The Watermill in Basildon

Food was brilliant, terrible service from small blonde waitress will not be going again

staying at the premier inn attached to the beefeater the staff and food are amazing the manager andy is very helpful and always happy and will do anything for you and the kind lady lynette is the best in the morning always happy to welcome us excellent service highly recommend

Went to the watermill for dinner last night with my family. The service we’ve received from Lyn was outstanding, she made sure we were looked after all night. The manager Lynette was also very attentive.

Went in for breakfast yesterday and Lynette made my experience amazing! Just went in to fill the hunger and her service is impeccable truly an asset to the business will be coming back very soon! Thank you team for a great breakfast!

Popped in for a coffee , as we had an appointment, staff was very friendly and helpful locating the baby changing room Great service and a really nice restaurant to have something to eat

Fantastic Experience at Beefeater! I had a wonderful dining experience at Beefeater, and I have to give special thanks to the amazing staff. Izzy was a fantastic host—friendly, welcoming, and attentive from the moment we walked in. She made sure we were comfortable and well looked after, adding a personal touch that really enhanced our visit. A big shoutout also to Heidi, the manager, who went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time. Her attention to detail and excellent customer service truly stood out. She checked in on us throughout our meal, making sure everything was just right, which was much appreciated. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the staff made all the difference. We’ll definitely be returning soon—thank you, Heidi and Izzy, for making our visit so enjoyable! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Went for breakfast today, and there was hardly any continental breakfast . I had to keep asking for bread. There was no juice, and the cooked breakfast was horrible. Doubt, we will be going back after that.

Very sloppy outdated establishment. Outside entrance tables were full of empty glasses strewn around from the night before given this was just after midday. Inside we decided to have some drinks which were limited to the usual mainstream brands Noticed in the bar area flies merrily buzzing around which was a total put off. Management seems to be more interested in chatting to the local drinkers rather than providing customer service .Decided to orderwhile staff rushing around like headless chickens it took about ten minutes waiting. The menu was limited to bland microwave heated food. Due to the lack of staff we were kept waiting for twenty minutes between ordering. My overly priced steak had a twangy greasy taste to it. Staff are friendly enough but l could eat more for less in a local Witherspoon which l tend to avoid. If you're younger this could be an opportunity to experience retro walk back in time to cuisine offered by pubs during the 1980s/90s minus ploughman's lunch or prawn cocktails in seafood sauce. Probably the worst eating experience in years.

Andy and Lynette have been absolutely brilliant looking after me and the team this weekend. Can't have been easy ensuring that a team of 14 working back to back 12hr shifts days and nights. The food at both breakfast and evening meals was superb. Great staff who couldn't have been more accommodating !!!! Keep up the good work and hopefully see you all again soon.

Food was nice, staff and management were all amazing 👍

Andy was absolutely wonderful on breakfast today he had a bright smile and just in general had a lot of energy

Lovely food and great service will be coming again!

Very friendly staff and lovely bit of food and good locals and good laugh

Awesome fish and chips, I have a good time and found the staff friendly.

Had a nice roast, which was extremely nice, the plate was full and plenty of food. Staff are really friendly and helpful.

Great and friendly staff, amazing roast dinner highly recommend it.

Service was terrible only 1 waitress for the place waited 30minutes for our order to be taken waited nearly an hour for our food, the tea cup tasted of salt and dirty. Will not be returning it has gone down hill.

So we arrived and waited at the 'Please wait here to be seated' sign. We waited for around 5-10 minutes to just be seen to. The waiter, bigger guy, said we should grab a drink and then come back to be seated. So we did. We were then sat down next to plenty of free tables so I don't know why we had to wait. The younger gentleman who served us was great and he is the contributing factor to the 3 stars. The food was nice however lukewarm. Probably sat out for a little bit because it seemed like the younger lad that served us was doing all the work. Overall, I'd give 3.5 stars. Not good enough for 4 stars, feel like 3 stars is too harsh. However I can't give 4 stars

young man who served us was worth a thousand stars and should be working somewhere else this place is horrible food was terrible

Dirty , run down, the hotel isn't any better. Shocking state for a premier in. The restaurant smells damp, carpets are disgusting. Food came covered in grease and the breakfast was appalling

