Buckinghamshire Pub Recommedations
Discussion
We're meeting up with my Mum and brother next weekend, they're in Essex, we're in Worcestershire so somewhere off the M40/M25 around the Great Missenden area is central for all of us though location is fairly flexible.
Looking for a country pub that does nice food, doesn't have to be "gastro" necessarily, decent pub grub is fine, but with a decent beer garden and kids play area so as to entertain our 3 & 5 year old. No Wacky Warehouse/Harvester/etc. type places thanks.
It's difficult to figure out what is the most kid friendly but also of reasonable quality from Trip Advisor / pub websites alone so hoping the PH massive can help me out? We've been to a few pubs around the area in the past but nothing so far has really hit the spot and the last place we went to which was a bit more "gastro" specifically for my Mum's birthday was a real let down despite the positive reviews.
Thanks!
Looking for a country pub that does nice food, doesn't have to be "gastro" necessarily, decent pub grub is fine, but with a decent beer garden and kids play area so as to entertain our 3 & 5 year old. No Wacky Warehouse/Harvester/etc. type places thanks.
It's difficult to figure out what is the most kid friendly but also of reasonable quality from Trip Advisor / pub websites alone so hoping the PH massive can help me out? We've been to a few pubs around the area in the past but nothing so far has really hit the spot and the last place we went to which was a bit more "gastro" specifically for my Mum's birthday was a real let down despite the positive reviews.
Thanks!
Edited by C0ffin D0dger on Monday 18th July 14:34
Struggling slightly here, even though I'm quite local to your preferred location.
The ideal location is the Polecat - in Prestwood, which is ~ 2 miles from Great Missenden. It has a fabulous Beer Garden, and a quite extensive kids play area, and is for the most part a really nice pub. Last time I went, which was about 7 years ago (even though I could walk there), both the food and the choice of drinks (wine) were DIRE. However, I have been assured that it has fairly recently changed hands, and the food and the wine have improved dramatically.
Steer clear of the Black Horse in Gt. Missenden.
The White Horse in Gt. Missenden has good food, but your kids will be bored senseless.
A potential compromise is the Queens Head in Penn - part of the Salisbury Pubs chain. Food and drink are both fantastic, kids fit in, but there aren't really any facilities specifically for them.
I can't think of anywhere that ticks both the kids box and the food box
The ideal location is the Polecat - in Prestwood, which is ~ 2 miles from Great Missenden. It has a fabulous Beer Garden, and a quite extensive kids play area, and is for the most part a really nice pub. Last time I went, which was about 7 years ago (even though I could walk there), both the food and the choice of drinks (wine) were DIRE. However, I have been assured that it has fairly recently changed hands, and the food and the wine have improved dramatically.
Steer clear of the Black Horse in Gt. Missenden.
The White Horse in Gt. Missenden has good food, but your kids will be bored senseless.
A potential compromise is the Queens Head in Penn - part of the Salisbury Pubs chain. Food and drink are both fantastic, kids fit in, but there aren't really any facilities specifically for them.
I can't think of anywhere that ticks both the kids box and the food box
http://thelionsofbledlow.co.uk
Great and even better if you have dogs, as some great dog walks.
Or here not far away
http://www.peacockcountryinn.co.uk/bar-and-restaur...
Both are good straightforward food.
Mike
Great and even better if you have dogs, as some great dog walks.
Or here not far away
http://www.peacockcountryinn.co.uk/bar-and-restaur...
Both are good straightforward food.
Mike
C0ffin D0dger said:
We're meeting up with my Mum and brother next weekend, they're in Essex, we're in Worcestershire so somewhere off the M40/M25 around the Great Missenden area is central for all of us though location is fairly flexible.
Looking for a country pub that does nice food, doesn't have to be "gastro" necessarily, decent pub grub is fine, but with a decent beer garden and kids play area so as to entertain our 3 & 5 year old. No Wacky Warehouse/Harvester/etc. type places thanks.
It's difficult to figure out what is the most kid friendly but also of reasonable quality from Trip Advisor / pub websites alone so hoping the PH massive can help me out? We've been to a few pubs around the area in the past but nothing so far has really hit the spot and the last place we went to which was a bit more "gastro" specifically for my Mum's birthday was a real let down despite the positive reviews.
Thanks!
Here you go. I've cracked it for you. Quite close by in High Wycombe.Looking for a country pub that does nice food, doesn't have to be "gastro" necessarily, decent pub grub is fine, but with a decent beer garden and kids play area so as to entertain our 3 & 5 year old. No Wacky Warehouse/Harvester/etc. type places thanks.
It's difficult to figure out what is the most kid friendly but also of reasonable quality from Trip Advisor / pub websites alone so hoping the PH massive can help me out? We've been to a few pubs around the area in the past but nothing so far has really hit the spot and the last place we went to which was a bit more "gastro" specifically for my Mum's birthday was a real let down despite the positive reviews.
Thanks!
