Based on 354 opinions finded in 2 websites
Opinions
The atmosphere and service was perfect. The food was good but not up to the standards it should be for what you pay. Meat had fat and lamb portions were small. Just had two small medallion with fat on edges so made then even smaller. Would have been happy with three. Also very short on vegetables served with meal and potatoes so side veg were ordered, still veg were not impressive! Must add chips were lovely!
Marthese A . 2024-11-04
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We came, as a family for Sunday lunch. We hadn’t been here before, but we will certainly be back. Lovely food and friendly, helpful staff
Glynis C . 2024-10-28
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The Trooper is a hidden gem, tucked away in Aldbury, Herts. The owners have created a really attractive pub and Barn bistro/cafe. The food is delicious, the service exemplary, and the decor is tasteful. Their outside garden is modern, spacious and interesting. We've tried the Barn and the pub for lunch and had a thoroughly enjoyable experience. A local business, supporting local businesses. It's not cheap but worth it.
chris P . 2024-10-04
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I was visiting friends and we decided to attend The Tooper as friends advised its more than your local pub.. They were right . It was cosey and welcoming but more classy than your normal pub . The menu was beautiful and very welcomed than you average everyday pub 'grub' staff were fantastic and very accommodating [we were a table of 7!] This place is great to drop in or for a special occasion . Will definitely be back at some point . Please visit this beautiful establishment
AJ . 2024-09-24
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The Trooper. I must admit they have updated the place well, all very pleasant and the staff are very attentive. Ask a question and they know their stuff. I popped in for brunch, really nice coffee and what I saw of the other people's food it looked good and properly cooked. I had a bacon bun very nice but a bit stingy on the bacon for £8 three pieces would have been better than two, it would have felt like a bacon bun then. Loverly Pub.
phillip m . 2024-09-14
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My son and his wife held a post wedding party for 80 guests in the barn and gardens at the valiant trooper last Saturday. Everything was amazing. We could not fault anything. The grazing table and pizzas was delicious. The Andy and his team Inc the chefs were so professional, helpful and friendly. A huge thank you to you all.
Caroline . 2024-09-09
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On Friday night my wife and I stopped for a relaxing drink on the way home. Unfortunately afterwards my wife's car wouldn't start because of a flat battery so we had to call the AA. Whilst we were waiting in the car park for the breakdown service to arrive, Andy the owner, along with his chefs and bartender Oliver turned up with jump leads to see if they could help. It turned out that the battery was completely flat and we needed a new one once the AA turned up. However, in the meantime Oliver brought us coffees to calm the situation. What a wonderful team together with Sophie at front of house. They really made an effort to help way beyond the call of duty. We can't wait until our next visit to enjoy the wonderful food and atmosphere over Breakfast and Sunday lunch!!! Colin & Lesley.
DayTrip06158789449 . 2024-09-07
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We visited for a friends wedding. The food and cocktails were great and the staff were so friendly and attentive. Would deffo recommend
Martin S . 2024-08-18
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We had a lovely visit to the Trooper for a relaxed drink in their garden area. The drinks were reasonably priced and great quality but the atmosphere and the very friendly staff makes this place a wonderful place to visit. We will definitely be back.
MP . 2024-08-15
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Very comfortable inside and out, the food was good if not great, the service is great and the atmosphere is lovely. Drinks are good, and with waiting staff serving all areas its definitely worth a visit, im sure we will be back soon.
spore . 2024-08-14
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This is a cracking pub restaurant in a beautiful quintessentially English village. The pub and gardens are immaculate and a fantastic venue on a summers day - which it was. The draught cider is good and my wife had the fish goujon sandwich which was very big and was served with a very fresh salad, fries and tartare sauce. 1010 and Andy and the staff deliver good old fashioned service in a relaxed manner. Recommended to visit
cidermanSlough . 2024-07-12
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I visited the barn today at the trooper and had a proper tea and delicious scone. Highly recommend it. The gardens are exquisite and so calming. The Staff were so friendly and welcoming
Caroline . 2024-07-09
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What a stunning pub! We went on a beautiful sunny day for my Birthday and the garden area was perfect. Lovely plants, water features and furniture, we could have sat out there all evening! The food was also delicious. Brilliant refurb and improvement from before. I’ll be back soon!
shauna962019 . 2024-07-07
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I love this place and the warm welcome. My wild mushroom poached egg brunch was simply awesome. Really gorgeous space and a friendly team. Definitely go there.
