The Island Pool in Wyre Forest

My wife and I visited the Island Pool for a meal. It was quite busy when we arrived, the member of staff that greeted me asked if we had a reservation, I said no but can you find us a quiet corner, the lady ignored my request, we were shown to a table, I went to the bar to order drinks, I asked for a drink for my wife and a pint of bitter for my self, she asked me which bitter I wanted, I said the most popular, she looked at me and pointed to the pumps, her attitude all the time I was at the bar was less than friendly. I asked to speak with the manager but was informed she was ONE of the managers. At this point I called my wife and we left. I was unable to understand why, when we went for a pleasant meal we were met with such rudeness. I would suggest she move from a customer facing job. We went a few miles down the road and enjoyed a lovely meal at The Park Gate, we were greeted with a smile and a welcome.

Good Quality Breakfast cooked to a high standard. I personally watched the chef check the quality of the food and ensure it was good. He then cooked more and replaced it on the buffet. The price is competitive and includes freeze dried coffee and tea Inc within the price. The staff are friendly and helpful.

Great food and service. Amazing front outside area

Rubbish the whole lot and there bargain meals

I have been in today Sunday at 4pm the food is lovely and the bar staff are all really pleasant and friendly. The guy that serves the carvery meat really does let it down he needs to smile a bit he looked so fed up today and has done on every occasion I’ve been there ….he almost threw my daughters plate at her and kept looking up at the queue ( about 4 people ) and looking more and more disgruntled….he never smiles once or tries to make any conversation with anyone .. if you don’t like your job maybe you should let someone else have it that does.. I hate poor customer service , yes I get it’s a Sunday and it’s busy but you’re only 4 hours into your shift please try and make customers feel they are welcome and not like they shouldn’t be there 🙄

Most helpful and friendly staff. A tasty and, often more importantly, freshly cooked carvery ingredients

Had a carvery and a steak, couldn’t fault anything. Will definitely come here again

We did a motorhome stopover to meet family great food and staff

We have eaten here for ages on and off but I'm sorry to say our last time here was not very good..we had the carvery and something tasted off..the potatoes tasted like they had been cooked in dirty water..the beef was very tough..couldn't cut it..stuffing was rock hard and dried up..Turkey was ok tho..this was at 5pm and had all been replenished. .we left most if it and bought meat home for the dog..its not the first time we have had this experience hence why I have to write this honest review. .I di hope they have a good hygiene rating because after what we ate it dudnt taste like it !..

Ordered fish , but there wasn’t any, so had gammon instead. Husband had the pie, which comes with carvery vegetables. The gammon was small, tough and overcooked, black on one side as was the pineapple with a pile of greasy chips and horrible peas. The pie looked dreadful, the pastry was hard and chewy with no distinct meat in it, just slop. The carvery vegetables were overcooked and tasteless. The staff were ok, but not what you would call overly pleasant or attentive. I really should have complained at the time, but my husband is rather incapacitated at the moment and I was already stressed and didn’t want to add to it. We ordered from the only menu we were given, the evening one, but maybe we received the lunchtime menu meal. (If there was one?) Cost was £28 total rip off for appalling food. It’s been a few years since our last visit, it was terrible then, would never ever return. I go for lunch with friends and usually at lunchtime there’s a 2 for 1 for between £12- £16 for both, and it’s 100 % better than this was. How does this place survive?

I have regularly visited this restaurant with family and friends and enjoyed the carvery. We recently had a bereavement in the family and arranged to meet up at this location. We specifically requested the raised quiet area due to the circumstances. This was a condition of us booking and was agreed. On arrival we were told we would not be in the area booked. I explained we wanted a quiet area where I was mocked and told, "there are no quiet areas on a Sunday' where I was then laughed at. I felt very disappointed and humiliated as other customers witnessed the incident. As a result of the incident I will not return or recommend the Island Pool again.

