The Falcon at Bletsoe in Bedford - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

We are a family of 4 - 2 adults and 2 children. The pub is turning in to a rough establishment, from having seen the remnants of smashed glasses of a fight over the last month outside through to abuse from a far by the chef and then the aggressive nature of the male staff. The pub has deteriorated significantly in all respects. We regularly go out for dinner with our children, but over the last 2 months it has spiralled into a significant decline in both food and service. The quality of the meat (beef especially) is incredibly poor eg ribby / inedible as experience in our recent visit. The burgers are greasy. For some reason chips come out salted (heavily) and burger buns are hard and dry as though they have been left out. The quality of the entire menu is limited and then there is the service where the staff argue with you if you raise a complaint. They are incredibly rude if you say there is a problem and the tone of leadership is lacking from the general manager through to the staff. The ladies who work there are always nice but the guys for example our most recent visit, treat service as a drunken night out with the lads! le disrespectful/ argumentative and aggressive with our last visit where we complained. Example I asked for a pint of orange juice and lemonade for my son and they brought a small glass (330ml) glass and then argued it was a pint. The food last time was shocking - for some reason they heavily salt the chips to the extent it is impossible to eat and the beef steak could not be cut or let alone eaten so we left it. So when we complained about a meal, they refused to accept it despite acknowledging it had not been eaten (one main course only). The manager argued and argued and then he went to speak to the chef who shouted from the kitchen "take it off and tell them not to come back!" Who knows what goes on there! The place needs leadership, a refurb, new management and staff and in my view does not deserve the historic legacy that was inherited. I asked for the contact details of the owner and the general manager said he runs the pub - he refused. It was an appalling experience. We will not return s unlikely and the “laddish management” are such any reputation you had is now at an all time low. We will not return.

What a lovely find. Great service and ambiance.

Great food and nice garden. The staff is very friendly and attentive. Would happily go back

We celebrated my Mums birthday here on Saturday and i have to say the food was absolutely amazing. The staff couldn't have been more helpful and attentive if they tried. We had a wonderful experience and will be back again throughout the summer. Thank you so much for making my Mum's day so special.

Amazing food. Great staff. Loved it. Hidden gem we'll be back

First time here and the food was amazing. Table of 7 and all very impressed. Service was quick and staff really friendly. Priced very reasonably. Definitely recommend and will come again.

The stars say it all! Go for the food (excellent Sunday roast), and probably don’t go back because of the service!

We stopped in to decompress after a funeral and the staff were incredibly friendly, the pub is absolutely beautiful and well situated, a very good decision on our part.

A beautiful Riverside garden and great food, a very enjoyable lunch

Lovely atmosphere. Bar staff are lovely food is excellent would highly recommend. Lots of garden space too which is a bonus !

Drove by this pub a million times and as we were in the area, decided to have a meal there. Pub is quite nice to look at and has plenty of parking. Was a group outside effing and jeffing loudly, which is always a treat - glad we didn't have the boy with us today. Inside is quite nice, bar staff good and friendly. Prices maybe on the higher side for drinks. Reviews seemed favourable for the food - but we found it bland and like I had cooked it...and I can't cook 🙄 maybe it was an off day? Prices are around 20 for mains and 5ish for starters.

The fries always let the meal down. They seem to be recooked rather than fresh

Very welcoming, lovely location, great atmosphere. We had 2 bowls of chips to share and they were really nice. The only thing id say is that drinks are quite expensive but everything else makes up for that so will definitely return

Lovely local pub, great location, easy to find, amazing scotch eggs and steak sandwich too die for!

Classic pub food in a lovely setting by a river. Lovely staff, had a great time with my family on a Sunday afternoon. Would recommend

Popped in for drink one Sunday and sat outside in the garden terrace. Chairs were very weathered, slightly rusting. Decking area looked like it could have done with a bit of a tidy up. Nice pub with an inviting bar area, but not impressed with the outside experience.

Our first visit back to the Falcon since the re-launch and what a pleasant surprise. The new management is really first class, decor is lovely, welcome is excellent and our meal was exemplary. Service was superb and the chef is magnificent. It’s a real pleasure to see this lovely old inn back to where it used to be - a top ‘destination venue’. Congratulations and well done!