D Moran . 2024-07-05
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First time at The Trooper and popped in without booking, they were so kind and accommodating as even though the restaurant was full they were still able to fit us in! We're so grateful that they did, because we had such a wonderful experience, they seated us outside amid a beautiful setting, fantastic décor, gorgeous planting, luxurious seating with lovely comfy cushions, tables nicely spaced and added to all this a wonderful ambiance! We truly were looked after and catered for to the finest degree, their attention to detail to ensure you're happy and comfortable is highly commendable. The food was like fine dining, at a very high standard, just out of this world, we had the vegetarian and meat roast dinners which were delectable, beautifully presented on the plate and by far for us the best roast dinner in Beds and Bucks. To sum it up, if you're looking for that extra special unique experience this is the restaurant to visit, you will not be disappointed!
Ascended A . 2024-07-01
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Spot on Sunday lunch! Not hurried, not rushed. A birthday celebration table for 10. The attentive service from the staff was fabulous, matched by the amazing food served. Every nesl enjoyed. Thoroughly recommended. We will definitely return.
Debbydoodaas . 2024-04-28
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Went for Sunday lunch. Great experience and good to see the Trooper back! Great food & exceptionally good service. We’ll defo be going back!
Cchopz . 2024-03-31
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Excellent food with lots of choice. The staff - especially Jayden - very personable and attentive. Would highly recommend a visit
Jo H . 2024-03-30
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What an amazing place. The dream pub we all hope to find, great food, a roaring fire, and great service. The only sadness was to watch the very professional maitre d be unnecessary abused by a random customer. It was a bit sad to watch as the customer clearly lacked a bit of cerebal ability but seems keen to let everyone know he owned the government owned Channel 4 station... Fully recommend everyone stop by and sample this exceptional pub!
Stephen N . 2024-03-29
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1st visit to this local village pub - but do not be deceived….the building is delightfully ancient, the cooking however is modern and sharp. I just had the basic burger, but the menu has some very accomplished alternatives. Having said that - my burger was elevated wayyyy above the usual pub fare. Unreal. Delicious. Service was on point, friendly, accurate and exactly right. Recommended.
johnnymwalker . 2024-03-22
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It was a relaxing experience having lunch in the pub, sitting in a room with history/character and attractive decor. and quiet, unobtrusive music playing in the background. Service from James was attentive, but never overbearing. I felt comfortable eating there alone. I particularly enjoyed the hispi cabbage vegetarian main dish. It was light and very tasty, so there was room for dessert! The price was reasonable for the quality of the food, which was cooked to order (I think), so don't be in a rush. All the other diners also praised the food. I heard one diner remark that the dishes might have weird and wonderful names (which don't mean much to the uninitiated, me included), but that the food is so very tasty and the quality is great.
roz327 . 2024-03-21
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Thank you to The Trooper team especially Sophie and MIllie for a wonderful evening. We were treated to some amazing food and superb service. A great night was had by all. Looking forward to returning.
Scott C . 2024-03-05
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A great dining experience. Food was excellent, staff attentive. Great Atmosphere. The owners are super friendly and we will definately be going back
Jon W . 2024-03-02
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We had a fabulous lunch here today, the food was first class, the service from James was excellent and the room itself is cosy and welcoming. We will be returning soon - highly recommended!
Jenny N . 2024-02-22
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The chef at The Trooper is first class and this place beats all local eateries hands down. We had a superb meal there last night : I had Brill with a divine sauce followed by the most interesting and delicious chocolate dessert. Prices are mid range for top quality food. Well done Trooper! Please keep your chef!
Jane M . 2024-02-22
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Booked the barn for a family birthday dinner for 20 people. Everything was amazing! Tasty food, excellent service and an fabulous atmosphere. This is now my new favourite restraunt in the Bucks/Herts area.
Chris F . 2024-02-17
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Absolutely amazing 💯 % recommended. The food the atmosphere the staff were perfect. The food is just truly scrumptious. James was so knowledgeable as to were all the food has come from .Will definitely be visiting very soon. P.S the portions of food are big .
Julie W . 2024-02-11
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Absolutely brilliant roast! I had lamb, husband had beef. Both insane! So so yummy with amazing service. We didn’t book but they managed to squeeze us in. We had a drink in their lovely garden first. Not a local spot but definitely will be back one day.
402steffig . 2024-01-28
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We’d booked in for Sunday Lunch with friends who were visiting the area. We live locally. The menu was quite limited as far as Sunday lunch goes, it was beef or vegetarian though the beef was delicious I think the portion sizes were quite small. We did opt for dessert but I wish I hadn’t, again, super small and no worth the extra cost. I think the ice cream was actually quite bitter. I think the food was nice, but not amazing and not worth the above average cost. I don’t think I’d go back, not even for a drink. It’s more a restaurant than a pub.