Where do I start. No stars for service and experience. Arrived for breakfast as booked at 0630. Nothing set up, waitress to busy on phone to show us to table and tell us where things were. Eventually she took our order at 0650, bread still frozen, not all tea facilities were out. The evening was just as bad, ignored at desk as 2 staff were on phone. Staff didn't know who ordered what, shambles. Into the bar with kids running it, everything was to much effort. One member of staff poured 1 pint in the 2 hours I was there as she did not want to get off her phone, the other was to busy with her partner. Only the young man seemed to be doing anything. Tables left dirty for more than an hour as it was to much effort or staff didnt even notice. Even had kids jumping off tables, chairs and partitions with nothing said to parents, who just so happens one of them worked there. All together a disgusting experience and will not be back. Manger seriously needs to give this place their full attention. Worst ever. Shame as the hotel was spot on but what i experienced at the adjoining bar will make me avoid this place.

Ordered a steak, when it came it was just fat and gristle. I was in the bar area and a few regulars shouting and swearing.

Watermill, Basildon, Essex. Unfortunately the boiler had broken down, which the staff had told us so we knew we would be chilly. We went into the ‘continental food’ area to be greeted with empty surfaces, no milk, a non-working coffee machine, several stale pieces of bread in an otherwise empty basket, rock hard pastries and a single bowl of yoghurt pots. We then sat at our table and a lovely waitress came and took our breakfast orders (floor staff were lovely). Whilst she took the order to the kitchen there was a sudden eruption of a VERY disgruntled chef who was shouting that if the company wasn’t happy then send him home! It was an extremely unprofessional and aggressive outburst that I would expect him to be removed from the company. Not only did he embarrass himself but also his fellow colleagues who were trying to make the best of a bad situation. His tirade made us feel so uncomfortable that we did not trust the he would prepare our breakfasts properly or safely so we spoke to the lady who served us and explained that we wanted to cancel our orders and leave. She was very apologetic and understood. It was such a shame that they had to deal with the chef too on an already stressful day. We won’t be going back there sadly as it is in fact somewhere we often visit and this is the second time in a row recently that the we have been let down here.

Breakfast with family was better than expected or read! Few things not available but believe it to be a company issue.Will be returning and was a pleasant experience

Very friendly and home like atmosphere! Food is delicious. Very special and friendly service by a waitress Lynda! Very professional and quick service. Will definitely recommend to anyone and will come back again!!! Thank you

Arrived at 1.10, was seated immediately and given drinks, there was one waitress, working really hard but didn’t get to order out food till 2.20, the food was good but the restaurant was so cold, we ate in our coats, she tried to turn the heating up for us but too late. She said staff hours had been cut she was on her own. We were so disappointed, we didn’t stay for further drinks

Staff great sadly they were pushed to there limit as quite a few people in restaurant so not the quickest bit not there fault. Had breaded mushrooms for starters , seriously overcooked and when I pit my fork in then they shot off the plate they were so hard . Ordered ribeye medium , was well and truly mullered and overcooked and really grisly for a rib eye , the table shook when I cut into the steak . Got given a 25% off voucher but won't be needing that I'm afraid . Chef needs serious training.

Had an amazing roast dinner , thanks to Billie, and John in the kitchen, Amazing service from Amy who is always very helpful.

Burnt scrap ends of food lipstick around the glass twice watermill you've gone downhill

Warehouse issue lead to limited pastures, staff constantly apologising for something that was out of there control.

Disappointed for breakfast today. The full English we ordered came out like warm. We knew there was no eggs, crumpets,sugar,pancakes,Danish pastries but we thought dont worry we will still enjoy coz it is cooked fresh. Well it was cooked fresh but left to go cold. Don't be having another breakfast ever again here. One good thing the waiter was full of beans and happy..nice chap.

Went there new years day, arriving around 2pm , for an impromptu lunch we haven't visited here for some time ,the pub part was very quiet and looking through to the dining area, it appeared the same, quite odd we thought for a new years day, we eventually got seated ,after I found a member of staff to confirm that the restaurant was actually open, we were advised that a couple of items on the menu were unavailable, we both agreed that the atmosphere was lacking and the decor was tired and grim, we both eventually ordered our choices for dinner, ten minutes later the waitress returned to say what I had ordered was not available, and presented me with a menu, with menu items that had a tick next to, I was told that these were not available to order, sadly this represented nearly half of the menu items offered, We left the restaurant without further ordering, vowing never to return. I'm sure other people have had a good dining experience here, but for us it was not to be.

