The King John in Wiltshire

Love Z Hotels They have Sky which is great It’s tiny but got everything you need Slightly hard beds but it’s fine Be comfy with your partner as toilet and shower is not too private. But clean, brilliant and fun!

Despite previous visits being quite good the post Covid standards have dropped. Curt, surly front of house staff, long delays between courses and pre mixed cocktails made off site meant we were more than a little disappointed.

Following an excellent newspaper review, I was pleased to be able to reserve a table for two for Valentine's night. On booking we were promised the choice of a 'set' or 'a la carte' menu. Upon arrival things started badly with an order for a gin and selected tonic -plus a pint, being served as a gin n tonic and a straight tonic water. I immediately began to take a dislike to a mature woman (tight jeans didn't work either!) who appeared to be in charge, her very superior attitude was less than welcoming to say the least. Menu's presented, the promised special night menu had apparently been cancelled. Orders placed, we were seated and we asked for a wine list (strange, normally this would be offered ??) Starters arrived, followed by, after chasing it up, the wine list. Getting rather impatient, I walked back to the bar to order a bottle of wine, which eventually arrived after completion of our starters. Not good! Food was OK, apart from my 'seafood medley', designed as a starter for two, I requested it as my main. It was served on three dinners plates, stupidly, as we were on a very small table, and frankly at £39.95 was poor, luke warm oysters (X4), not served on ice as is the norm. Tempura lobster, almost devoid of the tempura, and scallops doused in an overpowering concoction, meaning their delicate flavour was completely lost. We were going to have deserts but due to the delay in an attempt to take an order after being given the choice, we gave up! I ensured the 'discretionary 10% service charge' was deducted from our bill of course.

Popped in for a quick pint and a bowl of chips. Pint was horrible and chips hadn’t arrived 30 minutes after ordering so I got a refund and left. This place isn’t what is used to be!

We were there for supper and were friendly welcomed. Staff was nice and attentive. It seems to be a more posh pub, prices are definitely. Food was okay but not as good and real as we had it in other pubs round the area. Also the wine menu was apparently “old”, we ordered a wine from 2016 and the bottle we got was from 2018 (which we noticed) because the former vintage wasn’t available anymore and the menu just hadn’t been updated. Salad came without any dressing. We can recommend fish and chips though!

Initial welcome was a little slow as only one member of staff around who was taking a table order which took ages. Eventually another member of staff appeared and then things improved. Good menu with good vegetarian options. The crab starter was excellent. Good for couples or larger groups. Outdoor area if the weather is good.

Good food and lovely setting. The service is mixed and sometimes a little grumpy. The crab is always the reason I go there. Delicious!

We were looking for somewhere a bit different for the last meal of our holiday and came across The King John on TripAdvisor. Ignoring the negative reviews and going on the sample menu we decided to give it a try. We found the very pretty pub in a very quiet, pretty village and sat outside to enjoy some lovely food served by very friendly staff. We even stayed for dessert and thoroughly enjoyed our evening.