NiallSuibhne . 2023-12-17
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Popped into the beautifully and sympathetically restored Trooper in Aldbury for a drink and a bite to eat and were delighted. Drinks and food were fabulous and the refurb is just stunning.
kewsontour . 2023-12-02
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Having grown up around this area we revisited the pub in its new guise. The building and renovations are fantastic but we would definitely not revisit due to the rude and unwelcoming staff. We were meant to be going for supper but left after first drinks due to the rude and uncomfortable atmosphere created by the young and rather pompous staff. We will not be back!
Rosie Lilia A . 2023-11-11
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Visited the new & beautiful “Trooper” after its revamp, the pub is absolutely lovely & gardens are too, really lovely. The drinks are great & good wines & beer options etc. We also ate there which is where my opinion changes. The menu is very complicated to understand as it says BBQ but not a lot of meat on the menu, I think they had a BBQ earlier in the day but wasn’t clear. The food is very fussy & fancy. We ordered all of the bites & the noci. The presentation was beautiful & food was ok. It was fair too fancy for pub food which was disappointing. They could potentially put people off with their food choices as it’s not what you would choose for pub grub. To fine. So personally I would definitely 💯 visit for drinks & crisps but not for the food. To improve I would add even some kind of chips, wedges, halloumi style bites & keep it a little more simple. But 100% visit for drinks as it’s really pretty.
sjt4631 . 2023-07-30
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Just reopened and so far so good!! The garden looked stunning and the service was attentive. They were not serving food when we got there but it looks as if the are starting slowly!!
Clare G . 2023-07-25
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Was passing on my bike and popped in round the back where I found an oasis of calm, with a beautiful garden and enjoyed a pint from the very courteous and friendly staff. The smell from the garden kitchen was mouth-watering but sadly I couldn’t sample the food but I’ll be back to enjoy it soon I’m certain. A thoroughly enjoyable experience and highly recommended.
Peter C . 2023-07-02
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Newly opened, and the best is yet to come. This charming old pub has been reinvented by Rupert and Helen with a very high standard renovation. Currently only open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for drinks and a very limited menu but with grand plans for a tea room, restaurant and farm shop. Watch this space…
wotplanetuon . 2023-07-01
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Enjoyed a lovely lunch at this gorgeous pub. Homemade bowl food was delicious ( we have sampled the veggie chilli, onion bhaji, fish cakes and BEST, homemade chips (no oven baked nonsense). Service with a smile and ice for our drinks on a hot day. Thank you
Hullsky . 2021-06-16
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walked down to Aldbury from the Ashridge Monument for an early evening drink and was very disappointed with what used to be a lovely pub. No cooked food available, scruffy unfriendly man serving drinks in the garden which was equally unkempt. Have always preferred this little country pub to the other village pub but doubt i will be returning any time soon. I can see this pub failing to survive before too long.
gspviz . 2021-06-12
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Until yesterday, the Valiant Trooper was always our first choice when walking in that direction: good food and beer, lovely garden, relaxed & welcoming ambience and friendly staff. Last week, we rang to book for lunch but were told they were only serving bar snacks. We asked if we could bring a picnic and were told we'd be welcome, so we had a wonderful first lunch of the season in a pub garden, if not exactly a pub lunch... Yesterday, friends were joining us for a long walk so we rang to check and were told still no cooked lunches, but fine to bring our own again. Beautiful walk from Pitstone HHill, re ady for lunch, we ordered our drinks and started upacking out picnic. One member of staff came to say this was not OK, but we explained we'd been told it was & she left us. We had served up and started eating & drinking when another member of staff came to tell us we were out of order and were to leave the premises. She was not prepared to hear us and said she did not believe we'd been told it would be OK. When we'd packed up and finished our drinks, I went to find Wendy, the manager: if I got an apology, I would have simply agreed it was a regreftable incident, and they needed to ensure all staff were clear & consistent about what is allowed. Instead I got the same brick wall response, again implying that I was lying about being a regular visitor as she did not recognise me. I am sad that I will no longer be visiting this pub until they get new management.
Emengel3 . 2021-04-25
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I’ve attended this pub before when walking in the area so thought I’d return for a birthday lunch with friends. To keep in line with government COVID-19 guidelines I enquired over the phone about a table outside and asked if it had cover (the weather forecast was for showers). I was met by an incredibly patronising and rude man on the phone, who dismissed what I was saying and made me feel embarrassed to have asked. Really disappointing and put a downer on my birthday. I won’t be visiting this pub again.
