch and a pint, was our first time there, thought it was a very nice pub, will return for another visit..

My wife and I chose to come here as they had a vegan menu with several vegan options, which is unusual for many country pubs. However we were both left incredibly disappointed by the food, most, if not all seemed to be bought in rather than being prepared on site from how the person who took our order described it. This would not have been a problem if the food was good. We had starters of mushrooms and falafel, with a lentil burger and a spiced cauliflower and spinach pie for mains, non of these were particularly flavoursome or at all inspiring to eat. However the lentil burger, served in a dry bun was bordering on inedible, the gravy served with the vegan pie tasted very much like bought bisto, but I'll give the pub the benefit of the doubt that they would not serve this with a vegan dish. The chips were good. We would not recommend or return, which is a shame considering how good the pub was several days ago.

Excellent food and service, if you want fast food go somewhere else. Cooked from fresh.

The standard of food has fallen dramatically since the owners have changed. The ambience is friendly which makes up for it, but a shame.

Beer was flat and a awful tang to it would recommend they look at cleaning there lines and check their gas and very over priced 50pounds for 8 drinks 2 larger 2 ciders and 4 double disaronno and coke 2 dogs lurking round sniffing and licking us Laying on floor in the way and crawling over the bar lipstick marks on the spirit glasses and management and family sat at table infront of bar eating Chinese not a good Impression made me think that there food is bad if they won't even eat it just beeing honest of my first impressions

Food really gone downhill since my last visit. Poor quality frozen burger patties being sold as Steak burgers. Frozen chips. Bought in desserts. Not terrible, but cheap pub food. Not what it used to be.

Great food just couldn't sit where we wanted to!

The worst pub I’ve ever been to do NOT go to they had raw chicken in the pesto pasta land lady was extremely rude hairs all over the glasses pints was flat when asked for a change of beer even though I said I’d pay for a new one I got educated on my beer because “I clearly don’t know my drinks” please save your money and go to a different pub

Lovely staff and very nice food but dogs kept walking round the table

Used to be a nice pub but I find it very unwelcoming and overpriced. Outside tables seats full of plates and glasses while staff inside doing nothing. Food very average and overpriced.

Pre-Covid this used to be one of our fave restaurants in the Hitchin area with the rare quality of combining snug pub with delicious food and fabulous gin selection. Sadly this is very much no longer the case! Returned for lunch recently and initially impressed by the garden makeover- nice play area and good outdoor bar area. Shame there were so many smokers however. Menu is ordinary and uninspiring and service was terrible. We waited nearly an hour for our lunch and the waiting staff seemed utterly clueless. Food was boring and average. We won’t be back.

Nice and good size potion (chicken salad), decent coffee. Recommended !

It was ok but thought the whole menu would be on offer on Sundays. Roast was ok. Place lacked atmosphere. Staff were hit and miss. Empty for a sunday!!!

Friendly. Comfy. Lovely Sunday lunch.

Simple pub food and reasonably priced and in a lovely location. The interior of the pub was clean and spacious and there's a good selection of seating and beverages available. The outside, whilst large and plenty of seating and a small play area for children, including a football net, was a little tired and unkempt and there was some dogs mess left on the lawn, which had clearly been there a little while.

We dropped in for lunch with a friend and our children. We loved our lunch, and the kids had such a lovely time in the play area. It's so rare to find a pub with a decent play area nowadays. Not only was the food great and reasonably priced, but the staff were so welcoming and friendly. We'd definitely return, and it really made our Bank Holiday Weekend. Thank you!

Lovely countryside pub just outside Stevenage. Food and real ale on sale, with friendly staff and a children's play area in the very large rear garden

Enjoyed my vegan burger but it needs some sauce as it was very dry

We stopped here for the second time after mapping a new walk for our site Hertfordshire Walker. It's a lovely spot. Great pint of Tring aside Pocket and the steak and ale pie was excellent. Recommended.

Can't fault it. Food, staff, restaurant or price.

Have not been there for years, after today it will be many more before i go back.

Great pub really friendly staff and a amazing atmosphere that keeps us returning

Maybe we are spoilt by our local. staff super friendly lovely place for a drink but would not eat again shame as used to be a lovely food pub and still very welcoming but food not up to scratch

Great pub, friendly staff and good beer, what more do you want?

Booked for Sunday lunch expecting a full menu but disappointed menu was extremely restricted. Service not great either, was kept waiting. Nothing on website to suggest menu was restricted and not told when booked table either. Was quite pricey at £14 per head, wasn't good value for what we had.

Great pub. Food is lovely and very welcoming by all the staff members. The pub is dog friendly but divided into two areas one of which dogs arnt allowed. Okay area for children in the large garden also a garden bar for the summer this is definitely worth a visit. I shall be back !!!!

Food was nice, staff friendly & very attentive. Lovely garden area, be great for summer drinks.

Food disappointing for the price. Tough chicken, burger bun didn't taste fresh. Table missing cutlery and condiments. Staff friendly but service only satisfactory.

Friday night.run out of steak (choice of only fillet or fillet) not good for a friday night.we left.

Food was nice, drinks were fine. Good pub

Sunday roast with group of five. Good choice , fresh veg. and well cooked. Spotted dick was lovely. Service was good with friendly staff. Only down side was the furnishings were very worn ( seating in particular)

Amazing food and and atmosphere. Dogs are cute too!!!

Fantastic pub really friendly to use and our dog

Lovely lazy lunch with dog Shared 2 sharing plates Lovely friendly place great service very friendly and delicious food

Had an excellent meal in a lovely environment with some extremely friendly staff!