First time here although local, it was our second choice after discovering Royal Oak at Alveley has closed, the carvery was good but I wouldnt say terrific, it was well cooked with a good selection of vegetables, service was ok, but apart from ordering drinks and paying for carvery we served ourselves of course. We arrived early and had booked which was a good job as the place was busy and was getting more so later on. As I said it was ok but nothing special, advise booking whatever time.

Lovely meal today. Very calm and relaxed atmosphere

We came earlier today for the carvery, the meat was delicious and plenty of choice for vegetables and potatoes & the fudge cake was nice too. Overall good value for money, you pay for what you get.

What a lovely place! We got there on our way back home and it was lovely! Food was amazing service was good and it's situated by the road which we loved cause we like watching cars pas by.

Food was good, especially the meat on the carvery. And the prices were good too. Very generous portions.

Omg the black mold is awful. I'd just finished eating when I was noticed the mold around the windows in front of me. It was only then that I looked closer at the walls and ceilings and it's EVERYWHERE. The walls and ceiling by the gravy is covered. You could see where there have been attempts to clean it but it's not fooling anyone. I came to the reviews to my surprise, it's not been mentioned yet that I can see. I was actually dining with a child that has an allergy to mold. Food was lovely, as it always has been and well worth the money. Staff.... All but one looked unhappy. But from the mold, id refuse to work in such conditions. I've been visiting the island pool for some years and I was shocked to see how bad it was looking. Sadly I won't be going back. For anyone thinking of going......id take a look inside before ordering any food and drink. I wish I had.

Fab food carvery was amazing best I've had In a long time x

Nice selection but everything was only lukewarm apart from the sausage which was hot ,,,but still nice

Very nice food. Fast and excellent service. Polite and friendly staff. Located in a very nice location and always good for a nice meal.

Always friendly staff, good choice of ales and the carvery is hearty. Parking is good with plenty of places and overflow carpark available.

Went for a meal with friends. Staff looked miserable from the time we walked in. Food was awful. Brown cold chips. Meant to have salad with meal according to menu. Got told don't think we have any then got given a meagre salad for one in a enamel dish with the enamel coming off. Tried to complain only to be told 'I don't appreciate you shouting at me' we wernt shouting just trying to point out the food was not good. Staff clearly didn't care and didn't want to be there. Most definitely won't be returning. Pun needs a refurbishment and a good clean!!

We visited the island pool on the 21st of February, we had a lovely carvery and food was very nice and piping hot x great desert, s, highly recommended, definetly go again, thank you a lovely evening, Lynette & Colin xx

Cracking Boozer . Guinness on tap , brilliant staff .

Came for breakfast, which was ok, nothing special. Staff were pretty unfriendly, especially woman behind the bar taking payments. All in all a bang average breakfast experience

Took my daughter and grandchildren for breakfast as a half term treat. Good quality food with a lot of choice. Unfortunately the food was spoiled because it was luke warm. If food is meant to be hot then it should be.

asked if we can use my blue light card at this restaurant. was told they don’t do it anymore and this changed a few weeks ago, but we used it the week before. this restaurant constantly changes its rules to suit its profit margins. advise bluelight card holders to avoid. also witnessed the carvery chef scooping peas out of the stuffing back into their plate with no gloves.

No heating on it was cold in there food was only warm

Went for breakfast. Buffet style and delicious! The price was good too. £26 for 2 adults and 2 children with drinks. 👍👍

Carvery the best around all vegetables cooked properly meat beautiful will come bk again

Great place for a birthday party. Food was amazing and very generous portions. Special offers for different days of the week. Good choice for draught beers. Big outside area and plenty of tables for sunny days. Easy to locate and spacious car park. Definitely recommend Special Friday offers 2 for 1 Fish and chips and huge bread and butter portions 🤩

Great place ,will be going again

Really enjoyed the Island pool. Great quality and great price.