timbI2104ZC . 2020-10-31
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First visit here for lunch with friends. Great location with so many lovely walks around it. Very friendly waitress who made every effort to be welcoming, take drinks and food order and deal with any issues. She was very very busy. One other man serving, but he didn't interact with us nor did he appear to be as busy as the waitress: in fact we saw him take his dog out for a walk whilst the waitress was serving. Good ales. Chalkboard menu, good range of dishes. Actual food was very disappointing- pastry on steak pie floppy and still raw in patches so we sent back to kitchen and ordered something else. Batter on fish was not brilliant, chips crispy but overcooked. Falafel very plain. BLT was okay but very sad salad garnish on plate. Our (gentle well behaved) dog was on a lead with us- there was a water bowl on the floor, but also a dog food bowl with dry kibble in it, plus a huge raw bone next to the bowl. We obviously wouldn't allow our dog to go near the food bowl nor the bone, but she needed a drink. Unfortunately the resident pub dog is allowed to wander around the pub, and the bowls etc belong to the pub dog. So when our dog went to drink some water, the pub dog went for her, clearly territorial around its own bowls- and the huge raw bone. We would question whether it is appropriate and safe to have the resident dog's food and water in a the bar of the pub. A mother of a young child at a table nearby was telling her little one to stay away from the dog and not play on the floor where the raw bone had been. Would we return? Absolutely not.
dawn w . 2020-10-31
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Had been a couple of years ago and from what I can remember enjoyed a nice enough Sunday lunch. Visited again today and was slightly disappointed. Service wasn’t great - either not enough staff or the staff weren’t attentive. Drinks order was taken very quickly but then drinks took A LONG time to arrive. We weren’t offered menu’s but assumed the menu was on the blackboard behind us. After nearly enough 1/2hr the waitress asked if we had ordered yet and then realised we had not been given the menu. We said we had decided and ordered. Food again took a long time to come. Tried to order drinks and were told the waitress would come back ‘when she could’. Had to wait again for cutlery etc to be bought. Again, not great when food going cold in front of you. The food was okay. Nothing more. Chips were passable as chips, no where near crispy and some not even cooked all the way through. Pub was slightly chilly aswell. Needs a little bit of TLC.
em_kit . 2020-10-25
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Me and my motorcycling mate enjoyed another great time at this pub.😎👍 The Sunday lunch was delicious and the selection of vegetables and quality of meat was superb. Staff here as always so friendly and welcoming.👍 The sun was out so we took advantage of it and enjoyed sitting outside in the front. There is also a good size back garden, ideal for families and larger groups etc.
grahams765 . 2020-10-11
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A delightful country pub with friendly staff. This quaint out-of-the-way pub had ample outdoor and indoor seating. The food here was divine, we had a Sunday lunch. I would thoroughly recommend it to any person walking or driving by. Dessert was scrumptious also! Very clean inside and out. Reasonably priced and great portion size. A great country pub thoroughly recommend. Thanks again to the lovely staff.
timothyc608 . 2020-09-06
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Visited with friends this week whilst camping nearby. Friendly staff and locals, with lots of outdoor seating. Would recommend the local Tring brewery beer.
Aimee M . 2020-08-28
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Group of 4 , lunchtime, COVID-19.( Eat out to help out 50% off). We all enjoyed our meals and all of us felt we would have paid full price and not felt we’d paid too much. Two ploughman’s, fish and chips and a haddock and Stilton risotto. All meals obviously freshly cooked/prepared. Good balance of vegetarian/carnivore/pescatarian dishes. Nice friendly safe service,
michelered . 2020-08-24
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Our poorest Saturday lunch for may a month. Sandwich on only white bread and poorly presented with no serviettes.
V2883MOchristopherp . 2020-08-24
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This pub is becoming a woeful shadow of it's former self. The staff have seemed to have lost all motivation, the food is worth avoiding. The beer was just passable but the landlord has as much bonhomie as an old dirty cardigan, which he seems to enjoy wearing. Not going here again.
Vulcan713 . 2020-04-11
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We picked the Valient trooper as the place to stop for lunch on our journey to Aylesbury. It had a good write up in the Good Bear Guide but that can be deceptive. We were thre adults and a five year old. They have a good reange of beers and the food we picked as great. 2 hot roast beef sandwiches (one GF) one fish finger sandwich and a Childs sausage sandwich ( with chips to share). I had the beef and it was cooke really well (not overdone). My daughter said the GF roll was excellent - she often doesn't have the sandwich option becasue the GF breads not up to much. The staff was friendly (including the dog) Pity it rained so the 5 year old couldn't have a run outside but she did get pictures of the goldfish.
ianfS9370EK . 2020-02-19
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Well where can I start the pub is a lovely village pub the beers lines kept nice and clean but I can't say the same for the landload. He looks like Stig of the Dump plus I do not like the way he grabbed his dog ( this well be reported). Clean yourself up Mr landlord
honestreviews99 . 2020-01-26
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I have eaten here before about 3 years ago but on this occasion I was meeting friends for a drink.I was surprised to hear that the barman Gordon, who is a very experienced cellarman, was no longer working at the VT and nthe landlord Pete was behind the bar. Pete has always struck me as an unkempt, dirty person who should not be front of house as he seems to have few social skills. I asked for a pint of a local bitter and, well, got a tasteless pint of cloudy murk, it was rubbish.If this is the way the pub is going I don't give it much of a chance for the future.In addition the till didn't work, the carpet was threadbare, the cushions on the seats didn't look as if they had been cleaned in more than a year. Overall an impression of general decline, not good.