Good food friendly staff and a good pint what more do you want from a great pub / restaurant.

Nice traditional pub. Good service, great food. Decor refresh could be done but not essential to the experience. 😊👍

Great food, great staff and on the up!...

The food was very nice. Nice waiters and service. Enjoyed the whole experience! We paid a deposit they didn’t remove from the bill, but my mistake I guess for not noticing.

Myself and my family chose the Falcon to have a Sunday roast for Mother’s Day, and we was not disappointed. The food was excellent, all fresh produce the meat was so tender we dont have anything negative to say at all. The service was great, staff very friendly, I would definitely recommend this pub for food and drink in the future. We will be be back very soon, thank you!

The Sunday Lunch was one of the best I have been served.

Nice large country pub with plenty of tables and parking

Under new management. Excellent food, friendly welcome. Husband is still talking about the pie!

Impeccable service throughout our time at the falcon. Lovely food and lovely people all the staff made us feel very at home, beautiful establishment !!

Absolutely and utterly fabulous both from the outside and in. The decor and charisma fantastic, the 2 guys that served us, impeccable, the menu inclusive,, the food we feel deserves a 10/10, along with the chef. Seriously recommend.

Top-notch roadside and riverside old pub with lovely Sunday afternoon menu, service and ambience under the low timber-beamed ceiling and next to a cozy log fire, Two delicious meals and drinks were about £40. The skin-on chips were super. Pleased with this find. Recommended.

Popped in today as they have a new menu! All I can say is wow! The pub is so cozy and clean with a lovely wood fire, I had the sea food chowder and my husband had the curry! We then shared a baked cheesecake! So fresh and tasty, they must have a new chef because the standard of food is fantastic! Keep it up guys!

Popped in last week for a drink as I saw it had re-opened. Nicely refurbished space with a good beer selection, friendly staff and a nice wood fire. Will be back to try out the food

Good Sunday roast no complaints

I would not go back again we got in for dinner we was the only 2 in the restaurant no heating on menu was rubbish so we put top on bottle of wine and left

Nice garden didn't allow us inside from the garden though. We just had drinks in Sunday afternoon.

I was looking forward to taking my family there on Sunday and was very very disappointed. I had a pork roast. Everything seem to be piled onto the plate the vegetables were cold and the pork was cut very thickly. My glass still had tomato juice around it from the previous drinker and doesn't look like it had been anywhere near a dishwasher. The people who serve the very good although the young man did call me mate all the time which was a tad annoying. You won't be eating there again.

Great staff and good value on the specials! Very generous portion sizes on the rib and wings! A touch annoying you have to order at the bar, but wouldnt stop me going again.

Came to The Falcon at Bletsoe for lunch on Saturday. The food was so disappointing : ( The chicken and bacon salad had zero flavour and the chicken was very burnt. Sorry for giving one star but you would only come here for a drink. The girls working here are very sweet and friendly. Unfortunately the food is the reason for the one star.

Village pub with great atmosphere

At long last, The Falcoln is back! 😀 I knew it was only a matter of time before it would return firing on all cylinders. We dined here at the beginning of August, and the food was divine. The special I ordered (pictured) was that of spicy ribs and wings. All cooked and seasoned to perfection with minimal grease. Onion rings and chips were crispy, too. Service was excellent, and they successfully catered to my partner who has coeliac disease. It's officially coeliac-safe ✅️ Book a table now. You won't regret it!

Had the Sunday roast dinner,it was done to perfection, most pleasantly surprised.

Thought we would give this a go and what a let down. When we first arrived we stood at the bar and was just ignored wish that was as bad as it got we got showed to a table and just left no idea if it was table service or you have to go to the bar. After waiting for 15 mins and no-one coming back over we decide to go to bar to get drinks and order food. As we get up from the table and head to the bar a "gentleman" asked if we were waiting to be served when we said yes he said he would get someone to come over. This was a total surprise that he worked there as it looked he had just finished working on his car judging by the look of his clothes. But still no-one came over so this time we just asked someone walking past If we can order which she did and even then got one of the 2 drinks wrong. When the food arrived it just summed up the place the food was luke warm and I'm sorry you can't call it a roast potato when it's the size of a marble. I wish we had just carried on up the a6 to find somewhere else. 😕