Food unexciting rather bland sweet excellent overall wouldn't recommend it. Sorry

Excellent carvery, excellent value. Came here for my grandad’s birthday as he loves a carvery and we always hear amazing things about this restaurant despite living in the area all my life and not been before. The food was fresh, warm and couldn’t fault it. I had a vegetarian potato, broccoli and cheese dish which was fresh and you could tell it was homemade. Having this dish meant that I could also have the vegetables and roasties from the carvery. The vegetables and roasties were stunning, the food here is such a great quality, this is definitely the best carvery I have ever been to. There was sprouts, broccoli, carrots, peas, sweetcorn, cauliflower cheese (might’ve missed something here?) but they were all cooked perfectly. The carrot pieces were quite large and were more like ‘chunks’ of carrot rather than circular or vertical slices, but I loved this as it was different and they were sweet (I think they might’ve been cooked in honey maybe). The roast potatoes and mash were amazing as well. The roasties were very crispy. There were also plenty of sauces to go with the carvery (mint, cranberry, apple, English mustard). All carvery items also came with a large gravy boat. On a Saturday it is 2for1, so such an excellent value meal, and it only cost an extra £2 each to have a dessert too, and there was an excellent selection of around 7-8 deserts from a black Forrest gateau to chocolate cake. The deserts are quite large, obviously homemade and are presented nicely with squiggles of sauce. You also got to choose what flavour cream you wanted with them, or alternatively if you wanted cream or custard. If you were having meat, you could choose a little bit of all the meat options which was great. My family members said that the meat was good quality and better than any pub meal. I also loved the fairy lights on the restaurant ceiling! I will definitely be returning. The only downside I could think of was that the deserts could be labelled with whether they’re veggie/vegan/gluten free as had to ask.

Food hot battered fish was great

Used to love the carvery here, don't know if it has changed management or what, but it has seriously degraded over the Christmas period.

Just the best place to eat, friendly staff and amazing food.

We ordered fish and chips. Fish was not the best and the chips were very brown but undercooked. Only consultation it was buy one get one free so we only paid for one.not worth paying full price. Was thinking of taking my family there for my birthday but won't be going back.

Had a really nice carvery here, would reccomend and will come again in future, cheesecake was bostin too, thanks

For a Sunday, the carvery wasn't very good. Basic, hard vegetables but stuffing was nice as was the mash and the potato dauphinoise

Went for the carvery and left very disappointed. The staff did not look like they wanted to be there and didn't seem bothered with customer service in any way. Undercooked/raw carrots and roast potatoes, but the meat was okay. The mens toilets were disgusting and in serious need of a deep clean.

Nice food but was only Luke warm

Wife enjoyed the carvery and pudding, I found the fish a little tasteless but the pudding was good. Only downer was when we arrived we were informed we should have booked in our little dog, they are dog friendly. There is nothing on their Web site or booking instructions that states people have to do this. I have sent them an email.

Arrived at an unusually quiet Island Pool, and were taken to our table. Snow predicted so that may explain why. Ordered off the 2 for 1 special mains menu, fish and chips and lasagna. Both were excellent. Piping hot, nicely presented, and both very tasty. The staff are always very pleasant to us Island Pool has become our new go to restaurant when we feel like a good hearty meal with good service and very reasonable pricing. Last night’s meal was £24 for two meals and a large Pinot Grigio- excellent!

The staff went above and beyond for our family. The service was impeccable and the food was amazing. We had a surprise celebration for our autistic son. It couldn’t have gone any better. They made our family feel so welcome. The staff are truly a credit to the Island Pool and the lovely food made it a perfect evening. Would highly recommend.

Food was bog standard carvery but the children enjoyed the desert.

Had our family get together last weekend, meal was mediocre, staff need to improve their customer service relationship...seemed everything was too much trouble.

All you can eat breakfast very good

We love the carvery never been disappointed.

We went again for breakfast. Usually really enjoy however bacon cremated and sausages tasted funny. Lack of eggs had to wait a while. Shame Beans, Tomato lid covers gone & just a plate covering. Always looks messy this part. Ladies Toilets looking a little grim

Perfect carvery every time. Lovely Place for the dogs and great Desserts.