Visited nye and we really enjoyed it-great atmosphere-Lovely waitress and enjoyed our last festive meal of 2024………..

Loads of food off the menu as problems with the supplier. Pub empty and lacked atmosphere. Pub is quiet dirty. Last visit.

Went there with work on 13/12/24 booked well in advance, nothing available on menu , food was dropped on the floor during service, never again

Waited all year to have a family Christmas dinner so booked the Watermill for 12 of us big mistake was booked in for 2.30 didn’t get seated till 3.45 4.10 for starters the staff was unhelpful and by this time we all walked out our family Christmas dinner was spoiled the atmosphere and restaurant looked shabby and dirty will never walk in there again for all of us 653.50 for the meal we didn’t have so have put in loads of complaints to get our money back and I will get our money back I will take it further our family meal together what a joke you are Watermill

We booked Christmas dinner, we turned up on opening time and still 2 and half hours waiting with no food. Absolutely horrendous experience for us as a family. Got offered no good will gesture. Can’t believe the service we have received here. We have an autistic 7 year old and a new born baby so they decided to seat us upstairs with a pram we had to carry. Just awful our son got his food and we are still waiting for ours. The outcome we got was unacceptable.

Half of the menu wasn't available

We stayed at the adjoining Premier Inn so had breakfast here. We stay typically a couple of times a year when visiting family and the breakfasts here used be ok until a couple of years ago but it’s definitely as if the management just doesn’t care about their customers anymore. I kinda feel like I’m being treated with contempt. We were greeted by a sign saying that the so called unlimited breakfast would be limited to two of any one item per person due to supply shortages. We saw exactly this when we stayed in June this year. Good grief for us that’s not a problem at all, as typically we’re eating later in the day, but for crying out loud there’s several supermarkets within a couple of miles radius put a little bit more effort into it go out and buy some eggs, bacon, sausages etc stop being so lazy 🤷‍♂️ One time we visited and were told the only eggs on offer would be scrambled eggs, honestly this is beyond ridiculous! Sort of like the Little Chef experience of sorry we haven’t had any omelettes delivered yet today! Anyway our breakfast turned up on cold plates and the items were well cooked and tasty enough but all but tepid or cold. I’m not a toddler for crying out loud I can eat hot foods! I really don’t know how an eatery like this could possibly be so incapable of making a half decent breakfast, I could do a far better job myself and I don’t have a Scooby about catering. Sadly though there is no alternative locally so I expect we’ll be doing the exact same thing in a few months time.

Came here after having a bad experience in another beefeater not expecting much but the waitress Gemma was amazing explaining all menu items etc and all alternatives available. The chef john cooked the food beautifully steak spot on for myself and friend Food was faultless

This has to be the MOST disorganised restaurant in Essex. We had dinner which was ‘ok’. But breakfast. They had food restrictions and the cooked took a ling time to arrive. When it did the portions were small, eggs overcooked and it looked line the plate was rushing under the food when it was put on. All the serving staff had a twitch in their eye which told me there was a knowledge things weren’t right. There was no cohesion to the service. Solutions: 1. Split staff between table sitting, orders and clearing. 2. Get some food (bacon, sausages, tomatoes etc) in the oven so you only do eggs fresh. 3. Get a second coffee machine in the restaurant to ease the pressure in the buffet.

Booked for unlimited breakfast, when we arrived a sign in door said they were having supply issues so only 2 of each item allowed ( not a problem for us ) we were seated and waited for over 30 minutes for them to rake our order ( people seated after us were served befor us ). We went to have some of the continental items 1/2 of which had run out already ( no bread out, no yoghurt, no pancakes and croissants had been cut into pieces. Then when cooked breakfast came out for the table next to us they were telling people that they had run out of the items they had ordered, at this point we complained and left. We had been in there over an hour and still no cooked breakfast. Service was so slow despite plenty of staff. Will not be returning again.

60% of options on the menu unavailable. Waited 90 mins for food. Steak overdone & cold when finally received.