Do not eat here! If you are looking for a place to have a few drinks, this place will probably do just as any other. If you are looking for a nice meal out, look further,this is not the place to go. While the service was nice and friendly, unfortunately the quality of food destroyed the experience. I had the worst BBQ pork ribs in my life, I feel disgusted and disappointed in myself for eating it. It only tasted grease and the BBQ sauce, the corn wasn't fresh and overal was very oily. They offer large and small fish and chips and my husband was told the large one is really rather large so he went with small, only to be served a kids menu sized meal. We did not dare to test the menu further and go on to desserts, very disappointed. Rock ad background music is not ideal for a nice dinner, so again would only recommend this place for drinks.

Good food, spacey, nice garden, dog friendly, good service.

Nice location and good looking building. Only popped in for a beer which was good with a good selection of the usual suspects. Can not comment on the food. Will happily pop in if passing by again.

Food was delicious . Highly recommend

Very warm welcome . Wonderful service with very helpful staff. A nice place to visit for a drink and chat or have something to eat.

Classico pub, interni d'epoca e bellissimo giardino ornato da una quercia secolare.

Went for lunch with a friend. The chicken burger was so chargrilled you could only taste burnt flavour. And where the meat hadnt been rested the min you lifted it just poured watery liquid out. I was given a handful of chips and still hungry after spending £18 on it.. was disappointed. Garden was lovely. And a cute pub but food needs some tlc. Also need to update their web page and menus.. And they need sundae spoons having a sundae and cant reach the bottom with massive spoons.

Okay pub garden. Thought it just got redone but rusty metal chairs and the cheapest dirty parasols is what I discovered. Food is basic. Ciabatta straight out the packet and dumped om my plate, olives soft and mushy straight out of a jar. Shame not what I expected

Great food polite staff great setting definitely worth a visit

Sunday lunch time..Party of 4 dropped in for impromptu lunch in the gardens.. the waiting and bar staff are all teenagers and they just milled around the edge of the bar not really wanting to work. The service was haphazard at the bar and only one person had the skill to pour a pint properly. The food came at 4 different times, items had been forgotten promised but never arrived. In general it was fairly low quality. I won't bother going back. Maybe we just picked a bad day to go.

booked table for 13:00 then they said they werent serving food till 13:30 4 drinks was over £14 and service was so bad no customer service whatsoever extremely rude and bad organisation

Wasn’t really what I expected. It wasn’t very busy, for some time we were the only ones in the restaurant. The food was pretty average, nothing really blew us away. The menu was okay I guess, there were quite a lot of flies in there (which I guess they can’t control). And the background music didn’t really fit the aesthetic of the pub, if I’m being persnickety. However, all of the staff were friendly and helpful. Can’t really fault the service. And the place has a lot of potential in the summer as there are plenty of nice outdoor seating areas. On a side note, the menu online is not the same as the menu in the restaurant.

Very nice pub the staff were very friendly and it was very welcoming lovely place to have a meal and a brink and catch up with friends

First time I've been there and had an excellent Sunday roast beef, very tasty, with very obliging staff.

Vegan option really needs upgrading, mushroom burger just isnt exciting enough with all the newer options that other pubs and restaurants are including on their menu. The sweet onions really didnt go with it either.. Veg chilli was ok but needed more veg stock or other form of flavour as it just was a bit bland. Hope to come back again with better vegan options.

THE FALCON IS A VERY GOOD ATMOSPHERE ,FOOD EXCELLENT , GOOD SERVICE PLEASANT STAFF , , ONLY I M IN MIDDLESBROUGH NOW , MISS IT

We revisited this place as we used to come years ago and it was always fantastic. We ordered four meals. Only two came the others were forgotten. They apologised and said we could have a round of drinks free. By the time the remaining food came the first meals were cold. The steak (fillet) was awful and the wild boar sausage looked uncooked. The bill came and the “free” drinks were no where to be seen. We payed and left. Wouldn’t recommend unless you like bad food and worse service. As we were leaving the people on the table behind us were complaining too. Not the place it used to be. Wish we had read the reviews first as it’s clearly in different hands.

We were a party of 6 for Sunday dinner. The food was ok except it was served warm rather than hot. Service and ambience were good.