Spock713 . 2020-01-22
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Went straight to the good beer guide and went there. Awful. Place was cold and draughty. Beer OK. Ordered 3 meals. They were all poor. Haddock fishcakes on congealed leaks with gloopy cheese - OMG. Fish and chips so meagre. And a burger which was unappetising. Soggy chips with the latter 2.But main thing was that the place was so cold.
Travelote . 2020-01-11
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I have always enjoyed a walk in Ashridge followed by a good pint of ale in this very dog friendly pub but sadly a lack of decent service and customer care now let’s this pub down. I have visited a couple of times in recent months and on both occasions took quite a long time to get served. This is less to do with how busy the bar is and more to do with inept and inexperienced bar staff, add a miserable landlord into the mix and it ceases to be a place I want to visit again. Today - New Years Day 2020 was a good example. After a long walk we went into the pub at 2.45pm for a beer and a bowl of chips, took over 20mins to get served due to both bar staff not seeming to know what they were doing. No ice for the soft drinks for the people in front of me, no small glasses, a wide range of crisps but many not available. Having waited patiently to get served (the place was less than half full) I asked for my beer, a soft drink, and a bowl of chips - sorry food finishes at 3pm!!! Hmm ... had the staff been better I would not have missed the food order. Sat down at my table and 10 mins later the waitress brought three plates of food to the next table, they had been waiting some time, they grumbled throughout about the food which looked pretty poor to me - how do you burn Welsh rarebit (I think that’s what it was).Suggest the landlord either finds decent staff or better still go and find another career and leave running pubs to the professionals. Will be finding somewhere else in future ... what a shame.
V9572VGmichaell . 2020-01-01
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Booked a table for Christmas Eve lunch two months ago and confirmed the booking the day before. Were not told on either occasion that we would need to pre order to access the Christmas menu. Complained to the manager/owner and got a half hearted apology who asked what we wanted. It wasn’t worth the effort. We had to order drinks four times (“the bars busy”), and the food when it came was disappointing.The restaurant had no atmosphere, was virtually empty and unheated .There was no effort to make the place seasonal - eg, crackers or festive napkinsThe staff seemed undertrained and out of their depth.It’s our local but we won’t eat here again ...
wotplanetuon . 2019-12-24
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We went there yesterday (28 Nov) after a walk up Ivinghoe Beacon. We were greeted by a friendly dog (wearing a label 'Do not feed'). We had some excellent Chilterns Beer and then some wonderful sausages, bubble and squeak and home-made baked beans. The others in our party had beans and Manchester eggs. The food was marvellous and the staff were helpful and friendly. Just the thing for a damp, dark November day. Slightly tucked away in the delightul village of Aldbury Herts, a mile from Tring Station through the fields. Bliss.
faceyromford . 2019-11-29
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Went into here for a couple of beers after work as we were staying nearby. The pub is stuck in a time warp, which isn’t a bad thing in itself. The pub has a beautiful little puppy which was getting stroked and tickled as it spent ages at our table. The landlord came to take the pup upstairs and literally yanked the poor dog across the pub by her tail. The landlord needs to learn some manners and also how to look after his puppy. I wouldn’t go there again all the time he is there as wouldn’t be responsible for my actions if I did
Ameliamae3 . 2019-10-11
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I used to make a point of visiting this pub whenever I was in the area. It has good beer and a pleasant, secluded garden at the rear.It does suffer from being in an area populated by that section of the white working class who would be offended by that term, fancying themselves to be rather superior. Anyone looking different from the locals will have them clutching their wallets and mobiles while affecting politeness.That, of course, is a problem with the area, not the pub. What is a problem with the pub, however, is the attitude of the staff. I found them to be rude and unwelcoming. I am hoping this is a temporary problem as the manager (not present today) was fine last year. However, I have noticed a number of similar comments recently, and I hope they will address this problem as it spoils a once excellent pub.
TACosmic . 2019-09-04
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We took out of town guests here for breakfast recently and loved how delicious and fresh the food is. The baked beans are made in house and everything is so nicely prepared. We often come for Sunday roast as well which is equally worth seeking out.
r d . 2019-08-27
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We stopped here for lunch with our grandchildren. The staff were not over friendly and we were asked to put a card behind the bar - not something that we like doing. We sat down and the children started playing in the play area. Next thing we hear is screaming and shouting - the landlord's dog had bitten my grandson's foot. My wife ran over and pulled the dog away. Our grandson was upset and when asked to put the dog on a lead the landlord was surly with us!!! He did not apologise at first and when asked to do so it was a very sarcastic apology. He the asked US to leave or he was going to call the police. WOULD NEVER GO THERE AGAIN AND IF ANY OF YOU TAKE CHILDREN BEWARE!!!