Went today for breakfast, was served by Alex and Andy, they were busy but the service was great.

Not the restaurant fault but half the bits were unavailable. I ordered crispy chicken which was nice but small amount of chicken in there, chips ok coleslaw was amazing thank you. I thought the price of this is expensive £16.99.

Meal was awful toilets awful carpets minging will never go again.need to complain to management no phon number.also need decent cleaners in conservatory cobwebs.food was cold worse meal ever.

They didn't have a table for us, but we're told we were welcome to sit at the bar area. We ordered our food and drinks and they came relatively soon, apart from one of the meals that wouldn't arrive because the girl that took the order didn't hear/ took not of it properly. But then we ordered desserts, were told coffees would arrive earlier than the sundaes, but these didn't arrive at all. After half an hour, we went to the bar twice, asked about our desserts and it took in the end more than 45 minutes. Desserts that may take about a couple of minutes to prepare. Their excuse, that we were not sitting at the restaurant and orders from the restaurant come first. This is something that they didn't tell us when we were told we were welcome at the bar. If they would've told us that we could have chosen to not stay. But no, they didn't and everything was paid in advance so there was no excuse from them not to serve us. It was just bad hospitality.

We went because we had heard it had had some changes , Food, forgotten egg and tomato off mixed grill, rectified once spoke to waiter (bar kid) . Upgraded fries were barely warm and no spring onion. Poor staff were run off their feet desperately understaffed the poor waitress who served us advised she was covering all of tables with young lad popping out from behind bar periodically. Didn't realise till we got home the 50% discount on food didn't apply properly so paid full price pretty much on a distinctly average meal.

Mixed grill was excellent, really one of the best I've ever had. Shame it took over an hour to get it from ordering. New 3 hour parking restrictions mean that I physically didn't have time to order a dessert. Ordered a refill and didn't get it. Not sure if they were short staffed or just really busy but our server didn't stop running around. Food was great and really well cooked, but I'm not going back with that parking restriction in place.

Good food for reasonable prices and a chill atmosphere. Service is friendly. Very good place to go out for a few drinks with mates.

Normally come here about once a week Really enjoy the food and such amazing options Steak is always fantastic and breakfast is definitely our go to 🤪

Great value for money over all for a family of 5 we had no starters but had mains drink and dessert and cost £72 in total so great value. We had fish and chips for mains which taste wise it was great the chips was of good quality how ever the fish was a bit small and was more batter than fish. The gravy was very tasty the corn on cob was part cooked and was nice. The kids starter which was pigs in blanket and tortilla chips with a mint and mayonnaise sauce and cherry tomatoes the pigs in blankets was a good size and of a good quality. The kids mains which was sausage mash and beans was a good size but sausages was quite thin and could of been alot thicker but my daughter cleared the plate The other kids meal was burger and chips the burger was a good size but dry but again plate was cleared. The desserts was delicious

Cannot answer concerning food or drinks had table booked for 1.e0. Was informed on arrival cannor be seated till 3pm or we could order bar food so my group decided to have bar food. Waited 20 mins at bar area waiting to be served through no fault if bar staff gave up and left. Abs disgusted no prior warning via email or phone call. Will definitely not return bye bye

Terrible , booked for 6 people got told no table until 3 but could sit at bar. Went to get drink 1 staff , so we left. Won't be spending time and money in the fyture

Food i ordered washing the food they bought out lucky it was still gluten free

Beautiful food from chef michael hot and delicious. Very quick service with friendly waitress Katie. Absolutely amazing service from beefeater Basildon!

Brilliant food, excellent service, Katie was fantastic and bubbly and Chef Michael cooked my steak to perfection, as a Kitchen Manager myself I can honestly say I would be very proud I was Michael's Manager.. Fantastic can't stop talking about the meal!! Well done to you all.

Ordered fish and chips. Mushy peas were dry and hard. Chips not tasty.place could do with a clean.

Steak was overdone, no ribs and only two options for burgers.

A very disappointing experience with nothing really good to say about the food. The breakfast is unlimited, but you really wouldn't want to eat more than you had to. Service was great and attentive. Good place for families.

My waitress Vicky was superb. Loved the meal and the enthusiasm put in to the work.

