Delivery
Pickup
Outdoor
The best restaurants serving British food in Vale of White Horse South East
84 Restaurants on GastroRanking
Delivery
Pickup
Outdoor
541 Opinions in 3 websites
Interesting and recently refurbished and extended pub serving breakfast, hot drinks and cakes, a hot food menu and sells a small amount of refrigerated supplies and gifts. The current car park is limited due to building works storage but does have an overflow carpark. Two restaurant areas and a pub bar area with a log fire soon to be commissioned. Arrived at 12 noon for a booking but staff were running around and not talking to us, just a few words to say they would be with us in a few minutes would have been appreciated but just walked past - some training maybe needed on how to greet guests waiting. Ordered the Christmas lunch which was a very good portion for starters and mains though deserts were a little wanting for the bland presentation and taste two scoops of ice cream for the price. Servers were very helpful and friendly after we were seated though food delivery was a little slow due to a 90th birthday party. Only thing I would say about the Christmas dinner was that the potatoes and veg looked and tasted reheated from the previous day as the roast whilst crispy were missing most of the inner potato and the roast carrots were dry and curly but the rich gravy did liven up the meal. Worth a try and will hopefully get better!. Will return to try breakfast next time.
171 Opinions in 2 websites
Fantastic location, close to the White Horse on the Hill, Waylands Smithy, the Ridgeway trail, etc. Good pub with friendly staff. Good pub food veggie option was halloumi burger & chunky chips. Accomodation was . In cosy wooden chalets, clean tidy and fully equipped , with ensuite. Nice breakfasts in the morning.
1810 Opinions in 4 websites
Located in a lovely village. Unfortunately our food took over an hour to be served with no updates or apologies. The fact we were sat outside due to no space inside, we thought was a good sign. However, it just left us frozen after a very long wait. Mediocre food. Won’t be driving out to visit again.
737 Opinions in 2 websites
We had a very enjoyable birthday lunch here. However, it seems unsure whether it is a restaurant or a gastropub. Food quality and presentation were up to the standard of a high quality restaurant. So were the prices! The staff were very professsional (and we noticed that they close once a week for staff training). However, it still looks and feels like a pub, with a bar, wooden seating, no tablecloths, casually dressed staff, and they neded one or two more staff both in the kitchen and serving. They should either put in place the finishing touches for it to be a fine restaurant, or dial down a bit, particularly on prices, and present it as a really good gastropub.
384 Opinions in 3 websites
So Disappointing!!! Before I start, I should say we have been regulars at the Sparsholt (even when it was called The Star), however we had not been for approximately six months. We had a restaurant reservation for 19:00hrs for what was my granddaughters 13th birthday treat. We were excited on our arrival, but unfortunately that is where it stopped. We arrived to a virtually empty ( 1 table in use) establishment on a Saturday night, to be greeted by two front of house staff who looked as though they belonged in a local pub. Gone has the smart but casual dress code for the staff. After waiting an age to order our drinks, we then had to ask for the menus, and even then had to ask again to order. There was no ‘table checking’ whatsoever. Whilst we were waiting, another group arrived and went to sit in the restaurant area. When the time came to go to our table, to my astonishment we were asked if we minded sitting in the bar on a table that was just adjacent to us!! The place was virtually empty, we were dressed smartly and we certainly didn’t want a bar meal. The staff were very accommodating and showed us to a table in the main restaurant where there were now two other tables occupied. My granddaughter ordered the prawn starter, which resembled a portion of panco prawns from Iceland, whilst my wife and I had the ham hock. The starters had lost all their wow factor, where very little effort or time was spent on presentation. When the time came to clear the plates, we were even asked to pass our own plates across the table, to save the waitress walking around us. The mains followed, with little improvement. I had the venison pave, consisting of two medallions of venison which turned out to be so tuff I couldn’t eat it, with the whole plate overpowered by the sharpness of red cabbage. My wife and granddaughter had the cod main. As the was no table checking, and not a waiter/waitress to be seen, I ended up not eating my main (was refunded) as the rest of the table had finished their meals. Desserts followed, which were unremarkable. All in all, this was a disappointing evening. We had looked forward to treating our granddaughter but the whole Sparsholt experience has changed. I know times are hard in the hospitality industry but basic service and attention to detail doesn’t cost. We have cancelled our Xmas reservations and unfortunately won’t be returning soon. It’s such a disappointment because this was our destination restaurant (30 minute drive away) as we live in a town full of fast food chain eateries.
59 Opinions in 2 websites
This old pub is a must for good food and drinks set along side the cancel in Swindon we had roast dinner on Friday the roast beef was fantastic and all fresh vegetables carrots peas broccoli cabbage amazing comes out piping hot to and the puddings to die for with thick custard I fully recommend this lovely little pub