Good quality carvery and staff were lovely..very reasonable price . Roast potatoes were amazing 👍and veg fresh .Will definitely return

Have been coming here for years since the carvery on Brettle lane closed but something very different on tonight’s visit had to wait ages for plates to be cleared away and desserts to be served, all the staff looked miserable looks like previous owners have gone which is a shame as they were lovely - feeling disappointed 😢

We booked a table in advance for 4 of us for an evening meal. We were taking friends out as a thank you meal. We ordered food and the staff were not really customer friendly. 2 of us had carvery - plenty of choice, not very hot and the meat looked like it had been sat there a while and was hard and tough. The other 2 members of the party had surf and turf and the Steak and Ale pie. Steak was OK - but the chips were overdone. The steak and Ale pie was just full of grissle. He couldn't eat it. He left 95% of his meal. At no point did anyone ask about the meal and if everything was OK. The young man who collected our plates and didn't even acknowledge the one meal had barely been touched. he just picked up the plates and left. I went to order the puddings as they were part of the meal with the carvery - and I told the lady behind the bar about the poor quality of the food (especially the pie as it was Awful) her response was - " I'll let the manger know". Really couldn't have been less bothered. At no pint after did anyone come to us to speak to us about the meal - we ate the puddings and left. Quality of food and service is well below par. Quiet Disappointed and embarrassed as we recommended this to our friends.

Great food, helpful and lovely staff . Spotless clean.

Very crowded tables to close to each other and food counter, like packing in sardines,also unbearably hot. would never teturn

Was introduced to this pub by friends. Our meals was buy 1, get 1 free-fantastic value. They had carvery with as much vegetables and gravy as you liked.

This is a popular place, and pre-booking is recommended. The four of us visited for the Monday carvery, which offered 2 for 1, which is a good start. The bar lady was not very friendly and was a little impatient with my friend when he couldn't quite decide. The pub is pretty average and a little dated but provides plenty of covers. The meat was fine and although a little overdone the vegetables were adequate with a good choice. Once finished we waited an age for the table to be cleared so we could order desserts. After a while, I politely asked the young chap who was tasked to clear the tables whether ours could be seen too. He dismissively replied, "someone will come round when we get a minute". I hasten to add that it was not very busy. He then promptly sat down to chat with a group of folk he knew. He eventually cleared our table so we ordered the desserts. I thought he was a little rude and although not busy seemed to move at one pretty slow speed. Overall, it was all very average which would have received three stars. However, the attitude of the staff affected this. Also, the real ale was not up to scratch.

A well cooked and keenly priced Sunday carvery. What's not to like.

First visit (Saturday carvery) (4 stars) - food was cooked well, staff were super polite and had great customer service. It was nice to have a vegan dessert though 1 star dropped because they dont have a veggie alternative to meat. The Second visit (Sunday carvery) (2 stars). We went back after enjoying the place the first time. However, 3 separate members of staff were rude to us/our table. They were difficult about letting us add additional puddings on to our carvery after already paying (hadn't even left the till when one of the kids came up and changed their mind (they now did want a dessert) asked if they could add an extra dessert and they said no!) I mean seriously? They obviously could have and were being difficult. Then the issue with the food, sadly most of the veg had been well overcooked and was mush so most of our table didn't eat the majority of their dinner, but atleast we enjoyed our drinks. The sausages were underdone and when this was questioned if the colour was just to do with the cooking method and if they were okay they were just told 'dont eat it then, I don't know". Following this, they didn't clear our main dining plates for nearly 30 minutes (and only did when they had the audacity to come and tell us we had 10 minutes left on our table despite them being the ones who still hadn't br ought out the originally ordered desserts . When this was mentioned that they still hadn't been brought out they said they would check and miraculously they came out and then told us the dessert we paid for wasn't available and so has sent out a different thing without even asking. All in all, first experience set the expectations for the second, and the second experience ensured we will not return.. Try it as you might have a nice time but for us it's not worth wasting the money and ruining the outing on the basis of 'we might have a nice time'