Bill H . 2019-08-24
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Yesterday my extended family and I arrived at the pub and sat outside for lunch, there were 4 children in total ranging between 4 and 11. The venue is allegedly child friendly as there is a small play area. We ordered drinks and then food, the children were in the play area being monitored. I noticed a staff members dog was running around all over the place. It was allowed to foul on the near by grass area where people were sitting and eating. After around 30 minutes this dog then ran up to my six year old and bared it’s teeth. It was snarling and went to attack him. It managed to bite into his trainer and foot before we managed to pull it off of him and shouted for him to run. The dog chased after him until it was again restrained. The 6 year old was understandably upset and I rushed to check his foot, there were bite marks on his ankle. If he had been wearing sandals (as his brother was) we would have had to go to hospital. I write this review to warn others with children thinking about visiting the venue not to. It is not safe, this dog was completely out of control and if it were a baby/toddler could have been very different. We asked for an apology from the staff member and he was very rude, brazen and sarcastic. I was completely shocked, the service was terrible, as a paying customer the man should have at least had the decency to apologise for his dog, as a dog owner and human being he should have done a lot more. We cancelled our food and left. Please consider visiting this venue if you have children.
SLH9811 . 2019-08-24
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We came in for a light lunch. When we came to order the man demanded we all ordered on the same tab so that multiple orders didn’t go through. When the food was brought out, we asked for cutlery which the waiter didn’t even acknowledge and walked away. One of the orders was missing which he eventually brought out. When we went in to pay we wanted to pay separately to which he starting huffing. I did say we wanted to order separately in the first instance to which he didn’t answer. The till was down so he was complaining he needed a calculator. My friend made a joke that as the till was down did it mean we didn’t have to pay, to which he came a filthy look and said no. He couldn’t even manage to say thank you once we paid.
339lauray . 2019-08-22
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Nice friendly staff. Efficient service. Great location. However, the food wasn't great. Something not quite right with the whitebait. We both felt sick all afternoon and evening and that was the one dish we both shared. The fish cakes were all potatoe and very little fish and cooked a little too much. I'd just go there for drinks. Nice house red (the Sangiovese).
Steven L . 2019-08-19
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Lunch for four to celebrate two birthdays. Came across this pub by chance in the very quintessentially village of Aldbury. Good choice of drinks and food with friendly staff.
Tekayhat . 2019-07-16
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After a lovely walk to the Beacon and Bridgewater monument we returned to our car in Aldbury. This pub is at the end of the village. The ploughman’s was delicious. A choice of different cheeses and home baked ham. Comes with bread, salad pickles. Very good quality and a perfect setting for a escape from the rat race country day out.
Moomins263 . 2019-05-27
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I wish I could give them more than 5 stars..... we had a table of 14 and they couldn't have been friendlier, more helpful or better hosts... food and drink all really great. I highly recommend this pub.....
Andy H . 2019-05-26
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Really friendly staff and great food. Locally sourced meat. If you have the sausage sandwich, do yourself a favor and upgrade to the venison sausage if possible. You won't regret it!
Dilshan S . 2019-05-25
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The Valiant Trooper is just a little walk from the main crossroads in Aldbury and is well worth finding. The menu is excellent and a genuine friendly greeting at this dog friendly pub will certainly entice me back again soon.
Jay3449 . 2019-05-20
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Went for lunch before a 6 mile walk Nice menu, nice range of options, and sat out in the garden on a nice sunny day. Service was good as was the food Had fish cakes, beef lasagne, hamburger - nice food All good,no issues
Andrew S . 2019-05-12
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Went as a family of 6, 5 adults ,1 child for Sunday breakfast at 11.30 am
Andrew A . 2019-05-08
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We stopped for a quick drink on Bank Holiday Monday. Quick service at the bar. Friendly staff. Nice bear garden.
Dempo0 . 2019-05-07
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Nice large garden. Was very busy but it was a bank holiday Monday so not surprising. Had water bowl for dogs and treats at the bar. The area to queue for drinks by the bar was very small and crowded sadly.
miiikeee101 . 2019-04-23
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We had a very nice lunch here of salad and sandwiches. Service was quick although bar staff were rather glum. Nice atmosphere in the garden.