Good food great hospitality and atmosphere

A very lovely cosy and honest pub. Does pretend to be anything else that a local pub/restaurant. We’ll be back for sure to savour the restaurant delights.

Great food, good beer and happy staff

Fajny i Klimatyczny Pub .Polecam

We had a meal in the restaurant rather than the bar. Lovely room nice and warm. It wasn't a long wait for the mains and the fish was cooked well. Offering sauces with the meal would be a nice touch. The wait after coffee for a dessert menu was a little longer than ideal. It was a nice meal though. Apparently the place hasn't long re opened after being closed 4 months. We were very pleased to be offered the restaurant room rather than the packed bar room. Yes absolutely I would go back service can be improved as time goes on and to be fair the the bar area was busy with people eating and drinking. I have never been offered the restaurant room on previous visits with whoever was managing this place last year so it was nice to eat without feeling squashed in like sardines in that bar area. I hope the new management and staff do well. Good to see the place re opened.

Great food, drink and service... we will be back !!

We were looking for somewhere to have lunch prior to a local engagement and the mother in law suggested here. I am si pleased she did. The venue itself is quite large but nicely laid out. We ate in the bar side (there is a large, nice restaurant side too) but never felt crammed in or adversely, so spaced out. They have this spot on. It’s exactly as I would imagine if you talked about a traditional local. The food was really nice. We had garlic bread for starters amongst the group. Then for mains, burgers, posh fish finger sandwiches, and ham, egg and chips. The food took some time to come but because it’s done to order, and didn’t feel at all pre done. Very generous sizes. Very tasty. The staff were all friendly and polite. Approachable and chatty but not overly so. Plenty of parking. If we didn’t live so far away we would definitely visit again. Thank you to all the staff for a lovely lunch.

so it was not great before the new people took over and according to our friend who went in to try it on Saturday (ahead of us going in for after work drinks on Friday) its now even worse! entry via the side door only! guy behind the bar said i cant serve you my hands are dirty! id have been gone at this point, they hang in there only to be served a really poor pint. That's that out of the options for apre' work drinks then!

First of all this restaurant part of The Falcon is absolutely freezing! no radiators on, many people sitting inside with their coats still on. We had to wait for at least 10-15 minutes before anyone even gave us a menu to look at (which is absolutely littered with typos), after we finally ordered, the wait for the food wasn't actually too bad, the roasts we all had were hot and well plated, however the two childrens meals we had asked for came without any of the veg stated on the menu. We weren't asked if we wanted any sauces or condiments. After we had finished eating, we sat at our table for around 30-40 minutes before anyone came over to take our plates away. The waitresses kept coming nearby but decided to ignore our table completely and instead just kept wiping down tables that were already clean. We had some desserts which were not bad, we did ask for the kids ice cream to be on the house seeing as they had missed off part of their main meal, which they agreed to. We felt the roasts were a little overpriced for how much you got, but they did taste nice. However the overall service was pretty poor so probably wouldn't go back based on that.

What a joke. My mum booked for five of us to have lunch here today. Only to find the kitchen due to their chef walking for being short staffed. If that’s then for god sake get recruiting. Also the lady we spoke to actually turned out to be the one that took down my mums contact details when we booked. Yeah they had contact details so they could us is there was a problem. If that’s not the taking contact why else would we give you contact details. What a mess and they had to find us another pub which was much and I will let them know and you should this is the worst service I’ve had from you.

We decided to stop of here on the way home. What we did have was ok it was just shame that it was served on two very small plates and the chips was like something you would get at McDonald's and the beefburger was tasty

Decent pub food, good atmosphere. Shame it was raining as sitting out by the river would have been lovely!

First time we've Been in a pub for ages. Very friendly and welcoming, great service and excellent food.

This has always been a great pub with a very welcoming atmosphere. The food is fantastic and the cask beers are very good. It can get busy so book if you go for a meal. The gardens are also very nice when the weather allows it!

Sunday roast lots of meat but overall quality , presentation and taste disappointing

The ciabata & chips were lush. The ales ware ok but not at their best, hence only 4 stars

Absolutely vile. The food was terrible across the whole party. Would not recommend.

Food was pretty poor across the board. They did give me a replacement meal comp (after a small grump from the manager) however a lot of the food was not great. Nice garden - a bit of a walk to the river I'd say good for large parties wanting a drink outside.

