The Carpenter Arms in Aylesbury Vale

Walked into this pub and walked straight out after being very rudely greeted by the bar staff. We had asked if they were open as there was only one other person in there and had a rude/ sarcastic reply from both people behind the bar.. very rude, will not be returning

This little pub is set in a beautiful village. It is a pretty pub and we were made very welcome. My husband and I were staying near by visiting family and we came across this pub when looking for some where to eat. We enjoyed and went back the following day. Would recommend a visit.

As an ex resident of Dunton Road for almost fifteen years and a regular patron of this pub for all of that time, seeing a wide variety of cheery landlords along the way, I pulled into the (otherwise empty) car park here one afternoon in mid December to push three Christmas cards through letterboxes over the road, two in Dunton Road and one in King Street. The pub was actually shut - had it been busy/open, I wouldn't have parked there. I should have been no more than 5 minutes but was a few minutes longer than expected as I was spotted by a friend who chatted to me through her window for a couple of minutes. I was certainly no more than 10 minutes in total. When I returned to the still empty car park, this note had been left under my windscreen. I have made certain to circulate it to all my pals still in the village in order highlight the attitude of the current owners and they - and I - will make sure we drive right past in the future.

Have eaten here several times since it re-opened a couple of years ago. Initially food was a bit of a mixed bag and not a great deal of variety on the menu. Basic pub grub and great for lunches, however not a 'destination' for evening dining in my opinion. Recently, as noted in other reviews, the menu has been overhauled and the food has improved a great deal. Always a warm welcome and a proper pub feel. Lots of community activities, beer well kept, a really nice pub.

Had a chicken pie -to die for it was all home made the pastry melted in your mouth, chips were home made rare in a pub really crispy no room for a pudding - went in again and had the gammon local produce the flavour was amazing and cooked to perfection, will go there at least once a week if not more - new chef is working wonders do try out

Well, I live in the village and pop in to the "Carps" quite often, and whilst the food there was never terrible, I felt there was always something missing. I went in last week, and it turns out there is a new chef in there now, and you could really tell the difference! I ordered the Mushroom and Cheese Dipping pot to start, and a pie for main. The starter blew my mind, and defeated me! It was so creamy and cheesy, with delicious homemade garlic bread too, (quite unusual for a pub to make its own garlic bread, it's usually the frozen stuff!). And the pie... WOW! Everything in that pie was made from scratch, even the pastry!! (again, expected pre-made & frozen). It was stuffed to the brim with filling, I had chicken and mushroom. The sauce was oozing everywhere, the pastry was perfect, and huge chunks of chicken! I can safely say I will be recommending this to all my friends and family, and cannot wait to visit again, as I was informed they are revamping their menu!! Thumbs Up!!!

Oh dear. Such promise. Such potential. I'd imagine this pub would be absolutely fine to pop into for a drink or two (it's also a dog friendly pub - always a bonus for me!!). But go in hungry and come out the same way. Anyone fancy smoked salmon and dill mousse with toast as a starter? Yep, so did I. I was served some kind of flaked salmon (not smoked, not 'moussed'), in a soapy flavoured sauce with slices of dry baguette. It went back to the kitchen. The main courses were inflicted on us after some considerable wait. One by one dishes of overcooked food, inedible salads and cold food appeared, taunting us and daring us to eat them. The gammon fought gallantly against being drowned by the fat from the chips and against the fearless assault by the knife wielding diner. It won its battle. Alas, it didn't make it back to the kitchen when a replacement was ordered, but sat on a side plate on the table, continuing to declare its victory. The caesar salad, bolstered by the gammon's victory, promptly declared its own assault on the taste buds of its opponent while the croutons' bullet-like texture formed the first line of its defence. Here's one of life's little mysteries. Most of the food was so overcooked that it was either inedible (literally) or unappetizing, yet one dish had to be sent back because it was cold. You've gotta hand it to the chef! Another long wait while the waitress walked back and forth until the desserts brought up the rear. Initially, there was a lull in battle as the diners were unarmed. Slowly spoons began arriving and battle recommenced. The waffles fought ferociously and diners asked to be more heavily armed with knives. Eventually a truce was called with neither side emerging as the victor. Some of us escaped unscathed by the latest battle as the waitress, having brought out the pre ordered desserts, didn't ask if anyone else wanted dessert. The other thing she didn't ask was whether anyone wanted coffee. We took the hint and left.

I eat out often with Winslow and District Community Bus and i can’t remember EVER hearing so many complaints from fellow diners. I had chicken parva, meant to be filled with mozzerella, mine was filled with cheddar. Chicken was dry portion very small. New potaoes, two very small cut in half AND cold. Salad with it was not fresh, dry and hard to cut. I asked for salad cream to moisten it. I was left hungry after my meal. i odered cheese and biscuits, this was the best part of my meal, After the meal we were not offered coffee or asked if we wanted anything else. Very odd from a restaurant. Giving the rhe weather was hot, offering drinks is the norm. Not at the Carpener Arms, they were clearing tables before we finished our meals. Trying to get rid of us after us complaining. I will never go there again.

Lovely pub, friendly staff, owner Gary, really nice bloke and offers something other pubs don’t seem to do. Something different every day ....great ideas. Our waitress was great she said the meat had just been delivered in fact we saw the delivery coming from the local farm......I ordered gammon my wife orders sausage and mash. Perhaps this was a one off problem but the food arrived over cooked, my gammon was burnt and covered by two over cooked eggs, the chips should never have got to me, the cook shouldn’t have sent them the waitress shouldn’t have delivered them.....my wife’s sausages were black such a real shame as a really nice pub let down badly by the food.

Popped in and sat out front, lovely little pub, friendly staff, good selection of beers and soft drinks, doggie treats were a bonus.