ClassicalBoy . 2019-04-22
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This place has everything you could ask for from a countryside pub - good selection of drinks and excellent food, indoor seating with country music, outdoor seating to enjoy the little garden and friendly great service. Ample parking space was an advantage too.
SumaM1987 . 2019-04-17
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Mittagessen vor einer kleinen Wanderung in den umliegenden Hügeln. Gutes Essen freundliche Bedienung -alles gut.
. 2019-04-12
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Great little pub with good food and interesting ale selection including one of my favourite ales, Chiltern Beechwood, as a regular and in superb condition and at perfect temperature. Really nice welcoming locals. Will definitely return. Cheers!
. 2019-04-03
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A proper pub. Good selection of drinks, plenty of parking and excellent food. Scotch eggs available when kitchen is closed......not just a scotch egg 👍
. 2019-03-31
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My wife and I visited with our Border Collie and right from the start were made to feel welcome. Even the dog was treated with dog biscuits - twice! The menu offered a decent selection and the food was as good as pub grub gets. We'd be happy to visit again.
. 2019-03-21
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Lovely old pub not far from the village centre. There is plenty of parking and a pleasant garden for warmer days. In the pub there are log burning stoves and plenty of seating in different areas. There are a few steps between the bar areas.
. 2019-02-14
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I wanted a low key gathering to celebrate my 50th. The Valiant Trooper was the perfect place. Warm, friendly and inviting. They provided fabulously tasty canapés for 40 people, all of whom remarked on the high standard. I had a great evening to remember. Thank you.
. 2019-01-06
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Great for dropping in for a swift one after a country walk. Good selection of ales. We didn’t stop for a meal except for a Manchester Egg and mustard. Just right for the return walk.
. 2018-12-31
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We have visited here once a month over the past year and we have had varied food and sometimes the service has been quite bad.
Cliff T . 2018-12-04
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My favorite pub locally!! I love it here on a sunny lunchtime especially. Great for a formal family lunch, a party or just a drink at a walk.
clarencem49 . 2018-11-07
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Having had a good long walk in the Autumn sunshine we decided to visit the VT for some good beer and food having been there earlier in the summer. Pub was reasonably busy but not overly so. Ordered excellent Tring Brewery SidePocket and food. Waited quite a while for food and one of the meals was missing. One member of staff was very apologetic and went off to the kitchen, 5 mins later he was back with the main course. We asked for some pepper, Mr Grumpy who had been about the pub came back and left one of the biggest pepper grinders then came back with a cruet, sauces and mustard, deposited quite harshly on the table. Unfortunately the meal wasn’t hot and we returned it and it was reheated and returned. By this time everyone else had finished. Mr Grumpy was still grumpy and had put a sign outside re staff vacancies. So a disappointing visit to the VT and perhaps expensive for what was on offer combined with very poor service and poor attitude from Mr Grumpy. Will be a while before we comeback.
Hemel1 . 2018-11-03
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We visited the Valiant Trooper purely on a whim whilst driving through Aldbury on a Sunday lunchtime
nigel m . 2018-10-14
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I was honoured to be allowed to go down below the pub into the cellar. Plenty of barrels and a Shute for the coal. Made a tasty cuppachino too.
Peter S . 2018-09-27
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Lovely little pub with lounge and bar area with adjoining restaurant room. Good choice of beers, lagers and ciders. Friendly staff, willing to give honest opinion on guest beers - good and bad! Food is typical pub fayre and served quickly. Popular pub for walkers and dog friendly.
ChrisLV10 . 2018-09-18
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Arrived with our walkers group, friendly staff who cancelled the payment to two of us as the beef was very unsatisfactory and was not eaten
emperornardly . 2018-09-12
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Stopped in for lunch after a walk along the Ridgeway and through the Ashridge estate. Great to find the usual good selection of beer and top food. I had the Venison burger from the specials board and it was spot on.
RBrennecker . 2018-09-11
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Me and my motorcycling mate have come here over the year's and we always enjoy our visit. The Sunday roast lunch as ever was delicious. The roast beef was cooked to perfection and a side dish of extra vegetables including runner beans,squash carrots leeks as well sumptuous roast potatoes and lovely Yorkshire pudding .STAFF are always approachable and welcoming and the selection of wines and beers are always varied and popular here. The ambience is perfect with outside seating front and back with the majestic chilterns in the distance.
grahamsX2081RH . 2018-09-09
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Really over rated pub. Disappointed with grumpy staff and very average food. Kids goujons were hard and overcooked, adult meals were very average and overpriced. Wont be rushing back.
AJK40 . 2018-09-08
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My 2 daughters and I ate lunch here before going on to Champneys. The menu choices were good and the food was lovely. Will definitely eat there again if we’re in the area.
etom3el . 2018-08-26
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A group of 10 of us had a really lovely evening at theValiant Trooper tonight. We chose to sit outside instead of in the restaurant as it was such a warm night. We ordered many different starters and all but 2 arrived together but they followed shortly after with an appology. Mains followed and everything was extremely tasty and all plates were left empty which shows how good the meals were.