We returned here after coming a few years ago, its a beautiful pub in a fantastic location and a great garden. I have to say though we had to wait for an hour until our roast arrived and it was very average compared to the last time I visited in 2019 and the staff weren't very friendly. It's such a shame as the last time we came it was so good.

Meal was very good. But afraid the staff left a bit to be desired.

Would not recomend. No heating on so an uncomfortable experience added to food being part cold. Battered fish over cooked dry and over crunchy

Dreadful meal, worst steak we have ever eaten and so badly cooked, couldn't cut or chew it! Perhaps supplier needs changing. To be fair to the Falcon, they didn't charge us for it. Sadly we won't go there again.

Friendly staff, good food, lovely beer garden close to river ouse.

You may want to update your opening hours on Google and online. Used Google to find your details for a late lunch meeting today and you’re closed at 4pm.. it’s all well and good having your revised opening hours scribbled on a piece of paper by the door but that doesn’t help the people that have driven for 50 minutes only to find you closed…

Perhaps the online opening times need to be modified on line. Says open till 2130 yet popped in at 1810 and they had just closed

Lovely place to eat and great atmosphere

Great service, very helpful and welcoming staff, and great food

First time here and great to see a pub with a great Gluten Free option and not have to have a Mish mash of food to make a meal or be told we can't make you that today or you can have this, but can't have chips and can offer a jacket potatoe etc which seems to be common where ever we go now. With a dietry gluteen free partner it's always a difficult choice where to eat. Efficient and friendly staff. Clean and presentable toilets and a generous portion of hot a delicious food! We will be making a trip here again!

Lovely Countryside put good food ,friendly staff and reasonable prices

Pleasant surroundings good food and good service.

Ordered pot of tea received pot with only 1/2 pot of water with I teabag Food arrived Fish and chips were Fish and fries when questioned why are there fries and no chips told ran out no prior warning. Pie arrived cold vegetable had to send it back then received my plate back no vegetables just pie and mash to be told they were being reheated gosh for a £16 meal I expected it all to have arrived hot. Vegetable arrived hot and pie was nice No discount given or offered Sadly this used to be excellent pub with excellent prices it’s clearly over priced and mediocre food

We had a large party of teen kids and adults, and the Falcon were fantastic. They gave us an area to ourselves with plenty of space, and we ordered in advance so the food was ready more or less when we planned. Then we threw plans into disarray by turning up an hour early, and asking for a quiet room for an unexpected video call - both requests were handled with grace and we were accommodated, even though they were under extra pressure as the food delivery had not turned up! They somehow magicked up all our orders, and an extra helping of the duck fries (sounds mad but it was great). My burger was good and the fries were excellent (not always the case) - and the ceramic takeaway container plate was very cute! There is a lovely garden and the building is charming, with lots of space, nooks and siderooms. The staff were super helpful under demanding circumstances - cheerful and always going that little extra distance. We aren't local, but if we are back in the area then it will definitely be on my list.

Best services and great food highly recommended, very dog friendly

Very nice & quiet pub to go if you want a nice meal

I wasn't a customer but I pulled over into their car park with my upset 5 week old who needed a nappy change. A member of staff saw me and offered for me to come in which made it so much easier as I was feeling a bit stressed as a first time mum. the kindness was really appreciated.

Great food and lovely service. Laid back pub feel. Will definitely be passing through again to sample more dishes!

Just had dinner at the Falcon after a period of being away for...well... obvious reasons! Lovely food, good service. Would recommend. They weren't busy, being a Tuesday evening!

Great food. Something a bit different from the usual. Really enjoyed it

Great pub. Lovely food, fast service, good range of beers.

Good food, convenient place to meet.

No food available...no chef, limited staff...pub not really at Riverside...much disappointment ..shall not return....oh and diet pepsi on tap, was horrid...flat and lifeless.

Not a good experience. We booked for lunch with friends we hadn't seen for a long time. We arrived to be told the oven was broken so only sandwiches on the menu. There was only 4 basic varieties of sandwiches and when we chose and they arrived, looked like sandwiches you would receive in a greasy cafe. I would have expected a phone call prior to arrival to explain about the food situation instead of travelling to the Falcon when it's too late to go somewhere else.