My favourite place to go on a chill night. The bar staff are really nice, Izzy is always really helpful and a great laugh.

Lovely food with excellent service.

Want to say a big thank you to izzy and Heidi on the bar very polite

Heidi and Lynn was amazing very kind and lovely food

We went on 26th Oct and it was dreadful, my prawn cocktail had less than a teaspoon of sauce on it, my beef lasagne wasn't it was slop which apparently was the veg one so the kind waitress took it back to the kitchen. I waited ages for the beef one only to find my flat bread was absolutely cold as they had left the original one onvthe side to go cold. Our daughters ribs were dry, my husbands gammon steak was shrivelled up and our daughter friends rare steak was so dry. Wouldn't go back

Breakfast was great was served by Andy who was very nice

Absolutely atrocious time. Pre-booked for 5pm looking forward to a roast dinner to then be told they’ve sold out. Fine no probs. Takes waitress nearly 20’mins to order our drinks, by which time we stated we were ready for food. Well if eye rolling was a sport this lass would win!!! All ordered lovely. After waiting another 15-20 mins for cokes - flat as a pancake, finally get our drinks. Slowly but surely every table around us was sending their plates back for either being over cooked - rare steak like a slab of concrete, or chicken pink as you like. Gave it a good hour after we arrived but then finally stated cancel our order. To be fair the earlier rude waitress could not be more helpful. Will definitely not be returning. The haywain is the same chain and the service and food is 200% better.

Staff are very friendly and helpful make sure you register your car as you will get a parking fine

This is in the premier in hotel. It is a good cozy place but i believe they can have more better food options specially in breakfast. I would suggest them to add vegetarian options as well. Also spray some room fresher. The lady currently who helps in breakfast is really good.

Stood at the front of house for almost 15 minutes waiting to be seated. Once seated, it was another 20 minutes or so before someone came to take my order. 45 minutes later, my food arrived and it was NOT worth the wait. I’m had the mixed grill and I was really disappointed. The chicken breast was almost non existent, more like a budgie breast. Steak was overcooked and very dry. Sausages were thin and tasteless and the triple cooked chips were somehow undercooked.

Went in today and asked for a table for 2, was told there are no tables at all for tonight and can't book anything. Left the restaurant and checkeeld the website to find that there was lots of availability starting from a 40 mins wait.- yet the number of staff said, there was nothing! From the second I walked in, I believe I was treated differently. All the staff stared at me and left me waiting there for ages before even coming over to me. I feel the establishment treated me differently due to the colour of my skin!

We came to celebrate our anniversary. We had 3 courses and were absolutely stuffed after. Our server, Lyn was very friendly and polite.

Food was lovely and Lyn the server was kind. Little mix up with drinks but nothing that wasn't resolved. Always a nice visit and set menu was good price

Had to wait a long time for food to be served. When the food arrived it was cold. We couldn't get the waitresses attention to get drink refill. In the end we had to go downstairs looking for a waitress.

All I can say is that it was all average. The moral of the staff seemed very low.

As a beefeater goes the food was nice, shame about the endless chips being taken off the menu... But I digress Would like to give our waitress Nicola a massive shout out, as much as we where only there 2 days she went above and beyond each and every time we where in, from squeezing us in to tables when there was over an hour wait, to literally running around taking drink and sides orders from us, she deserves any recognition possible for her amazing service Would 100% recommend and if back in the area will be back again based on the service alone

A pleasent meal. Great service from Lyn. An ideal birthday treat. Thanks Beefeater

Staff nice food poor really grufty dirty everything sticky needs a lot of work smarting up. Area manager needs to get a grip

The food was perfection and the staff were so nice

Been there quite a few times. Seem to not have a few things on the menu. Rib's were good but have gone downhill recently we have mentioned it and were told that they have a new supplier. It's part of a pub chain so I suppose that is to be expected. Seems to gone down hill a bit. Staff still good but being let down badly by the company. . This is edited on from previous review. Pie was expensive for what it was. Spoon full of peas and small portion of chips. Company needs to sort out portion sizes as this seems to be the norm.