Barranna31 . 2018-07-26
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What a joy to find a free house, with good well kept local beers and honest pub food. Ham, egg and chips were very good. The couple running the pub were working hard and there were plenty of locals. Nice and cosy inside and open garden at the back.
frankie390 . 2018-07-24
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We visited last evening with friends and had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Friendly and efficient service all evening and lovely food. Well worth a visit. Go treat yourselves, you won’t regret it. We hope to return very soon.
Wiodpecker . 2018-07-22
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Lonely place to come for lunch. Small but great menu. Friendly staff. Not too expensive. Food quality and presentation is beautifully served. Dogs allowed. Quick service even though busy. Recommend by restaurant police on Facebook
Michelleludford . 2018-07-21
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Treated self (and dog) to a wonderful 9 mile yomp around the Ridgeway, Ivinghoe Beacon and Ashridge on the hottest day of the year... Had already identified the VT as the pub to go to (partly because it advertises itself as dog-friendly, but also the renown of its beer), but also because of its great name! It didnt disappoint... water and treat for the pooch and a Ploughman's and a gorgeous pint of Side Pocket for me, with enough cheese to keep me going for a week or two. Apparently pubs are in decline. If they were more like this one, they wouldn't be! Will find an excuse to return very soon.
Rob C . 2018-07-10
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Wow what a setting, a lovely old pub close to Ashridge Estate, so perfect for a lunch after a big walk. It was a lovely sunny day so sat in the garden. The staff member was not happy to see us and very quickly told us that we had 5 minutes to order and was only allowed sandwiches. I ordered the sausage and caramelised onion sandwich, mmmm, it was not what I would call caramelised, just an average sandwich. The pub is in a lovely setting, just a shame the staff were so grumpy. I would personally choose somewhere else to eat next time.
shazzzalongley . 2018-07-04
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We like the valiant trooper because it had a garden so a good place for an early eve meal on a very sunny Friday. Food was fine but thought it was a bit on the pricey side for drinks. Prosecco for £7.0?? Not sure it's worth that.
Catherine R . 2018-06-25
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We oredered along with a number of other people in our group, offeredto pay there and then but were told we would get our bill after the neal. Fodd bgan to arrive eventaully but although one order was incorrectly double up and returned, wenever got our order. After sdking and being asuured it was inthe kitchen ee were then told we had never actually ordered a meal.
bordereiver . 2018-06-11
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This is a lovely little pub to visit set in the beautiful chocolate box village of Aldbury.
Grimsby247 . 2018-06-03
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Fuimos un día de sol después de una excursión por Ashridge y disfrutamos mucho de la comida en la terraza. La carta es la típica comida de pub, nada destacable, pero el sitio es muy agradable.
Alberto M . 2018-05-27
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3264 Opinions
My husband loves this pub as it’s a fullers, I love this place for the food and lovely relaxed atmosphere. The food helps as well. We bought my Father in law for Sunday dinner up in the restaurant area, he loved it so much, we have booked for Christmas Day
567 Opinions
I would just like to thank all the staff at the Crystal Palace pub for the fantastic service we got throughout the day for our daughter’s 30th birthday party. We had so many comments from all our guests about how good the food was and what a great a venue you have. Thanks again
434 Opinions
Been coming here for years, I know everyone cutting costs but the fish and chips was dreadful. Last time we came, sausage and mash wasn’t very nice, and was sent back, nobody spoke to us about this, even tough the dish had one mouthful out of it, the sausages didn’t have any colour and were like rubber, we paid and left. Went this evening as everyone has an off day, thought we’d give it another go, and it’s our local. This time ordered the fish and chips, always crispy, hot with lovely mushy peas, and lovely chunky tartar sauce, Today the mushy peas where from a tin I suspect, green water, and the tartar sauce was liquid , processed vinegary stuff, wasn’t nice. Plenty of food, but just soggy fish and warm at best. Gutted honestly, but won’t go back, the prices are shocking for the quality.
1844 Opinions
Classic spoons - burger and a drink deal, you know what you're getting, good burger, good chips, onion rings. All reasonably priced. Quick service through the app. Lots of sauces (ketchup, mayo etc.) available on the side. All good 🍔🍟🍺🍹
1993 Opinions
Friendly service and a good selection on the menu. The sausage and mash was delicious. Huge meaty sausages, served with fresh vegetables. My husband particularly liked the gravy. The roast beef was a huge plate of food. Tasty fresh vegetables and plenty of roasties, the meat was just pink but very tender.