It's great if you love a big plate of hot fresh mediocre cooked vegetables and well cooked meat. I'm not a fan of a carvery so went for the Steak and Ale pie which was a disappointment with very little filling I had a plate half full of the blandest chips I've had in ages no idea how they can remove so much of the taste and an over cooked pie casing. The garden peas were good but again a big portion and half a grilled tomato no idea why that was there but hey ho. I skipped dessert as I saw others coming out and just looked like a slice of Costco products put onto a plate with very little effort thereafter others in our group said they were fine. Staff seemed fine but I won't be rushing back sorry guys.

Really nice breakfast and a very nice Sunday lunch 👍

Good food 2 for 1 . Very busy ,popular definitely visit again

Booked online a table for two. On arriving at 12 noon we were told which table was ours the restaurant was empty apart from one table we looked at the table which was so squashed I could have eaten off the man’s plate. Totally unacceptable to be sat that close to another table we asked if we could move we were offered the only other table for two which was in the front section and right by the main door which was held open with a wedge. I did close this twice but because the door is constantly in use it needed to be pinned open and I can understand this.. The food was ok we both had the carvery but the attitude of the staff from the check in at the door to the man serving the meat at the carvery was so bad so very unwelcoming. The carvery man was literally throwing the meat onto the plates. We eat our meals and left and won’t be back until they change the set up. It seems if you are a party of two you are not able to get a decent table just the choice of the two we were shown. The furniture and decorations in need of attention and the staff need to be a little more customer friendly in the current climate .

First time here and definitely won't be the last. Couldn't fault anything. The food was fantastic, meat melted in your mouth. Beer the same top notch. Simply the best. Well done.

Went for breakfast, the food was ok. Sausage was obviously cheap, eggs could have been cooked a little longer as were a bit snotty. My main problem was the size of the plates they were TINY. Would I return for breakfast? Probably not as there are much bettet places withing a short distance.

We arrived about 10 minutes early( we hate being late plus its hardly good manners) .Couldn't see any signs for disable parking as we have a blue badge. Theere was no seatxavaizble inside so we had to stand at the bar as our designated table was still in use.We'd booked for 6.00 but our table wasn't ready for us until around 6.10.The queue for the carvery has to extend past the bar and as it's a narrow corridor between tables and the bar it was very crowded ,almost shoulder to shoulder and not comfortable at all. The carvery has a good selection of meat and vegetables but the turkey over done and too dry.It might be better during a less busy time but we won't book Sunday night ar 6.00 again it was far too busy for comfort.

Great food. Clean,and the drinks are well looked after

Always food is bang on can't fault it at all staff very friendly

Excellent Food & Drinks Quality & Superb Selection Another Visit again high quality worth a visit anytime

Unbeatable value and choice on the carvery

Lovely home cooked carvery, great value when eating at lunch time in the week. Nice selection of desserts included in the 2 course special. Will definitely be returning :-)

Absolutely fantastic pub stay in our camper van, secure parking in overflow car park at rear of pub away from main car park and out of site. Very warm welcome and friendly staff and locals. Very dog friendly and comfortable pub. Brilliant food and reasonably priced, booked a couple of days before we came (booking recommended as very popular pub) we came on a Friday and had 2 fish n chip meals for £17, there is a carvery £11 each or £13 with a pudding. Came back in for buffet breakfast in the morning, delicious! Will definitely come back and recommend.

The carvery was really nice, but the black forset roulade had been in the microwave, so the meringue had gone all soft, which i had to leave could not eat it but the customer service was awful. No smiles no please and thank you

Always a great carvery! Never fails to impress and lovely desserts to follow. The service is welcoming and friendly and they love the dogs.

A lovely pub & delish food. But unfortunately, we had absolutely terrible, unfriendly and rude service from the girl behind the bar who had glasses and a slick back bun. So disappointing :(

Sunday carvery meal, it was delicious! The place was busy and service was a little slow but overall, I really enjoyed it and would recommend eating here!