Amazing service from Lyn today for lunch. Customer service was 10/10. Was very helpful and polite. Will definitely be returning also manager peter is always a pleasure and we look faward to coming back x

After waiting 50 mins after eating starter main meal arrived. Chips cold, medium rare sirloin that was ordered came up well done. Food sent back and following steak was closer to rare an chewy. Would not eat there again

Sunday Lunch - arrived a 2pm - restaurant seemed relatively quiet. Asked the waitress for the sunday lunch menu as we only received the main menu. Waitress said only roast beef left - we ordered 2 roast beef which arrived luke warm. Two other diners were seated next to us and asked for the sunday lunch menu only to be told they had run out, they got up and left. Seems as though you need to get there at mid-day for a roast!

Food was only warm and not great quality, dirty tables everywhere, took awhile to be seated even after being noticed by staff

Very helpful and polite great staff and food will come back Time and time again

The place is first class the young guy that see us at desk and see us to our seats was outstanding never got his name but I gave him a £50 pound note to change up for the meal and he said he ain't seen one but the guy was outstanding I've seen him there before but an ambassador for your company so helpful and genuine and good at his job the breakfast was first class everything was hit or cold as it should be well done staff from the reception staff and cooks fabulous place and clean well recommend it

Alex was so lovely Stopped coming 2 years ago due to poor service. Today Alex put everyone to shame Brilliant young man. Great service, so polite. Will be back now. Thank god that horrible Karen isn't there any more

Visited yesterday early evening having not been there for 15 years. All the usual fayre in pleasant surroundings. Good size car park with access to the restaurant via a lift for disabled or less able bodied patrons. Friendly staff and prompt service. Several items (particularly desserts) had sold out, but this didn't spoil our experience. Would certainly visit again.

Quieter location, lovely tasty food, Great desserts - sundae is amazing!! Only negative is could do with more staffing.

Posting on behalf of my mother who had a poor experience here. She tried to contact Beefeater with her feedback as it could potentially be an allergy issue for other customers and her email went unanswered. She then tried to phone Whitbread to discuss, waited on hold for 30 minutes and when she finally got through the member of staff on the phone complained that the connection was poor, made excuses so as not to find the email and, when she did eventually find it, said that the phone connection was so bad that she had to terminate the call despite my mum being able to hear every word. Appalling service from the head office.

Good place for food, nice outdoor space

Food was lovely little bit of waiting but we’ll worth it will most definitely be back

It is shocking in here. Everytime we attempt to come here, the staff are miserable, the service is poor and the place is dirty. Highly recommend avoiding. Today was the final straw for us, we have given this restaurant numerous opportunities over the years as we live local but it has never improved. Today we booked for a 10:15am breakfast. We got to the restaurant and waited to be seated for 15 minutes. Even once the host met us, he was huffing and puffing, not making any form of eye contact and looked very miserable. We got sat at the back of the restaurant, surrounded by tables with buckets full of dirty plates and cutlery where they hadn't been clearing things properly. We was given a highchair for our youngest and it hadn't even been cleaned. It was full of wet disgusting food. Absolutely vile. My partner went to the continental breakfast section for our two children to get them some food and there was virtually nothing there. No pastry's of any kind left, only crumpets and some hard stale pieces of bread. We just left and didn't even eat. Never going to return. We went somewhere else and had a much better experience all round.

Even with a discount code, the food at this place really isn't that good. The food was bland, service was good, but didn't make up for the overall experience.

Food was really nice and enjoyable. Staff was lovely and very help regarding allergies and was a nice atmosphere

We have eaten here a few times now, they cater very well for intorlences and allergies and you feel relaxed about it there, the staff goes out of their way to help. Service is good, staff are lovely. The food is good too.

Excellent service and food,never been disappointed ,full marks to alex for his manor and great service ,and also the rest of the staff too

Been hear twice before and it was horrible the food was discusting and the place was filth....however....this recent trip. I dont know what has changed but the place was lovely and clean and the food was on point and the service was faultless. i woulf deffinatly give them another go and look forward to the next meal

We ate their breakfast buffet which included everything. There was hot cooked food and I ordered the mushroom, tomato and egg which was fantastically good. At the continental breakfast I had their pancakes, Greek yogurt but there was plenty to choose from and everything looked really good. Then there were plenty to drink. For the price and the fact that you could eat as much as you wanted, but the fact that the children ate for free made it even cheaper :) We were 4 adults and 4 children. The staff were very nice