Wiltshire
The Tipple Inn

The Tipple Inn

High Street, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, SN8 3EQ

Steak • Salads • Cheese • British


"Wow! Well that was certainly the most unimpressive service experience I have ever had in my years of visiting an eating establishment!! Bearing in mind that my family eat out at least once a week and try to choose small local pubs rather than chains to support local, family businesses. So, we travelled an hour to this pub to meet up with the rest of my family as a half way point to celebrate my sons 21st birthday after reading recent positive trip advisor reviews. We were greeted warmly but did notice that there was slow service of drinks from the start, despite the pub not being overly busy … 2 other tables eating and around 4/6 people drinking in the bar. We arrived at 7:30 and after a bit of a slow service ordered our starters which were served at 8:30. The food when it arrived was very good and tasty and we ate it all bearing in mind we were also very hungry after a bit of a wait! At no point were we offered any drinks … 3 times we had to go up to the bar to ask for drinks … it did feel like the bar staff were more interested in socialising with the 4/6 locals in the bar rather than hosting their restaurant customers. We continued to wait for our main courses and twice asked how long the wait would be … initially the first time we asked which was around 9pm the bar man was quite defensive and said “what do you want me to do, wipe off some staters … we are one man down” we replied with no that’s fine we just wondered when we will get our main course … he said 5 minutes! Still by 9;30pm nothing … so, we asked again, to be told 5 minutes. We waited and nothing happened … At 9:40 pm was when we heard a big argument in the kitchen between the barman and the chef (which turned out to be his mother) the argument made us feel really uncomfortable with the barman aggressively shouting at the ‘chef’ … the mother then came to speak to us clearly embarrassed about the whole situation … but by that time we had enough … the whole service, atmosphere and dishonesty was awful and my sons birthday ruined … not by the chef as she was doing her best and the food we did get to eat (starters) was good … but by the bar man and his waitress who were laid back, lazy and less interested in the restaurant customers and more interested in chatting to the few locals in the bar! Shame they didn’t volunteer in the kitchen to support someone who was clearly struggling! I hate giving a poor review to a small business especially in this current climate … but honestly you deserve it! Pull your socks up! The service you provided was awful and the way you spoke and treated your mother was disgraceful ! We walked out in disgust!"

The Birdcage

The Birdcage

High Street, SN16 9GJ, Wiltshire, United Kingdom

Full • Pizza • Pasta • Lunch


"Me and my partner and my parents have been on holiday in the Cotswolds the last few days. Last night was our last night so we all wanted to choose a different but nice place to go out and eat. Where we were staying this place had been recommended quite a few times and with it being an Italian something we all enjoy we thought let’s give it a try. It was only 13mins away from where we was staying so we didn’t have to travel for ages. We made our way once we got into the village of Malmesbury which I must say a lovely little village lots of places to eat, the only thing is this place we ate at didn’t have its own car park so we had to park and walk but this was a few minutes away so it wasn’t far. We was greeted by a lovely girl who showed us to our table. We ordered some drinks and browsed through the menus. The restaurant was fairly quiet with a few others eating but it was nice for us to all be out together and have somewhere where we could hear each others conversations. We then ordered our food. We started off with starters. I had the dough balls with garlic butter always a favourite, my Mum had the portobello mushroom with tomato, chilli, halloumi and onions with a small dressing of salad. My Dad and partner had the garlic flatbread one with halloumi the other with mozzarella. We all enjoyed these. Main courses My Mum and I both had the Italian pasta bolognaise which was lovely just the right amount of pasta and bolognaise with some Parmesan over the top. My partner had the special pizza that was on offer with pepperoni added on. And my Dad had a chicken kind of pizza that he enjoyed too. It was a really lovely evening and the food was just amazing. WELL DONE CHEF) The restaurant itself was really beautifully designed with bird cages, birds, old instruments decorated around the room. It was a lovely place to be. Soon after we felt there was room for puddings. Again a wide selection of choices. Me and my Mum didn’t have one we just enjoyed a coffee but my partner and Dad both had the salted caramel crunch sundaes which they both thoroughly enjoyed. As this was our last evening of our holiday we travelled back home today) we would highly recommend and we hope to return some day too!"

The Wheatsheaf At Oaksey

The Wheatsheaf At Oaksey

Wheatsheaf Lane, SN16 9TB, Wiltshire, United Kingdom

Pubs • Steak • Seafood • Desserts


"I spent a lovely month living in Oaksey. I found the Wheatsheaf on day one and visited once or twice a week for the duration of my stay. By the second visit, at which I enjoyed my first meal, my dogs and I were made to feel like locals. Carol, Ian and their team are so warm and friendly. My visit on 20th October was to meet friends for dinner. I was a little late and by the time I 'd got there, my friends were deep in conversation with Carol. I walked in and was welcomed by an old friend, which was wonderful. I didn 't get the young woman 's name, but she remembered some of the stuff I 'd wittered on about in my previous visit and asked me how things had gone. I spent a lot of time on my own in Oaksey, working, but moments like this made me feel recognised . And it felt authentic; these guys genuinely like people! The food here is delicious, with a good range of options to choose from. One of my 20th October friends is a pretty severe coeliac and she was able to enjoy a dish that met her dietary needs. Some key indicators for me of good cooking were in evidence here: pasta is al dente, vegetables (notably broccoli) has a crunch and isn 't soggy. The meals themselves take a little while to come, which is suggestive of things being cooked fresh rather than being re-generated. I 'd add that they seem to keep the beer well here. I like a pint of cask ale if I can get it and I had nothing but joyful flavours from all the pints I enjoyed. It 's worth making a trip here if you 're in the area and looking for an intimate, friendly pub-based meal."

Red Lion

Red Lion

United Kingdom, SN9 6AQ, Wiltshire

Meat • Steak • Chicken • Chocolate


"I turn 50 soon and decided there would be no better way to celebrate it than at the Red Lion with 8 close friends (4 couples). The team there were great about sorting out reservations in the Troutbeck and the rooms were a real hit...with our friends, none of whom had ever stayed there before. They are total luxury and beautifully decorated. When this was all arranged we were offered the private dining room upstairs, which we had never seen, and as the first person in the wow factor was massive! It's just the most beautiful setting and I could not wished for anything better. After being seated we were introduced to Vicky who looked after us all night with real care and nothing was too much for her. before longs lots of cocktails arrived, which were delicious and the With Thunderous Applause' toffee apple cocktail was a real hit. What to say about the food???? AMAZING! Each dish that arrived looked amazing, tasted fantastic and everyone was so, so happy with their choices. i had the smoked haddock scotch egg then the venison and was so happy with my choices. The chateaubriand looked amazing and the chips are the best ever. We all had desserts and the panna cotta, passion fruit tart, cheese and creme brulee were just the best way to finish. After a bit of port, sake, scotch or whatever to finish we left full, happy and having had the most amazing time. It's an evening I'll never forget, thank you everyone and, as ever, the breakfasts the next morning really hit the spot!"