Edited by C0ffin D0dger on Monday 18th July 14:34
http://tinyurl.com/zasol68
The Old Swan in Swan Bottom is run by Ph'er Landlord and is in the locale. Good food, big garden.
The Polecat - used to rave about it 8 years ago, now its sadly hot and miss. On a good day the food is great tho.
The Bellcote - just off the A41 -is ALWAYS rammed, but Ive not been there...
http://www.bellcotepubchesham.co.uk/
The Polecat - used to rave about it 8 years ago, now its sadly hot and miss. On a good day the food is great tho.
The Bellcote - just off the A41 -is ALWAYS rammed, but Ive not been there...
http://www.bellcotepubchesham.co.uk/
The Mad Monk said:
C0ffin D0dger said:
We're meeting up with my Mum and brother next weekend, they're in Essex, we're in Worcestershire so somewhere off the M40/M25 around the Great Missenden area is central for all of us though location is fairly flexible.
Looking for a country pub that does nice food, doesn't have to be "gastro" necessarily, decent pub grub is fine, but with a decent beer garden and kids play area so as to entertain our 3 & 5 year old. No Wacky Warehouse/Harvester/etc. type places thanks.
It's difficult to figure out what is the most kid friendly but also of reasonable quality from Trip Advisor / pub websites alone so hoping the PH massive can help me out? We've been to a few pubs around the area in the past but nothing so far has really hit the spot and the last place we went to which was a bit more "gastro" specifically for my Mum's birthday was a real let down despite the positive reviews.
Thanks!
Here you go. I've cracked it for you. Quite close by in High Wycombe.Looking for a country pub that does nice food, doesn't have to be "gastro" necessarily, decent pub grub is fine, but with a decent beer garden and kids play area so as to entertain our 3 & 5 year old. No Wacky Warehouse/Harvester/etc. type places thanks.
It's difficult to figure out what is the most kid friendly but also of reasonable quality from Trip Advisor / pub websites alone so hoping the PH massive can help me out? We've been to a few pubs around the area in the past but nothing so far has really hit the spot and the last place we went to which was a bit more "gastro" specifically for my Mum's birthday was a real let down despite the positive reviews.
Thanks!
Edited by C0ffin D0dger on Monday 18th July 14:34
http://tinyurl.com/zasol68
Thanks for all the suggestions, on the face of it the Polecat looks like a good possibility but it does really seem to be a bit of a risk as to whether the food is going to be nice or not, Trip Advisor reviews echo this somewhat. The other places look good too but not sure if they'll be enough to keep the kids amused. It would be nice to let them play for a bit, get fed, and then let them play some more while our food goes down and we can relax / have a conversation without them hassling us too much.
Funny that someone should mention the Old Swan at Swan Bottom, that's where we went for my Mum's birthday, nice enough pub but I had what was supposed to be slow roast pork shoulder that we were then told was going to be pork belly and when it arrived it was over done / tough and accompanied by a strip of crackling that was so hard it was inedible. The portions were pretty small, even my Mum who has next to no appetite said she could have done with more, and it wasn't exactly cheap. Probably should have complained but wrote it off to experience.
Anyone had any experience of this place in Penn Street Village: http://www.thesquirrelpub.co.uk/index.html ?
Sounds great for the kids, play area and bouncy castle.
Unfortunately it does seem to be that the pubs with the decent kids facilities are often the ones that are a bit lacking on the food front. I guess it might dictate the kind of clientele you attract but I'm realising that while the kids are at this age it's better to go somewhere that is more orientated to them rather than a more adult type venue where they just spend most of the time being a PITA as there isn't a lot for them to do. I know in a few years it will be a different story and we'll be able to start going to nice eateries again.
Funny that someone should mention the Old Swan at Swan Bottom, that's where we went for my Mum's birthday, nice enough pub but I had what was supposed to be slow roast pork shoulder that we were then told was going to be pork belly and when it arrived it was over done / tough and accompanied by a strip of crackling that was so hard it was inedible. The portions were pretty small, even my Mum who has next to no appetite said she could have done with more, and it wasn't exactly cheap. Probably should have complained but wrote it off to experience.
Anyone had any experience of this place in Penn Street Village: http://www.thesquirrelpub.co.uk/index.html ?
Sounds great for the kids, play area and bouncy castle.
Unfortunately it does seem to be that the pubs with the decent kids facilities are often the ones that are a bit lacking on the food front. I guess it might dictate the kind of clientele you attract but I'm realising that while the kids are at this age it's better to go somewhere that is more orientated to them rather than a more adult type venue where they just spend most of the time being a PITA as there isn't a lot for them to do. I know in a few years it will be a different story and we'll be able to start going to nice eateries again.
I live in Great Missenden and would struggle to find a pub that matches those requirements. The problem is lack of beer garden.
My first thought was also the Cock and Rabbit in the Lee. http://graziemille.co.uk/ Often used for Midsommer Murders filming so older members of the family may like this. The garden is reasonably big and the kids can run around although there is no specific entertainment for them if memory serves correctly.