Great value for half price Monday.

Was a bit nervous going to a carvery as a vegetarian, but food was absolutely banging, big portion sizes and plenty options. Would come back just for the chips alone

Lovely meal and service 😋 with excellent company 👌

Breakfast and carvery are a must great food great value

Nice place carvery was ok but veg bowls were empty and gravy station also low and ran out of sauces.The gravy Station should be cleaned or wiped periodically as it was a mess.

Our 1st time hear and so very nice.food nice The 2 mirages ladys very nice So we're the lad and the carver. The young girl we asked 2 things for but nether got eather. It was so bizzy . But still very good. Good find I think

Pit stop for late lunch. Had our dog with us so asked if it was ok for us to eat outside. Lovely lady said you can bring him in if you want. Made us feel really welcome. Food was lovely and the portion sizes were great.

Delicious food great value for money and staff really friendly

First time my partner and I have tried this place for breakfast. The only fault I could pick at is the eggs needed just 20 seconds more cooking as they were a still a bit snotty on top. If this wasn't the case, I might have pushed to 5 star. Will sample the carvery maybe in the week.

Lovely pub. Very clean and tidy. Staff were so friendly and made you feel Welcome. Food was OK. It was well presented. You can't please everyone and we all have our individual preferences. I would still recommend this place.

It's really good we met friends there for lunch enjoyed good choice on menu

Lovely food quick and pleasant service would return .I had steak n ale pie with carvery vegetables hubby had fish and chips only thing I would change is the fish n chips came on a oblong narrower plate which made fish hard to cut as it was sat ontop the chips ,but it was beautiful fish and chips so just a suggestion really

We went away for the weekend and on the way back home stopped at the island pool for a breakfast, it was a buffet breakfast and unlimited coffee or tea cost 10 pounds each with the coffee, it was lovely, bacon, sausages, eggs,scrambled or fried, black pudding fried bread, baked beans, fresh fried tomatoes,mushrooms and toast with jam or marmalade, Me and the wife really enjoyed it, I really liked the sauages which had a nice pepper taste, we thought it was cooked lovely and will be back for sure, bang on brekkie

The pub serves excellent food and drink, the staff are lovely and it is pet friendly. It is in need of a good clean, the carpets are filthy as is the upholstery, we sat in the area which is dog friendly and l must say that there was thick black mould round the bottom of the window frames. I would go there again for food but l would have to sit outside.

Had the carvery, good choice of meatand veg.....very importantly it was all hot, not like some

Really nice place, great meal deals, nice atmosphere, pleasant staff, carvery is one of the best I've had 👍

Had a lovely carvary here, good value,plenty of choice of meats and vegetables...highly recommended

The carvery itself was nice..however, they claim to be inclusive for dietary intolerance, my partner has a soya intolerance and they have said she could not have anything to eat as everything is cooked in Soya oil. The place itself was extremely noisy. Flies flying around all the food. Our disabled aunt could not eat all her food so we asked for the remaining to be into a tub to take home, the barman rolled his eyes and he threw it in upside down, no care was taken. Absolutely disgusted in our dining experience and will not be returning!!!

Went for Sunday carvery which was gorgeous. Staff friendly but some what very casually dressed. Gold chains and bracelets, odd we thought but...

Lovely place got recommended by a friend gave it a whirl lovely carvery busy place defo be back

Food was lovely with home made chips, the pub was lovely and lit with fairy lights which made it look stunning. It was half price which was even better. I would definitely recommend this pub.

Being completely honest on our first visit for breakfast. Food is outstanding, great choice. Can not fault. However, lipstick stained glass, when mentioned to staff, no apology just grabbed glass off me and gave another. A bit of customer service wouldn't have gone a miss here. I understand this can get missed but at least speak! Also I don't believe the man with the beard servicing food without a beard net is hygienic. It's a shame because the food and price is bang on, these issues let it down. I'm only raising this so maybe these improvements can be made for next time.