The other option may be the Nags Head http://www.nagsheadbucks.com/ Reasonably close to the Roald Dahl museum, his old house, where he is laid to rest etc which can entertain the kids afterwards (depending on ages). With the BFG fil out soon this may be interesting for the kids afterwards although as with the Cock and Rabbit there is no specific entertainment in the beer garden for the kids and it is just an area outside (unless there is a cricket match on next door and they are into that sort of thing)
The Black Horse has improved significantly recently since it was refurbished but I haven't eaten there since it was. Outside isn't great unless they are doing ballooning from there that day, which can be interesting. http://www.blackhorsegreatmissenden.com/home-630.h...
Never fancied the Polecat in Prestwood so have never been.
Hope that this helps but if you need anything else just ask.
Peter
My first thought was also the Cock and Rabbit in the Lee. http://graziemille.co.uk/ Often used for Midsommer Murders filming so older members of the family may like this. The garden is reasonably big and the kids can run around although there is no specific entertainment for them if memory serves correctly.
The other option may be the Nags Head http://www.nagsheadbucks.com/ Reasonably close to the Roald Dahl museum, his old house, where he is laid to rest etc which can entertain the kids afterwards (depending on ages). With the BFG fil out soon this may be interesting for the kids afterwards although as with the Cock and Rabbit there is no specific entertainment in the beer garden for the kids and it is just an area outside (unless there is a cricket match on next door and they are into that sort of thing)
The Black Horse has improved significantly recently since it was refurbished but I haven't eaten there since it was. Outside isn't great unless they are doing ballooning from there that day, which can be interesting. http://www.blackhorsegreatmissenden.com/home-630.h...
Never fancied the Polecat in Prestwood so have never been.
Hope that this helps but if you need anything else just ask.
Peter
The Pink and Lily near Princes Risborough or the Whip Inn at Lacey Green, also near Princes Risborough. IMHO the Lions of Bledlow is a fabulous pub in exquisite location, but the service is mediocre to lousy in my experience. If you're near Beaconsfield you go touristy at the Royal Standard of England or for a great pub with great beer The Royal Standard on Wooburn Common.
There is a landlord on PH (see Landlord) - of the Old Swan Inn just off the A413 near Gt Missenden Old Swan Pub his name is Phil. I have never been to his pub to my eternal shame, but I'm sure he'd look after a fellow PHer!
Cheers!
There is a landlord on PH (see Landlord) - of the Old Swan Inn just off the A413 near Gt Missenden Old Swan Pub his name is Phil. I have never been to his pub to my eternal shame, but I'm sure he'd look after a fellow PHer!
Cheers!
The Plough at Cadsden? http://theplough.pub/
I can see a Pistonheads get together in a pub one day developing....
I can see a Pistonheads get together in a pub one day developing....
Esders said:
The Plough at Cadsden? http://theplough.pub/
I can see a Pistonheads get together in a pub one day developing....
Good shout! You might find CMD's little daughter in there too. He had a habit of leaving her behind. Not sure about the play area unless the Chiltern Hills are acceptable...I can see a Pistonheads get together in a pub one day developing....
Also 'The Boot'in Bledlow Ridge. Good food, if a little pricey and pretentious (served on lumps of wood, that sort of thing), nice garden for children.
Esders said:
I can see a Pistonheads get together in a pub one day developing....
Like this...http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Thanks for everyone's input on this 
We ended up going to the Black Horse in Great Missenden. Pretty much perfect, nice beer garden and a small play area for the kids which kept our two entertained apart from some pestering to be pushed on the swings. Food was what we wanted, hearty pub food and not pretentious. Burger was very nice, obviously homemade, with nice smokey bacon and smoked cheese. Good grub for the kids too, the "chicken nuggets" (goujons) were bits of real chicken deep fried in batter which our two wolfed down.
Wouldn't have been so good if the weather hadn't been on our side, seemed quite small inside, but lucky it was warm and sunny for our visit.
Went to Wendover Woods after which was rammed, loads of folk having picnics or barbecues. Still the kids managed to see the Gruffalo, let off some steam in the play park and have an ice cream.
We ended up going to the Black Horse in Great Missenden. Pretty much perfect, nice beer garden and a small play area for the kids which kept our two entertained apart from some pestering to be pushed on the swings. Food was what we wanted, hearty pub food and not pretentious. Burger was very nice, obviously homemade, with nice smokey bacon and smoked cheese. Good grub for the kids too, the "chicken nuggets" (goujons) were bits of real chicken deep fried in batter which our two wolfed down.
Wouldn't have been so good if the weather hadn't been on our side, seemed quite small inside, but lucky it was warm and sunny for our visit.
Went to Wendover Woods after which was rammed, loads of folk having picnics or barbecues. Still the kids managed to see the Gruffalo, let off some steam in the play park and have an ice cream.
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